Reading Range

 

For the longest time, my adult leisure reading consisted almost exclusively of non-fiction written by old white guys. It is only in recent years I have tried to intentionally diversify to women and people of color. But even then it was still predominantly non-fiction. Reading might be for pleasure but it still had to have a purpose, and the only one I was comfortable with was to learn something.

In recent times, I've really tried to break out of that sameness. Memoirs by people who are very different from me have helped me walk a mile in someone else's shoes and hopefully made me more open-minded and empathetic. The classics are a necessity because what is culture but a collection of stories. Similarly, fiction of a more recent vintage grows my inventory of compelling narratives that give me insight about how people think and act.

Lately, I've tried to dabble in poetry, which I had almost no past contact with. Poetry can inspire, educate, and shed light, for sure. But, more so than other genres, poetry can be for pure pleasure, with nothing gained from the effort save for the cherishing of how words can be put together to create beauty or emotion. 

I still consume my share of non-fiction. But I'm glad to branch out into different kinds of reads. What are you reading that you think I ought to take a look at?