So you guys. Since early 2012 I’ve been working on this post I wanted to do about the differences between myself as a reader before I was a blogger and after I became a blogger because my habits have changed SO MUCH. I kept putting it off because of wedding plans. I wanted to make this cute graphic that was a list but, when I finally started to work on it this year, it was just looking TOO crowded with about 30 different things and overwhelming and not AT ALL what I had in mind. Then I decided…why not make it a series? The more I thought about it — it would lend to a better discussion if I just give you one at a time. I’m kind of glad my original idea didn’t work out because I’m liking this better. Check the end of the post for previous Before & After’s.
This is the conclusion of this series for now — unless I think of something else and feel like bringing this back! I saved one of the BIGGEST changes for last!!
I read pretty much exclusively literary fiction and classics with the occasional travelogue thrown in. Once in a while I would throw in a YA book if I had heard good things about it. I was not very adventurous in my genres either — it was almost always of the contemporary variety or historical fiction. It was rare that I picked up romance, fantasy or paranormal. Like maybe once.
The variety of books I read is crazy! I could go from reading a non-fiction book to a YA paranormal to a contemporary romance to a fantasy book. It’s amazing how blogging has expanded my tastes. I still have my favorite genres but I’m not afraid to read out of most genres these days. I don’t discriminate anymore. The biggest change is the fact that I read MOSTLY young adult fiction now which is such a departure from what I read pre June 2010. I love this fact because YA has really gotten me into all these genres. I still read adult fiction and non-fiction but it’s way less than before. I am trying to be a little bit more balanced because I miss reading things that aren’t YA.
Let’s Talk:
If you are a blogger — Have your tastes changed since you started blogging or have they stayed the same? If you aren’t a blogger — How have your tastes changed throughout the years? Has reading book blogs changed your reading tastes? For everyone — what are your go to genres? Which genres will you not try?
Previous Before & After’s:
The Time In Between Two Books – 2/27
Being Up On New Releases — 3/6
Book Real Estate — 3/15
Re-reading — 3/20
Meeting Authors + Myths About Them — 3/27
The Number of Books Read Per Year — 4/5
Recommending Books — 4/10
Chunky Books — 4/17
Reactions To Books — 4/24
Having People To Talk Books With– 5/8
Knowledge of the Publishing Industry — 5/15
Christina (A Reader of Fictions) says
Yay! You read all the things now! I’m a lot like you in this respect. Well, actually, I started reading YA about three years before, but it really took over with blogging.
Quinn @ Quinn's Book Nook says
Oh yeah, I definitely read more widely than I did before I started blogging. I did read YA before I started blogging, but I’m a children’s librarian, so it made a lot of sense. But now I read almost all YA, but I do really love it. I do try to switch things up, though, because always I can get in a rut.
As for different genres, I read much more than I used to. I used to never read issue books, and I’ve read a few and loved them. They still won’t be books I read all the time, but once in awhile I feel brave enough to read them. And I even read Cinder and Scarlet and loved them even though I pretty much hate science fiction.
Savindi @ The Streetlight Reader says
We’re the total opposites! I read a lot more classics and other fiction before I was a blogger. Ever since I became I’ve felt like I’ve pretty much read only YA. Not that YA is a bad genre at all, but I’d just like to branch out more because I think there are so many other great Non-YA books that I should read. However YA as a genre is addicting and sometimes personally I feel strange reading them because I’m not a teenager anymore, but I find it interesting to see teenage experiences now because the world is so globalized now. In that aspect I feel like blogging has limited my scope in reading non-YA books, but I’m trying to find authors and books that interest me beyond the scope of YA. I hope that made sense! Great post Jamie 🙂
Kathryn says
This is exactly the same with me!
I’ve only been a blogger since February but I’ve already noticed a big change. i’m reading more YA and romance but I’ve also been introduced to classics I hadn’t heard of, histories, and lots more.
I get sent and review books for Penguin Spinebreakers which has really widened the choice of books I read but not always in a good way.
I love that I’m experiencing new books and trying out new genres. Connecting with other readers is so great.
Kathryn x
Ashley says
Awww. I’m going to miss this, but I understand why you’re stopping for now. I read mostly YA now because it’s very much a me genre and blogging has helped foster that; however, I still read a good portion of mysteries and regular fiction and some trashy romance. I do love me some trashy romances.
Candice @ The Grown-Up YA says
I’ve loved this series! Totally agree with you about how your variety has changed. Before getting into YA I read primarily romance novels and books about single 20-somethings and their crazy shenanigans. Even after discovering YA, I stuck primarily with books that were similar in taste to the books I’d read before. But then I found book blogs and life has never been the same! I got into new genres, found things I loved… realized how much I love a good fantasy or paranormal or dystopian! Blogging has totally opened me up to books I NEVER would have read, almost forcing me to give different things a chance – which I love!
Rinn says
I think the only way my reading habits have changed is that I’m a little more open to self-published/small publishers books. Genre-wise I’m pretty much the same though – although I have discovered more YA fiction through blogging! =)
Brittany @ The Book Addict's Guide says
I tooootally agree. Before I was a blogger, I barely tried anything new. I was all chick lit and mysteries. Never would have TRIED a fantasy book because it just wasn’t my thing (unless it was close to Harry Potter haha). This is why being a blogger (or one of the many, many reasons) is so amazing! All those other amazing bloggers have opened my eyes to SO many things!
Rachael @ Rachael Turns Pages says
I noticed that this year that I started reading a lot of YA when I started my blog where I was reading a lot more adult before. I still think I have a good balance and I’m excited to dive back into Adult books this summer.
Alisa Selene says
I realized more and more how much I love YA and how many great YA books are out there!
Kacie says
I’m not a blogger but the older I get the more it seems like I end up reading more young adult books. I have given into reading a few classics and I usually read a couple of non-fiction books throughout the year but for the most part it is young adult.
Christine @ BookishlyB says
I’m a blogger, and I must say, my taste hasn’t changed. I still read literary fiction, with the occasional non-fiction thrown in. I think blogging has made me a better reader, though!
Janita (Book, Interrupted) says
I’ve actually found myself reading more Middle Grade now that I’m a blogger. I’ve always been a huge YA reader, and I’ve barely read any adult books, because they don’t appeal to me just yet. I’m still young at heart 😛 That’s why I wish there were some good New Adult books out there that still had similar settings and plotlines as YA (like dystopian, fantasy, etc). Hopefully authors will catch on before I grow too old!
Emily says
I’m not a blogger, but I have noticed my taste in books expanding over the last few years. I think the biggest change has been that I now read about 50% non-fiction. I finally figured out that it was because I was finally out of school and was craving that missing “education” piece.
I have certainly started reading more YA now that I read more book blogs – it’s nice to read something other people are reading and talking about. Thanks for persuading me toward so many great reads!
Kaley @ Books Etc says
My tastes have pretty much stayed the same. I loved chick lit and women’s fiction before and I still love it now and almost always read those. I hardly ever read YA – it has to be a series that many people have enjoyed and, most importantly, people my age have enjoyed. I do think that I’m reading a few more literary novels and the odd fantasy novel but I’m not expanding too much. And that’s totally fine with me! What is expanding is my reading list and the amount of books I’ve read and I’ve encountered many great chick lit novels and authors. It’s really interesting to see how people’s reading tastes have changed and realize that mine haven’t really! Great series, Jamie!
Wendy says
Before I was a blogger, I mostly read some YA, mysteries and fantasies. Sometimes I’d browse bookstores and not really know what new book to pick up because what if I didn’t like it?? After being a blogger, I’ve found I read a LOT more YA and started in on NA. But the best thing is, I get to read so many other bloggers’ reviews and I’ve been trying out a lot of new books and genres I wouldn’t have thought of before!
Alexa Y. says
My reading tastes honestly haven’t changed too much, since I did read a lot of fantasy and romance before I started blogging. HOWEVER, I predominantly read YA now, which kind of makes me sad because I feel like I’m missing out on so many great adult fiction titles!
My go-to genres are historical romances, fantasy and contemporary. Other than that, I’m game to try most books – only exceptions are erotica and thrillers (!).