Expand Your Horizons In 2013!

January 07, 2013

We are creatures of habit. When we find something that we like, we have a tendency to stick with it. This is true in many areas of our lives, including our reading habits. I, myself, am someone who often stays within the same genres. Science fiction and fantasy, along with the classics, make up the bulk of my reading material. I also have certain authors that I feel compelled to check out every time they have something new on the shelves.

This year, however, one of my New Year’s resolutions is to try books in genres that I don’t normally read. I must admit that I am not really a fan of westerns (in book or on film), but I plan on giving them a try. Modern mysteries are not usually on my reading list either, but I have vowed to pick up one or two in the coming months. There are also several popular authors that I have never read. I intend for this to change. In fact, I recently read a James Patterson book for the first time. I enjoyed it.

Another genre that I have not generally been a fan of is historical fiction, especially if the book was written about a time period in which we have plenty of literature from. Why read a book about an era when you can read a book from that era? However, I have just tried one of Bernard Cornwell’s Richard Sharpe novels. Not knowing that much about this time in British/Indian history, I actually found it interesting.

One area that I think people have often stayed away from when it comes to reading material is nonfiction. When someone has a specific subject that they need information on, they will go to this section, but very few look to this area for general reading. However, there are many well-written and entertaining books in nonfiction that inform at the same time. Why not pick a subject you have always wondered about and find a book? There is so much to choose from. Whether its history, science, true crime, or a biography of someone you’ve never heard of, you just never know what you might discover.

I also intend to pick a book or two at random this year. You know, just wander down an aisle and grab a book off the shelf without looking at the title or the author. Have you ever done this? Admittedly, the results are not always going to be positive. There are a lot of books on the shelves here at MCPL, and not all of them are going to be good. But doing this is another way, besides word of mouth, that you can discover new authors that just might become new favorites.

Of course, some people might feel that they just don’t have time to waste on books that they know nothing about. In our busy world, finding the time to get through just one book can be tough. That’s one reason why people often stay with the tried and true. But if you do have the time, try to expand your reading horizons in 2013.

Pamela M.
Antioch Branch