aurinxki t1_j1m374d wrote on December 25, 2022 at 2:41 PM

Reply to comment by happilyeverbooks in I fell in love and my interests in books changed drastically. by kingkontroverseP0si

Nothing too dark either (in my case). When I'm happier in real life I can enjoy dystopian and horror stories.

SobiTheRobot t1_j1mik29 wrote on December 25, 2022 at 4:55 PM

You need a balance of light and dark between your fiction and reality. When life ventures too far in either direction, you compensate with fiction.

Ladyharpie t1_j1ml3a7 wrote on December 25, 2022 at 5:15 PM

That's what I thought and then proceeded to constantly sell out of horror series throughout the pandemic. I could not figure out why some of the best horror stories in decades were being released, extended, and sold out completely during what felt like the plague lol.

[deleted] t1_j1mvl3q wrote on December 25, 2022 at 6:38 PM

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Ladyharpie t1_j1nc5gp wrote on December 25, 2022 at 8:47 PM

I haven't had anyone explain why they were craving these books until this comment, I think a lot of us know what we like or need without always having the words. I was obsessed with horror and legends and mythology as a child but I never thought of the why behind it.

I never saw horror as having an adversary though, I guess because as a queer person there's a long history of identifying with the monsters instead. I still love the genre just need more of a balance as I began experiencing monsters in real life.

Merle8888 t1_j1ounml wrote on December 26, 2022 at 4:43 AM

I definitely get this. While I’m not immune to the desire for comfort reading, I often like to read something that puts my problems in perspective.

nanketo t1_j1niwqv wrote on December 25, 2022 at 9:41 PM

Check out the Cradle series by Will Wight. Fun and playful cultivation fantasy series that’s nearly concluded (the 12th and final book should come out within the next few months). The books are based on a Daoist-style magic system that combines elemental power cultivation with martial arts style battling. I used to lean more heavily toward more traditional European medieval set high fantasy, but this series is a refreshing and lighthearted turn away from that into Eastern fantasy with a more uplifting balance in the whole good vs evil trope that it centers around. Can’t recommend it enough, and the online communities around it are pretty active.

happilyeverbooks t1_j1nye1k wrote on December 25, 2022 at 11:49 PM

I actually already had this on my list to check out for 2023. Your comment definitely makes me keen to get to it!