Genres I Want to Read More

I have a really bad habit, and I’m definitely not the only one, of easily falling into reading the same type of books. I try to read a variety of books, but I honestly find myself reading very very similar books, mostly falling into the categories of historical, classic, or mystery. I will read some books outside those genres, but I won’t really explore those genres or even give them a fair shot.

So today, I’m just looking over some genres I don’t commonly read that I want to read more, especially in 2020. It’s already mid-February, but I can still totally make some 2020 bookish resolutions.

Hard Science Fiction

Foundation (Foundation, #1)

There are different kinds of a few sub-genres of science fiction, and whenever I find myself reading the genre, it’s more soft sci-fi or fantasy sci-fi. Pretty much, the stories are more about plot/characters and magic systems instead of hard scientific theory. But I really want to start reading more speculative science fiction or hard sci-fi.

I’m already getting into it slowly, reading classic books by Isaas Asimov, who writes pretty science based books. I’ve also seen authors like Liu Cixin and Arthur C. Clarke considered hard sci-fi.

I don’t know if I will ever get really into this genre, because I’m just not that interested in science, but I want to give it more of a chance.

Modern Poetry

The Princess Saves Herself in This One (Women Are Some Kind of Magic, #1)

Yes, I will definitely regret this one. I’ve dabbled in reading poetry, especially modern poetry, and I’ve disliked the majority of it. But I do like classical poetry, and I want to explore more in the genre of modern poetry.

I may end up loving it (not likely, but I try to stay positive). Last year I tried to read more short stories, and I found that I really enjoyed a lot of them, so I don’t want to dismiss all modern poetry as being silly and boring without giving it a fair shot. I’ve heard a lot of people love Amanda Lovelace’s poetry, so I may try to read one of her books. I’ll also delve more into the meanings of the poems, because a lot of modern poetry doesn’t make sense except within context.

Surrealism

Kafka on the Shore

I do quite like surrealism art, and I guess you could categorize this genre as twisted fantasy, but I do want to explore just weirder books in general. I find when it comes to reading fantasy, I stay pretty much with classics, high fantasy (usually set in medieval worlds), and steampunk (in the Victorian era). But this genre also blends a lot with magical realism, which I also want to read more of.

I’ll probably start with Haruki Murakami’s writing, because many of his books are considered to be surreal. Franz Kafka is a classic author considered to have written surreal stories and after reading The Trial, I can see how surreal it can get. Though considering how I didn’t really enjoy The Trial, I may actually dislike this genre the more I read of it…maybe I like reality too much. But I do want to give the genre a chance.

Comics

Sabrina the Teenage Witch

I have read a bit of Japanese manga, but I’ve honestly never read any American comics at all. Comic books are like a whole massive genre I’ve never gotten into, whether it be about superheroes or fantasy or sci-fi. But I want to give the genre more of a try.

Especially since a lot of my favorite characters, both on TV and in movies, often have comics to go along with them. Saying that, there is no way I have that much time to get into comic books like so many avid readers do, but I do want to dabble a bit.

Like this one, Sabrina The Teenage Witch in comic book form. Just a surprising amount of characters I like have their own comics, and I haven’t read any of them.

Satire

A Confederacy of Dunces

Unlike a lot of these other genres, I have read a few satire books, like Animal Farm by George Orwell and The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams. However, I’ve never gone out of my way to explore the books in the genre itself, instead just happening to come across satire books within other genres (like the two examples I gave, which are classics and sci-fi).

Satire is an interesting genre, because on the surface it is humorous, but deeper down it is highly critical and harsh. It’s just a fascinating genre to me, and one I want to explore more, from classic authors to modern ones.

So many of these satires I see everywhere, but I don’t often read them. However, the ones I have read (anything by Terry Pratchett, The Princess Bride, The Screwtape Letters) are some of my favorite books in general.

What genres do you want to read more? Are there any books in these genres you would recommend for me to read? Let me know your thoughts down in the comments, follow my blog for more musings and, as always,

Best wishes in your life full of adventure,

Madame Writer

8 thoughts on “Genres I Want to Read More

  1. I really do recommend Murakami if you’re looking to get into surrealism/magical realism! He’s very easy to read.

    I used to read a lot of Alastair Reynold’s stuff, so maybe try him for hard sci-fi? Hard sci-fi can really be a time investment, though, since the books can be so dense and detailed!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. I’ve heard Murakami is great! A couple of his books, like Kafka on the Shore and Norwegian Wood are already on my TBR. I haven’t heard of Alastair Reynold. I’ll have to look him up. Thank you for the recommendations!

      Liked by 1 person

    1. I’ve been reading more Russian classics recently and I love them! There is something so unique about Russian literature. Apologetics are great too, especially authors like Peter Kreeft and Fulton Sheen. I haven’t read any vintage pulp, however.

      Liked by 1 person

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