When SciFi and Fantasy Get Old

[MK]

Just found it. Liked it, too :)

[Heidi]

When I get tired of Sci-Fi I turn to History, Science, Philosophy and once in a blue moon poetry or fantasy. I've read a lot of poetry and have very narrow taste in fantasy.

[Scott]

If I decide I need a break I usually read a Lee Child Book. They are easy to get through and after that action hit I turn back to the SF.

[Iscah]

I read all over the place. Though I tend to avoid Romance and Horror...I don't mind those things scattered in as elements to stories, but I tend to get bored or annoyed when they're the main thrust.

But I might give a book from those genres a try if someone could convince me it had substance or a great story line. I enjoyed Jane Austen, but it was a good mix of humor and social commentary in with her romance.

[Therin]

My genre tri-fecta is sci-fi, urban fantasy, and mystery/thriller. So I tend to rotate through those continually over the course of the year. Thus, nothing really gets old. :)

[Jamie]

I mostly read fantasy (though I like to move around within the big genre), some sci-fi, and historical fiction, but will mix it up with some famous novels (some Hemingway, Steinbeck and others in the past year, for example), and a little non-fiction in there too.

[Wade]

When I need a break from Sci-Fi/Fantasy, I prefer historical fiction, classics (Jack London, Mark Twain, etc), or a good Western.

[L.G.]

Lately, I've been reading a lot of current affairs and political analysis. Not all of it in books, but it's something different.

[Brave]

I usually just alternate between sci-fi and fantasy so it doesn't feel as tiring to me, but I love middle grade fiction (and I try to stay on top of what is popular, as I am in school to be a middle grade science teacher) and I love reading travel memoirs/stories, especially mountain/AT travels.

[Stevie]

I like to read something "else" every 5-6 books or so. Some of my recent non-SF/fantasy picks: One More Thing by B.J.Novak, As I Lay Dying by Faulkner, Beowulf, Gravity's Rainbow, One Hundred Years of Solitude.

[Paolo]

I like to read non-fiction to take a break from SFF. I currently have Green Illusions and The Age of Wonder: How the Romantic Generation Discovered the Beauty and Terror of Science lined up.

[V.W.]

It's hard to find enough SF of the types I like, so I don't get burned out. As for other reading I have to read so much for book research, so that easily fills in the gaps.

[MK]

Steve wrote: "I like to read something "else" every 5-6 books or so. Some of my recent non-SF/fantasy picks: One More Thing by B.J.Novak, As I Lay Dying by Faulkner, Beowulf, Gravity's Rainbow, One Hundred Years..."

How did you like Gravity's Rainbow, and One Hundred Years of Solitide?

The first was mentioned in my classics group as a good followup after reading Catch-22 and Slaughterhouse-Five, but also as a very challenging read! The second is going to be a group read in that same book club, next month :).

[Don]

Truman, A good western, Robert Mccammon novels, A good & well researched historical fiction= like Michener.

[Sharon]

I generally switch between sci-fi/fantasy and mystery, with a dash of action/adventure tossed in.

If I end up a little burned out on that, I go back to 'old favorites' on my personal bookshelves, favorites from more than 50 years of reading, so they include a bit of romance (Georgette Heyer) gothic (Barbara Michaels) and western (Louis L'Amour) and even a few "classics" from my childhood, such as Little Women and The Secret Garden

[Jeezzle]

I like to read classics when scifi has me burned out. I just read "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote, a true crime novel, and I am still a bit disturbed by it. Nevertheless I am glad I read it. I am reading Dracula concurrent to Legend and it's kind of a bear probably because I already know the story too well.

[V.W.]

Oh yes, forgot. When I want a change from SF I switch to my other favourite, Historical Military, like Bernard Cornwell and Simon Scarrow.

[Art]

For sure, V.W. The Sharpe series does that for me, a great change of pace.

[Doc]

Jonathan wrote: "I read a lot of genres and usually have more than one book in progress at a time, so I'll read different types of books. Maybe one SFF and a classic or humour book, maybe some Historical or non-fic..."

Exactly what I do. For me, having a Kindle makes juggling books in this way much easier.

[Doc]

I like reading history and historical fiction. I also enjoy dipping into the increasing selection of scientific books for the general public. For example, right now I am reading Physics of the Future: How Science Will Shape Human Destiny and Our Daily Lives by the Year 2100

[Hank]

Doc wrote: "I like reading history and historical fiction. I also enjoy dipping into the increasing selection of scientific books for the general public. For example, right now I am reading [book:Physics of th..."

I loved that book, if you haven't read it already The Hidden Reality was also excellent

[Don]

lonesome gods... if you haven't you should.

[[deleted user]]

I read far too erratically in far too many genres to get fed up of any particular one, lol. Most of the time I'm juggling fantasy, historical fiction, classics, thrillers. Steve Berry writes some great books, btw. Gives me hope for a genre that has far too many Da Vinci Code ripoffs and not enough guys trying new things in it like Tom Wilde

[Paul]

Most of my reading time is consumed by archaeology and anthropology.

When I get the chance, I read some science fiction. I read a few thrillers now and then as well. I really like Koontz and Crichton.

[Tsubaki]

When I get tired of the admittedly more typical/mainstream/generic fantasy genre, I usually turn to slipstream. The more psychedelic and mind blowingly insane the better. Or trashy m/m romances... whichever I have on hand.

[Mary]

Tsubaki wrote: "When I get tired of the admittedly more typical/mainstream/generic fantasy genre, I usually turn to slipstream. The more psychedelic and mind blowingly insane the better. "

Hmm -- you might enjoy The Man Who Was Thursday

[Katy]

Mary wrote: "Tsubaki wrote: "When I get tired of the admittedly more typical/mainstream/generic fantasy genre, I usually turn to slipstream. The more psychedelic and mind blowingly insane the better. "

Hmm -- you might enjoy The Man Who Was Thursday ..."


I've got to read that one.

[Thaddeus]

I usually read history (mostly classical, occasionally medieval) when not reading fantasy. Fascinating in itself, and sometimes useful for ideas or snippets of information.

[Tsubaki]

Mary wrote: "Tsubaki wrote: "When I get tired of the admittedly more typical/mainstream/generic fantasy genre, I usually turn to slipstream. The more psychedelic and mind blowingly insane the better. "

Hmm -- you might enjoy The Man Who Was Thursday"

Okay, that book sounds like a trip alright... :D

[Konstantina]

I like to read classics, when i am tired from fantasy. I need a break from time to time. I also read greek literature. Try Nikos Kazantzakis https://www.goodreads.com/author/show... for a whole different experience.

[Genia]

Κωνσταντίνα wrote: "I like to read classics, when i am tired from fantasy. I need a break from time to time. I also read greek literature. Try Nikos Kazantzakis https://www.goodreads.com/author/show......"

I liked Zorba the Greek a great deal, and his other books are on my list.

[Cheryl]

Well, if you want a 'classic SF' book that's both "trippy" and had a M/M element, get The Man Who Folded Himself.

I read a lot of non-fiction. Not so much physics, but psychology and neuro-science, esp. re' autism, and Washoe the Chimp, etc.

[Adam]

Nonfiction, mostly histories and biographies.

[J.E.]

When I grow tired of fantasy, I like to go to the library and pick a random book. After all, isn't the goal when something gets old to just change something?

I've picked a couple reads I haven't liked, but was still okay with finishing as they were different.

[Konstantina]

Genia wrote: "Κωνσταντίνα wrote: "I like to read classics, when i am tired from fantasy. I need a break from time to time. I also read greek literature. Try Nikos Kazantzakis https://www.goodreads.com/author/sho..."

Great Genia! His books are very interesting.

[Greg]

We get about 4 magazines in our house, so that can sure take up some reading time. Couple with a 3-year-old, yep, I'm not reading as much fantasy as I'd like :)

[Paul]

Nonfiction - usually history - and mystery.

[[deleted user]]

Just finished one great non-genre book (the audio version of The Old Man and the Sea as read by Donald Sutherland) and started another (The Short and Tragic Life of Robert Peace: A Brilliant Young Man Who Left Newark for the Ivy League). I'm biased on that second one because I'm from the area that Rob Peace is from and went to the same high school, but I think it's an important and gripping story that should affect any reader as deeply as it's affected me so far.

[[deleted user]]

Jim wrote: "MK wrote: "I read of Mice and Men in hs, too. I'm going to have to give that one a reread, I think."

I love Steinbeck and I think Of Mice and Men (narrated by Gary Sinise) is going to be my next audiobook.

[Derek]

When spec fic gets old i tend to go to speculation of another sort: mysteries. Sherlock Holmes left an itch in kid me i just can never quite scratch.

[John]

I enjoy Fantasy books and really don't tire of them. When I'm driving though, I love audiobooks from Clive Cussler, Ted Dekker, Jon Sanford, to name a few. Action adventure thrillers for the most part. When I'm just too tired to read I'm a complete sucker for a stereotypical action movie.

[Papaphilly]

While SF/F are a staple for my reading enjoyment, I read almost anything and everything. Right now I am going through a non-fiction phase and having a blast.

[Carson]

I love non-fiction in the style of Bill Bryson. He tells such fascinating anecdotes about history and science that they might as well be fantasy-style world-building.

[Ruth]

Carson wrote: "I love non-fiction in the style of Bill Bryson. He tells such fascinating anecdotes about history and science that they might as well be fantasy-style world-building."

Love Bill Bryson. A Walk In The Woods is laugh out loud funny. I also have several of his other books.

[Paolo]

Much love for Bryson! A Short History of Nearly Everything is probably my favorite book ever.

[Carson]

My wife can get nothing done around the house when I'm reading a Bill Bryson book, since every few pages I just have to read a passage aloud. (For example, the one about the guy who perforated his ear drums in a decompression chamber and considered it a "social accomplishment" that he could now blow tobacco smoke out his ears.)

[Suncani]

There's just something about his books that you want to share snippets of it to everyone around you. Perhaps not the best book for a commute though. At Home: A Short History of Private Lifeis probably my favourite

[C.R.]

Chet and Bernie mysteries by Spencer Quinn. They are told in the best dog voice in the world. Can't get enough. Spencer Quinn

[[deleted user]]

I tend to alternate between SF and Crime novels, occasionally throwing in a thriller like The English Assassin, which I read recently.

[Thomas]

Uh...never