…is that I enjoy reading romances and other genre fiction in both first and third person points of view. I like being in the main character’s head in some books while in other books seeing things from both the hero and heroine’s perspective is interesting. For a background on different points of view in writing here’s a link to a POV article. As I’ve mentioned, I enjoy reading books written in first person so today I have a list for you.
Thirteen First Person Reads or Series I Enjoy
1. Kristan Higgins (contemporary)
2. Stephanie Plum series – Janet Evanocvich (contemporary mystery)
3. Lisa Kleypas – contemporary Texas series. (contemporary)
4. Kate Daniels series – Ilona Andrews (urban fantasy)
5. Mercy Thompson series Patricia Briggs (urban fantasy)
6. Josh Lanyon – (m/m)
7. Hard Fall James Buchanan (m/m)
8. Alien Huntress series – Gena Showalter (paranormal)
9. Lori Armstrong – Julie Collins series (mystery)
10. Keri Arthur Riley Jensen (urban fantasy)
11. Bridget Jones Diary by Helen Fielding
12. Something series – Jacqueline Meadows
13. And finally, I’ve written several books in first person: Wanderlust (romantic suspense), The Shadow (contemporary mystery) and Stray Cat Strut (paranormal m/m)
Do you prefer first person or third person fiction best and why? Do you have any favorites to add to my list?
Related posts:
July 23rd, 2009 at 4:29 am · Link
I like first person. And I’m totally hooked on the Twilight series.
July 23rd, 2009 at 4:45 am · Link
Oh great idea for a list.
I played …come on over if you can find time to visit with me. I’d love your company. Happy Thursday.
July 23rd, 2009 at 5:10 am · Link
Great list! Thanks
http://iamharriet.blogspot.com/2009/07/thirteen-richest-americans-and-some.html
July 23rd, 2009 at 5:45 am · Link
It’s hard to find good writing in 1st person. I think YA or Middle Grade has the most 1st person books out.
Great list!
Happy T13!
July 23rd, 2009 at 5:48 am · Link
Great list. I love Bridget Jones Diary. Happy Thursday.
July 23rd, 2009 at 6:17 am · Link
That reminds me, I’ve been meaning to read Bridget Jones Diary.
July 23rd, 2009 at 6:30 am · Link
Haven’t read many of those, but those that I have, I really enjoyed. The Stephanie Plum series hooked me for a while (until I somehow got sidetracked).
Happy Thursday!
July 23rd, 2009 at 7:21 am · Link
Awesome post, sugar! You know, it’s funny, but in erotic romance and romance in general I prefer third, but if the book is a mystery or thriller, I prefer first.
Cora’s got us covered this Thursday at the MMC with her 13 Favorite Movie Heroines. Stop by if you get a chance and see if you agree.
http://midnightmooncafe.blogspot.com
July 23rd, 2009 at 7:28 am · Link
Frankly, I’m not picky. I like the fact you get more about feelings and motivation in a first person but I don’t care. I remember in high school that we read To Kill a Mocking bird, and it kept switching from 1st to 3rd all the time and it never phased me but some of the other students had problems with it. All I can it that the characters are interesting, yet relate-able and has a good, flowing plot line.
Hugs,
-Amy
P.S. Hope my surprise helped with your “funk” from yesterday! LOL!
July 23rd, 2009 at 7:28 am · Link
*I said hope, and I meant glad that it helped. Darn distracting husbands.
July 23rd, 2009 at 7:34 am · Link
I have to admit, I don’t usually go for books written in first person, except for Kelley Armstrong’s Otherworld Series. Love her books! Oh, and Harry Potter, of course! LOL!
*hugs*
Paige
My TT is at http://paigetylertheauthor.blogspot.com/
July 23rd, 2009 at 9:29 am · Link
I like third myself… but I do have one first person story coming. Kilt Worthy is done in 1st person, which to me is ironic since it will be my debut release. Then again, it’s a short story. Often times first person doesn’t allow the writer to give a second pov, which as a reader I then miss.
July 23rd, 2009 at 11:24 am · Link
I prefer 3rd person. I like seeing what’s going on. I also think 1st person can be very hit or miss. There are some I enjoy (I’m with you on Patricia Briggs, for example – and if you like her, you should check out Faith Hunter), but I mostly prefer third person reads.
July 23rd, 2009 at 12:48 pm · Link
I’m more partial to third person, and though I have not read any of these, some first person series I have enjoyed are Twilight by Stephenie Meyer, Sookie Stackhouse by Charlaine Harris and the Undead/Queen Betsy series by MaryJanice Davidson. Lisa Scottoline has also written a lot of legal thrillers in first that were good (eg: Everywhere That Mary Went).
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:35 pm · Link
I read a lot of YA, which has a large quanitiy that is being written in first person right now, so it’s not bothering me as much as it used to. I only write in third, though. :shrugs:
http://christinadelorenzo.blogspot.com/
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:52 pm · Link
I don’t know how I forgot about the Harry Potter books to add to my list. I’ve also read the first book in the Twilight series.
Cass – I tend to read a lot of mysteries and many of them are first person. I think it’s because the lead character is usually so invested in solving the mystery and we really want to know what they are thinking.
Christina – I’ve been reading more YA this year too, although the last one I read was third – Zombie Queen of Newbury High.
July 23rd, 2009 at 1:52 pm · Link
Amy – your surprise did indeed improve my funk.
July 23rd, 2009 at 2:37 pm · Link
No preference over here, but I did just give up reading a book that I kept expecting to be in first person. Except it wasn’t.
Really weird.
July 23rd, 2009 at 4:02 pm · Link
I prefer to write and read in third person, but as long as it’s a good story I’ll read it. I’ve written a few first person and one mixed first/third.
Happy T13 :)
July 23rd, 2009 at 4:21 pm · Link
I like Patricia Briggs but my favorite so far is the prequel to the Mercy Thomson series. Nice list.
July 23rd, 2009 at 4:33 pm · Link
I just started writing in first person last year, and love it!
My favorites in first person are Jim Butcher’s Dresden files and LKH Anita Blake series.
Happy TT.
Janice~
July 23rd, 2009 at 5:18 pm · Link
Generally I prefer third person but I have read a few in first person that I really liked.
July 23rd, 2009 at 7:25 pm · Link
I prefer third person. I even like an omnicient voice that hints of the upcoming plot points because the voice already knows what’s happened – rather like Dr. Manhattan in Watchmen.
July 24th, 2009 at 3:53 am · Link
I’m an avid reader but I haven’t really thought about which I prefer. My first thought is third person. I’ll have to make note with each book I read and see if my first thought holds true.
July 24th, 2009 at 5:58 pm · Link
Great list! I’ll have to check some of these out.