What was the most unusual (for you) book you ever read? Either because the book itself was completely from out in left field somewhere, or was a genre you never read, or was the only book available on a long flight… whatever? What (not counting school textbooks, though literature read for classes counts) was furthest outside your usual comfort zone/familiar territory? And, did you like it? Did it stretch your boundaries? Did you shut it with a shudder the instant you were done? Did it make you think? Have nightmares? Kick off a new obsession?
Well, the weirdest book I’ve read recently was Erotomania by Francis Levy. It was completely unlike anything else I’d ever read, in an “intriguing but I’m not sure if I want to read any more of this” kind of way. It definitely stretched my boundaries and made me think, but I didn’t go out to find anything else by the author or in a similar style. Like I said, I don’t think I want more, and I’m not sure if there is anything else quite like it out there. I’ve certainly never encountered it.
I can’t really get introduced into new genres as I read almost all of them. The only ones I don’t particularly like are horror and science fiction, but I love Stephen King and have even found some science fiction to enjoy, like Ender’s Game by Orson Scott Card, so I am very willing to go through my boundaries in search of a good book.
So many people have recommended Ender’s Game to me – I really should give it a try. I used to read lots of sci-fi, but I’ve sort of neglected it in recent years. Have to say, the Levy book doesn’t sound like one I’ll be dipping into any time soon! But I enjoyed your review.
My husband keeps telling me I need to read Ender’s Game; I’ll get to it eventually!
I’m not a sci-fi fan, but I have enjoyed Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Brandbury.
Hey, I’m giving you an award!
Well, I went and read your Erotomania review, and I think that’s one I’ll leave on the library shelf. Definitely not within my comfort zone of reading.
Everyone seems to like Ender’s Game. One of these days I’ll have to give it a go.
I definitely don’t like horror, but sci-fi is one of my favorite genres. I’ve never read Ender’s Game though, I’ll have to check it out.
Ummmm…that is different!
I am not big on the sci fi. I tend to lean towards fantasy. I use to read horror but can’t get into it anymore.
Hmm…never heard of that one before.