How the blog has helped my exploration into new genres!
A big part of starting this blog was pushing myself to explore genres outside my comfort zone. I’ve been a devoted romance reader for years, especially Black contemporary romance, and stepping outside that familiar territory felt almost allergic. My mind had become so attuned to certain patterns and narratives that trying something new was genuinely challenging. I occasionally dabbled in white romance novels, but that was about the extent of my genre-hopping.
So, when I launched this blog, I made it a goal to dive into stories I wasn’t used to. Joining a book club was a game-changer; it introduced me to books I might never have picked up on my own. And since I had to read them, it was the perfect push. The month-long reading schedule also helped ease the pressure.
I’m happy to say it’s been working. I no longer feel like a beginner and am confidently stepping into the intermediate level with some of these new genres.
This post is essentially me celebrating that the blog is working, and delving into the newer genres I’ve been enjoying and what I’m looking forward to trying.
The Genres I Love So Far
Thrillers
The thriller genre is something I’m slowly getting the hang of. At its core, it’s all about suspense, tension, and heightened emotion. These stories often feature plot twists, fast-paced action, and a central conflict between a protagonist and a villain. What I love most is how genuinely stressed they make me feel, in the best way. I enjoy being emotionally invested in the books I read, and when the action ramps up, I’m completely hooked. There’s nothing like a true page-turner, not just because I want to see how it ends, but because every scene keeps me captivated.
Lately, I’ve read quite a few thrillers, and I’m beginning to recognise what separates the good from the mediocre. A strong thriller builds suspense effectively, maintains tension throughout, and delivers a satisfying payoff. The best ones are unpredictable, keep you on edge, and constantly have you wondering what else could go wrong. On the other hand, weak thrillers often fall flat due to predictable plots or poor pacing.
In my Housemaid review, I admitted that I don’t quite have a “thriller mind” yet, so I rarely see the twists coming at the moment its parfait of the fun for me as I can read without expectations but I can understand why many considered it predictable as it wasn’t as shocking as it could’ve been.
A good thriller ultimately hinges on the author’s writing style and skill. The ability to build suspense by showing rather than telling comes down to literary talent and the writer’s overall craft. This is where Freida McFadden fell short for me; she was almost forcing the suspense on us rather than guiding us through it.
I recently read Next of Kin by Kia Abdullah, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was an absolute page-turner; the premise alone had me stressed out before I even opened the book. While I was completely drawn in by the courtroom drama and the constant tension around whether the main character would be convicted, the ending is where the story shone for me. There were two twists in quick succession, one I might have seen coming, and another that was subtly foreshadowed but still completely caught me off guard.
What I loved most was how those final twists flipped everything I had just read on its head. They made me question so much of what I thought I understood about the story, and all of it happened right at the end. I’m still not entirely sure if it would be considered a traditional thriller, but one thing’s for sure: it thrilled me.
Science Fiction
Science Fiction has been an interesting ride for me. I’ve never gravitated toward these kinds of stories, whether in TV, movies, or books. Don’t get me wrong, I can appreciate a well-done one when I come across it, but it’s not something I actively seek out. So far this year, I’ve only read two books that fall into this category: Annie Bot, which I reviewed last month, and Blood Over Bright Haven, which I discussed in my April roundup.
Now, BOBH is technically fantasy, but it leans more toward steampunk, alchemy, science, and real-world systems than traditional magic or high fantasy elements. Because of that, I’d personally categorise it a bit differently.
I leaned heavily into this genre and will definitely seek out more stories with these elements.
Genres I want to keep exploring
Fantasy/Romantasy
I’ve been slowly dabbling in fantasy and new, exciting magical worlds. The more I read, the easier it is for me to be able to pay attention and understand the world these authors are building. Previously, I struggled with fantasy because I didn’t have the mental bandwidth to absorb the story and retain all the world-building needed to truly understand the setting. That challenge is still very real for me. A lot of fantasy books come in trilogies, or even four- or five-book series, and require a serious commitment to an expansive world and a wealth of information. Honestly, I’m not always sure I have it in me to take on that kind of journey. I read the ACOTAR series and stopped after the 4th book, as I just couldn’t continue. It helped that the fourth book technically ended on a complete story, and the fifth follows a different character.
I also read Fourth Wing. I have some personal gripes with Rebecca Yarros’ writing style, but I have to admit, the world she built was impressively intricate and well thought out. It was almost enough to make me overlook the lack of character development and the drawn-out will-they-won’t-they dynamic that dragged on for two books and a combined 1,200 pages.
That said, I’ve been stuck at 30% of Onyx Storm for the past four months, and I’m no closer to finishing it. At this point, Rebecca has completely lost me, I can barely remember who half the characters are.
I’m actively looking for standalone fantasy novels to get me firmly into the genre before I decide to delve headfirst into full-blown fantasy series.
Mystery
I love a good mystery when it comes to movies and TV shows. A whodunnit? Inject it straight into my veins. Naturally, I hoped that the genre I enjoy so much on screen would translate well into books. There’s also a lot of overlap between thrillers and mysteries, so I figured I’d enjoy those too.
I read All Sinners Bleed by S.A. Cosby, technically a mystery thriller, which was my first real dive into the genre. It took me a while to adjust to the writing style, but I ended up appreciating the story, especially its intense themes around race and religion. I also read All Her Little Lies, which leaned more into thriller territory but still had that whodunnit element I love. It, too, was shaped by strong racial themes. Clearly, I have a pattern.
Stepping outside of my reading comfort zone and exploring genres I once avoided or overlooked has been well worth it. As a long-time lover of black contemporary romance, my journey into science fiction, thrillers, and fantasy genres that once felt intimidating or unappealing has been very fulfilling. I’ve confronted unfamiliar writing styles, complex world-building, and emotional intensities that differ from what I’m used to. The highs, the frustrations, and the surprising discoveries that come with expanding my literary horizons beautifully capture what it’s like to grow as a reader, one unexpected book at a time.
I am so glad that this blog is continuing to achieve what it was intended for and I cannot wait to continue sharing my exploration with you all.
Signed,
