Reading Preferences

Writers often find it easier to describe their fiction or creative non-fiction genres by telling you about their reading preferences. You will find mine on Goodreads, but here are the kinds of books I read (or avoid) and excuse me if my interpretation of genres isn’t entirely accurate—I’m certainly not a scholar of literature. I often read the so-called classics (old and new) or literary fiction, partly because I improve my craft by reading them and partly because I simply enjoy them.

1. Most of all, I love original, well-crafted stories and characters. That could be any genre, but my preference is mostly for the unconventional. I like atmospheric stories and extra points if there is a touch of the bizarre, a sprinkling of the macabre, or some dark humour. Character-driven stories appeal to me, especially if they take place on the periphery of mainstream society. And magical realism is something I am drawn to.

2. I enjoy the macabre. I’m a fan of Edgar Allan Poe or Guy de Maupassant. Shirley Jackson and Priya Sharma (some Stephen King). I recently read some Walter de la Mare and what a treat. I am not keen on what you may call true horror, books where horror is the main aim … too disturbing for me. And I’m never drawn to transgressive fiction, where being transgressive is the point.

3. Speculative fiction? I’m not entirely sure I know what it is, but I often find myself liking books labelled as such, because of the mystery and slightly magical elements.

4. I like mystery, thriller and crime when it’s off-centre, like the screenplay Fargo, or when the suspense is well-crafted like in Thomas Harris’s books.

5. Sci Fi can be fun but it’s not my first choice.

6. I’m not mad about general fantasy with dragons, weird worlds, etc. But I did like the Harry Potter movies once my nephew explained them to me! And I do read stories that become dreamy, surreal, have the odd ghost or creature from another world 😊.

7. Memoirs … it’s not my go-to genre, but I know what a tremendously difficult genre this is to write. I am writing a true story/memoir for 2026/7 (see my November 2025 newsletter). If the memoir is from a celebrity or politician … I’ll give it a miss. However, if it looks like the person has an interesting story to tell, especially if it’s from someone on the periphery of organised society, I’m all ears. As for autobiographies, almost never.

8. Romance, where it gets in the way of a story, is not for me. I can’t remember if I ever read a ‘romance’ novel where romance was at the centre. I’m talking about modern ‘romcom’, ‘romantasy’, or erotica type genres. But then again, I’ve heard Jane Eyre called a romance novel. And I loved that. But the romance doesn’t get in the way of the story. Maybe a literature expert would say it’s a romance sub-genre of literary fiction. I don’t know, but it’s not the kind of romance I am referring to here.

9. In a bookstore you will never see me at the self-help section. Maybe I need help (!) but I wont be looking for it there.