stephanier.1765 Posted January 31, 2023 Share Posted January 31, 2023 The challenge is to choose a book from a genre you don't usually read. The genres I can think of offhand that I don't normally read are horror (I hate being scared), romance (not a fan of sex scenes) and mystery (which I do read occasionally but usually stick to my favorite genres). If anyone knows of a horror that won't give me nightmares, a romance without the sex scenes, or a mystery that you can recommend, I would be very grateful. This is a good challenge for me because I do find myself choosing the same genres over and over again and expanding outside that would be a nice change of pace. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
forty-two Posted January 31, 2023 Share Posted January 31, 2023 WRT romances, most all Christian romances are sex scene free; I like Terri Blackstock (suspenseful romance) and Kristi Ann Hunter (regency romance). As well, Debbie Macomber's books are generally free of sex scenes, and she's a popular and prolific author. Also, Georgette Heyer's regency romances are some of my favorites, and they are likewise free of sex scenes. WRT mysteries, I really like Rex Stout's Nero Wolfe mysteries, and I also like Agatha Christie, esp the ones with Miss Marple (Sleeping Murder and The Tuesday Club Murders are my favs). I also like the Jane Austen mysteries, by Stephanie Barron. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rosie_0801 Posted January 31, 2023 Share Posted January 31, 2023 Susan Wittig Albert's mysteries are kind of fun, as are Jennifer Chiaverini's. Zoe Ferraris' 'Finding Nouf' trilogy are not cozy, but are a worthy read. They might be a bit heavy for you though. Alisha Rai writes cute romances. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
historically accurate Posted January 31, 2023 Share Posted January 31, 2023 What about a kids' horror book? https://www.commonsensemedia.org/lists/horror-books-for-kids-and-teens My youngest just had me read Cinder by Marissa Meyer. It's a sci-fi no-sex-scene romance fairy tale retelling. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Teachaheart Posted January 31, 2023 Share Posted January 31, 2023 Edgar Allen Poe’s short stories and Frankenstein come to mind for early horror of the gothic kind. Finlay Donovan Is Killing It and Finlay Donovan Knocks ‘Em Dead are two fun mystery romance books with references to sex but no actual sex scenes. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScoutTN Posted January 31, 2023 Share Posted January 31, 2023 Mystery: Agatha Christie or any golden age mystery. Also good, Josephine Tey. Grittier snd modern, P.D. James. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hen Posted January 31, 2023 Share Posted January 31, 2023 (edited) clean romance: You only die twice - Brynn Kelly(hilarious too, also a mystery series), Meet me in the margins by Melissa Furgeson Spotless by Camilia Monk (hilarious series, my favorite! it's clean, but each chapter starts with a hilarious pretend quote from a romance book and the quote is r-rated, if listening on audible, not in front of kids..just because of the pretend quotes) Mystery: funny mystery- Finley Donovan is killing it by Elle Cosimono ( a series, really funny). Miss Julia series by Anne B. Ross , Cat got your diamonds by Julia Chase (Kitty couture series) Horror: not my genre, either...but maybe... "Siren" by Kierra cass (it's actually a young adult book, so not too scary) , The Scorpio races by Maggie Stiefvater (sea horse legend, a bit scary, young adult) Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn (not as grusome as the movie, good writing ) Steven King- The DeadZone Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult , has ghosts, mystery and really stayed with me. I don't usually read her, she sticks a knife in your emotions, in my opinion, but I liked this one. Edited January 31, 2023 by Hen 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lecka Posted January 31, 2023 Share Posted January 31, 2023 (edited) I am currently reading a suspense novel called “The Old Man” by Thomas Perry. It’s not too violent and it’s not too sexual. I am enjoying it. It’s not a genre I dislike, but it’s not a genre I often read, either. Edited January 31, 2023 by Lecka 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lecka Posted January 31, 2023 Share Posted January 31, 2023 (edited) If you haven’t read the Lord Peter Wimsey mysteries, they are a pleasure. The author is Dorothy L. Sayers who has written a treatise about homeschooling. The heroine of these novels is Harriet Vane, which is the name of a poster here. Well, the estate gave permission to an author to continue the series, and these are novels by Jill Patton Walsh. I think they are great! I especially like “The Late Scholar.” Edit: and Gaudy Night by Dorothy L. Sayers. That is my favorite and “The Late Scholar” is a tribute to “Gaudy Night” I think. I couldn’t remember it before but she wrote an essay called “The Lost Tools of Learning” about classical education. I do also like Agatha Christie. Edited January 31, 2023 by Lecka 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kidlit Posted January 31, 2023 Share Posted January 31, 2023 The Louise Penny Three Pines mysteries are good. They're really strong on characterization. However, I would not characterize them as squeaky clean, mostly because of the language. If you're looking for a mystery with good characterization, though, those will fit the bill. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meena Posted January 31, 2023 Share Posted January 31, 2023 I recently flew through the first three books in the Thursday Murder Club series by Richard Osman. They are mostly clean, kind of a cozy English mystery vibe but way more fun and modern, less formulaic. The characters are well-drawn, a bit over the top at times, but also dealing with issues that many people can relate to (family, aging, illness, dating, etc). Highly recommend! 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stephanier.1765 Posted January 31, 2023 Author Share Posted January 31, 2023 You guys really are awesome! I'm making a list of your suggestions because so many look so good that I'm probably going to be reading these genres for the next few months. LOL Well these and the books for the rest of the challenges. I'm going to earn me that swag bag, by golly. I almost feel like a kid again participating in the library's summer reading program. 4 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zinnia2 Posted January 31, 2023 Share Posted January 31, 2023 (edited) I enjoyed the Hillary Clinton/Louise Penny book that would fit the mystery genre for you. A book I enjoyed recently in the romance category was The Bride Test. It did have a few sex scenes, but I think they could be skipped without losing anything. Interesting because the main character is autistic, and it's a different perspective than the usual romance. Edited January 31, 2023 by Zinnia2 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kareni Posted January 31, 2023 Share Posted January 31, 2023 I'm another who does not care for horror. I'll recommend T. Kingfisher's Nettle & Bone which I did not find scary. For a romance with no sex scenes, I'll recommend The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune or just about any book by Carla Kelly, for example ~ Marrying the Royal Marine by Carla Kelly Regards, Kareni 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted January 31, 2023 Share Posted January 31, 2023 Horror: The Ocean At The End of The Lane—not gory, but suspenseful. YA horror. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TechWife Posted February 1, 2023 Share Posted February 1, 2023 Eugenia Price wrote clean, historical romances. I should go back and reread some of hers. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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