5 Books That Define My Taste
Reading is not one-size-fits-all. One of the greatest things about books is that there is literally something for everyone. With so many genres and even more sub-genres, the options are endless. The most important thing is finding something you enjoy.
It can take time to develop your own reading taste, and there may be a lot of trial and error in the process. While in school, I was burned out on books! I hated everything we were forced to read, and that sucked the joy out of reading for me. After college, I got back into reading, but my taste has evolved as I’ve gotten older and my interests/priorities have changed.
How Would I Describe My Taste in Reading?
My reading taste now is a pretty good mix of my various “phases” as a reader since college. I like mysteries/thrillers, I still enjoy a Young Adult Fantasy and Contemporary, and my go-to and most-read is Contemporary Romance. Books really are an escape and form of self-care for me, so I rarely venture outside my comfort-zone. Reading what you truly love is key!
A clarification I’d like to make before I share my list: The five books I feel define my taste aren’t necessarily my five favorite books. In fact, my favorite book, which is not part of this list (Ready Player One by Ernest Cline, for those that are curious) is from a genre I almost never read! The books on my list should give you a decent idea of my taste, though.
Without further ado…
Contemporary romance
Romance is my happy place! I love love, and the guaranteed ‘happily ever after’ is what I’m here for. I read other sub-genres of romance (fantasy, suspense, historical), but I largely stick with contemporary romance. I also tend to gravitate towards more com than dram, but that probably has more to do with always looking for a mood boost when I read.
Not So Nice Guy by R.S. Grey is an A+ friends-to-lovers romantic comedy.
Honorable mentions in the contemporary romance category:
The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren, The Simple Wild by K.A. Tucker, and From Lukov With Love by Mariana Zapata.
Women's fiction/romance
There is a lot of Women’s Fiction that I don’t enjoy or won’t read. My taste is specifically the kind where the line is toed between Romance and Women’s Fiction; the romance being one of the most, if not the most, dominant storylines.
Beach Read by Emily Henry (all of her adult books, in fact) is a wonderful balance of wit and depth with main characters that grew both as individuals and romantically together.
Honorable mentions in the women’s fiction/romance category:
My Oxford Year by Julia Whelan, Lost and Found Sisters by Jill Shalvis, and Paris Is Always A Good Idea by Jenn McKinlay.
YA Contemporary
At the age of 37, I am obviously not in the “young adult” demographic, but I still find a lot of appeal in YA contemporaries. I love coming-of-age stories! Much like with adult contemporary romance, I prefer more of the laugh-out-loud variety, but you can’t really have a coming-of-age story without some drama. I also like romance to be part of the plot. With that in YA, though, I want to see sex-positive talk and consent. I don’t expect these books to be explicit (I read adult romance for that).
Starry Eyes by Jenn Bennett is a fantastic former friends turned enemies to lovers that is both hilarious and heartwarming!
Honorable mentions in the YA contemporary category:
Tweet Cute by Emma Lord, Today Tonight Tomorrow by Rachel Lynn Solomon, and Geekerella by Ashley Poston.
YA/NA fantasy
Again, I am well beyond both the Young Adult and New Adult age categories, but I absolutely prefer YA/NA Fantasy to Adult Fantasy. I have gotten completely lost in some epic fantasy worlds! I love when there is political intrigue, a unique magic system, and characters that make me want to fight alongside them. I think you’ll notice the trend here, but I also want to see a romantic sub-plot, as well. What can I say!? I know what I like!
The Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas has reigned supreme for me!
Honorable mentions in the YA/NA fantasy category:
Belladonna by Adalyn Grace, the Six of Crows duology by Leigh Bardugo, the An Ember in the Ashes series by Sabaa Tahir.
thriller/mystery
It probably doesn’t say much good about the state of the world considering I find Thrillers/Mysteries to be an escape! But really, I enjoy the twists and turns and trying to anticipate what might come next that thrillers and mysteries offer. I will say, I feel like I don’t have a very specific taste when it comes to thriller/mystery sub-genres. I leaned heavy into the political or conspiracy sub-genre for quite some time (think Dan Brown and Steve Berry), but I’ve been a much bigger fan of psychological thrillers as of late.
The Last Time I Lied by Riley Sager is twisty and sinister in the best ways!
Honorable mentions in the thriller/mystery category:
Dark Places by Gillian Flynn, Deception Point by Dan Brown, and Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano.
So now that you know more about my reading taste, tell me about yours! Share 5 books that you feel define your reading taste in the comments below!
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