Stuck in a reading rut? Here’s how to increase variety in your reading life and broaden your horizons…
This year, I joined an online book club for the first time. Since it’s online, we had to fill out profiles to let others know who we are and what kinds of books we like.
When I sat down to write mine, I thought, “This is a piece of cake. I’ll just dash this off before bed.”
An hour later, my profile wasn’t done and I was reading through dozens of others written by other book club members. As I read through their lists of interests, personal reading-life stories, and the variety of favorite authors and genres, I realized that these people were putting my bookworming to shame.
My profile listed just two genres of books that I read. When it came to favorite authors, I had a little more to contribute, but I noticed that most of them fell into the category of self-improvement. How did that happen?
When you get stuck in a rut…
A few years back, during a difficult season of my life, I turned to self-improvement books to find some answers. When I realized that these books were not the self-centered how-tos I always thought them to be, I kept reading. I enjoyed the insights and the fact that they were guiding me through an emotional trial.
But as the years went on, I barely strayed from these types of books. Occasionally, I read some suspense, some general fiction, even some paranormal stuff. But these were exceptions, not the rule.
I had fallen into a rut and didn’t know how to climb out of it. I wanted more variety in my reading life, but I just didn’t know how to get it.
How to encourage more variety in your reading life
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If we want more variety in our books, then we’re going to have to make some changes to why we read, the way we read, and what we read. If you are ready to get out of your reading rut, then here are a few steps you can take to broaden your horizons…
Finding a New Why…
The reasons behind our choices in books may be the culprit. If we lack variety in genres and authors, it may be because we are looking to fulfill the same desire, over and over again, book after book.
I have an aunt who reads romance novels. Only romance novels. I have never seen her with anything that wasn’t put out by Harlequin. I’ve never asked her, but maybe the comfort of those formulaic romances was what kept her coming back for more.
My self-improvement books gave me a sense of control when my situation lacked it. They helped me make changes internally that calmed my frustrations about not being able to change things externally.
Maybe for you, it’s mysteries. Or light beach reads. Heavy biographical tomes. Or maybe you’re halfway to memorizing Pride and Prejudice. Whatever rut you are in, think about why you’re reading the same types of books again and again.
Now that you know your current why, let’s find a new why. If you’re looking for more variety, think about why you want more variety.
Do you want to be more well-rounded? Have you been neglecting books that you really want to read? Are you bored with the current state of your reading life?
Decide why you want to broaden your reading choices. Knowing this will guide you as you make fresh book selections going forward.
Changing the How…
How we read directly influences what we read. That may sound strange because you usually choose a book before you choose a chair or a time. But in reality, we are already taking into account the how before we even pick up the book.
If you tend to read late at night after a long day at work, you may be gravitating toward light fiction because you aren’t up for anything more mentally strenuous.
If most of your reading takes place in car pool lines and while stirring sauce on the stove, you may be reading books that reflect your current circumstances, like parenting books or cookbooks.
Even the format dictates your book selections. I’m reading two books, but the one I choose at bedtime is the ebook on my phone because I can turn out the light before getting into bed. If you only listen to audiobooks, you may be constrained by what’s available in that format.
Being open to change in how we read—from format to environment—can make it a lot easier to increase the variety of our reading selections.
Making New Choices about What we Read…
If you’re ready to make changes to the how and why, then it’s now time to alter the what. What kind of books do you want to branch out to? These could be titles in a category you used to read, or they could be from one you’ve never tried.
If you’re going to try something new, the last thing you want is to start off with a lemon. Not all books are created equal, so make sure that your first foray into a new genre doesn’t make it your last.
Look for reviews and book lists by readers your respect. Ask friends and family for suggestions about their favorite books and authors. Make sure the book you choose comes highly recommended by someone whose opinions and preferences match your own.
There are tons of highly acclaimed books that get great reviews, but those readers may not like what you like.
Once you’ve made your selection(s), get comfy and start reading. If you feel unsure about your choice, try to give it a fair shot. Like any other change, what’s new doesn’t always feel comfortable or fit as well as the old. Keep your mind open and enjoy.
Encouraging more variety in your reading life is a great way to enrich your mind and bring new levels of enjoyment to your experience. If you’re stuck in a reading rut, then spend some time assessing your whys, hows, and whats. Once you have a grasp on them, you’ll be able to step out of the rut and broaden the horizons of your book life.
What genre do you find yourself stuck in? Which genre have you always wanted to try—and how do you plan to do it? I’d love to hear in the comments below.
Interested in more on books and the reading life? Check out these posts:
How to Create a Reading Area in Your Home
How to Choose What to Read Next
Why I Read So Much & How You Can Read More, Too
[Disclaimer: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This post contains affiliate links. So, if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a commission, at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own and I never recommend anything I haven’t used myself and loved.]
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