Tuesday, February 23, 2016

Top Ten Books Out Of My Comfort Zone

This week's topic from The Broke and the Bookish is Top Ten Books I've read and enjoyed that were out of my comfort zone or weren't my usual type of book.   This is a pretty relevant topic to me right now as one of the things I want to do with my reading is read outside my comfort zone more but I still want to read books I like and enjoy!  This can be a little tough to manage both so I had a good time making this list as I was able to see what I read that wasn't quite the regular for me but that I still enjoyed and hopefully that will give me something to work with for the coming year.

What I Have Read

1.  Casino Royale by Ian Fleming - A lot of the books I read are on the feminine side - cozy mysteries, women's fiction, foodie memoirs are all usually written by women and have a woman as the primary character.  I don't think I've ever read a book that was as masculine without trying as the first James Bond book.  It was fascinating, well written and a little bit slower than I expected but I really enjoyed it.  I'm looking forward to starting the 2nd book soon.

2.  The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot - And on the opposite side of the spectrum we have one of the girliest books I've ever come across!  I don't read much YA but a podcast I listen to (Super Serials) had a discussion about this one back in December and I've heard good things about Cabot's writing and I enjoyed the movie (my oldest was OBSESSED) so I thought it'd be fun to read.  Even though there were times I wanted Mia and Lily (especially Lily) to just SHUT UP a few times I enjoyed this one.  It definitely felt like the voice of a teenage girl.

3.  The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams - I actually have a very long relationship with Hitchhiker's Guide.  When I was a kid I became familiar with the story because of a computer game I played with my dad that was based off the book.  This was the kind of game that had no graphics - not just bad graphics but NO graphics - just text and you typed in what you wanted to do next.  My kids look at me like I've grown another head when I try to explain the style of game to them.  I read the book as a teenager but this was the first time I've read it as an adult and I really enjoyed it.

4.  Relish: My Life in the Kitchen by Lucy Knisley - I didn't have high hopes for this one.  I didn't get her earlier book French Milk at all and I haven't fully wrapped my head around graphic novels as a concept but I loved this one.  It was absolutely fantastic.

5.  The Question of the Missing Head by E.J. Copperman - The main character in this mystery series has Asperger's Syndrome and it made me hesitate on reading it.  I was afraid it was going to be done badly, trivialized, or made fun of but it was really splendidly done.  Samuel really does have Asperger's and it feels very true to life.  He's open and honest about how it affects him and how he doesn't and while the book is bizarre at times it's because there actually is a head missing and not making light or making fun of Samuel.

6.  Go Set a Watchman by Harper Lee - I avoid controversial books like the plague.  I don't want controversy, I don't want hard issues that I'm supposed to think about, I don't want angst or unhappiness.  So when this book came out my dislike of controversy plus the fact that I didn't love To Kill a Mockingbird (I liked it and it has stuck with me but it wouldn't make my top 10) didn't really have me rushing to read it.  But then people started saying they weren't going to read it and people shouldn't read it and my contrariness started to fight with my dislike of controversy.  Then when I discovered my library had the book on audio on it's digital site, it was only about 6 hours, and read by Reese Witherspoon and I figured it was a sign that I should read/listen to it.  And I actually enjoyed it.  There were problems - big ones.  I could tell why the manuscript had been rejected in the first place and why the publisher had asked for more of Scout/Jean Louise's childhood.  There were brilliant little nuggets sprinkled throughout the wheel spinning and I really appreciated Lee's sly humor.

7.  The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins - While this book was incredibly popular I had zero interest in reading it.  It was YA and dystopian which are 2 genres that have never really grabbed me.  However, I got talked into reading it because it was the book of the month for a book club I was in at the time and I ended up absolutely loving it.

What I'm Going to Read:

Since I've been on a bit of a drought in Out of Genre books I thought I'd add in the ones that I'm planning on reading soon.

1.  Cinder by Marissa Meyer - I've heard nothing but glowing praise for this series and the premise has definitely caught my attention.  I'm in the middle of an audio book right now, have one more lined up and then it is Cinder time!

2.  The Good Marriage by Stephen King - I've never read Stephen King though I've seen several of the movies based off his books - and Misery in play form which was fabulous.  These are a little scarier than I tend to read but this one looks great and it's short so I'm a little more comfortable starting this one then some of his higher page number books.

3.  Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon - Between the YA romance-ish fiction and the whole bubble girl concept this one didn't interest me but not only have bloggers that I really trust given it fantastic reviews but I've loved what they had to say about it in the reviews.  I'm really looking forward to trying this one!

What's a book outside of your comfort zone that you've enjoyed?  Any recommendations?


26 comments:

  1. I've never read the Bond books but always been curious- how much or how little are they from the movies. I bet it would be interesting to read the books and compare. Hitchhiker's Guide I've been meaning to read for forever and actually started it but got sidetracked... need to jump back in.

    I haven't read The Hunger Games either...

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  2. Cinder made my list. I loved it so much - the audio is great!! I have avoided Go Set A Watchman but maybe I should try the audio. Hope you like Everything, Everything!

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  3. I didn't want to Read "Go Set a Watchman' either. I said I wouldn't, but then bookclub said we were going to, so I did. I listened to the audio too--loved Reese Witherspoon's narration, and like you, didn't find it too bad. I find that I don't read much sci-fi. Maybe I'll start.

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  4. Cinder is really good! I reread it to read the rest of the series last year and enjoyed the experience all over again. I still have to read the last book... Hope you enjoy it!

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  5. You've got some good ones here. And while YA is not out of my comfort zone, I go through periods where I read very little of it. I loved The Hunger Games and was pretty sure I wouldn't. I'm 'making' my mystery group read YA mysteries for April. Some were not very excited about it, but I told them that there were a bunch of worthwhile mysteries in the YA section. We'll see how it goes. LOL

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  6. There's hope for The Hunger Games yet! I'm exactly the same about it, I want to read it but I don't because it's so popular. It's on this year's tbr list though so I'm going to read it :) really interesting about the Hitchhikers Guide too! The story is so sweet! X

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  7. I tried The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams on audio and it didn't work for me. I definitely need to try again with the written text!

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  8. The Princess Diaries is sooooo girly isn't it. I think it's adorable. I mean, it's very much for teens, but that's okay.

    I think you will really like both Cinder and Everything Everything.

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  9. Hope you enjoy Cinder! Just finished that series recently and it's one of my favorites. When I started the first book I honestly wasn't expecting much, so it was a very pleasant surprise! :) I'm also curious about Everything, Everything.

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  10. I pretty much stick to tried and true, but since blogging I have widened the range of what I will try. I intend getting into the Cinder series too, heard such great things.

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  11. The Cinder series was wonderful! Go set a watchman, not so good....seemed forced. At 60 I had to read Mockingbird in school. Never saw the movie until I was in my 40s. Still not a fan.Hitchiker's guide...metz metz

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  12. I remember those types of games--the one you mention when talking about Hitchhikers' Guide. I love this list, Katherine! I kind of went more with which books I read less of rather than completely outside my comfort zone. I really want to read Everything, Everything and Cinder as well. I plan to make a point of reading Cinder this year for sure. Great list, Katherine!

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  13. Glad you ended up reading and enjoying The Hunger Games.
    My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2016/02/23/top-ten-tuesday-45/

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  14. Good topic and list. I'm often pleasantly surprised when I stretch my reading limits.

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  15. Anything YA Contemporary is out of my comfort zone. I was surprised that I had read as many as I did last year. They were all diverse in some way, though. A YA Contemporary Romance would be really out of my comfort zone. Please don't dare me. Ha ha!

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  16. I've read quite a few on your list and am quite chuffed! very often with my inaccessibility to good books, I am often left behind on the reading lists!!!

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  17. Glad you enjoyed the Hunger Games, it makes a great book club book. I hope you enjoy the other books on your list!

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  18. I have a copy of Go Set a Watchman, still unread. I know I will get to it at some point...but not yet. I haven't read any of the other books on your list. Thanks for sharing...and for visiting my blog.

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  19. Oh I loved The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy, I got a copy for my mom-years ago- she loved it too!!

    http://thebestbasicblogger.blogspot.com/2016/02/wishlist-winning-wednesday-house-theme.html

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  20. Awesome list!

    I've only read Cinder and the Hunger Game trilogy (my eldest daughter prefers YA fantasy/dystopian & I used to buddy read with her and picked up some good titles from her also).

    My eldest brother used to read James Bond books in the '60s, so wow, this is an oldie! I've seen several of the movies but didn't feel interested enough to pick up the titles. The Hitchhiker's Guide is one that my husband read long ago and said he didn't think I'd enjoy it, so I wasn't sure.

    I have no intention to read Go Set A Watchman, sorry. TKAM was one of my all-time favorite reads and movie-- shared both experiences with my Mom who is passed, so I won't sully it with a not so great portrayal of Atticus! But I would never tell someone else not to read it or that they wouldn't enjoy it.

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I wish I had jumped on-board with the category this week, but I don't schedule posts more than a day or so ahead and wasn't feeling up to taking this on :) It's a fun one to read on other people's posts though!

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  21. Great list! I have only read 2 books on your list. I love The Hunger Games and I also enjoyed Everything, Everything. I do hope to read Cinder as well.

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  22. I have read most of your top picks, and all of the to-be-read books..awesome lists!

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  23. I really want to give The Lunar Chronicles a read, but unfortunately my library system only seems to hold the last book and none of the others - odd really.

    It's great to step outside your comfort zone and discover some gems!

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  24. Cinder! I'm stilling waiting on the edge of my seat for you to get to it. Holding my breath. :)
    You'll thoroughly enjoy Everything Everything. I'm pretty sure it's impossible not to.

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  25. Yes, yes, yes! Definitely check out Cinder (and the Lunar Chronicles!), the series is fantastic ;) I've been thinking of audio-booking The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, I've been meaning to pick that up for so long. I started Go Set a Watchman a while ago, but haven't finished yet, eep.

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  26. I'm one of the weird ones that I don't really have a comfort zone exactly. lol I'm usually game for most things though I do read a lot more romance than any others. The only one of these on my list is Cinder and *hangs head* I hate that I've not gotten to it yet. I really need to cut back on review titles so I can do some of my fun titles. One day maybe :D I'm glad you've enjoyed some out of your norm reads! Some of them do sound good :)

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