It’s easy to stay in your reading “comfort zone” by sticking to the same authors or genres you found enjoyable in the past.  I tend to gravitate towards science fiction, fantasy, or historical fiction.  It wasn’t until a couple years ago when I took a class that I was challenged to read genres that I had never considered before.  I read some narrative nonfiction, a couple mysteries, a western, and a Harlequin romance. I also tried other formats and ended up loving graphic novels.  This was a great experience, not only for me as a library professional but as a reader. It was nice to expand my reading palate and I now have a greater appreciation for other genres and authors. Reading out of your comfort zone helps to broaden your awareness of diverse authors and also understand why certain genres are appealing to other readers.

I challenge you to read something out of your reading comfort zone in 2018.  Here are few tips for how to start:

1. Read something by an author from another country.

2. Try another format like an audiobook, graphic novel, or an eBook .

3. Check the awards or read a bestseller.

4. Try a genre you would never consider.

5. Check websites like Goodreads, LibraryThing, or our blog for recommendations.

6. Take a book from one of our library displays.

7. Ask a friend or family member who enjoys a different genre.

You might be surprised by what you end up liking.   Don’t forget that we are here to help you find your next great read.

Post by Susie Rivera, Reference Specialist

About #FDL

Welcome to #FDL! #FDL is a twice weekly update on all things Fondulac District Library and East Peoria. Twice a week, library staff will make posts that highlight some aspect of library life and relate it to you – our readers. Have you ever wanted to know which Dewey number represented a certain topic? Are you looking for book recommendations based on your favorite television show or television recommendations based on your favorite book? Have you ever wondered about the secret details of librarian life? If the answer to any of these questions is yes, then #FDL is for you. We look forward to writing posts that are informative and entertaining and hope that you enjoy getting better acquainted with Fondulac District Library.