Choosing a New Book

Some readers go through most of their lives reading the same types of material when they sit down in their arm chairs, or on their window seats, or even when they curl up in their beds at night.
Is is embedded in their brains that they're pre-disposed that type of literature? Or is it all they enjoy?

I think sometimes we are into other types of media, and that can play a part in our choices when we go to the local bookstore or library. Other times, we got into a certain type of book when we were younger, and have since moved to the adult version of the same genre, and that genre only.
Whatever the reason, this type of mindset can be altered, and you can learn to choose a new type of book! Even if you feel you have no desire to read a new form of literature, I suggest you try it--even just once. You may be surprised at the new world/s you open up for yourself!

When you visit your library, make sure you pick a day when you have some time. Don't go with an already conceived idea of what you're going to look for, or take out. Just go looking for a book.
Also, try not to pretend to narrow down your field of interest without actually doing it. For instance, no, "Ok, I'm going to get a book fantasy book instead of a science fiction one this time--that's different!", or "I usually read only about sewing, but today I'll try taking out a book on crafts!"
The point is to try something not even close to your norm!

If you can empty your thoughts of what you'll "only like/read/pick out", you can select something completely random. And you'd be surprised what you'll find!

Just start browsing. Every aisle, every shelf. Don't judge a book by its cover, but by its title (unless it's something you know is in your line of interest/usual); read the different titles as you look through them, and when you see one that's interesting in word--grab it! Even if you pick it up, look at the front cover, and still can't tell what it's about--all the better. Just take it home, and see what happens.

If you know all the fiction is upstairs, and you only ever read non-fiction--up the steps you go, and vice versa!

Of course, make sure you don't grab and start reading book 4 in the series, just because you grabbed it. You're allowed to trade it for book 1!

There are many variations to learning to read new types of books, and none are correct or incorrect--the point is to learn something new, explore a whole new world, realize something you never realized before.
Try getting a book from a younger section, instead of the adult categories.

Or perhaps if you're not brave enough to venture out of the fiction, choose a letter of the alphabet, go to that section, and just choose a book by an author with a name starting with that letter, that you've never heard of! You'd be amazed at how many authors with only one or two books out that are good, and are hiding on the library shelves.
If you're a non-fiction fiend, and only read about collectibles and cars, pick a numbered section as far away from the one you're used to taking books out of, and try a book from there. Or pick a random number, and find the book with that ID--and take it out!
Now, you may end up with a book on how to audit yourself, or the DOW/Nasdaq system, which may actually NOT be your cup of tea past page 1, and may have to go right back to the library that night...But at least you ventured out of your reading comfort zone!

I am constantly browsing shelves, and usually have to stop myself before I end up with a huge stack of books! When I leave the library, a person would be hard pressed in most instances to pinpoint my interests based on my books alone, and my husband is constantly saying, "Where'd you find that? I want to read it when you're done!"

The more we can read, the more we can understand and learn. Places, people, things...Entire worlds of new life are waiting to be discovered this way, so why not try to change your reading habits--if just for 2 weeks--you may be surprised to find what else you enjoy!