Are You A Seasonal Reader?

I've always been an avid reader, but before I started blogging I didn't read the sheer volume I do now, nor was I much of a seasonal reader. Sure I might have picked up a Christmasy book at that time of year but generally I just read whatever I felt like at the moment. I've always been a mood reader that way, I switch up genres depending on what I'm feeling at the time. However, since I've started blogging I've noticed a definite trend toward seasonal reading.

First of all I'm more aware of it just because as a blogger we see so many books, and we often know what's coming months in advance. We get ARC's and publishing newsletters and promo stuff and often have the inside scoop on upcoming releases. The other thing is there are so many seasonal activities in the blogosphere- readathons, challenges, you name it. October is one big scary a thon just as the end of the year seems to be awash in holiday themed stories. So... do you go in for all that or do you remain mostly oblivious to seasonal reading?

I think I've noticed a few trends in myself. Fantasy is my preferred genre and I read it year round, but there are certain times of year when it appeals more. I like reading big fantasy doorstoppers in the winter, when there's lots of time, and summer as well for some reason seems like a great time for fantasy. And I like a good mystery any time of year, but when fall approaches and the air gets cooler I definitely feel a yen for thrillers, mysteries and scarier stuff.

Fall also seems like a good time for urban fantasy, since sometimes that runs a little darker and just seems to mesh with all the October stuff. I've definitely noticed my tastes and moods change based on the seasons, and I think the blogosphere amplifies that, but I think it's fascinating how weather or season can affect my preferences so much.  Maybe it's the camaraderie that comes from shared interests- after all a scary readathon in the fall brings people together who love thrillers just like a holiday themed event gets everyone enjoying the festivities in the bookish world. And maybe that's part of the joy of blogging- in real life many of us have few people to talk books with, but in the blogosphere we can all come together and talk about stories and speak the common language of books.

It's like a tribe coming together- just as the seasons bring change to how we live, perhaps seasonal reading (and sharing) also brings change to how we relate to stories. That so many feel that way is a testament, I think, to how the seasons affect the worlds we want to live in, as well as the one we do live in.