Happy Tuesday, everyone! Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl.
People change, and if you’re bookish, chances are your reading habits have changed as well. Mine certainly have; here are some of the ways.
Book blogging!
What a weird and wonderful thing to always dreaming of blogging about the stuff I read to actually doing it. My journey here at QtNI began several years ago as a contributor. Now it’s just me. I’ve learned a lot and there’s still a lot to learn (one day I’ll actually sign up for a blog tour), talked to a lot of fellow readers, and had many bookish adventures. I’m trying to up my posting and thank you for tuning in when I do.
Rediscovering adult fiction 
From my late teens to mid 20s, I was all about adult fiction, especially literary fiction. When I discovered YA, it was as if a spark had been lit. I discovered the rich worlds that could be created for young people. Then I got kind of burnt out by it, and I’d sprinkle in adult fiction again into my reading habits. I didn’t realize how much I’d missed it, and I’ve slowly been reading a good balance of YA and middle grade and adult fiction. YA’s always going to be a must read genre though.
From fantasy to historical reality
Fantasy worlds for the win! But did you know that my second favorite genre is historical fiction? I love it, and with my reconnecting to adult fiction, I’m discovering so many good historical novels that slipped under my radar. This year, I’ve found Before We Were Yours, The Silence of the Girls, and The Hunger.
Thriller (books, I mean)
Thrillers are fairly new to me but I’m reading more of them. Sometimes I can quickly guess where the plot’s going, other times I’m left reeling. Most of the thrillers I’ve read have been entertaining and I’ll keep reading more.
To break up or not to break up with a long series?
I don’t have the patience to commit a long series anymore. The Vampire Academy series is probably going to remain unfinished at four books read. I don’t even think I’ll ever read A Game of Thrones. Come to think of it, there are trilogies I haven’t even completed yet. Dare I break up with anything past three books? Depends on the series. (Book 4 of The Diviners series will be mine!)
Resisting the lure of the pretty cover
I mentioned before that there were times when I’d buy a book because PRETTY, only for the contents to be AWFUL. I’ve done pretty well over the past few years of not buying books based on their cover alone. Although, I might have succumbed once or twice this year. Better than before though.
Graphic novels are pretty awesome!
I’ve been sprinkling graphic novels and comics into my reading habits, and this year I’ve read more graphic novels compared to previous years. I gravitate to the fantastical series (can’t avoid a long series in some graphic novels), but I recently read Pumpkinheads and They Called Us Enemy, and those were excellent.
Social media slows me down
Do you remember life before social media? I’m finding it hard to. Social media has eaten up so much of the time I could be using to be more productive, not only for reading, but for anything else. I’ve taken to putting my phone on airplane mode and trying to minimize my time at the computer, but then my mind’s quick to start thinking of random things to look up. How else are we going to know how tall California redwoods grow, right?
What have been some changes in your reading routines/habits?
I guess book blogging and book sharing, having a community, are the biggest changes for me!
Twitter: bookedj
Real talk, I’m glad you’re around!!! I love your blog and hearing your bookish thoughts. You’re one of the blogs that I frequently check so I love that you led into this post with book blogging. That being said (!) resisting pretty book covers is SO HARD and I’m always making googly eyes at them and then buying them. I’m trying to do better about that! Because honestly some of the books just aren’t worth buying based upon my personal preference re: plots or genre. BUT, I’M SO GUILTY OF DOING SO ANYWAYS. And then my brain has the audacity to be like, “BUT, WHY?????????? WHY DON’T I LIKE THIS????” And things get messy up there. I’m babbling. Moral of the story is one of my goals for the new year is to stop buying books because of pretty covers.
Oh, thank you so much for the kind words, Jessica! They really mean a lot. 😀
Next year is a new year for us to resist all the pretty covers. *fingers crossed*
Yeah, long series are definitely a put off these days unless I’m already involved in it. It’s why I have yet to read that Outlander series. SO. LONG.
I don’t even want to look at the Outlander series. 😆
Twitter: Greg L Hill
I love a good historical fiction! Something about the real world element, if done well, just adds something. and thrillers *nods*. I read so many of those now lol. Also mixing YA and adult titles- agree with that also. Wouldn’t want to give up either one!
Social media- so true! 🙂
I definitely can’t give up adult or YA. 😀
Graphic Novels were also on my TTT list! I love just staring at the art and it’s also a great way to break up reading a bunch of novels back to back. I can relate to you so much on the pretty covers being tempting. I have a bunch of unread books on my shelves I would have never picked up if it wasn’t for their pretty cover. Some cover designers are just too good at their job. Also I LOVE thrillers, always have. Half of the books I’ve read this year fall within the mystery/thriller category. I’m glad you are discovering the genre 🙂
There are so many graphic novels with amazing artwork. Monstress quickly comes to mind.
Thanks, Nikki!
My reading habits have changed over the years. When I was younger I was really into sic-fi, some historical fiction and hated contemporary. What could I possibly love about a book set in a modern city? Today, I read less sic-fi, mainly I think because I am afraid of being disappointed. I have discovered just how many diverse genres are out there. I love contemporary set books now! I read YA books/ issue books once again and I still read the odd historical fiction. I have recently discovered psychological thrillers and am trying my second one. I am nervous about this. I also used to never read romance and now I realize it is good to read a book with that plot sometimes.
Absolutely on the romance, but I’m biased because I love romance. 😀
I’ve definitely been doing more book blogging! It’s so interesting to see how book blogger’s reading lists have changed.
I’m trying to improve the blogging. I feel like my creativity has kind of dried up but I’m going to push for something to discuss here and there.
Twitter: ICCO ROSEA
Great list, Leah! Blogging is probably one of the biggest changes for me too (writing reviews has helped me so much)! I’m still trying to work out how to resist a pretty cover though 🤣
My TTT post
Thanks, Dini! Resist those pretty covers! 😁
Twitter: 1985
I never thought graphic novels would be something I enjoyed, but I’ve loved so many over the last couple of years. Hoping to pick up even more next year.
Same! There are so many good ones.
Twitter: TorontoLydia
I’m glad you’re keeping this site going. And I’ve stopped reading long series, too.
My TTT.
Thanks, Lydia!
I’ve also been more okay with just not finishing a series that I’ve started. I’ve actually only read book one of the Vampire Academy. Part of me wants to finish the series, but most of me just doesn’t really want to be bothered with it. While I did like the first book, I (apparently) didn’t like it enough to finish the series.
My TTT: Marie @ Pages to Explore
That’s definitely my case as well.
I’m exactly the same as you RE social media and reading. It really has taken up so much of my time, it’s scary!
Right? It’s terrifying!
Haha the social media point is so relatable. Now I’ll take pauses from books, and instead of just mulling over the story I’ll go over to twitter or Instagram. It’s not a good habit lol.
I agree. Facebook and Instagram are the ones that get me every time.
Twitter: booksofamber
I’ve been minimising my time on the computer (which I’ve gotten pretty good at) and my phone (not so good) too! I want to stop mindlessly scrolling so often, because it cuts into my day!
That’s great!
I want to stop mindlessly scrolling too. Once I start, it gets hard to stop.
Twitter: LASReviews
Yeah, graphic novels are pretty great.
Here is our Top Ten Tuesday.
They really are!
Just picked up Pumpkinheads. I can’t wait to read it! And yes, social media is such a hard thing to balance.
Great post! My off-topic TTT
I hope you like Pumpkinheads! It’s so cute.
Twitter: RissiJC
Social media IS a commitment. I fell away from Twitter SO much in the last two years, but in the last month or two, I’ve been trying really hard to recommit myself to replies there, and to reply with more promptness on my website too. It’s been FUN, but yes, it takes time and commitment. I’m 100% a cover snob, and love what you say about breaking up with long series… they just take TOO MUCH dedication. 😀 Thanks for the Finding Wonderland visit.
Instagram and Facebook got a stranglehold on me. I start scrolling and that’s it for me. 🤦🏻♀️ 😂I’ll only go with a series now if it’s a graphic novel.