Name your top 2-3 favorite genres (the ones you read most from).
My favorite genre, and the books I read most of are definitely true crime. I love reading anything to do with criminal behavior or the different types of crimes that are committed. I also read lots of books about the psychology of terrorism as well. Considering my aspirations of becoming a criminal psychologist, I suppose these choices are not very suprising. I also read anything to do with the social sciences.
Another type of book that I’ve started reading lately is romance. I was never much of a romance reader, but ever since that first Nicholas Sparks book, I haven’t been able to stop reading them. I like pretty much all types of romance books, but some of my favorites are Victorian and Regency era romances. I’ve also read my fair share of paranormal romances.
Aside from the genres above I pretty much read a little bit of everything. When it comes down to it, I’m not too picky a reader. If you put a book in front of me whether its fantasy, mystery, poetry, or non-fiction I will end up reading it.
Among Stories 
I knew too many psych majors in college, but none with the intent of going into criminal psych. Interesting field. I’ve only read a few crime books.
My favourite genres are sci-fi, fantasy, and classic fiction. Carrying over from our other conversation, where you said: “I honestly haven’t read too much science fiction, but one of these days I hope to read some more of it.”
I’m full of recommendations from more literary fiction to high-tech. If you’re interested, I’m hosting a sci-fi challenge that starts again in early August. It’s a way for me to explore SF with other readers who love the genre and those who aren’t sure what to think. You’d be more than welcome to participate. Besides, the more the merrier.
I get a lot of people going, criminal psych? What are you going to do with that? Which is usually accompanied by a head tilt or raised eyebrow. But it’s something I just fell in love with in middle school.
The closest I’ve gotten to sci-fi, if it can be considered that, is utopian novels. I read a few of them when I was younger, but haven’t lately. But anything you suggest for that I’ll give it a shot. I know there’s a few sci-fi novels on the 1001 books list I wanna get through… So someday I’ll get to it.
I like my crimes a little more fictional.
Yeah, I do know what you mean. Most people do! My interest is one of those things that is difficult for a lot of people to grasp except others who share the interest. I am forever answering the questions of my family.
At least you’ll enjoy your work, which is more than a lot people can say.
Here are some of my other favourites that I will read again, going back through time because it’s SF and I can:
Margaret Atwood, the Handmaid’s Tale: Futuristic dystopia where women have been stripped of their rights and are only valued for reproduction. Horrifically fantastic literary fiction.
Ursula Le Guin, the Lathe of Heaven: Speaking of psychology… Realizing his patient’s dreams change reality, Dr. Haber has George create new realities, where there is no war, disease, or racism, just terrifying side-effects.
Robert Heinlein, Stranger in a Strange Land: A human raised on Mars returns to Earth as an adult and affects Earth culture. More literary fiction with SF tones.
Ray Bradbury, Fahrenheit 451: In a dystopian society, critical thought from reading is illegal and books are burned for the good of humanity. About knowledge gained without truly learning.
George Orwell, 1984: People are under 24 hour surveillance of the totalitarian government and any sign of deviation or true individuality is cause for arrest and death. It’s an intense and brilliant masterpiece.
George Orwell, Animal Farm: Overworked, mistreated animals take over a farm and try to create a paradise of progress and equality. A satiric fable about governments turning to totalitarianism/Communism.
Aldous Huxley, Brave New World: Utopia where people take drugs against depression, there’s no violence, and there’s no true individuality. Bernard feels like something is missing in life and that his romantic relationship could have more to it.
Most, if not all, are considered best works and must reads among the SF community. I don’t really care about the literary critics, but some are on the 1001 list.
That’s true, I am fortunate that I found what makes me happy, expecially at such a young age.
I have read Fahrenheit 451, 1984, and Animal Farm, all of which I really enjoyed. Brave New World is already on my shelves, I haven’t read it yet, but am looking forward to when I do. I have one of Margaret Atwood’s books, Year of the Flood, I haven’t read that one yet either though. I will definitely check out the other books I haven’t read yet.
Thanks for the suggestions!
You’re welcome. Oryx & Crake and Year of the Flood are in the TBR pile. I’ve heard that Flood works as a stand alone, but makes more sense after Oryx.
I read 1984 recently and now I want to read the rest of Orwell stuff, which is pretty easy since there’s not that much.
Oh, you may like Tailspin by Bernard F. Conners. It’s a narrative of a murder case he was working as an FBI agent. I believe it was in the fifties. I read it while in the area of the events so that made it extra interesting. The case became a basis for an old tv series which later very loosely became the movie the Fugitive with Harrison Ford.
Awesome! Thanks for the heads up.