Occasionally, I’ll have someone ask me what my favourite genre to read is. When I tell them I don’t really have one, they get confused and ask why. Well, I honestly like all different genres. There are some that I don’t like, very few in this category actually, and then there are the genres that I like.
I don’t think that I just have to pick one and scream to the world that it’s my favourite genre to read and then read all that I can get my hands on. No, I may go through phases where I’ll read all dystopias, which I have, or I’ll read all contemporary books for awhile. Sometimes I just want to read fantasy or science fiction or even a historical romance. Then ever so occasionally, a romance or erotica. But just because I read one over the other for awhile, does it mean I have to like one more than the others?
I have many favourite books. In my top ten favourites I have: fantasy, historical fiction, dystopian, science fiction, contemporary. All of these genres. So if I love these books so much, even if they have nothing really in common, not even their genre, why should I pick?
I know people, as I’m sure most of you do, that only read one genre. I kind of feel sad for them sometimes because maybe if they would break out of their comfort zone, maybe they will find something else that’s amazing. They might find a new genre that will open so many more books to them. Maybe. Or they might hate it and continue on with what they know and that’s that. I know I shouldn’t feel sad for them, but I do. Even though it’s their choice, at least they are reading something. Unlike those evil book haters! The ones who give nothing a shot.
So what about you? Do you think that everyone should have a favourite genre? Or can they be like me and just read anything and like it all equally?
A Glo-Worm Reads 
Pingback: Clock Rewinders on a Book Binge (4) | A Glo-Worm Reads
Pingback: Clock Rewinders on a Book Binge (27) | Reading In Winter
I wouldn’t say that I only read one genre, but I’m definitely drawn to certain genres. I like my YA contemps! BUT I do really like historicals, and some science fiction, and paranormal romance. I think my problem is that I get stubborn and it takes major effort to read outside of my comfort zone. Of course, once I do read something else and love it, I wonder why I don’t read MORE of it!
Great post!
I agree that going outside your comfort zone is really hard. I’ve always just been one to pick up a book and read it based off of mood though. Luckily I have an open mind to all genres, although it does make it harder when I go to buy books because there are just so many!
YES! I could spend HOURS whittling down my choices to just a few in a bookstore. I’m constantly going from one section to another …
haha, yeah.. My husband hates going to the bookstore with me. If I’m allowed to buy something, since it takes me so long. I’m the same with new glasses. Takes about an hour to pick a pair, it something I’m going to be stuck with for 2 years at least so I might as well like them!
Hmm. I definitely gravitate to certain genres more than others (fantasy, sci-fi, dystopia, paranormal), but I’m game for reading just about anything. I don’t keep a long list of contemporary novels to read, because I know those just don’t interest me as much, but it doesn’t mean that I never want to read them. Yes, I just like to read – all kinds of stories! Why limit yourself to just one genre?
Exactly! I like to keep my options open. Only recently (within the last year) did I try retellings. I guess I just didn’t realize they were so good? I’m more into other genres than I used to be as well. I mean, when I was younger all I needed was fantasy, but as I got older I opened up to other genres and found so much more to read.
Some I don’t read as much as others, but I still read them. I do tend to go through phases though. I will read say, dystopia for a few weeks, then switch to contemporaries and then go to paranormal or fantasy. It just depends on my mood at the time.
Yeah, I definitely go through phases, too. For a long time, all I read was nonfiction: memoirs and the like. Now, I only read those once in a while. I love reading! There are just so many options out there. It’s great that we can just switch it up whenever we feel like it. š
Yup! I was trying to find something to read last night and couldn’t decide what. Sometimes it makes things very difficult!
I’m with you. I’m definitely not picky about genre and that’s one of the reasons why I love the YA section. Most of the time all the books are thrown together onto one shelf without separating by genre so it’s just up to what interests you or what mood you’re in at the time that determines what book you choose. I think it’s good to be open to multiple genres because they each fulfill you in different ways.
On the flip side, I don’t think people who are only choose one genre are wrong either. Yeah, maybe they might be missing some great books because they are restricting themselves to one genre, but if they know that’s what they like I can’t blame them. It’s like those people (like me) who go to food places and always order the same meal even though there are hundreds of other options. Yeah, they might be missing out on some good stuff, but if they’re happy with they have who can blame them? š
Oh, there’s definitely nothing wrong with reading one genre. Sometimes I wish that’s all I did because it would cut down drastically on my TBR. When my husband reads fiction, it’s exclusively fantasy. If he’s reading non-fiction, it’s history. That’s what he likes and I’m not going to discourage him at all.
I could get lost in the YA section forever. Although, I find my Chapters doesn’t really group their fiction into genres either, it’s just alphabetical order by authors last name, for the most part. But they do have a romance and fantasy section set aside. Maybe I just haven’t been to the adult section in awhile and it’s all changed now though..
I’m also one of those people who sticks to the same foods. I like going to the food court in our mall because it gives me options at different places, even though I only ever get one thing at each place. I at least feel like I have some variety.