Guilty pleasure reading
Lately, I've been all about the non-fiction. I've got a compare/contrast post of sacred sexuality books coming down the pike, I'm up to my ears in info about Hekate, and I'm still getting through spirituality books that I received for Yule. And I really do like non-fiction-- I'm one of those kids who loved going back to school in the Fall just so I could raid the library, so I guess you could say I'm a lifelong learner.
But. There is a line. Right now, my brain is so jam-packed with info that I'm probably mumbling about the myth of a worldwide matriarchy in my sleep.
I need some guilty-pleasure reading, stat.
When I was younger, it was easy. It started with The Baby-Sitters' Club. I read damn near every book up until Dawn going back to California, at which point I guess I just stopped caring. Then came the "scary stories" explosion. Goosebumps never really kept my attention, and I think I read one or two Fear Street, but they were kind of boring and predictable. Then came Christopher Pike-- I read every Pike book in the library. I bought every L.J. Smith book I could find when puberty hit. Then I got into YA lit that's both style and substance-- Francesca Lia Block, Holly Black.
I've got a serious yen for metaphysical fiction. Not really sci-fi, but not 'fantasy' in the dragons and damsels way, either. More along the Buffy line-- I've got a weak spot for vampire novels, dark faery tales, suspense, and sometimes erotica.
The only snag is that I can't stand crappy writing. I would have probably read Laurell K. Hamilton years ago, only I keep hearing about what a hack she's become, and so I'm wary. Maybe, just maybe, I'll get the first book of one of her series, and if it's crap, I'll review it as such. No harm, no foul. I'll just feel stupid for paying money for it.
(And don't tell me to go to the library. I always forget to return books on time and rack up insane fees. I'd rather go the Amazon used route.)
This afternoon,
tamnonlinear and I are heading to Barnes & Noble. One of her LJ friends has a new book out with some Tam Lin influence, so I might pick that up if they have it.
Other than that-- rec me, please. I need something genre-y that's heavy on plot, maybe a little embarrassing, fun to read, and, if at all possible, by a writer who knows more than five adjectives. Help!
But. There is a line. Right now, my brain is so jam-packed with info that I'm probably mumbling about the myth of a worldwide matriarchy in my sleep.
I need some guilty-pleasure reading, stat.
When I was younger, it was easy. It started with The Baby-Sitters' Club. I read damn near every book up until Dawn going back to California, at which point I guess I just stopped caring. Then came the "scary stories" explosion. Goosebumps never really kept my attention, and I think I read one or two Fear Street, but they were kind of boring and predictable. Then came Christopher Pike-- I read every Pike book in the library. I bought every L.J. Smith book I could find when puberty hit. Then I got into YA lit that's both style and substance-- Francesca Lia Block, Holly Black.
I've got a serious yen for metaphysical fiction. Not really sci-fi, but not 'fantasy' in the dragons and damsels way, either. More along the Buffy line-- I've got a weak spot for vampire novels, dark faery tales, suspense, and sometimes erotica.
The only snag is that I can't stand crappy writing. I would have probably read Laurell K. Hamilton years ago, only I keep hearing about what a hack she's become, and so I'm wary. Maybe, just maybe, I'll get the first book of one of her series, and if it's crap, I'll review it as such. No harm, no foul. I'll just feel stupid for paying money for it.
(And don't tell me to go to the library. I always forget to return books on time and rack up insane fees. I'd rather go the Amazon used route.)
This afternoon,
tamnonlinear and I are heading to Barnes & Noble. One of her LJ friends has a new book out with some Tam Lin influence, so I might pick that up if they have it.Other than that-- rec me, please. I need something genre-y that's heavy on plot, maybe a little embarrassing, fun to read, and, if at all possible, by a writer who knows more than five adjectives. Help!