If you’re into fantasy, do you ever pick up a romance and give it a shot? Or read a historical fiction book if you’re into scifi? It’s a leap of faith that doesn’t always work out but when it does it’s pretty sweet.
I asked a friend what her favorite book was, and she said The Goldfinch. I had never heard of it and hadn’t read any fiction/contemporary like it, but it ended up being such a great surprise. It was one of the few 5 star reads of that year and I never would have experienced it if I hadn’t taken the chance.
I’d say every so often, just take a chance. You might be pleasantly surprised.
A lot of people have exclusively read romance, scifi, fantasy or crime thrillers. They e been told that “literature” is stuffy and boring and pretentious. Imagine their surprise when they find out these books won prizes and critical acclaim because they’re very well written.
People know that “literature” is well written. That’s not the reason why I don’t read it for example. I just don’t care to read about real life or people. I get enough of real life by living. There’s amazing prose in speculative fiction and the same teachings about human nature as The goldinch.