After I picked this week’s topic, I realized I actually have no idea what my favorite book genre is. But never fear! I am kind of, sort of, mostly sure I will be able to figure it out by the end of the post.
If you asked me this question 6 years ago, I would have without a doubt said romance. Now, though, romances are a very small part of what I pick up. And if my favorite gene is what I read the most of, it would probably be fantasy. But I don’t necessarily think that’s accurate either.
So, what IS my favorite genre? It is actually a subgenre that I only recently learned the name of: low fantasy. Sounds wonderfully mystical and fancy, right? Really what that means is that I enjoy fantasy set in an otherwise normal world that has small magical/fantastical elements. Don’t get me wrong, I love faeries and alternate realms as well, and some of my favorite books are high fantasy. But there is something undeniably special for me in being able to pretend the magic I am reading about actually exists in my world.
Although it isn’t technically fantasy, I am going to lump in some dystopia to that definition. But think of a “low dystopia” if you will: something more 1984 than Brave New World. If it takes place in a world that seems not far off from our own, you can bet it’s on my TBR. Not that I necessarily want to envision our world going full-on dystopia (although let’s be real, the U.S. is pretty much there), but it feels that much more immersive of an experience. Not to mention I think it’s good to recognize where we could be headed in order to stop it.
All of that being said, I really don’t have a genre, or even two, that I stick with. I’m not even great at reading a series without picking up different books in between. One of my absolute favorite things about reading is being taken to so many different places. I find I don’t get stuck on any particular world, genre, or character, because the joy of books for me is consuming as many different experiences as possible. And it is SO important to read about diverse characters/stories. Books are such a powerful tool, and I think we should all take the opportunities to learn about other people, communities, and cultures. I consider myself lucky to be able to do that.
I hope you enjoyed my very roundabout answer to this week’s favorite, and please tag me in your own favorite genre posts, or leave a comment!
Happy reading (:
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Next week’s favorite Friday prompt: Favorite underrated book
The Midnight Book Blog 
I also love low fantasy (Im glad I know the name for that genre now) but high fantasy remains my favourite 🙂
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I totally get that! Sometimes I just want to get away to completely new world. And I think part of my problem is lately, I have been reading very similar high fantasy books
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Thanks for the thought-provoking post. Now what’s my favourite genre . . . ?
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Of course! And I know, it’s a tough question
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I’ve never been able to get into fantasy books, tending to stick to rom com type books. Recently though I’ve started branching out, reading a lot of thrillers and crime book and have even started reading some historical fiction. ‘What is my favourite genre’ is a very good question….
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That’s awesome! The only genre I haven’t read much of is crime because I can’t stand detective narratives for the most part, but I should try to branch out into that more (:
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We all have our different like and dislikes don’t we! I like watching crime shows like ncis etc so quite enjoy reading similar books
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Do you also like urban fantasy?
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I haven’t read urban fantasy in a while, but I’m def a fan!
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Low fantasy is something that I want to read more of! I usually read either high fantasy or horror, low fantasy for some reason intimidates me 😅
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Nooo don’t be scared, it’s so awesome! And I feel like there are so many different ways it can be done too
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My favourite is fantasy!
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That’s awesome!
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I really love low fantasy as well. It was my first step into fantasy genre.
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It really is the best (:
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I really like this idea of the favorite posts, I might join in 🙂
But it’s a difficult question to answer, my reading is all over the place 😉
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Yay!!! I would love to read it (:
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(I’ve been trying to like your pos/follow for hours now and it won’t let me for some reason 😭)
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I love hearing people talk about what genres they like, I find it so interesting! I’ve always been more of a historical/contemporary fiction kinda girl, I haven’t ventured too much into the world of fantasy but I recently found a Booktube channel that’s really inspired me to start expanding my comfort zone to include more fantasy/dystopian stuff which I’m excited about! Thanks for the fun post 🙂
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I think so too! I used to be sooo into contemporary. It’s so interesting seeing how my tastes have changed over the years. Thank you for sharing!
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Yeah it is so interesting for sure!
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I am not sure if this post is still up but I can’t read it )):
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This is such a fun idea! I created one too, is that okay? I tagged you and gave credit, but I can take it down if you’d like.
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Of course that’s okay!! I love when people use my tag ☺️
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Great post, J! I’ve read and enjoyed a lot of low fantasy, but romance remains my favorite (with low fantasy being a close second!) 🙂
I’m a new follower – you have a great blog!
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Thank you so much!! And I can understand that haha
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great post! it really does make you think, like yourself i would say Fantasy is my favourite genre at least at the moment, but i’m more leaning towards supernatural fantasies at the moment.
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What a fun tag! I agree that low fantasy is great because you can envision the magic happening in your own world; it makes the story relatable and even more exciting!!
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Thank you!! and yes exactly (:
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I love so many genres, but I still call romance my favorite because I usually need at least a hint of a romance to pull me in all the way. Think Anna and Kristoff in Frozen. Its there but its not the main draw of the story.
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That’s understandable, I think most of the books I read have some kind of romantic subplot actually
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Low fantasy is great and it was also my introduction to the world of fantasy. You can enjoy the fantasy world in your own world and it’s not very hard to read☺️
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Exactly! It’s like the best of both worlds
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Well, fantasy is a great genre, but my favourite genre is YA romance as it is extremely sweet and adorable. I also love mysteries very much!
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I need to read some more good mysteries I think
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Oooh okay I’ve never heard the term low fantasy but I love those type of books too! Don’t get me wrong, I love high fantasy too, but sometimes I want to quickly slip into a book and these are great for that!
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Couldn’t agree more!
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ahhh you have the cutest blog ever!!
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Thank you! I’m a relatively new follower of yours but I love your blog too 🥰
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I agree, books are a powerful tool, full with possibilities.
My favorite genre is fantasy too, but I like it to have some touch of romance in the mix – but it doesn’t have to be a strong part, a crush, a kiss, a tryst, anything is good. Magic realism, no matter high or low, is something I’m enjoying much of lately too.
Great post.
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Absolutely, that’s a popular sentiment! And thank you (:
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Same here, if someone were to have asked me this question a few years ago, I would definitely have said romance! In fact, my blog started off solely as a romance blog, paranormal romance to be precise. While romance is still a genre I read, my choice of books has become a lot more eclectic in recent years. Low fantasy is great. As you say, there’s just something about the idea that the magic in the book could happen in the real world too 😍 Great post!
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Thank you! And that’s so cool, I wish I could look back on my blog like that right now, but I’ll be able to in a few years (: my goodreads however is filled with romance books from my teens 😂
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My favourite genre used to be romance, but now I enjoy fantasy and thrillers. But I do appreciate the romance novel in between all of that.
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I also recently learned that I love low fantasy! But I prefer my fantasy books with romance subplots
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I totally get that! Last year I probably would have said the same thing
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Hey, I have a question. To do this favorite Friday post, we have to post each Friday, or each week? Is it open to anyone to participate?
It sounds really funny
😄
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Hmmm, I’m not sure I understand ): Each week I pick a different topic for people to think about, and then on Friday anybody is welcome to make their post! Just tag my blog and you’re all set (: this week is favorite place/time to read
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Thanks, 😄
I meant to ask that we have to post specifically on Friday or any day of the week ? 😅
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I do it on Friday just for the alliteration, but if you want to do it a different day that’s totally fine!
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OK, thank you so much 😘😘
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