A mid-life book crisis…

Something I’ve been thinking about lately…

I mostly read horror books, but when I find myself wanting to step outside the genre I feel completely lost.

There’s so much choice, which is (of course!) an awesome thing, but is so overwhelming.

I know horror. I know the authors I like, the tropes I like, I can be fairly certain that I’ll enjoy whatever I pick up.

With other genres, I don’t have that.

I used to read anything and everything. Since becoming a horror author, I’ve stuck (pretty religiously) to reading horror books.

Again, not complaining, I love horror!

This whole ‘thing’ came about because I’ve been watching a couple of Sally Rooney TV series and it was the romantic, character oriented plotlines that got me the most. When I say I’ve been obsessed with them, I mean it. (Her books are on my TBR.)

So, I suppose, my questions are…

Do you ever feel tied to one genre?

Why do you think that is?

What would you do about it?

I think, for me, it’s an image thing. I write horror, I read horror, it’s almost a ‘brand’ at this point.

It’s also a comfort thing. I know horror. I love horror.

And, maybe, it’s also a community thing…

Almost all my bookish friends are horror authors. I want to support them, and supporting them means trying to read as many of their books as I can. I, sometimes, feel guilty for straying outside of the genre.

Do you feel that way, ever?

As an author, an indie one especially (I think) it can be easy to fall into the mindset of reading for purpose, not pleasure.

My author friends are beyond talented and I get a lot of pleasure out of their books, but i think it can be easy to forget that reading is a HOBBY too.

Please tell me this isn’t just me…

And, please, drop any recommendations you have in the comments for books you loved outside of the horror genre.

P.S… Don’t get me started on how it feels to consider writing stories outside ‘my’ genre!