Bridgerton books

My Fictional World

As regular readers will know, I love escaping within the pages of a good book. I can be sat on my sofa, but be dining in Paris, dancing through the streets of Brazil or strolling in the sunshine in Miami. Or, even in a totally fantastical world, like none I’ve ever experienced before. My favourite, is to be here in the UK, but around 200 years ago, sashaying round ballrooms with earls. All of them take me elsewhere, and a great novel will absorb me and allow me to forget about everything around me.

I thought it’d be fun to share my literary favourites here, and invite you to do the same, with a Q&A meme. Now you’ll notice that in most cases, I’m not limiting your selections to just one or two, as we all know…

asking a bookworm

So, on with the questions…

What were your favourite reads from your childhood?
I loved The Animals of Farthing Wood. I can still vividly remember reading it and all of the characters are so real to me. I still have my copy, ready for the kids to enjoy (I hope!). I also loved Roald Dahl, especially The BFG, lots of Judy Blume novels and I had all of Enid Blyton’s St Clare’s books.

There are always those books that defined your teen reads and stay with you – what were yours?
I read Virginia Andrews’ Flowers in the Attic series, and they have stayed with me – the characters and plots are still as clear in my mind today as if I hadn’t read them over 20 years ago. I also liked Jilly Cooper’s Riders series, Stephen King’s earlier titles, and Mary Jane Staples’ Adams family books.

Who are your favourite authors currently?
Julia Quinn, Eloisa James, Sarah Maclean, Carole Matthews, Lynsay Sands, Richard Laymon, Dean Koontz, I fear I could go on and on…

Which 3 genres do you gravitate towards most often?
Regency Romance, Chick Lit and Horror.

Bridgerton books

Can you choose your top titles from each of those genres?
Regency Romance – would have to be the Bridgerton series by Julia Quinn, starting with The Duke and I.
Chick lit – I loved the first few of Kinsella’s Shopaholic books, and really enjoyed Sarah Addison Allen’s Garden Spells
Horror – Jay Anson’s The Amityville Horror. Scariest book I’ve read.

And your least favourite genres?
I struggle with Sci-fi. I’ve dabbled with fantasy, but need to be in the mood for it, though I do enjoy Terry Brooks. I rarely choose political or religious books.

Of the many, many fictional and fantastical worlds, where would you most like to visit?
Hogwarts would be fun, of course, similarly I always fancied Miss Cackle’s Academy (The Worst Witch). Pemberley would be my ultimate choice.

Everyone loves a villain, right?! Who would make your favourites list?
I love Hannibal Lecter. Yes, I know he’s a serial killer and all, but in ‘Hannibal’ I couldn’t help but like him! I also have a soft spot for Count Dracula 😉

Share the books that have had you sobbing?
So many! Marley and Me – I cried throughout the last third of it! Fabulous book, though, as it also had me laughing out loud. The Lovely Bones is brilliant, and I’m just about to read The Help, and as I cried a lot at the film, I’m kind of guessing the book will have me in bits.

And let’s end on a high! Which books leave a smile on your face, and maybe elicit a few laughs?!

I liked Bridget Jones’ Diary, the Shopaholic books & Bridgerton series that I’ve mentioned, Lynsay Sands’ Argeneau series, Tom Sharpe’s Wilt books, and I’m sure there are many more that I can’t recall right now…!

So that’s a bit about my reading preferences, now I’d love to hear yours?

 

Sharing is caring!

58 thoughts on “My Fictional World”

  1. Oh for more time in the week! I love this but simply can’t keep up with everything, in fact, I’m finding reading emails and blogs is massively reducing my novel reading time, so i’m going to say i can’t do this meme but think its great! You might like my Things I Discovered series where I list all the wonderful new things I’ve found in the past month for kids or adults, ranging from food, games, places to visit, weird and wonderful things and things i learnt about myself. And I nearly ALWAYS have a book in there, either for me or the kids. Last month i listed The Last Runaway by Tracy Chevalier which i adored. Anyway, pop by if you ever find a mo! S

  2. Lovely post. I love reading! If I had more time I would read for hours every day. I used to read so much, but with two tiny babas it is rare. Part of my new years’ resolution was to read more, so far I have failed miserably only reading two books since January. I blame time, could we get more hours in the day, just so I can read! 😉 Lovley post. When I do read something worth writing about I will definitely link up.

    1. I’d love an extra hour daily for reading, but no! I do try to read a bit every night, even if just 20 mins before I go to sleep – it’s important to me.

  3. I’ve just finished reading Bridget Jones in spanish (which was much easier than expected as I’ve read it in english.) I do love loosing myself in a good book but it’s such a luxoury these days…

  4. Oh, I love reading too but haven’t done enough of it these last few months, I hope by the summer, as things settle and we get into a routine, to get back in the habit! #PoCoLO

  5. lovely post and a great idea! I’m always on the lookout to find new reads – though struggle to find the time to read as much as I want… but then I can make the time when it’s a really good book 🙂 Honestly though Jocelyn are you a duracell bunny? I don’t know how you do it with 2 kiddies, a business, a very busy blog and all that reading too. I’m a bit in awe of you. Do you ever sleep?? 😉 xx

  6. I’m already compiling my list in my head, it’s going to be so hard though! I’ll link up once I’m back from holiday 🙂 Looking at the bucket list so far, PS I love you made me cry from page 1…! Thanks so much for linking to #ThePrompt – a perfect look at happiness for us book lovers 🙂

  7. Love the list! Talking about Regency Romance I read every single Georgette Heyer one while I was pregnant with my twins. In complete contrast I also love economic/finance books like The Big Short by Michael Lewis. #theprompt

  8. Excellent idea! I’ll definitely do a Fictional World post when I get the time! Lovely escape into a well written novel is my idea of happiness too!!

  9. Right, which one to choose first?… Think it’ll be ‘A cold day for murder’. Pretty sure I’ve read ‘the forgotten garden’ already… I know overpriced read a Kate Morton and it was FAB. Just googled her books and it was ‘the house at Tiverton’ omg seriously, it’s not in my answers but you should consider adding that one to your bucket list 😉

  10. Pingback: My Fictional World | Sophie is…

  11. Pingback: My Fictional World | Mama, you talk?

  12. Pingback: My Fictional World - Meme | Redhead Babyled

  13. Pingback: My Fictional World | Beloved Eleanor

  14. Pingback: The Blog Lowdown - The Reading Residence | The Reading Residence

  15. Pingback: Bring Back Paper! | The Reading Residence

  16. Pingback: Launching Bring Back Paper! | The Reading Residence

  17. Pingback: My Current Reading Pile | The Reading Residence

  18. Pingback: Do You Judge a Reader By Their Cover?

  19. Oh my, feel like I wrote your post!! Love all these books and feel like I took a trip down memory lane just reading about them! I will definitely enjoy linking into this one! Xxx

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *