The Complete Grimm's Fairy Tales The Complete Grimm's Fairy Tales question


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Is it bad to be drawn to only one certain genre?
Joy Joy Jul 30, 2011 09:12AM
I have always been drawn to Fantasy. ALWAYS. If I hear of a title over and over again I will give it a try, even if it's not fantasy. I almost NEVER read the Hunger Games and would have totally missed out! I also loved The Apothecary's Daughter.And I'm enjoying Decision Points but it keeps getting pushed aside for....yep, fantasy. But as I read reviews and reject books based on their plot and genre, I wonder if it's a bad thing. I mean, you are either drawn to it or not, right? And most authors only write in a certain genre, right? (suspense, romance, fantasy, etc) Obviously I would be a more "rounded" reader if I branched out a little more. Your thoughts?



Books are like assorted chocolates. You like what you like


It's not a horrible thing. I tend to find myself almost permanently stuck in the Fantasy section myself, but it's good to branch out. I try finding at least one author I like in another genre and running with their books. By no means has it got me "unstuck" but it does round you out a considerable bit.


Many authors of one genre often write in another. For instance, Nora Roberts is well known for Romance novels. J.D. Robb writes police procedurals (sub-genre of mystery/thriller). Same person. On the other hand, Orson Scott Card writes Fantasy, Science Fiction and Historical Fiction all under his same name.
Its fine to be drawn to one genre only, but to limit yourself to reading only that is NOT good. Do research on your favorite authors to see if they might write works in other genres and try those. As time passes, you may find you get drawn to different genres. Or you may not.


Not at all, everyone has a favourite genre they will lean towards more than others. Mine is science fiction, I love it to bits. But that doesn't mean that I don't read great works of literature, the occasional Stephen King novel, or even non-fiction material. Have a favourite but branch out and you may develop more.


Read what you love! Just keep reading. If you want to branch out, don't jump to something really far off from what you usually read, just a little different, that way it is an easy transition.


is ther gonna bea nother book in the series cuz i only read 1-9 n 9 ddnt finish it all the back said theere was more


As long as you are reading, then no harm. Maybe add about 10% non-fantasy books to your list. Go for more sci-fi, then to mystery and so forth; if you feel the need to branch out. Just do YOU! :D


I read what I like, I don't think about genre.


I don't think that is bad, But I also think you should try other genres, you know, give them another opportunity. I don't know =$


Joy wrote: "I have always been drawn to Fantasy. ALWAYS. If I hear of a title over and over again I will give it a try, even if it's not fantasy. I almost NEVER read the Hunger Games and would have totally mis..."

Well, fantasy's a great genre. There's so much potential there! But you are right to think that by sticking to a single genre, you're missing out.

One thing you can do is to employ the tools available to you here. The "Recommendations" link at the top of your page will take you to a page that will show you an automatically generated list of recommended books based upon books you like. At the bottom of THAT page in the lower right hand corner is another link that will perhaps be even more useful. Under "Community Recommendations" in the gray-ish column is a link where you can "Ask for Recommendations." This will take you to a page that will allow you to write a paragraph explaining what you like and what you're interested in reading and users are able to send you ideas of recommended books based on your parameters.

Also, a lot of fantasy readers find that they are drawn to certain crossover pieces from the science fiction genre, too. I would recommend starting with N.K. Jemisin, if you haven't read her yet. She strongly blurs the line between science fiction and fantasy. I LOVED The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms! I can give you other ideas, too, later on.

This will at least give you a starting point. These tools have been very helpful for me! And, if all else fails, there's always the library. Grab a stack of books that you've heard about and want to read and give them each 100 pages to grab you. You may find a new obsession. ;)


No, it's not bad. I really like mysteries. I do branch out and read other things, too. When you try other things you might be shocked that you find a new favorite to add to your current fav genre. Just make sure you're enjoying your reading. :)


deleted member Jan 28, 2012 10:22AM   0 votes
Well, as long as you enjoy reading. :)


With fantasy books you make yourself a fantasy world where there are adventures to happen, that might never take place in the real world.
I'm an avid reader of Star Wars novels and comics and I am writing my own fantasy Star Wars story for years. I love fairy tales, legend, myths and wonder world. There's nothing wrong with it.


Rozzer (last edited May 31, 2012 09:31AM ) May 31, 2012 09:31AM   0 votes
Nothing's wrong with concentrating on one genre. After a while, your interests probably will move to another genre. I spent five years reading nothing but sci-fi. Then I grew and changed and switched to history, where I must have spent ten years. Then it was psychology. Then science. In a normal lifetime everyone has room for successive, serial genres.


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