Look familiar? Monday's Question of the Day, officially has a new name! The previous title seemed a bit dull, so I decided to spice it up. Books For Thought is a Monday feature where I post a book-related question up for discussion. I am open to all opinions and enjoy reading diverse comments from my lovely followers. I look forward to picking your minds!
Have a question idea? Share it here and I'll give you credit.
____________________
How often do you read out of your comfort zone? And when you do, have you ever been pleasantly surprised with the outcome?
My Response: Truthfully, I rarely veer away from my preferred reading of Young Adult books. But, recently I've considered dabbing into the Paranormal Romance section. Thanks to the Book Faery (damn you Tori, you haven't won yet) and other bloggers, my curiosity for this genre has escalated. From all the raving reviews I've read, I'm secretly intrigued by the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning and Kelley Armstrong's Adult series, Women of the Underworld. So, if I did want to take a quick breather and shake it up with my reading, I'd start with these authors.
But, have no fear, I will primarily read Young Adult books. After all, it's deep within my heart and I don't see it shattering any time soon. I just sometimes yearn for something different considering the amount of sequenced YA books in my future. Quick question, if I was to review a paranormal romance book once in a blue, would you hold it against me? My blog is 99% YA, so I was wondering if that 1% of reviews outside of my comfort zone, would be of interest to my followers.
What are your bookish thoughts?
20 comments:
I guess I’m a bit of an odd-ball but even though i read mostly YA fiction, i don't have a reading comfort-zone. I'll read anything...and I do mean anything! If I’m bored and can't find anything but a dictionary or a travel guide I’ll read it. I don't like chick-lit much but if it's all i can find around I’ll read that too. Maybe it's that i can find an interest in almost any topic and i'm not very picky. I never really thought about it before now, but now that i do i think I’m a bit strange -.- Really great question this week, and i love the new name! :)
http://blackfingernailedreviews.blogspot.com/
All book reviews are interesting to me even if they are not on my preferred genre because you never know when you might stumble upon something that looks awesome, something that you wouldn't of initially thought to look at in the first place.
I always try to read outside my comfort zone. I love reading classics and YA so now and again I try to read something diferent, like contempary adult fiction or even a bit of poetry. One thing I haven't really had any experience with is non-fiction which I would like to change this year.
It wasn't until late 2008 when I became obssessed (yes, it has gotten to that point) with YA after picking up Twilight. Back then I didn't even know what YA was even though I have always been an avid reader. So I was ecstatic to find a whole new genre I loved just by being introduced to one book.
You never know what genre you will like until you try it! :)
It is sooo hard to get my out of my reading comfort zone. I read Young adult with paranormal elements, Urban FAntasy and PAranormal Romance. I totally recommend the Fever series.
I started out just reading young adult, but got recommended an Adult Urban Fantasy series. God, I think that was FEVER by Karen Marie MOning, LOved it! and went onto the Adult UF and PNR section and have been addicted ever since. I am so thankful for that recommendation.
I am so drawn to the PNR and UF genre I don't think I could pick up a different genre unless I read most of the series on my TBR shelf, but I recently read Across the Universe by Beth Revis which is sci-fi and dytopian and OMG. I loevd it, I guess I have found a new genre. XD
But yes, you never know what genre you like until you try it XD
As much as I would like to stay in my reading comfort zone, to effectively do my job as a Teen Services Librarian, I try to read a wide range of materials. I help all kinds of teens find "good' books and reading out of my comfort zone allows me to talk with teens about all sorts of books. Also, as a book reviewer for a professional magazine, that has forced me out of my comfort zonne too.
If nothing else, reading books out of my comfort zone has allowed me to read some really great books that I probably would not have normally chosen.
Allll the time. I go through moods. I'm currently in the mood for adult books.
I purposely try to read books that make me uncomfortable but it's always good to go back to a subject you know you like.
I'm pretty terrible with reading outside my comfort zone. I rarely do it. I just have so many books within my comfort zone that I want to read. They make me happy, so why stray to something that might not?
I'm also the kind of person who orders the same meal every time. I'm not very adventurous.
I usually skip past reviews of adult books, but given that they're outside your comfort zone as well, I think I might be interested in hearing your opinion. If it's outside your comfort zone and you still like it, then maybe I will too.
I never really read UF until all the hype of the Fever series the last couple of weeks. I am now on the third book and loving them! I stepped out of my comfort zone, and I admit I am still wary of them, but this series is great! I can see the attraction of them.
I do at times like to step and read something different. But not always.
I read in a huge variety of genres. And, I tend to read in stages. So, for like, 6 months, the majority of what I read will be retold fairy tales. And then contemporary. And then Historical Fiction. And then classics etc etc.
The only books outside my 'comfort zone' aren't so much a comfort zone issue as a non-interest. Like, I'm not at ALL interested in self-help books. Or paranormal romance. I know it's wildly popular right now, but paranormal in general isn't my favorite genre, and I don't like books or movies where the plot relies heavily on the romance. I'd rather see some independent movement, and if two people just happen to fall in love while BOOK is happening, then fine, but I don't generally likes books where the whole point is the love. It bores me... :)
So, in that sense, I never read outside my comfort zone, but I read in almost every genre already...
My blog is mostly YA, but I do review a little bit of everything. Your blog is for you. So, if you want to drop in on some Paranormal Romance every once in a while, DO IT! And then, for people who don't like it, they don't have to read that occasional review. :)
I feel like I've had great success in reading outside of my comfort zone. Paranormal (anything unreal) was once a huge no-no for me...Now, I am an avid fan! (All thanks to great books like Shiver and Nightshade and Shade.) It's a fun adventure to challenge your reading palette, I think!
I don't step out of YA (except occassional MG, which I don't count) but my comfort zone is fantasy. In the past I've stuck to everything surreal (dystopia counts too) but I've lately been dabbling in contemporary. And I must say that a new favorite is "Amy and Roger's Epic Detour"
My comfort zone is pretty broad, I think but every once in a while I'll come across a book that catches my eye that doesn't fit my mould that I'll want to read. But I like a lot of stuff so it's hard to be too far out there for me.
And I wouldn't worry about reviewing outside of your comfort zone. It's a book blog! Books should be reviewed!
I didn't used to read much outside my comfort zone but I am now actively trying to branch out a bit. In fact, I'm hosting a "Read Outside Your Comfort Zone" challenge on my blog if anyone is interested in joining!
I think you can be pleasantly surprised sometimes if you try something that isn't a typical read for you, and hey, if you don't like it then at least you didn't have high expectations for it :D
Danya
A Tapestry of Words
Hey :) Great question and love the new name. I finally joined in on this feature you've created. Hope you still are okay with people doing it as well.
If not, tell me.
But here is the link to my answer.
http://vintagebookworm.blogspot.com/2011/01/books-for-thought-1.html
I think the book (that I normally wouldn't have read) that surprised me the most was Aztec by Gary Jennings.
Once I got into it I couldn't put it down.
I often try to read a variety of genres and often try to step outside of my comfort zone. I recently started reading horror books, which I never thought I would enjoy. I was wrong! If you don't venture outside of your comfort zone, there are some pretty awesome reads that you will miss.
Manga Maniac Cafe
I try to branch out of my comfort zone occasionally and love when I find that I enjoyed the book a lot!
And I would love to see an occasional adult review here!
:h: Nice question. I try and read out of my comfort zone as much as possible. I do so a lot for school anyway...but I think I read a variety of things. It's mainly YA these days, but I have some Shakespeare for school, Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy because I review for Romantic Times (and I'd recommend you DO try some of this sometime), non-fiction every now and then, etc. etc.
I try and mix it up. I have a wide set of interests so lots of things look good to me.
And no, I would not mind at all to see Adult reviews sometimes.
-Lauren
One of my goals for 2011 is to branch out in my reading, and so far I think I'm doing a pretty good job. I have read dystopian and supernatural so far and liked them both! Next up: paranormal!
Post a Comment
Thank you for leaving a comment, sending you kisses and hugs!! Oops, I am sorry if I slobbered on you. ;)