Funny or sad?

[violet]

I love Bill Bryson because he's informative and funny. I don't like sad books, and found "The Lovely Bones" by Alice Sebold, too awful to even finish. It's the story of the rape and murder of a young girl, told from the perspective of the young girl, now in Heaven. I found it harrowing and heartbreaking - just couldn't read it. Dd also read it, but found it boring.

Do you prefer to weep your way through a box of tissues when you read, or to mop up tears of laughter?

[braided-rug]

I suppose I am in the gentle reads category. Something that doesn't bring up too many emotions, I suppose that is what gentle reads means?

[braided-rug]

""Gentle Reads," as they are popularly known, are books brimming with a simple, old-fashioned flavor and populated by endearing, intriguing, and very often eccentric characters. They can be charming, touching, poignant, humorous, and spiritually uplifting. They can be highly literate or a hoot-and-a-half. The stories generally contain little graphic violence or sex and provide a pleasurable reading experience."

From: sachem.suffolk.lib.ny.us/advisor/advisorgentle.htm

There was a book mentioned here once, that was historical and everything I liked. There was a rape scene and I took it back to the library.

[braided-rug]

Having said that, I find Philip Gulley's town of eccentric characters much easier to handle than Jan Karon. I am not sure, but I think Jan Karon is not so much an Australian taste. Americans just love Jan Karon. Philip Gulley's town is American of course, but seems more interesting some how. I think there is deeper things that you can think about if you wish to. You can relate to things.

I think I use tissues or hanky sometimes, but it is not something really serious. Will have to think about it when I read and get back to this.

Thanks Violet, interesting thread.