Let me tell you about my reading shame: for years, I was a genre snob. I only read fantasy. Literary fiction? Pretentious. Romance? Not for serious readers. Mystery? Too formulaic. I had built walls around my reading life and was proud of them.
Then I actually tried reading outside my comfort zone, and discovered I was completely wrong about almost everything.
The Problem with Genre Loyalty
Don't get me wrong—having favorite genres is normal and healthy. The problem comes when loyalty becomes limitation. Here's what I was missing:
Books I Would Have Loved
Turns out, plenty of books in "other" genres would have been exactly my thing. I just never gave them a chance because of the label on the spine.
Reading Burnout Prevention
Reading only one genre leads to fatigue. The same structures, tropes, and rhythms start to feel stale. Variety isn't just nice—it's necessary for sustained reading enjoyment.
Connections Across Genres
Great books in different genres often share DNA. Once I started reading widely, I found unexpected connections that enriched my understanding of ALL my reading.
My Experiments in Genre Tourism
The Romance Experiment
I thought romance was formulaic and predictable. Then I read a critically acclaimed romance novel on a dare, and... it was great? The character work was sharp. The emotional beats landed. The "formula" was actually just a structure for telling satisfying stories.
Now romance is a regular part of my reading diet. Turns out, emotional intelligence in fiction is actually valuable. Who knew.
The Literary Fiction Experiment
I thought literary fiction was boring and pretentious. Then I found the literary fiction that actually worked for me—the stuff with actual plots and engaging prose, not just navel-gazing.
Key discovery: "literary fiction" isn't one thing. Some of it is exactly as boring as I feared. Some of it is transcendent. You have to find your corner of it.
The Horror Experiment
I avoided horror because I thought I didn't like being scared. Turns out, I love being scared in books. The adrenaline, the tension, the satisfaction of surviving the story—horror delivers something no other genre quite manages.
The Nonfiction Experiment
I thought nonfiction was homework. Then I found narrative nonfiction that read like novels while teaching me about the real world. Now some of my favorite books are nonfiction.
How to Experiment Effectively
Start with Crossover Books
Some books combine multiple genres. These make excellent bridges:
- Romantic suspense for readers ready to try romance
- Historical fantasy for history lovers curious about magic
- Literary thrillers for literary fiction fans wanting plot
- Urban fantasy for contemporary fiction readers interested in the supernatural
Ask for Recommendations from Genre Fans
The best book to start with in a new genre isn't always the most popular one—it's the one that will click for YOU specifically. Find someone who loves the genre and ask what they'd recommend for someone with your existing tastes.
Give Books a Fair Chance
I used to abandon books quickly. Now I give new genres at least 50-100 pages. The conventions take time to appreciate. The payoff might come later.
Track What Works
When a genre experiment succeeds, figure out why. What specific elements worked? That helps you find more books you'll enjoy.
Genres I'm Still Working On
I'm not going to pretend I love everything. Poetry still doesn't click for me. Certain literary fiction subgenres remain challenging. That's fine. The goal isn't to like everything—it's to give things a fair shot.
Using Reading Order Books for Genre Exploration
Our database covers all genres, not just your favorites. When you're ready to try something new:
- Search by genre to find well-regarded series
- Read about different subgenres to find your entry point
- Use our reading guides to start series properly
- Track your genre experiments over time
Your next favorite book might be hiding in a genre you've never tried. Mine was.
— mrod