Wednesday 3 March 2021

#IWSG post March - #Reading preferences.

 Hello fellow IWSG-ers! Hope your month has been awesome since we last got together. Today we're once again writing about our insecurities or securities. Which is yours this month? 





Alex's awesome co-hosts for the March 3 posting of the IWSG are Sarah - The Faux Fountain Pen Jacqui Murray, Chemist Ken, Victoria Marie Lees, Natalie Aguirre, and JQ Rose! Visit if you can!

 And ... be sure to visit the
Insecure Writer’s Support Group Website!!!

March 3 question - Everyone has a favorite genre or genres to write. But what about your reading preferences? Do you read widely or only within the genre(s) you create stories for? What motivates your reading choice?


So awesome to be talking about reading. I'm an eclectic reader of usually one hundred books a year. I absorb most, but not all, genres. My first two genres I'll publish are women's fiction and paranormal. I prefer not to read too many stories in my genre, as I've been working for years on those two genres, rewriting, editing, editing, editing ... so I reach for other genres to entertain me. 

I've always been a mad fan of psychological thrillers. I'm reading more and more of those currently, helped by a generous voucher gifted to me by one of my students. Here's my latest haul.



So many awesome authors in this genre. I've joined FB groups for UK Crime and such and am learning so much. I've got nearly half of a romantic suspense written, so learning the tropes won't hurt. Can't say that's my motivation for reading crime fiction, thrillers and romantic suspense. I just love the reading experience with suspense keeping my eyes on the page.

Have a great month all!

Thanks for coming by!


We're rocketing into April You're welcome to join us for the WEP April challenge!


Woo! Feel a challenge coming on?


39 comments:

Elephant's Child said...

Apart from the news I don't read a lot of horror, or 'hard-edged' science fiction. With those exceptions (which are not cast in stone I read across genres and intended age groups. I do so with very real pleasure. Writers are my heroes and I thank each and every one of you.

Rachna Chhabria said...

Hi Denise, I too love reading psychological thrillers, though I've not read many in the last year. Thanks for giving me a few recommendations, added those books to my TBR.

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

I mostly read science fiction and fantasy, although I've never attempted a fantasy. Like you and the thrillers, maybe one day I will attempt one.

Natalie Aguirre said...

I love psychological thrillers too. Also mysteries. I've found a lot of YA authors I didn't know about who write them, which has made me think about writing one too. I read a lot, but I'm not sure I hit 100 books like you.

Hilary Melton-Butcher said...

Hi Denise - I read a wide variety ... but not many novels per se - I do enjoy educating myself. Wonderful present to receive - always great finding new books to read and appreciate a genre from ... stay safe - Hilary

L. Diane Wolfe said...

I never read psychological thrillers until Joylene's two stories crossed my desk and we published them. Done right, they are excellent.

Nick Wilford said...

Any book can benefit from suspense, regardless of genre, so thrillers are a great one to get your teeth into.

Pat Garcia said...

Hi,
I do enjoy psychological thrillers and have read quite a few.
Hope you are fine.

Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange

Jemi Fraser said...

I read more psychological thrillers when I was younger - too many nightmares these days. I read widely but I do like my happy endings!

Bish Denham said...

100 books!? I wish I could read that many, but I'm a slow reader. 40 a year is about the best I can do. I have to think seriously before starting a loooong book. Now that I'm older, I don't have the time I used to...

Olga Godim said...

Psychological thrillers are not the genre I would read voluntarily. Neither I'd ever write one. Too gritty for me. I need something lighter, to balance my dour personality.

cleemckenzie said...

So you're up to some romantic suspense, heh? Can't wait!

Diane Burton said...

I don't read horror, graphic violence, or psychological thrillers. All for the same reason--they give me nightmares. That's me. I don't ride roller coasters, either, and Gremlins scared the heck out of me. LOL

Kalpana said...

So true Nick

Kalpana said...

Looking forward to your romantic novel Denise. I don't read that many psychological thrillers because they scare me although I do sometimes like to be frightened. Hehe. I read the books on the Booker list and that opens me up to a number of genres. I also love less serious fiction. And there's always a non-fiction book I'm reading side by side with the fiction. 100 books a year? That is impressive.

Fundy Blue said...

I love psychological thrillers, Denise. It looks like you have a fun selection queued up. Happy writing in March!

H. R. Sinclair said...

I like thrillers too, especially when it's all dark and rainy outside. Funny, I think the weather effects what type of genre I like to read. I never really thought about that.

Denise Covey said...

You're probably right Holly. I once took a very depressing book as my holiday read. Quite inappropriate!

Denise Covey said...

Glad to see some who share my reading tastes!

Denise Covey said...

Usually the books on the Booker List bore me witless and I can't finish them. I guess I like the entertainment factor of thrillers.

Denise Covey said...

I totally get it Diane. That's why there's such a plethora of genres; there's a plethora of readers!

Susan B.Rouchard said...

Thank you Denise for your reading list. Have you tried Elizabeth George, so very British, notably the Inspector Lynley cases, but others which deal with child crimes, chilling.
Happy spring writing.

Denise Covey said...

You'll get it as soon as I finish!

Denise Covey said...

Can't help loving them. Grew out of James Patterson years ago, but love the new breed!

Denise Covey said...

I'm a speed reader, so that helps. 40 is good. I love long books!

Denise Covey said...

I like happy endings too, no matter what the genre.

Denise Covey said...

Hi Pat! Glad you like P.Thrillers too.

Denise Covey said...

Hee hee Hilary, I learn stuff too from novels. Can't wait to get my teeth into the new books!

Denise Covey said...

They are indeed Nick.

Denise Covey said...

LOL - 'Apart from the news I don't read a lot of horror...' Can hardly avoid that without not watching the news altogether. I tend to favor certain genres for awhile, then suddenly they bore me...

Sue, take it easy...

Denise Covey said...

I've several fave new authors - JD Delaney, Clare McIntosh, Helen Fields (but she's a bit gory) and what would you know - all women authors?

Denise Covey said...

Yeah anything with mystery is good. It's good to be inspired to write in a certain genre.

Denise Covey said...

Oui, Susan, love Elizabeth George. Most of my fave thriller authors are women. Men irritate me with their short chapters and formulaic writing - eg James Patterson, Lee Child et al

J Lenni Dorner said...

Very cool. My favorite crime fiction with some romance is the A Home Repair is Homicide Mystery by Sarah Graves. Damyanti's You Beneath Your Skin sounds like it would also be in your preferred reading list.

I'm getting ready for the April Blogging from A to Z Challenge. And hoping to honor the wonderful women in my life on March 8 for International Women's Day.

J Lenni Dorner~ Co-host of the #AtoZchallenge, Debut Author Interviewer, Reference& Speculative Fiction Author

Michael Di Gesu said...

Hi Denise!

I sure can relate about all those EDITS! UGH.... Still plugging away on MK... Had to change the last three chapters because of MK's granddaughter; she no longer wants to be in the book and doesn't want her father mentioned... a feel an immaculate conception coming on.... This is the FIRST and LAST time I write another person's story... So, as you can imagine, I have a ton of fixing to do... changing names and cutting out SO much for Kim's marriages...the focus now is going back to MK and off of Kim's life... not what the NY editor asked for, but I do plan on keeping EVERYTHING up to the marriages. This is where I need to be more creative.. MK was still very colorful in her later years, so there are many more antics to write about. I was just hoping to round the story out nicely, now it's back to MK and her shenanigans. I hope all is well! Drop me a line when you get a chance...

Denise Covey said...

Lovely for you to pop in Michael. I was wondering how MK was going. I'll email you.

Denise Covey said...

Oh, that time of year again J Lenni!

Michael Di Gesu said...

Looking forward to it!

Deniz Bevan said...

Ooh, that is a good genre, one that I haven't read enough of! I've heard of Karin Slaughter but haven't read her books yet. Will add her to the wishlist!