Evelyn Lafont is an author and freelance writer with an addiction to Xanax and a predilection for snark. Her debut novella, The Vampire Relationship Guide, Volume 1: Meeting and Mating is available on Amazon , Barnes and Noble and Smashwords.
The Rational Appeal of Supernatural Books
As a reader, I tend to get into these grooves during which I only want to read a specific type of book for, like, months on end. Lately (as in, for the past year or so), if a book doesn’t have a supernatural element—like a vampire, demon, fae, sorcerer, whateverer—I can’t…um…sink my teeth into it.
There once was a time when I could read conventional chick lit without any supernatural goodies or badies and be perfectly content but now, I want funny, sexy, romantic and otherworldy to scratch all my itches. (Okay, really, could I have used a grosser analogy than that?)
Recently, I began wondering about this change because, since I’ll be turning 36 this year, I feel like my tastes should be getting more practical and less fantastical but my reading preferences seem to be pulling me the other way. I can’t help but wonder if it isn’t the age thing that’s really causing this. After all, the older I get, the more I have to face my own mortality. And you know what supernatural characters have in common? Immortality or, in the very least, a super long lifespan.
But another way that age might be affecting my reading choices is that the older you get, the more you realize that…oh, how do I put this…life is boring. Well, maybe not always but it is a bit—predictable. So why wouldn’t I want to pick up a book that has a reality no one could see as boring and events that I can’t possibly predict?
Every reader, obviously, is different. Each will have their own reading quirks, favorite genres and irrefutable reasons why they are completely devoted to that genre. For me? Gimme something funny, with a bit of bite, and a sexy otherworldly live-forever type, and I’m happier than a human chick lying in a pile of sexy vampires. Well…almost.
5 comments:
You remind me of when I read a chick lit and I couldn't seem to get into the story. I was over half way through when I realized the problem - I was waiting to see who the vampire was! I was so disappointed when I checked the blurb and realized I was reading about a "normal human" hero LOL Once I adjust my thinking I actually enjoyed the book but my hubby had a good chuckle.
Great post!
Sounds like Evelyn is having a mid-life crisses and read books instead of buying a new sports car and geting a cabana boy;) My reading material has changed with age too...and about in the same direction as Evelyns..LOL
I loved this post. My taste in books have changed also, I use to read more contemporary chick lits but lately I have been reading tons of Paranormal Romance and Urban Fantasy in the YA and Adult market. Evelyn, I think you might be on to something there :)
Same here LOL, I don't think I really ever read chick lit or too much Contemp oh wait I take that back I used to read Danielle Steele but then I stumbled on Historical was thats all I would read until again my niece strongly urged me to read a paranormal and I haven't looked back since.
It's nice to know I'm not alone, ladies!
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