Happy New Year.

When I originally read the first Thursday Next book by Jasper Fforde, I was surprised to find the sequel in Science Fiction at my own library. It was such an inventive and quirky book that I immediately thought what a shame it’s in Science Fiction where many patrons might never see it. It isn’t that I have anything against the Science Fiction genre. Science Fiction and Romance still have such strong stereotypes for many people that I think some great books might go unread because patrons think “I don’t read _______ .” That’s where good booksellers and librarians come in. If we can talk about the book, patrons might actually try it.

Toni Causey and I had a similar discussion about her books a few months ago. I had recently finished her third Bobbie Faye novel. When we started discussing it, I remember telling her I didn’t want to offend her but couldn’t understand why the new novel and the two rereleases were marketed as traditional romance novels. (Not even going to touch the new titles issue.) The mystery, action and humor were so much stronger to me. They are character-driven stories with honest relationships in them, and I loved the darker edges to the third book. I was so relieved when she wasn’t upset. I now understand that authors don’t always have much control over the marketing of their books. Ultimately genres are just labels and ways of grouping like items. I prefer my groups to be a little more general and fluid than most.

I enjoy reading blended genres but it has to well written. Sometimes a romance doesn’t suit the storyline and it doesn’t really bother me.

I always follow an author if they write in another genre!