I’ve always loved fantasy. Fantasy books, fantasy shows, fantasy movies, the list goes on and on. There is something so captivating about an entirely made up world that practically forces me not to put the book down.
When I was younger I seriously struggled to enjoy reading. I tried the classics like the last song, dear john, you know all of the sappy romances tweens tend to love. I found myself seriously struggling to get through them. I am in no way discrediting these books; they were just not my thing. My love for fantasy books, embarrassingly enough, came from the twilight series. I read them for the first time in seventh grade, and I was obsessed. I’m talking posters on my wall, team edward stickers obsessed. From there, I’m genuinely convinced I read every teen fiction vampire novel that ever existed.
Naturally I grew up, but I did not out grow my love for fantasy books, shows, and movies. I did a lot of thinking about why I love them so much, and the short answer? They are nothing like real life. I love to read to escape. Fantasy books take you to places that don’t exist, with magic, romance, and of course who doesn’t love a good fight scene or flying dragon?
I think my aversion to realistic fiction novels about real world problems, relationships and struggles was due to the fact that it is too real for me. I read books to escape from my world, not to read about someone else’s tragic mundane life. Maybe these story lines and problems just hit too close to home for me?
My favorite author is Sarah J. Maas. I discovered her series a Court of Thorns and Roses thanks to a friend (thanks sam!). I have never fallen in love with a set of characters like I did these. The entire world is she creates completely sucks you in. She has another fantastic series called Throne of Glass about a fire wielding assassin that basically saves the world. Who doesn’t love a strong female lead?!
I highly recommend both series for those looking to break into the fantasy genre. I’m definitely not saying everyone will love fantasy. Realistic romance novels may be your thing, or murder mysteries, or historical fiction. All I am saying, is if you have yourself convinced you do not like to read, you just haven’t found the right book.
p.s. I recently bought a kindle to save some valuable book shelf real estate – read my post about it here!