Chapter 1: The Shift to Genre Fiction

Many readers find themselves gravitating towards non-fiction, regardless of their specific interests within that broad spectrum. I certainly was in that boat a few years back. My reading list typically included:

• Essential texts for my university courses
• Marginally relevant literature I convinced myself was necessary
• The occasional history or political theory book that I thought might become relevant for my studies

Do you notice a recurring theme?

During my early twenties, I developed an obsession with reading materials I deemed "useful," whatever that might entail. It sounds silly to admit now, but I had categorized books into two distinct groups:

1. Works that were worthy of my time
2. Books that were merely guilty pleasures

More often than not, genre fiction fell into the latter category.

However, I decided to break free from that mindset a few years ago, and it turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve made.

Reading for a Purpose

I never felt compelled to read about politics or history; I genuinely enjoyed it. The issue lay with my perspective. As a child and teenager, I explored various genres—sci-fi, fantasy, horror, you name it. But eventually, I veered away from that diverse landscape to focus on what I began to label as "serious literature." It's a rather ridiculous classification.

The more we become entangled in the notion of spending our free time in a "worthwhile" manner, the less we permit ourselves to relax and truly savor the experience.

Section 1.1: Rediscovering Joy in Reading

One day, during a long solo bus journey from Munich to Vienna—an easy five-hour trip—I made an unfortunate mistake. I packed my books in the wrong bag, which ended up locked away in the luggage compartment.

Initially frustrated, I remembered that I had an e-book reader on my phone. The catch? Most of the books on it were ones I had already read. Then, I recalled a friend’s recommendation: John Langan's "The Fisherman." Known for its cosmic horror, it piqued my interest.

Having loved Lovecraft in my youth, I decided to give it a shot, and I was instantly captivated. It felt as if a part of my brain, dormant for the past six years, had awakened. I devoured the entire book in a single day and have been immersed in fiction ever since.

Subsection 1.1.1: The Impact of Genre Fiction

Chapter 2: Embrace the Weird

Since that transformative day, my love for reading has been rekindled—not because genre fiction is inherently superior to non-fiction, which I still enjoy, particularly in history and politics. Instead, it has opened up a whole new realm of learning and exploration, likely inspiring my writing journey.

So, here’s my suggestion: Try picking up something out of the ordinary! A book you haven’t touched in a decade. You might just challenge your entire perspective on reading and, who knows, perhaps fall in love with it all over again.

This video, "If You're Reading This, You're Probably 'WEIRD'," delves into the quirks of readers and the unconventional paths they take in their literary journeys.

In "I READ A WEIRD BOOK RECOMMENDATION FROM REDDIT READING VLOG," the host shares their experience with an unusual book suggestion, highlighting the joys of venturing outside your comfort zone.

Thanks for joining me on this literary exploration!