Book Buying Addicts Anonymous discussion

Sometimes I feel a little guilty of reading too much of the same genre. :( I read a lot of Mystery, basically the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew series. I'm, like, so addicted to those series. I love them so much, and I really don't want to stop reading them. I feel guilty of reading too much of the same genre. :(
I mean, I do read other things sometime in a while too but mostly the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew series.
Does it happen to you too? Please tell me I'm not the only one.

I go on reading fits, focusing on one genre for book after book after book, and then I realize it and I go out of my way to switch up genres. Fortunately, I like a lot of different genres, so it just requires being made aware.

If you feel stuck in the niche, and want to make a change but don't know where to start, perhaps try something similar and work your way out from there.

For example, instead of straight mystery, try a cozy mystery, or a paranormal detective series, and if you find you like those, then branch out a bit further. Instead of cozy mystery, try a thriller. Instead of paranormal detectives, try a paranormal thriller. Etc, Etc.

But I do not want to give up the Hardy Boys and Nancy Drew :(
I fangirl over them

Lol, fair enough! I love re-reading them as well! Some of my favorite books have had to be bought again because I've worn them out. (Several Hardy Boys books included.)

And if it isn't an internal drive to read other works, merely a sense of societal pressure, then you do you. Nothing wrong with re-reading the books you love, or keeping your love limited.

Some of the most popular book reviewers out there are so popular because they stick to specific niches ;)

I remember when I was younger I read nothing but mysteries, Hardy Boys among them. As I got older, I discovered gradually the other genres that are out there. Now, I read in spurts of genres. A couple mysteries, then some fantasies, then a few historical fictions, etc. etc.

What really matters is that your are at least reading something, but as they say, variety is the spice of life. Give yourself some challenge, too. If you want to stick to the "beef" of mysteries, a couple of "cheeseburgers" like Hardy Boys are fine now and then, but be sure every so often to sink your teeth into a "steak" like Sherlock Holmes, too.

There was a time in my life where if it wasn't a mystery I wasn't reading it. Among my favorites were Agatha Christie, Ngaio Marsh, Rex Stout and Margery Allingham. This was my genre for years. Now I read just about anything.

I make an effort to read different stuff.
Right now I am reading Non Fiction - Masters of Sex
Up next
Fantasy - Victory of Eagles
SF - Wolf Star
Thriller or Mystery - Echo Burning (Jack Reacher)
and then back to Non Fiction - SPQR

I understand totally. Sometimes all I want is to read Agatha Christie mysteries. There are so many and every one I've read has been so good. But it's good to branch out as well to fine new favorites.

I'm not sure which series you started with, maybe you started with both at the same time. But let's say you began with Nancy Drew and thought "I love these book so much! I never want to read anything else". If you never did read anything else, you never would have found the Hardy Boys! So, there could be a whole other series out there that you'll love, but you won't find it if you don't try new things.

I understand, favorites are the sweet spot. They're comfortable like a cozy sweater and a cup of hot chocolate. But who knows, maybe you'll prefer hot cider? You'll never know if you don't try it. :)

I love to read Historical Fiction but it was starting to get a little stale so I have been mixing things up and found I have been getting into mysteries lately. I guess it is best to mix things up but don't feel guilty for having favorites just add a little something different from time to time.

Thanks, everyone! :)

Seema wrote: "Thanks, everyone! :)"

Enjoy what you read and never feel guilty!