When SciFi and Fantasy Get Old

[Thomas]

Uh...never

[Richard]

While I never tire of fantasy and SF, I do like to read mysteries and history, too! In fact, before I started reading fantasy and SF, I'd already read all the Sherlock Holmes stories and like to go back to read them on occasion.

[Julia]

Science fiction and fantasy don't ever get old, but I read many other genres, too. Some of them are: memoir, history, contemporary fiction, YA, graphic novels, classic, new, plays, film history, film biographies.

[Gary]

J. wrote: "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 p..."

Whoo Hoo, a kindred spirit! I love a Cussler, Clavell, Butcher, Weber story!
Such inventive minds, how could you get bored?
OK, so once in a while I'll stray into a historical novel, like 'Six Frigates'

[Leslie Ann]

Like so many others here, I never tire of Fantasy or Sci-Fi. However, I'm always reading concurrently in another genre, most often non-fiction. I love history, current events, politics, and science.

[Tawallah]

Just saw this and wondered, does that happen? I am getting into the genre and found so much sub genre that I can't imagining it getting old. I know that it may seem hard to find superb writing but everyone has their fav authors. And this genre seems so open to wonder and new way of thinking or even new worlds. Can't imagine SF&F getting old.

[Damien]

Ugh, I'm starting to feel a little overcooked on Fantasy at the moment. In addition to re-reading L.E.Modesitt's Spellcycle books, I've been dealing with the details of the release of my second volume in the Chronicles of the Crimson Kings series on amazon, completing the writing of a novella I started many years ago, and doing a recommended reading list for YA readers looking to try out adult sci-fi and fantasy.

At times like this, I like to do a complete break and jump into something lighthearted. This time, I'm going back to the antics of John Dortmunder and his gang of criminal near-do-wells. These crime farce books written by Donald E. Westlake are always good for a chuckle. What's more, I JUST found out there was one last Dortmunder novel released before Westlake died that I did not know about, so I'm excited! :D

[Neal]

Science fiction never gets old for me. The variety of tales that can be told in that genre is almost endless. I did get burned out on high/epic fantasy long ago. I rarely read high/epic fantasy anymore, it's just such a limited and stagnant genre...IMO of course.

[Greg]

Audio books might be a good work around.

[Suzi]

Usually historical fiction. Sometimes I'll read an everyday story-fiction book that a friend has recommended. Usually, I head quickly back to Fantasy or Sci Fi. Books on the "Oprah list" don't often appeal to me.

[Edward]

About to read an intro accounting book and intro management book, summer classes readings in preparation for my master degree... They may actually be a good break from my current fantasy streak, honestly.

[Zippergirl]

To sum up what I've read here starting back at the OP--SF/F readers seem to read:

History/Historical Fiction
Science
Thrillers
Mysteries
Snarky Non-Fiction

That pretty sums up my alternatives, too. GMTA

[Arley]

As a big fan of adventure fiction, when I find myself worn a little thin by a massive series, I sometimes switch to a western or frontier action. McMurtry's Lonesome Dove, or John Jakes's north and south trilogy are personal favorites.

[Bargle]

Mysteries and some thrillers for me.

[Michael]

When I want a break from SFF I usually read history or adventure travel books.

[James]

We have a bunch of obscure classics on the bookshelf that I've never read. That's my go to place when I need something different.

And recently, review groups / exchanges have opened avenues to other genres too, which is nice. I even read a community based travel book the other day!

[Natacha]

When I'm bored of scifi I read new age stuff. I like reading about shamanism and yoga.

[Valerie]

Zayne wrote: "People get bored of fantasy and scifi? Blasphemy!"

This.

[Silvio]

Zippergirl wrote: "To sum up what I've read here starting back at the OP--SF/F readers seem to read:

History/Historical Fiction
Science
Thrillers
Mysteries
Snarky Non-Fiction

That pretty sums up my alternatives, to..."

Snarky Non-Fiction. Best genre label ever.

[Silvana]

Pray tell me, what are the examples of snarky non-fiction?

[Mary]

Sounds like we could use a listopia list of snarky non-fiction to point each other to works.

[Papaphilly]

I would bet it starts with "what is wrong with the world that does not agree with my politics".

[Don]

wow!! Edward you took accounting in a summer class..
put on your seat belt you in for a ride.

[Don]

let us not get carried away with "snarky" only a few can make it work and the many are just sacastic or smartasses.

[Don]

the good stuff is never boaring! the search to find the good stuff is complicated. someone mentioned "Lonesome Dove" (sniffle) I love that book. another good lonesome book is "Lonesome Gods" by Louis Lemur. Good writers, writing about interesting people is often a good use of time.

[Kateb]

Ruth wrote: "I read a lot of different genres, mysteries, horror, non-fiction, science fiction, fantasies. I also read literary classics. I mix it up all the time depending on what I'm in the mood to read. The ..."

having glanced through this thread , I find I agree with Ruth : a mixture is good, if nothing around I will re read a few old ones I loved.
I have been going through a few books of late, as my nephew moved house and dropped off 300 books. I found I read about 80. He had his kids books as well as his wives (mysteries) and his books of sci fi and fantasy.
all have been moved on to other homes.

[Yolanda]

When I need a break I read thrillers and historical fiction like Bernard Cornwall's books. Amongst other authors I also enjoy Steve Berry's works

[Jennifer]

I bounce around from epic fantasy to steampunk, space opera to hard sci-fi, and alternate history to contemporary paranormal. I find that there is a huge variety with the all the sub-genres so it rarely gets boring.

But if I'm really in the mood for something different I read murder mysteries or historical fiction (mostly set in the Medieval era) and reread classics - Sherlock Holmes, Agatha Christie, Dostyevski, Tolstoy, etc.

[Trike]

Silvana wrote: "Pray tell me, what are the examples of snarky non-fiction?"

I'd think it would be stuff like Dave Barry.

Mary wrote: "Sounds like we could use a listopia list of snarky non-fiction to point each other to works."

Look what I found:

https://www.goodreads.com/shelf/show/...

Hyperbole and a Half: Unfortunate Situations, Flawed Coping Mechanisms, Mayhem, and Other Things That Happened is definitely snarky and funny, but it's Brosh turning her wit on herself, making it self-deprecating.

[Shelly]

I usually alternate what I read, so I mix science fiction with some fantasy, literary fiction, mystery/suspense, and historical fiction mostly.

[Dalton]

I just had this happen to me. I'd written a sci-fi story, and I'd knocked out the first two books in "A Song Of Ice And Fire", and I was kind of burnt out on both.

I read this really interesting piece of advice that boiled down to how reading outside your favorite/comfortable genres could be an opportunity to explore and find something else.

So I picked up a western book. Mind you, I really couldn't care less about westerns/the old west/cowboys/anything stereotypical within that genre. "Servant Of The Law" by Dusty Richards is the book, and I'm honestly really enjoying it. I get exposure to a lot of tropes and ideas that really aren't explored in sci fi/fantasy. It's a nice distraction, I'm enjoying it.

[AndrewP]

Same here, I have to take a break from SF & Fantasy now and again. I enjoy classic noir detective stories (Mickey Spillane & Ed McBain), action adventure (Clive Cussler, James Rollins), historical (B. Cornwell) and non fiction. The occasional western or romance also fit in there. Basically I will read just about anything :)

[Dan]

When I tire of fantasy, I switch to Sci-fi.

When I tire of Sci-fi, I switch to fantasy.

Rinse and repeat :D

[Scott]

When I want a break from fantasy and sci-fi I usually read classic mysteries - Agatha Christie, John macdonald, Lawrence block and Donald Westlake for example.

[Cheryl]

Non-fiction: Science. Don't you want to know if the SF you're reading makes sense? For example, The Martian is SF, but The Martian Chronicles is beautiful BS.

Also I read children's books, just cuz. And a smattering of general fiction, classics, have dipped my toe into most genres.

More adventure? All the thrillers, mysteries, and HF mentioned above? No thanks. When I want something different, I want something *different.*

[Kateb]

AndrewP wrote: "Same here, I have to take a break from SF & Fantasy now and again. I enjoy classic noir detective stories (Mickey Spillane & Ed McBain), action adventure (Clive Cussler, James Rollins), historical ..."

must agreed, I all areas of sci fi, and fantasy ( I often think there isn't such a divide for of the genres), then for a break mysteries, crime, or science journals. I still haven't been able to get through a romance novel yet

[AndrewP]

Maybe its a stretch but I'm counting Outlander as a romance novel:)

[Julia]

It's not a stretch to count Outlander as a romance novel, imo.

[Kateb]

And have you read all of the series??? I have skimmed the first book

[Julia]

Yes. And all the Lord John books and allied novellas and, well, I'm a fan.

After reading and loving Outlander, waaay back before there were sequels, I thought, gee I've read a romance novel and liked it, maybe I could like other romance novels. I tried, several books, but alas, no.

[Valerie]

Julia wrote: "It's not a stretch to count Outlander as a romance novel, imo."

I totally consider it romance. It was so not my cup of tea.

[Kateb]

skimmed the story of outlander, not a bad story line but got sick of the romance. so yes I think it is a romance novel.

That said I am sure there are plenty of people who like them and, as a friend said to me, it had a bit more depth than some of the mills and boon set.

[Valerie]

I felt like it was a romance novel in which the author wanted to show off her historical research rather than craft a good book. Oh, and then include a bunch of rape/attempted rape scenes. Bleh.

[Ellen]

When I need a change I might pick up a classic or check out what's hitting the charts. I like historical fiction. Read The Nightingale this year. Thought it quite good. I also like to pick up a Jane Austen from time to time.

[Thaddeus]

Currently re-reading Suetonius' Twelve Caesars. Light stuff, but enjoyable.

[Terence]

I've a bunch of Penguin Classics, Plato, Aristotle and stuff like that. Also there's research for whatever I happen to be writing) at the time. This can go anywhere - history, science... eg a civilisation sunk beneath the waves = volcanoes.

[Kateb]

reading a lot of YA to check before letting my grand daughter read them. mmmm light funny and just a break between books I like

[Jerrod]

I generally try to read a couple of books concurrently. When it's not sci-fi, it's usually history/economics, literary fiction, or 19th century British fiction (Austen, Dickens, Trollope, etc.). I'm a sucker for Austen's wit... I thought Susanna Clarke did an excellent job with Jonathan Strange in relation to capturing the British wit and backhanded compliments.

[Allison, Fairy Mod-mother]

Mostly classics and things my mom wants to talk to me about--this is how I came to take a break from Harry Potter for The First Ladies' Detective Agency, for example ;-) Gutenberg Project is my go-to when I'm not sure what I want to read next.

[Dalton]

I tend to check out horror and thriller as my alternative to sci-fi and fantasy. A lot of times they have similar elements, and I love a good scare.