Last week, Blogger was being a pain, so I wasn’t able to post. I know you all missed me!
So I have been writing (although a snail would mock me at how slowly I’m going!), and reading, and such, and I was pondering just why I read so much fantasy and paranormal in addition to my previous inhalation of historical romance:
It’s the world-building.
I read historical and PNR/UF novels for the same reason: I like to escape the everyday world into a fantastical one, whether it’s populated by men in waistcoats and cravats or men in leather and armor. I like the authors’ world-building, which is likely why anachronisms and tweaking of the ‘real’ history in Regency-set novels doesn’t bother me as much as it does some people.
Right now, I am reading A Feast for Crows, the fourth novel in George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series (currently showing on HBO as Game of Thrones). I’ve got Laurel McKee’s next book on its way, as well as Carolyn Jewel’s (and wouldn’t it be neat if they came in the same package?), both of whom are incredible at creating their particular worlds. Laurel’s book is set in Georgian Ireland, while Carolyn’s is sets sort of now, but with demons and mages and magic.
Two completely different books with a common thread of world-building.
That’s why, with a few exceptions, I don’t read contemporary romance. I don’t find it compelling to read about the world in which I do, or could theoretically, live. I like escapism, fantasy, elegance, the occasional dose of magic.
Could that be why you read historical romance? Or other genres that include world-building?
I’m not a big reader of fantasy et al, but I love to escape into another time and place, unlike my real world! So I get this completely, Megan.
I read historical romance and SF/UF/F for different reasons. When I’m reading historical fiction of any kind, I want the illusion of being transported to that place and time (hence my problem with anachronisms). When I read SF/UF/F, I want bigger than life fantasy.
I do read contemporary as you know but I hear you on the world building and I think I go to the historical or PN for the escape from my own world from time to time.
Yes! This is exactly why I love PR/UF and historical romance. I rarely read contemporary – too mundane. 🙂
Thanks for dropping by on this prelude to a long weekend, everyone!
I read historical and paranormal romance to escape the “real” world, rather like a mini vacation.
I hadn’t given it much thought (particularly because ‘world building’ is a new phrase for me) — but that explains my love for historicals and fantasy completely! Even my contemporary reads take place elsewhere in the world.