Stepping Out Of Your Comfort Zone

With your reading.

If I am reading to enjoy something I like to read topics that interest me and hold my attention. When someone suggests a book on a topic I don't know a lot about or it doesn't interest me I can be a little hesitant about reading the book or stepping out of my comfort zone.

What happens when I step outside my comfort zone or someone suggests a book I don't think I would have any interest in? While, yes sometimes it doesn't work and other times it can be a magical experience where I can't put the book down and fall in love with a new genre or topic.

Finding a New Genre

Yes, I like what I like when it comes to reading and I don't love stepping out of my comfort zone especially when it comes to new genres. But maybe book club is reading a new book or I have heard great things about a book I wouldn't necessarily read.

Mysteries and thrillers are not my genre, but when they were brought up at book club I decided to give them a try. Dreading it a little bit and not knowing if I would get through I was pleasantly surprised by each one.

The Last Guest House by Megan Miranda was a mystery I decided to give a try and I just couldn't put it down I was all in on the mystery and ready to find answers. As I read through and was always eager to come back for more I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this mystery book.

Thrillers are also not my genre or so I thought. Unit I read Then She Was Gone by Lisa Jewell. I read half the book in one night ( unheard of for me) the twists and turns and the suspense had me wanting more and more which I was shocked by.

Both books opened my eyes to new genres that I would never have considered and helped me add even more books to my want-to-read list.

Topics I Don't Typically Read About

I like to read fiction books and sometimes I read the summary and am hesitant to read the book because maybe it's centered on a topic that I'm not interested in.

When someone suggested The Truth About Horses by Christy Cashman I was a little hesitant. Not being a horse person I was afraid I wouldn't enjoy it. The book ended up being one of my favorite books. The story and characters outweighed the equestrian aspect of the book and I am so glad I read it.

I don't typically read books about science or medicine but the first book I ever read for book club was The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks by Rebecca Skloot.

Based on true events about how one woman's cells still help science today, the book tells the amazing story of Henrietta whose cells are still helping science today years after her death.

Whether you are looking for something different to read, want to give a certain genre a second chance, or you are unsure about a topic I'm here to tell you give it another try.

Yes, you may find out it's still not for you, but you may also realize that you do like discovering a new author, learning about a new topic, and not judging the book by its cover.