What’s your reading type?

It’s all very well for me to recommend great books to you, but it’s only going to work if we have the same reading type. I think this comes down to two factors:

The level of books that you like to read (what are these? I’ll tell you in a minute!)
The genre of books you read

So let’s talk about the levels first because I think this is important. I believe there are 4 levels, which are:

LEVEL ZERO

These books are pure entertainment. You can read them without having to think about anything. I have had periods when I’ve enjoyed a good level zero book. I’m talking Jilly Cooper, Jackie Collins, Harold Robbins, Fifty Shades of Grey. That type of book. As someone once said ‘it’s typing, not writing’. I’m not going to recommend any level zero books on this site, so if that’s all you like reading, I’d head away right now.

LEVEL ONE

I call these easy to read. They are books which do explore an issue or a theme, and may make you think about it, but they are written in simple language that’s easy to read. Think young adult but for adults! Often when you first start reading a new genre of book, a level one book/author is a great way to go. When I first started reading horror I started with Stephen King. With westerns, I started with Larry McMurtry. My first Hemingway was ‘The Old Man and the Sea’. His other works are level two, but that one is simple and level one. A lot of thrillers are level one as they need to keep you moving quickly through the story.

LEVEL TWO

This level of book often deals with more complex issues or themes and uses more complex language. It can be harder to read and will challenge your thinking, but it’s worth it. While I still read some level 1 books, at this point in my life, I prefer a level 2.

LEVEL THREE

I call this level ‘Booker Prize style’. This type of book is written with such overly verbose or intellectualized language that it is almost completely unintelligible. I intensely dislike this type of book which unfortunately often wins the Booker Prize (or similar). These are books that people who want to seem intelligent read so they can say ‘You wouldn’t understand this because you don’t have the amazing intelligence level I have’. Actually the reason that no-one (including said smarty-pants) understands it, is that it is incoherent. If you feel the need to pontificate about literature and read booker prize style books, then this blog probably isn’t for you!!!

So long story short, if you like Level one or Level two books, then you’ll find lots of suggestions here.

Next we have to look at what genre you like reading. I’ve read a lot of genres but there are some I favour and am more familiar with, so I can recommend the good books out there. My favourite authors all write contemporary fiction or historical fiction, and these are the two genres that I favour. But I’ve also dabbled in westerns, horror, sci-fi, coming of age, suspense/thriller, magic realism and some inspirational. For my top 10 authors just click here.

What I don’t read much of and therefore can’t recommend what’s best is crime/mystery, fantasy, romance or action/adventure.

So if you like the genres I like, you might find some ideas here. I’d suggest first of all reading my top 10 favourite authors ever. Hopefully you get some ideas on new books you’d like to read.