Monday, January 14, 2013

Question of the Moment: What have you learned from expanding your reading? (9)

When I started Thoughts At One In The Morning, my aim was to focus mostly on Young Adult novels and maybe weave in a few other genres. I would occasionally read Middle Grade and just started getting interested in some Adult Fiction and Chick Lit. At the beginning of 2012, I set out to read more Classics. I even expanded into the (not quite recognized just yet) New Adult genre. It has its similarities to YA, but definitely more along the lines of Chick Lit. There are some that I imagined were like New Adult but turned out to be much closer to Adult Fiction.

If I take a look at all the above, how I feel after reading in these different categories, there is one conclusion. I prefer Young Adult over all of them. Don’t get me wrong, there are pros for the other genres, and I do find certain novels held a special appeal to me. There’s just something more appealing about YA-maybe it’s due to the innocence of it, less swearing and sex. I can focus more on the story and the character, instead of cringing when the character can’t stop dropping the F-bomb. This doesn’t mean I won’t venture out and read the occasional Chick Lit/New Adult novel. I just think I’m going to be more cautious as to which ones I decide to pick.

How about you? How has your reading expanded through the years? What kind of genres have you learned to love? Which ones have you decided aren’t for you? I’d love to hear your reading story!

Jessica

10 comments:

  1. I find that when I read too many books of the same genre/reading age in a row, I'm much more likely to get irritated with them, and that generally happens with YA. I don't read adult mysteries/thriller very often, so whenever I do read one, I love it--but if I read them more often I'd probably get tired of them too!

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    1. I don't mind reading a few of the same in a row, especially if it's a specific genre I like a lot. :) I do have to change it up once in awhile though. ;)

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  2. I read mostly MG, but a lot of YA too. Of course, there are adult books I enjoy as well. I think it's because many adult books tend to be 'heavy', and life is serious enough :)

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    1. That's very true! I think that's why YA is what I always go back to, simpler times. :)

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  3. Until I started blogging I read mainly adult books - romance and cozy mysteries, a few historic books - with a few exceptions (Harry Potter, Twilight, Chronicles of Narnia). Then I discovered blogging and the world of YA and I fell in love. Last year I read mostly YA but it was all different genres - contemp, dystopian, paranormal, so it wasn't all the same type. I've realized that I miss adult books and I'm going to try to add in more this year even though I still adore YA and it will still be my main focus. I haven't read too many New Adult books, but they seem like an excuse to have gratuitous sex scenes and really horny characters lol. I know they're not all like that, but that's the unfortunate rep they're getting. I'm curious to read more and probably will when I get my Kindle, but I think, like you, my main love is YA.

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    1. I agree with you on New Adult--sometimes it feels like YA erotica. I think some of them can be decently written and actually have a good story attached, those are harder to find though. The only one I've enjoyed was Beautiful Disaster, it had the right balance between real life and romantic scenes. It's too bad you don't have a Nook, I'd let you borrow some of the ones I have. :P

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  4. I used to never read YA. I know, hard to bed believe, but it's true. I'll read just about anything now.

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    1. It's funny how our tastes can change over time. :)

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  5. I decided to start expanding my reading genres about a year ago. I found some refreshing books and some that amazed me. I'm glad I read a little of everything now.

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    1. It's nice to branch out once in awhile because you do find that certain genres really are to your liking. :)

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Thank you for commenting and happy reading!