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You never know what you'll learn or experience until you do. You may find a way to incorporate something into your own favorite genre in a new way. You may just plain 'ole enjoy yourself!
It's not just age differences though. For example, one of my favorite recent reads was BRUISED by Sarah Skilton. Her writing is incredible. Every sentence and comparison is original and fresh. That kind of read inspires me! How about you? Do you find it difficult to open a book outside your comfort zone? Or are you all over the place? And how does that compare with what you write? Are you more open to writing outside your genre if you read outside it too?
While there are certain genres I gravitate to, I love reading a much wider variety than that. It's why my TBR pile is as eclectic as it is right now! XD
ReplyDeleteI tend not to read out of genre. But I totally agree with you. It's a great thing to do and then I wonder why I don't read more in that genre. For me, it's contemporary. I don't know if I'd write in that genre, but I'd like to read more of it.
ReplyDeleteI was mostly reading YA books when Leigh Moore recommended EASY by Tammara Webber on her blog. The book is NA, and at first I wasn't interested. But while I wasn't interested in NA, the premise grabbed me and I decided I had to read the book. By the end of it, not only did I decide I had to read more NA, I had to write it. :D
ReplyDeleteNow I read mostly NA (but I do love my YA too).
I love reading outside my genre! I write contemporary but some of my favorite books were dystopian...like Hunger Games and Matched. I'll read political thrillers, inspirational romance, YA, Nicholas Sparks...you name it!
ReplyDeleteI read very, very widely! I love so many kinds of stories! I've dabbled in writing a few genres too - part of why it's taken me quite a while to close in on it being time to pub. So many fun genres! :)
ReplyDeleteHmm, interesting question. I read pretty widely, because it's about what grabs me. But I write more narrowly. I have written outside my comfort zone, though. It's definitely good to get beyond sometimes.
ReplyDeleteI like to bounce around even though YA is my first love. Just finished all four Peter and the Starcatchers books - MG deliciousness, and am now tackling the Song of Ice and Fire series (Game of Thrones.) Talk about a change in boundaries!
ReplyDeleteI love MG even though I used to read nothing but adult until I decided to take my writing seriously. I usually read some YA to break my MG chain from time to time. I'm hoping to read some graphic novels this year too. I miss those.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I've been trying to read different stuff. I've been seeing A Little Too Far a few places, I'll have to give it a shot.
ReplyDeleteSarah Allen
(From Sarah, With Joy)
I recently read and reviewed a book outside my genre of choice and had reservations about it going in...but it was such a well written book that I'm glad I took the risk. I'm a lot more open to reading outside my genre now.
ReplyDeleteI think the only reason I haven't read more books outside YA recently is because I have SO MANY YA books still waiting on my to-read list!
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