Book Haven discussion

Do you like reading what others would consider weird or strange. Or perhaps a bit edgy?

When I was younger I knew what I liked. So I read mystery/suspense/thriller/horror. Anything with a bit of a twist to keep me turning the pages.

With romance I found that I like reading almost any genre. But I have found a particular liking for m/m and D/s. Even with paranormals I am liking vampires and demons overall.

Would you read an unconventional book/author if someone you trusted recommended it to you? Out of curiosity would you take a peek? Just wondering.

I would read an unconventional book if it was good. I read one of those "pure porn" novels touted by the "literati": "The Story of O" by Pauline Réage. I wanted to see what all the fuss was about and why they were reading it in university lit classes.

I like to read books about grammar presented in a funny way so that's sort of unconventional because most people cringe at the mere mention of the word "grammar" (lol!)

Rane I agree with you, it was very sad on so many levels. I have "Return to the Chateau" but I don't think I have the stomach to read it.

Hmmm...I think it would depend on the type of unconventional novel, and who was recommending it. For the most part, I would try to read it. It might take me a while to get around to it since there would be lots of other books I would want to read as well...

After reading Return to the Chateau ..."

...I think I'll continue to leave it at the bottom of the TBR pile then (!)

Rane wrote: "Eastofoz wrote: " After reading Return to the Chateau ..."

...I think I'll continue to leave it at the bottom of the TBR pile then (!)"

Or burn it, cause your not missing anything"

Wow, that's harsh. It's pretty rare for a book lover to suggest burning a book, so it must be truly terrible! I'll def stay away from that one...

LOL Rane --that good eh ;)

I don't think I'll read books that I've "heard of" for the sake of saying I have read it, you know? I have heard of the Story of O and even though yall say its bad (or if its good) I'd look for those obscure titles that my friends would recommend.

Tom Robbins

Chuck Palahniuk

I like dark and edgy stuff. I always have. Even with romance I don't want it to be light and fluffy. I even like it when books don't have a perfect happy ending, or even a happy ending at all. Maybe that's just the pessimistic side of me.lol

I would check out an unconventional book if a friend recommended it to me. I would feel more "iffy" about it if it was conventional, actually.

I like dark and edgy too in my romance too, although I do like an HEA.

It's not that I have anything against HEAs, but I hate it when the outcome just doesn't seem to fit with the situation, if that makes any sense. No matter what genre, I need at least that to be realistic.

Yeah, I know what you're saying. I like it better when the characters are true to themselves too, although that can be difficult with some of the crazy things going on in these books, LOL. The authors have to twist the characters' arms to fit the plot sometimes rather than the reverse.

new_user wrote: "I like dark and edgy too in my romance too, although I do like an HEA. "

The magic combination for me is dark, edgy, and HEA.

stormhawk wrote: "Tom Robbins

Chuck Palahniuk

"

I don't think I have read Tom Robbins but I love Chuck Palahniuk. *thumbs up*

Did anyone else love reading "A Modest Proposal" by Jonathan Swift when they were in school? I thought that was the greatest thing ever. lol

new_user wrote: "Yeah, I know what you're saying. I like it better when the characters are true to themselves too, although that can be difficult with some of the crazy things going on in these books, LOL. The auth..."

Right. And I understand the appeal in having a guy go from jerk to love bunny by the end of the book. But that also just doesn't sit right with me, lol.

Well, maybe not love bunny... LOL.

Hey I can't help it, that's the first word that came to mind! lol

You can have the love bunny then... LOL. ;P

EW no. I like bad boys, remember?! lol ...Maybe a bad boy bunny? Hmmm.

Okay, back to the topic! I am not really sure what classifies as an unconventional author, actually. My favorite part about reading is being exposed to new ideas. I guess I am pretty unconventional myself, so maybe it's a case of not seeing the forest through the trees? lol There's really not a lot that I am unwilling to try. I've found some of my favorite books that way.

Manga is probably unconventional, right? I LOVE Saiyuki. I even have Anime posters, because I am just a dork like that. And yes, a lot of them are Saiyuki. One day I will have a game room/den that I can hang them up in, in all their geeky glory. Just wait.

Unconventional is just a break from the norm. Every genre has traditional and "other". I like a little of both.

Aah. In that case I am probably a huge fan of the other, but willing to read traditional too, lol.

I just really prefer "dark and deadly" over "light and fluffy" or "weak and helpless". If it has a horror touch with humor in it, even better. I think horror and humor go great together.

I like it when authors break apart from the norm. Those books are usually more interesting...unless the author does it in a gross way...

LOL. Manga isn't unconventional anymore. ;)

And I agree, I love a book I can learn from or a book that stirs my imagination, regardless of genre.

It would probably take too long to list all the unconventional books for each genre for me, LOL.

Lol. Good then! The more that read manga, the better! Because that makes it easier to get a hold of. :)

BonFire wrote: "Did anyone else love reading "A Modest Proposal" by Jonathan Swift when they were in school? I thought that was the greatest thing ever. lol .

I read that in school. I first I thought it was total crazy and then I realized it was a tongue in cheek "proposition". Brilliant piece :)

Bonfire: Have you read Brian Keene? I love how he is down right visceral (one of his books contains a necrophilia scene I had to skip over the first time I read it) in one instance and has you relieved in the next(eyeballs for popcorn anyone?). I would say his humor lightens to the point where the adrenaline isn't pumping so hard. But the characters are never laughing for long. I just read Castaways and already want to read it again when I think about it. He's mastered the art of apocalyptic horror.

Oh Joy gross can be entertaining, lol. I dunno there is a talent to writing horror I guess. Yeah. You have to include the violence and gory death scenes but when done right you are able to dissect the characters intentions. I love it when authors give a true reasons for the violence. Even if is senseless. Admit to it! LOL.

On the flip-side. Romance has a way of grabbing hold of you and not letting go to the end but there are scenes that make my mind stutter right in the middle of the intimacy that I am just like "Geez not again."
I mean licking fingers clean after pleasuring? That is SO not sexy or the "most erotic" thing ever! That is NOT NOT NOT!

Kenjii wrote: "Oh Joy gross can be entertaining, lol. I dunno there is a talent to writing horror I guess. Yeah. You have to include the violence and gory death scenes but when done right you are able to dissect ..."

LOL Most women don't find that sexy, but men do...LMAO!

Kenjii wrote: "Bonfire: Have you read Brian Keene? I love how he is down right visceral (one of his books contains a necrophilia scene I had to skip over the first time I read it) in one instance and has you reli..."

No I haven't, but that sounds right up my alley. I will have to check him out. I have seen some necrophilia scenes in movies and it didn't bother me, but reading it could be different. lol

And I have to agree with Kenjii on the, err... finger licking. YUUUCK. And making out after oral is right there with it. lol I'm sure everyone is different but I just don't consider that hot or sexy, at all.

I just found that to be the strangest thing in romance. There were a lot of other strange things I like reading but the finger licking and kissing after oral too. Un-huh. So unsexy.

Bonfire: I find that if real death doesn't bother me then fictional death can be entertaining. I just don't like it too twisted. I can't read Stephen King. But someone mentioned perhaps being to young at the time may have made it too creey. Going from reading RL Stine and Dean Koonz to King, lol. I may try reading him again now that I am older. He is very unconventional.

See, for me if it's twisted that usually makes it more entertaining (even I have my limits, though). I didn't realize King was considered unconventional. I've liked every book I have read of his. Well, Bag of Bones was kinda bleh for me.

I can see where you're coming from though. Desperation managed to get to me when I read it, and I was 16 or 17 at the time. lol

I read Winter of Fire by Sherryl Jordan back in middle school and the story and characters really stuck with me. Since then I don't know anyone else who has read it, but in looking it up it received fantastic reviews. It's a YA book, but one that can resonate for those of all ages with very relatable characters and a wonderful female heroine. I believe it's technically a fantasy, but would probably appeal to those who like Sci-Fi as well.

I read Crooked Little Vein awhile back...that was definitely on the weird side. Not something I usually read but definitely a good book when you're in the mood for a weird/odd/wtf? kinda book. :)

I liked that weird/odd/wtf kinda mood. I have a thread entitled "WTF" in another group b/c I have entire days that consist of nothing but wtf moods. And I have to ask people is it just me.

Bonfire: If it goes against the grain then I am so there. I like watching and knowing about less than ordinary with the real and imagined. I think I might even go check out Stephen King while I am at the Library today =D. Bag of Bones may go to the bottom of the list for now, hehe.