The Letters of John Keats ('Negative Capability, that is when a man is capable of being in uncertainties....')

It is true. We don't all like the same writers. Fortunately there is a wide world of novels from which we can choose. There is that special recognition when we meet someone who loves the same books we do. But it doesn't always happen. Few of my friends like the same books I do. I myself have never read anything by Louise Erdrich. I tend to get her mixed up in my mind with Barbara Kingsolver. I've heard she is good, but somehow I never happen to come across her books when I am in the mood for a literary novel, which I occasionally am. No doubt someday it will happen. Rosefolly

Leonardo da Vinci is still there, and I still plan to read it. Latchkey is still there, and I probably will read it. I just don't love it the way I loved the first one Archivist Wasp. I skimmed the Librarian of Auschwitz (didn't love it), read City of Blades (loved it) and donated Lessons from the Great Gardeners. I skimmed bits of that one as well. I have added A Brief History of Everyone Who Ever Lived by Adam Rutherford. That one is a library book so I'll have to read or return it before the end of the year. No doubt the holiday will pile the stack ever higher. These of course are only the books actually on the nightstand. There are other books waiting on the bookshelf nearby.

Annpan, I've been wondering where you've been. I think you're right -- that there can be a blending of literary and genre writing; e.g., literary mystery, literary sci-fi, literary fantasy, literary historical fiction, etc. (There's even literary nonfiction.) Sheri, above, made an astute observation: Many book club selections often are of the 'semi-literary' type. They are popular but they are taken to be 'serious' and perhaps make readers feel virtuous and more cultured for having read them. The writers of such books are bridging the gap between stories that entertain and 'studies' that enlighten. I don't know if those writers consciously set out with that purpose (I suspect that some have that intent because, as Sheri said, they are wannabes and the style can be lucrative). The semi-literary type of book can be a boon for writers if they can attract the notice of enough book clubs, reviewers, and readers who are susceptible to suggestion. Oprah parlayed her influence to great effect in this way. And why not? Many readers enjoy belonging to groups and reading the same books everyone else is.