Squirming Under the Blankie – Out Of My Comfort Zone

I love being comfortable both mentally and physically. Not all fears need to be challanged, not all boundaries need to be pushed. That’s what I always say.

Doesn’t mean I can’t imagine being a brave bookworm, who ventures outside her bookish comfort zone. Destiny@Howling Libraries and Avery@ Red Rocket Panda piqued my interest and I found myself exploring my bookish fears and misgivings.

So, how does this work?
You have to pick one genre that you frequently read … and then, you can’t use any books from that genre while answering the questions.

Mean!

#1 A book that is an exception when it comes to genres or elements you don’t typically like

I don’t particularly enjoy historical fiction, but I absolutely adored Burning Shore by Wilbur Smith. In fact, I loved the whole Courtney Family Saga, even though there’s plenty of romance and naughtiness in all of them.

But neither of these things are the main focus of the story, so I actually enjoyed them.

The Burning Shore
Centaine de Thiry grew up with privilege, wealth, and freedom on a sprawling French estate. Then war came crashing down around her, and a daring young South African aviator named Michael Courtney stole her heart amidst the destruction. But the tides of fate and battle sent the young woman on a journey across a dangerous sea to the coast of Africa.

When Centaine’s ship is torpedoed and sunk, she is plunged into a shark-filled sea miles from the unseen shore. And when she reaches land, Centaine puts foot not in the lush world that Michael Courtney described to her, but on the edge of a burning desert–alone and fighting for her life.

In a strange world, under a great rushing sky, Centaine sets forth in the company of wandering Bushmen–and then into the arms of a renegade white soldier who may be her savior or destruction. As Michael Courtney’s family searches for Centaine, she comes near her promised land–and the untold tragedy and riches that it holds…

#2 A book you enjoyed from a genre you previously held some stigma against

Confession time. I really, and I mean really, enjoyed Quo Vadis by Henryk Sienkiewicz. It has literally everything I despise. It’s a historical fiction, set in Rome under the rule of emperor Nero, c. AD 64. It’s a love story between a young Christian woman, Lygia and Marcus Vinicius, a Roman patrician. It waffles a lot about the Christian religion in general, and features biblical figures. If I remember correctly, there was even some kind of an orgy.

Yup, defo lookin’ dodgy A F

But! I found it utterly fascinating. Lygia and Marcus Vinicius were supposed to be on opposite sides, and yet they fell in love. Considering that during those times the worst thing one could possibly have been was a Christian, you can guess how this was indeed kind of a shitty situation to be in.

Guys… I even watched the 1951 movie version. Multiple times.

You what, now?

#3 A book you didn’t know was out of your comfort zone until you started reading it

Atonement by Ian McEwan left me absolutely shattered and bewildered. It was amazing and I loved it to bits, but I didn’t expect to feel like shit after finishing it. (Note to self: I may not hate historical fiction as much as I think I do…)

#4 Pick a friend who motivates you to pick up books you might not normally be interested in—is there a book they convinced you to give a try?

Not a friend, but my mum. It was because of her I ended up reading such gems as Queenie by Michael Korda and The Dreaming by Barbara Wood.

We are on a historical fiction roll here!

#5 A book that is out of your comfort zone, but you would like to read

I’m oddly tempted to read some books by Elin Hilderbrand. Even though they are filed under chick-lit, The Perfect Couple seems to have some mystery going on. Summerland is supposed to be a romance story, but it also has secrets, lies and broken promises. Sounds good to me!

#6 A book or genre so outside of your comfort zone that you’ll probably never give a chance

I couldn’t care less for erotica, and don’t want to read lengthy descriptions of slippery genitalia. Christian and other religious fiction could also stop existing and I wouldn’t notice. Some of these Amish Bed & Breakfast Mysteries do have some hilarious titles though.

I wonder… what is Morgana, Alexandra, Ova, Umut & Inge feel squirmy about?