Do you ever find yourself in a rut? My biggest one comes to reading. I tend to stick to the same genre-paranormal romance or something not too far left of that. I recently indulged in a little genre expanding. Not that you could tell by my bookshelf or to be read pile, as my expansion can primarily be witnessed through my eBook reading. For example, I recently read Land of Falling Stars by Keta Diablo (which, shameless plug coming…. you can read my review at TGOB). I have said Historical Romance is not my bag, however when I think back on some of my reading choices, I find that some of my past choices have had historical elements. Take the Circle trilogy by the beloved Nora Roberts or any of the books from the Highlander series by Karen Marie Moning. They both take you to times past are well written and much to my delight have ties to paranormal romance elements. *Squee*
In the past I found myself in a similar rut with Romantic Suspense and Mystery. In those genres I found myself falling prey to the likes of Kay Hooper and J.D. Robb (yes I am not immune to any of Ms Robert’s personas). The key to getting out of the rut? Don’t know, I haven’t found it yet. Though on occasion I am lucky enough to have something fall in my lap that aides in the process.
Do you find yourself in similar ruts? How do you break out of them?
I’m in a bit of a rut right now -with respect to reading. I have three books started -”Thirteen Moons” (by the author of Cold Mountain; “Oh Me of Little Faith” by Lewis Black and “The Shack” by William Young. Three very, very different types of books -a historical-type novel, a comic autobiography of sorts and a spiritual book. Plus I have three other books I wanted to read that my kids gave me for Christmas and a stack of other books I purchased last spring with the intent of giving them to various folks for Christmas gifts. A nice idea but my problem is I always read the books I buy for gifts first so as to determine which person on my gift list I think might best enjoy said book. Haven’t touched any of that stack as yet! Why? Because back in August I got myself hooked on embroidery and have done nothing since then except embroider stuff and play with my blog! Bad rut to get into! I need days with more hours to get on top of this stuff but the problem there is I can’t stay awake long enough to have longer days be of any use! As soon as I finish the tablecloth I’m working on, I think I need to take a break and do a ittle reading, just to equalize myself out a bit maybe.
Comment by Jeni Hill Ertmer — February 16, 2009 @ 6:12 am
I get that Jeni. I think that’s what happened to be with writing. I went from reading about 5 books a week to reading almost nothing. Now i’m back up to about 1-3 books a week, plus I get everything else done as well. LOL
I do have a rut. It’s Romance and Suspense…Adventure with a twist of paranormal. AND NO CATAGORY, PLEASE!
*shrug* I do get out of the rut, but I still haven’t found anything i like as much as what’s in that rut. Finally figured I should just be happy with who I am. Why should I read stuff I don’t like?
Comment by Bethanne — February 16, 2009 @ 8:53 pm
be = me with writing.
Comment by Bethanne — February 16, 2009 @ 8:56 pm
I usually read romance or mystery, but when one of my friends has a book signing I’ll buy and read the book, even if it isn’t in one of those genres.
I loved June Sproat’s YA Novel, Ordinary Me, a great read for all ages.
Morgan Mandel
http://morganmandel.blogspot.com
http://makeminemystery.blogspot.com
Comment by Morgan Mandel — February 16, 2009 @ 9:36 pm
I was in a huge rut up until about, hmm, eight or months ago. I only read category romance (because I was “deeply” researching the line I hope(d?) to write for LOL). But then I switched things up to include chick lit, women’s fiction, and a little more paranormal (thanks to you, M), and now I have a really hard time going back to category. I am huge romance sucker, so I usually like what I read to have some elements of it, but I’ve finally moved beyond requiring it as a book’s glue.
Comment by Sally — February 18, 2009 @ 12:47 pm