This month I have to let my TBR pile sit and gather dust while I read the books I'm judging for RWA's RITA contest. While I'm practically drooling to get my hands on Debra Webb's next two books (GUARDIAN ANGEL from Intrigue and her St. Martin's Press ST, NAMELESS--loved the teaser scene I read at the end of her TRACELESS book--I have a feeling I'm going to love that hero big time!), and have Tracy Montoya's latest Intrigue (TELLING SECRETS), Carol Ericson's first Intrigue (THE STRANGER AND I), and Kimberly Raye's DEAD SEXY all shifting positions at the top of the pile--I'm going to have to be good and get my required reading done first. 
But hey, this isn't really any kind of chore at all. One of the things I love best about reading RITA books (since, as judges, we can't read the categories we enter our own books in) is that I have a variety of books outside what I normally pick up off the shelves to read. I love stretching my brain cells like that. Usually, I discover a new author or two who joins my to-buy list. And, I am "forced" to read some genres that I haven't had time to read much before (when reading time is limited, I usually go with what I know I love) and love rediscovering. For example, I rarely read Young Adult anymore--and I used to read a lot of it when I was teaching full-time, so I could make recommendations to my students. Also, I rarely read historical--but there are just some settings (pioneer West, medieval England, World War II) that I love. And I'm a paranormal fan from way back, so I'm loving the chance to read some of those.
Another thing I love about reading outside my "normal" box--and this probably has a lot to do with the teacher in me--is that there is always something to learn when reading someone else's books. And by reading outside my genre, I often expand my way of thinking about things in my own books. Seeing something from a teen's perspective, or a futuristic warrior from another planet's perspective, gives me insight into different ways to develop my own characters, plot stories, or execute particular scenes. Since I'm currently writing my 33rd book, it has become important to me to keep things fresh--and reading other books and new authors and analyzing how they write is not only an effective way to do that, but it's enjoyable as well. Hey, if learning can be fun, why not make it so?
So I'll ask this--are there any genres or authors outside your "normal" selection list that you'd like to try? Do you enjoy reading outside your boundaries? Or are you a reader who knows what you like and sticks with it? I tend to be both types of readers, depending on what my free time is like.
Happy Reading,
Julie Miller
ARMED AND DEVASTATING--The Precinct: Brotherhood of the Badge mini-series--Intrigue, July 08
PRIVATE S.W.A.T. TAKEOVER (available now at www.eHarlequin.com)
KANSAS CITY CHRISTMAS coming in November! www.juliemiller.org
Outside the box
Julie, I'm RITA reading right now as well, and I know exactly what you mean. Since I'm also a SC category chick, I'm judging a variety of historicals, inspys and RS.
I feel so badly for my languishing TBR, but it's a really great thing to read outside your own category I think. It certainly broadens your outlook and you get to discover new writers, or even read books you have wanted to but somehow never picked up because your own tbr is getting too high.
Donna
FALLING FOR MR DARK AND DANGEROUS, Romance, August 08, Aus/NZ Sept. 08
THE RANCHER'S RUNAWAY PRINCESS, Romance, January 09
HIRED: THE ITALIAN'S BRIDE, Romance, June 09
http://www.donnaalward.com
http://www.donnaalward.blogspot.com
Julie - I have a very big comfort zone
I think the only things it doesn't cover are pure horror (too gory),
books on history of art and biographies (and even then I do
occasionally read biographies and autobiographies)
I'll try most kinds of fiction - though I don't consider I'm a
(paranormal/vampire/historical/fantasy/sci-fi/romance/fill_in_the_blank)
fan as such.
Part of my problem is being a readaholic in a foreign country, if I
limit my comfort zone i very quickly run out of books to read, so I
decided a long time ago not to limit my options
For example I'm not a fan of mountain climbing or mountaineering, but I've
read Frison-Roche in French, I'm not big into French detectives but
I've read at least half the SanAntonios (in French) when I couldn't
find enough books in English
I've read Harry Potter and MZB's Darkover novels in both French and
English, depending on which was most easily accessible at the time.
I find it difficult to understand people voluntarily limiting their
options without even trying - I can understand someone reading a few
(Presents, Blazes, Steeple Hill,
Spice, horror, vampire, werewolf, fill in the blank) and deciding that
they don't really like them because of (the reason).
I can't understand someone writing off (Presents, Blazes, Steeple Hill,
Spice, horror, vampire, werewolf, fill in the blank) without ever
trying one, and I know there are a lot of people out there who do
exactly that, I just don't understand them
Because most books are primarily about people ("ordinary" people or vampires or aliens or dead people (
= historicals) or whatever) and the setting has its importance but the
main element is the people and what happens to them
So I try and read outside my comfort zone, but you know what, it just extends the comfort zone
Hugs
Sadhbh
Dream Team 2008 Challenge blogs
I love them all...
RITA reading is so much fun. I'm halfway through my stack, and they have all been phenomenal. Really, really good stuff. Which makes it all the better. I didn't RITA this year, so I can judge the category books, but even within category there are lines I rarely pick up, so it is a nice switch. I doubt I would have snagged one book I adored based on the cover or blurb...but it was fantastic and fresh.
I have a RS friend who is always passing books my way, trying to tempt me over to that side. Not sure I could though, I'd never be able to go for the funny. Still, there is so much to learn from the pacing of a RS, the depth of a ST, the description of a Historical, the focus of a novella...you can't go wrong with reading!
Jenna Bayley-Burke
Mills & Boon Modern Extra
PAR FOR THE COURSE (Samhain)
HER CINDERELLA COMPLEX (Samhain)
http://www.jennabayleyburke.com/
new to me
In one way everything was new to me since I only started reading romance recently. I guess my typical reads are suspense, historical fiction and general fiction.
Last year I used Harlequin's Challenge to explore all sorts of new reads. Last year the biggest and nicest finds were the Harlequin Romance line and the Harlequin Medical Romance line. The Medievial historicals...well, I delayed exploring them ---very uncharacteric of me in general. I knew from my reading history that I would either love or hate them ...phew, I love them!
I spent so much reading time bouncing around last year that, as a relatively new romance reader, my hope this year is to focus a bit more on what I discovered last year...but believe me, if you looked at my list of subscriptions, you'd think I was a total contradiction! (Long/Short, Paranormal/Historical, Suspense/Romance) Plenty of variety! For me, exploring new books keeps me fresh and makes reading all books more pleasurable.
My one new goal this year is to add inspirational historical romance. I just finished Catherine Palmer's The Briton. If that is any indication of the kind of reading I will discover in this genre, I wil lbe a very happy reader.
AKA Merri
Family Challenge Team: The Spine Breakers with my dh Glenn AKA Phaedrus
Julie - check out
VincePlato's review of At Your Command
Dream Team 2008 Challenge blogs
Oh, my!
What a lovely, thoughtful review! So humbling and wonderful--I actually teared up.
Thanks for the heads-up, Sadhbh!
ARMED AND DEVASTATING--The Precinct: Brotherhood of the Badge mini-series--Intrigue, July 08
PRIVATE S.W.A.T. TAKEOVER (available now at www.eHarlequin.com)
KANSAS CITY CHRISTMAS coming in November! www.juliemiller.org
Vince expresses himself very well
much better than I do
Having enjoyed all of the books I've read by you, I'm glad someone else shares my opinion
and it's a nice way to start the day
I
imagine it's more motivating to have to sit down to an empty page when
you can tell yourself people are impatient to read what you're going to
write
Hugs
Sadhbh
Dream Team 2008 Challenge blogs
Too true, Sadhbh, too true!
Too true, Sadhbh, too true!
Today I'm working on tax stuff (ugh!), so I probably won't get to do any writing today. I did finish up my edits on an upcoming Intrigue and got those sent in yesterday. So it shouldn't be too bad of a withdrawal for me.
Hopefully, I can get all the facts and figurin' done today, and get back to my muse tomorrow!
Julie Miller
ARMED AND DEVASTATING--The Precinct: Brotherhood of the Badge mini-series--Intrigue, July 08
PRIVATE S.W.A.T. TAKEOVER (available now at www.eHarlequin.com)
KANSAS CITY CHRISTMAS coming in November! www.juliemiller.org