Sunday, January 31, 2016

Outgrowing Your TBR!


Can you outgrow your book preferences the same way you might outgrow your favorite pair of shoes?  It certainly isn't the same connotation of "outgrow"--you're not physically growing out of anything.  But mentally, you are.

Not too long ago I was scrolling through my TBR (to-be-read) list of books on Goodreads, and I noticed that there was a handful of books I had misplaced my interest in ever reading.  At the time I added them, however long ago, I must have been eager to get around to devouring the stories and tales.  But as time passed and I neglected picking up the books, my enthusiasm waned.




As we get older, our tastes change and develop.  We are never the same person twice in our lives.  So it makes sense that a book I may have killed to read six months before would have faded into the background by now.  

Just a year ago I was reading almost exclusively young adult novels--Cassandra Clare, Marie Lu, John Green, everyone's favorites.  Now?  I prefer Neil Gaiman, Agatha Christie, V.E. Schwab.  I've branched out into the adult section more and more with each passing month.  Does this mean I don't enjoy YA any longer?  Of course not.  It just means that I wander over to the adult shelves at bookstores before I head back to the teens.  


This is a natural progression.  I don't recall the exact moment I stopped running straight to the children's area at Barnes & Noble, only that I found myself browsing books with titles like Divergent and The Raven Boys rather than Harry Potter and Matilda.  

There is nothing wrong with growing up, no matter what Peter Pan said.  We all have to leave our childhood behind at some point.  It's when you look back with nostalgia on moments and books you loved dearly that I think you've begun transforming into an adult.  It's okay to not want to read the newest, shiniest YA or children's book on the market.  Just because you loved something once doesn't mean you will love it forever. Sometimes you have to know when to leave those things behind, close the book and sit it on your shelf to collect dust.  


Our preferences change more quickly than the seasons, it seems like.  One day I refuse to read anything except for horse books, the next dystopians are all the rage.  We don't give time permission to pass and for our mindsets to shift, but they do, nevertheless.

18 comments:

  1. I do agree! Some books I have on my TBR that I know I'll never read, were put there a few years ago when I just couldn't wait to read it! Now I'm like, meh. Lol.

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    1. Yay! I was looking at some of the older books I had added and just shaking my head... Thanks for commenting! ♥

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  2. Such a great post!! My reading habits and preferences change a lot. Especially since blogging. Looking at some titles on my TBR I wonder how they got there!!

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    1. Thank you so much! I definitely agree that blogging has changed my reading tastes a lot--and added to my TBR. Thanks for commenting, Grace! ♥

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  3. Just found your blog, and may I say I totally love it! I'll be following <3

    - Ellie
    http://ontheothersideofrealitynew.blogspot.com

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  4. LOVE this post, Erin! I'm the same - I've branched out a bit! Sometimes, I feel like YA does rely on the same tropes - and only the truly stunning ones break out of this! So I like to fall back on adult literature now :) I recently culled through my TBR list, because of this exact reason - some YA novels I found interest in two years ago are books that I'd actually avoid reading now! Weird how time changes you, right??
    Amazing post, Erin :)

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    1. Thanks so much, Geraldine! ♥ I have to say that my reading tastes have changed exponentially in the past year or so. Definitely less YA--although I still read it. I remember thinking I would never read adult books, because YA was so much better. And look at us now! Thanks so much for commenting!

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  5. This is such a great post, Erin! I've been feeling the same lately. I've been branching out of YA a lot more recently, and even within YA my reading tastes have changed dramatically in the past year or so. Books I used to love I now have average feelings towards. Like you said, it's a natural progression and in a few years time our reading tastes will have changed even more.

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    1. Thank you so much, Emma! I still enjoy YA a lot, but lately it hasn't been as satisfying. With exceptions, of course. I think blogging has changed my perspective on books, too. I expect more now. I do wonder where what we will be reading in a few years, though... Thanks for commenting! ♥

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  6. This is so true! Around this time a year ago, all the books I was adding were young adult. Now, I'm more interested in adult horror books - something I never thought I'd say! I also used to love books centered around romance, but now that's really not for me. My tastes have definitely changed, but I don't think it's a bad thing! I don't think I;ll ever outgrow my love for YA though :D

    Denise | The Bibliolater

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    1. Isn't it? It is so surreal how much our tastes can change in such a short amount of time. I definitely love horror, but have trouble finding good ones. However, I can say I never did have an affinity for romance. That is one thing that has not changed. Thanks so much for commenting, Denise! ♥

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  7. This post made me cry. You moved me to genuine tears. This is all I'm going to say because it is the second time I've read this post and I'm going to cry again, so... bye. ♡

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    1. Happy tears, I hope! I'm so glad you liked this so much, Rebekah. It means a lot to me. Thanks for commenting! ♥

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  8. I definitely think I'm outgrowing some of the books on my TBR. I do remember eagerly wanting to read them when I added them there, but now that I go back to my list and see the long-lost books I've yet to read that are already a year or so old, I just... I don't know if I'm that eager to read it anymore. x( Great post, Erin!

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    1. I keep looking back on it and wondering why some of those books are on there anymore. It's kind of sad to outgrow the excitement, but that just means more room for excitement towards other books. Thanks so much for commenting, Mara! ❤

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  9. *claps* Fabulous discussion! I agree with you. You can outgrowing your tbr and that isn't a bad thing! I'm trying to clean my tbr because some books I just don't want to read anymore. Thanks for sharing this, Erin.

    anna

    p.s: lovely pictures! i love the third one. <3

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    1. *High five* (since high fives are just mutual claps). I'm so glad you liked it (and my photos), Anna! It is sometimes sad to look back and realize you've lost interest, but it means you're tastes are changing and growing, which is never a bad thing. Thanks for commenting! ❤

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