Do you like to read light novels?

[Firehawke]

I tend to read fantasy books...but I also read a number of kids books, so I'm sure some of those may be considered light novels!

[Pyper]

I read quite a mix of fantasy/sci fi and YA/kids books. I'm reading one called the Cadicle Series at the moment, which is a YA space opera and touches on some interesting themes.

Are light novels only Japanese or is it a broader genre?

[mbiogirlumd]

Actually "light novels" can cover not just Japanese writing, but Chinese and Korean as well. I believe the term basically refers to writing that can be serialized or is released in multiple volumes but is one story. They are generally the print version of "webnovels" which publish stories online by individual chapters over time rather than as a complete document. A lot of webnovels are converted to a print Light Novel version if they prove successful or popular online, which is usually measured by traffic. Just like with serialized manga, the author is usually still writing the story at the same time the novels are being published.

[Pyper]

So its more like the old magazine serials where you get the next installment each issue?

[sahrawood]

I read a lot and many are amateur but that's probably because they are web novels first and then when they get popular the get turned into light novels.

[BadgerSensei]

I started reading The Rising of the Shield Hero. I liked the anime so much that I wanted to read the books. I couldn't find them online in the original Japanese, so i'm settling for English translations for my Kindle. I miss being able to buy the books in Japan.

[mbiogirlumd]

For the print versions in Japanese I'm afraid I've got no clue. For the original webnovels in Japanese, a lot of them are on sites that require membership paid or otherwise so again, no clue. But if you are interested in fan translations into English, then Novelupdates.com is definitely one of the best places for listings and also author news in the forums. I'm a bit addicted.

[Pyper]

I've started reading Ascendance of a Bookworm. I loved the anime and its nice to get the more detailed look at the world.