Have you ever read a book that was completely out of the box from what you normally read and found that you liked (or loved) it?

[~Annaki~]

I know that many people have their favorite genres that they stick to when it comes to books, and so I was wondering if you had ever read, and liked, a book that was all together different from what you normally would read?
Maybe you did it on purpose, maybe you were stuck on an island and it was the only book available?

If so- what was the book, why did you decide to read it and why was it so different from what you normally read?

[Jenn]

Between the group reads, group themes, and the monthly and annual challenges I’ve been broadening my horizons at every turn. I used to a fantasy and a smattering of sci-fi but now I’m including horror, thriller, gothic, chic-lit, and so much more. This group has been amazing!

[Miriam]

I have,happily so. One of the books that I have read..THE BEES..is about the life of Flora, a little bee and the everyday life in the hive. I found this book so charming,and endearing.I fell in love with bees! I have a garden on my deck and the bees and I live happily together.
Also, I really learned a lot! I think this book was one of the first of my breakout books

[Janice, Moderator]

Welcome to YLTO, Miriam. :)

[Travis]

Definitely have and often love it. I'll have to think on actual examples.

[Sarah]

I can't think of any actual examples right now but this has definitely happened to me. Sometimes group reads have been like this. Now I'm thinking, Five Quarters of the Orange has come to mind. And Memoirs of a Geisha (I held off reading it for such a long time). I tend to read fantasy and science fiction and those are the books I generally buy. Oh, mystery and thrillers too. But when I do read a historical fiction, always seem to love them and wonder why I don't read more of them.

[Miriam]

Thank you Janice...I am not quite sure how I got here...but, I just read about the group and see it is international. I really like learning about other cultures and countries. I am at present reading a historical book about a young woman in Palestine

[Janice, Moderator]

Miriam wrote: "Thank you Janice...I am not quite sure how I got here...but, I just read about the group and see it is international. I really like learning about other cultures and countries. I am at present read..."

Enjoy the group. :)

[Lisa]

I don't normally read or enjoy young adult books, but there have been a couple I have read that I really enjoyed. Hurt is the most recent one that springs to mind.

[Margo]

Jenn wrote: "Between the group reads, group themes, and the monthly and annual challenges I’ve been broadening my horizons at every turn. I used to a fantasy and a smattering of sci-fi but now I’m including hor..."

I love the variety in YLTO too Jenn. I used to have a sci-fi/fantasty group, a historical fiction group etc etc. Now I have a group that answers all needs! I am still in a few groups just to see what old friends are up to but you are right - this group is amazing 😊

[Margo]

Sarah wrote: "I can't think of any actual examples right now but this has definitely happened to me. Sometimes group reads have been like this. Now I'm thinking, Five Quarters of the Orange has come..."

I loved Five Quarters of the Orange Sarah. It got me reading quite a few Joanne Harris books. She, like me as a reader, does not slot into any one genre.

[siriusedward]

Plays and and books like The Handmaid's Tale, dystopia, not my genre... and like someone said I started to read more of Historical fiction and into Southern Gothic genre.. and also loved Edith Wharton, with the two short stories that I recently read as part of a challenge for another group,never thought I would like her.
And stream of consciousness..Virginia Woolf, love her writing
and
The Stranger
The Grapes of Wrath
Light in August
The Member of the Wedding
Housekeeping

All these come to mind.
I was so hesitant to read these but I ended up loving to liking a lot ,all of these books.

[Lisa]

Sarah and Margo, it's funny, I had the opposite experience with Five Quarters of the Orange. Whilst I didn't outright hate it, I didn't enjoy it anywhere near as much as I thought I was going to. I couldn't stand the main character and I thought certain aspects were a bit far-fetched. I did really enjoy Chocolat though.