Thea Devine here, curious to know. I told you about all my to-be-read piles, didn’t I? I know what I like to read — or should I say what we all first and foremost probably read: romance. But over and above that, what books do you love to settle in with on a cold snowy day?
My list includes romantic suspense, serial killer mysteries, gothics, women’s fiction, hearth and home novels, category romance, thrillers — especially object of desire quests. What I’m not reading a lot of recently is historical romance and erotica, which you all know I write. I wonder about that sometimes; if what you read is a reflection of what you love to write, I should be devouring historical and erotic novels by the armload.
But I really love romantic suspense and a good gothic mystery. And I adore books (and tv movies) about women returning to their small town roots, especially if they live down south. And I’ll “read” Pride and Prejudice dozens of times as long as it’s broadcast in 6 parts on cable tv. Preferably in a marathon.
Inquiring minds want to know — do you write the kind of book you like to read? Or is your reading for pleasure light years away from what you write?
Thea Devine’s novels defined erotic historical romance. She is currently working on her next erotic contemporary romance. She’ll be speaking at the NJRWA Put Your Heart in a Book Conference in October.
Writing Secrets of 7 Scribes 
I read a lot of YA, mostly for voice. I do enjoy the “first love” stories, but all the drama gets old after a while. Then I’ll turn to romantic comedy, or romantic suspense. I used to love reading historical romance and then went through a paranormal romance phase that lasted several years. Vampires and werewolves galore, then it was on to thrillers. I seem to go in two or three year cycles with my reading tastes. When it comes to what I snuggle up with on a cold winter’s day, besides a cup of tea, my fall back is Diana Gabaldon’s Outlander series. I’ve read them all multiple times so I can just pick anyone of them up, open to a page, and jump right into the story:-) I’d love to move into a classics phase and go back to read all those wonderful old books by Dickens, Fitzgerald, Twain, and Melville. It’s been years and I’m long overdo.
You and me both on the Classics. I really do intend to read War & Peace — someday. Honestly.
thea
I too love the classics. Maybe b/c I love history.
Well, out of your list I really love romantic suspense, gothics, women’s fiction, hearth and home novels, and thrillers. I also love Stephen King-type horror, noir and cozy mysteries. Lately I have been reading and analyzing a lot of best selling cozies so that I really understand the genre as I’m writing books 2 and 3 in my series. I also like historicals, especially if they have an element of mystery, intrigue, or treasure hunting. But honestly, I’ll read just about anything.