Comments on: TSS: Book Classifications

By: unfinishedperson

unfinishedperson — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 14:16:16 +0000

I think it might be marketing…as Memory alluded to. As a man, I look at the covers of many of those books and immediately I go “Book for chicks.” So you’re saying that they’re not “books for chicks”? Hmmm, who knew?

By: Beth F

Beth F — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 11:07:17 +0000

I totally agree. I think the term urban fantasy is better. Oh I finally listened to Moon Called and shoot — I’m hooked. I wish I had the time to do nothing else but listen to that series. I have the first Dresden here but I haven’t gotten to it yet.

By: Memory

Memory — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 01:12:57 +0000

I think many marketing professionals treat “urban fantasy” and “paranormal romance” as synonyms if the author is female. It’s like they think women are incapable of writing anything that isn’t romantic, while men are incapable of writing anything that is. It frustrates me. I’m not a big UF reader to begin with, but I suspect I’d read the genre more often if the various art departments didn’t make so many of these books look like something they aren’t.

By: heidenkind

heidenkind — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 22:29:36 +0000

Don’t even get me started, Meghan. I completely agree–it seems like the romance section is the catch-all “women’s corner” of the bookstore. Honestly, I think it has more to do with publishers and marketing than what people read or don’t read. I also hate this idea that female protagonist=female readers and male protagonist=male readers. Don’t you think we would have moved beyond that by now, what with the popularity of novels like Harry Potter and shows like Buffy?

By: bermudaonion (Kathy)

bermudaonion (Kathy) — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 18:55:45 +0000

Oh, what a pain! I hope getting your car fixed isn’t too expensive.

By: zibilee

zibilee — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 17:26:26 +0000

I have been reading a lot about the Dresden books lately, and really want to try one. They sound rather interesting, and I am glad that you are enjoying them. Sorry to hear that your car is broken. I know what that’s like, as ours just got fixed a couple of weeks ago!

By: Aarti

Aarti — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 15:35:50 +0000

I am so glad you like the Dresden Files as I have the first one in the series on my shelf and it’s been calling out to me more and more insistently recently.

Once I read it, I will consider your classifications question.

By: Jodie

Jodie — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 13:27:05 +0000

See I always think the Dresden files look interesting, but get put off because they sound kind of like paranormal romance detective fare and I’m never quite in the mood for that at the mo. I can see the similarities and I would love to hear why men are more interested in those books than say Kate Daniels.

By: Elena

Elena — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 09:30:20 +0000

It’s definitely an interesting series of thought, and you’re right in your thinking. I’ve almost never seen a guy buying Mercy Thompson etc, but definitely the Dresden Files. In fact, I’ve seen more guys than girls buying that series. I have seen guys buying Mercy Thompson though – and some of the others, but the urban fantasy market is definitely more geared to women I think.