My favorite book genres in 2017

2017 is coming to an end, and I am wrapping up my 2017 reading. Compared to last year, my reading variety expanded. Reading a wide variety of things is important to me—not only as a writer, but as a human being in general. For me, reading helps me connect with and understand a world I have difficulty understanding.

Most of the time, I’m asking, “Why?” or, “How?” because I don’t understand the reasoning for whatever, and my lack of understanding stunts me. I find myself on the brunt of the joke, stepping up to kick; I’m the weird new kid with Tourette’s tics and autistic stims, in fourth grade at Thousand Oaks Elementary School, and we’re playing kickball during recess. “Why do you do that every time before you kick?” they ask. It makes no sense to me, because why not? What is so weird about it? I don’t understand. But I’m on their team because I’m good—and I’m good, because I played soccer (which I’d play if it wasn’t a kickball day).

Thus, for me, reading is my way of connecting with the world, and people of it, in a way I would not have had a chance to otherwise. I have my preferences and know what I like most, but I try to keep an open mind because I realize my empathy develops more when I’m not closed off against what I don’t understand.

Book covers of 'The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo', 'The Possessions', 'My Heart May Be Broken, but My Hair Still Looks Great', and 'The Marriage Pact'

Since I’m a bit behind on my reading, but want to keep Mondays as bookish posts, today I’m sharing my fave book genres from 2017.~

Psychological thrillers

Since I studied in during my homeschooled year, psychology has always interested me on a personal level. It opened doors of understanding I hadn’t dreamt possible at a time when I felt like I was the one in the wrong in my abusive home environment. ‘Twas through learning about psychology that I started to understand the patterns of abusive behavior—which aided in my rebelling out against it.

I continued learning about psychology; I leaned more towards movies and documentaries with psychological themes. When I started hitting the horror department, I finally began relating to characters personally. That home life I had growing up depended on brainwashing, torture and manipulation—common themes in psychological thrillers.

My favorite this year was The Marriage Pact. I intend to reread The Possessions in 2018.

Historical fiction

What I most love about historical fiction is how it tells tales of people of the past and how their life was. History repeats itself because people don’t learn from it, leaving “the past in the past”, but reading about what life may have been like back then helps me put two-and-two together. In reading Anne of Green Gables books, I’ve become more emphatic in regards to my grandmother and her old ways. They may not be right to me or politically correct, nor excuse the actions, but I understand where she’s coming from now.

In The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, I found an empowering story uncovering secrets and provoking empathy as headlines and Evelyn’s story were revealed. Evelyn Hugo is another book I intend to reread next year.

A Name Unknown is another favorite from this year, for its slow-budding romance.

Romance fiction

UGH. Seldom outspoken about my love for some things sappy, I’m here admitting it was a favorite genre. I’VE COME A LONG WAY, YOU GUYS!

The most memorable romance novels I read were Evelyn Hugo and My Heart May Be Broken, but My Hair Still Looks Great. The ladder I found dumpster diving after my aunt’s alley neighbor’s garage sale, along with several others books, some years ago. A while passed before I got around to reading it, but I loved it. It’s hilarious and part of a series, but works well as a standalone.

Genres I’d like to read more of in 2018

From the list above, I want to read more psychological thrillers and historical fiction. Additionally, I want to read more Amish fiction, science fiction/fantasy, and targeted romance fiction. I’m not heterosexual, so straight romance novels tend to bore me more than anything. The whole female-character-is-female-thus-obsessed-with-males stereotype annoys me. Women are worth more than that.

The more I read, the more I realize what my preferences are—which I like—and am able to surmise when I will finish it.


What genres do you enjoy reading (in 2017 or in general)?

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