Shelf Addiction | Books, Audiobooks, and Pop Culture

Armchair BEA 2013 | Genre: Literary Fiction

5/30/2013

Design credit: Nina of Nina Reads

Photo credit: estellasrevenge.blogspot.com

Hey again Armchair BEA friends!

I mentioned briefly yesterday in my Genre fiction post that I didn't much care for reading Literary fiction. Yep, that's still true. But since I'm in a book club that votes on what we read, sometimes I lose that battle. I have read my share of Literary fiction books in the last couple years thanks to book club! I know for sure in the next 6 months I may very well be reading a book or two in this category. If nothing else, I know that my reading is well rounded.

I have nothing against the genre. I think that many of the Literary Fiction books would make really good movies, but it's just not my preference. It reminds me of sitting in my college English Lit class trying to stay awake! Lol, I know that doesn't sound too good, but it's true!

Here are a few books often considered Literary Fiction that I've written reviews for. Click on each photo to check out my review!

The Kite Runner, by Khaled Hosseini - I actually enjoyed this one.
The Marriage Plot, by Jeffrey Eugenides - This one was a miss for me.
Room, by Emma Donoghue - I thought this was good.

I want to briefly back track for just a moment because I didn't get a chance to post on the Classic Fiction genre topic. I feel somewhat the same way about Classics as I do about Literary fiction. Literary fiction books and Classic fiction books are somewhat similar to me, mainly because they both seem to be character driven instead of plot driven. Check out the popular book lists below, you will see that many books appear on both lists. Even thought I don't read Classics often, I've enjoyed a few of the them, especially books that take place in Great Britain.

Here are a few Classics that I've enjoyed.

Pride and Prejudice, by Jane Austen
Jane Eyre, by Charlotte Brontë
1984, by George Orwell
Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley

Here's a bit more info on Classic, Genre and Literary fiction.
What some reading suggestions? Popular Classic Fiction Books | Popular Literary Fiction Books

What's your take on Literary fiction? Please share!

Happy Reading,
~Tamara

Check out my other previous Armchair BEA posts!
Paths To Becoming a Better Blogger | Genre: Genre Fiction | Introductions

6 Comments

Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews link

5/30/2013 12:08:24 am

I loved The Kite Runner, and also A Thousand Splendid Suns by the same author. I also have a great deal of love for both Mave Binchy and Paulo Coelho.

Here's my <a href="http://unconventionalbookviews.com/armchair-bea-literary-fiction/">Literary Fiction post</a>.

Continue having some Armchair BEA fun, Tamara :)

Historical Fiction Notebook link

5/30/2013 02:28:03 am

Room was crazy-good! I read it in one day and couldn't get it out of my head!

Danielle link

5/30/2013 07:19:36 am

Completely agree with your definition and your choices, all awesome!

Amanda link

5/30/2013 07:32:24 am

I haven't read the Kite Runner but I'm currently reading A Thousand Splendid Suns and enjoying it very much. Thanks for the links to the lists of literary fiction - I've been trying to find a list like this!

Nise' link

5/30/2013 02:15:43 pm

I listened to Room on audio and was rivited to my car sear!!

katy link

5/30/2013 04:38:48 pm

I read what sounds interesting to me and sometimes I shy away from heavy literary fiction. Sometimes I have to be in a certain mood! Great post, I've heard so many mixed things about Room but I want to read it sometime!

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.