Wednesday, November 9, 2016

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.

32 comments:

  1. I don't have any trends in genres that I read since I always just read SFF, but I have started enjoying the seasonal trends of more scary-ish/paranormal in October, some holiday or winter themed books in Nov and Dec, etc. And I've noticed that I get a little more lax and stress-free with my reading as the end of the year comes around. Maybe because by then I've met my year's goal and I know people probably aren't reading reviews as much around Christmas, so I can kind of chill and just enjoy books more, read longer ones if I want, etc.

    I did finally find a Christmas-themed fantasy! And I read it yesterday lol. Believe it or not, it kind of had will-o'-the-wisps in it. It's one of those things that as soon as it comes up once (you mentioned that one time), it suddenly starts coming up everywhere.

    But that is a nice way of thinking about it, how it's like a camaraderie thing. And it's a fun way to be festive and celebrate the holidays in our blogosphere :-)

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    1. I was the same way, I just read my fantasy and SF stuff and only after blogging did I start reading thrillers, seasonal stuff, you know. It's been nice though, the books I never would have found. I kinda like doing the scary thing in Oct., holiday stuff after that (although this year I haven't found ANY holiday stuff to read). Where's all the holiday-ish fantasy??

      You found another will-o-wisp book? Spill! I need more of those lol. I got that one you told about and it's pretty good so far, I'm about halfway thru. And yeah i need more, where are you finding these??? :)

      I thought so. I've been surprised how bloggers come together, even over this election thing I've seen on Twitter and stuff how people are supporting each other.

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    2. Lol sorry the will-o-the-wisps one was a novella in a series. Total coincidence. Although spoiler alert, they turned out to not be a spell cast by someone, so not actual will-o-the-wisps, I guess.

      Yay, glad you're enjoying that one that I found! I haven't gotten around to it yet.

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  2. As I've mentioned to you before, I'm a Southern Hemispherian myself so it's a bit strange when I'm reading summer reads in the middle of our winter! I always try to keep up with some of the new releases though, so it always ends up that way. I don't really read seasonally, but reading new releases tends to push you in that direction.

    As a blogger now I'll probably be pushed to read more and more seasonally but I also like my backlisted titles so I hope I'll keep a healthy mix of old and new, seasonal and non seasonal.

    One thing I do enjoy is a Christmas read towards December - I do like getting into the Christmas spirit. :)

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    1. Well I'm jealous that you guys are going into summer lol so you can be all toasty while we freeze! Ha ha plus you didn't just have the election from %^&*. But yes that would be weird- getting all the summer reads in your winter. And yes the new releases do sorta push you that way- another good point.

      I have found as a blogger that I'm definitely more seasonal in my reads- before not so much. Backlist is also good though, I hope you find that balance. :)

      I like the Christmas spirit too and since blogging it has definitely found its way into my reading!

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    2. Yeah... That election. The world kinda stopped and wondered WTF I think.... Honestly shocked. The thing is it's not just affecting the USA - this guy is in control of a world super power and this affects ALL OF US. People are genuinely scared.

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  3. Seasons definitely affect my reading choices, but not all of them. Like you, I read a lot of fantasy so the seasonal thing doesn't always impact that choice. But i do find myself leaning towards "fall" reads around October/November and come Christmas I love a good holiday story or romance!
    Emily @ www.rabbitholereviews.com

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    1. See, they do for me now, too. Fantasy does seem to be sorta immune to that though? And when fall rolls around yes I start wanting different kinds of books!

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  4. I am a seasonal reader who doesn't like reading a book out of season. I try to read summer settings in the summer, winter in the winter, etc. That being said, my TBR is forever long, so I don't try to exclusively read holiday books during the season, but instead sprinkle them into my reading diet.

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    1. That's interesting, I'm more of a seasonal reader now too. I like how you spread em out though- variety is good. :)

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  5. I do choose a few Christmas themed books around this time of the year. I also like to save chunksters for the winter, unless it is a book I just can't wait to read. I've also found myself reading "beachy" reading during the winter as well.

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  6. More so now than before. I love my horror reads all year round, but especially around Halloween. If I read a chick-lit book, which is rare, it almost always happens in the summer. And for some reason, I have quite a few Christmas themed ARCs and books which I am planning for December which isn't really like me at all. In fact, I had to search out some horror related Christmas titles just so I'd have a sense of normalcy to add in!

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  7. I totally agree, once I started blogging I became a seasonal reader. I definitely reach for the creepy reads during the Fall and the lighter fluff during the holidays and I tend to read a lot of UF and such in the Winter.

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  8. Before this year I've actually never read a season read during its actual season. I have a problem with rebellion so that's what I'm blaming for why I haven't.

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  9. No usually, no, but I do like to read horror in October and it usually works out that way anyway since so many horror books seem to be timed to release then :D

    ~Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum

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  10. Hmm. I can't say I'm a seasonal reader. More of a mood reader. For example, if I read a heavy book, then I will want something easy going to read. But I think everyone does that.

    I wonder what it's like to be a seasonal reader though. Maybe you'd feel more connected to what's going on in the world? The rhythms?

    What I'm more interested in is the seasonality of blogging news, and how to even keep up with all that. It just takes loads of time, and I'm not even doing much (new blogger).

    Avalinah from http://avalinahsbooks.space

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  11. I feel like sometimes I'm definitely a seasonal reader! Summertime is when I tend to read the most contemporary YA where they're quick and cute. And yes, depending on publishing dates, I read more of the "big blockbuster" reads/series around Sept-March when those get released. My romance novels I read all year round pretty evenly though, haha. And of course holiday reads during the holidays (though ARCs are out in Oct, I usually read them in Nov).

    Great discussion topic, Greg!

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  12. Hm, that's interesting! I think I am not a seasonal reader at all. I just read whatever I feel like. The only time when this is different is during Christmas. I still prefer Fantasy, but I LOVE snowy settings even more during that time ;-)

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  13. I love this post and you now have me thinking I might be a seasonal mood reader :) I tend to read more romance in the summer and more MG, Holiday and heavier books in the winter. The spring is lighter reads and the fall is the spooky ones. Holy Cow man, you are totally on to something. :)

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  14. All I can do is smile... you're right all around!! I don't know if I seasonal read but I can totally see the circling of the UF/SF reading at this time of the year. It's getting dark out there... time to hide!!! :)

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  15. The only time I'm a seasonal reader is in November and December whn holiday reads are released. Otherwise, it depends on my mood; unless I have to read ARCs. :)~Aleen

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  16. Well, I NEVER read Christmas themed books, unless it's something like Joe Hill's NOS4A2 that has Christmas built into the story, but it isn't really about the holiday. I do like to read horror more in October, but really I'm all over the place and other than that I don't really notice that I read differently at different times of the year.

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  17. I agree with you! I'm a moody reader, and that also ties into being a seasonal reader, because our moods are affected by the amount of sunlight and the temperature (SAD- seasonal affect disorder is a true issue).

    I'm reading a couple of holiday themed books for the readathon, but honestly I wouldn't enjoy reading a Christmas-themed story in July. Now if it's a mystery or suspense that happens to take place in a season different than the one I'm in, that's okay.

    I also read more in the winter, even though we don't get housebound from snow here, cabin fever etc. It's just a state of mind, I guess. I feel the need to curl up on the couch and read, maybe to unwind from the stress of holiday shopping, cooking, and prep work. I read a bit less in summer because I feel I need to be outside more, despite the hot temps, doing something.

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  18. I hadn't given my own habits much thought, Greg, although like you, I had noticed a trend for other readers/bloggers. However, I think I do prefer "easier" reads in the summer and now that it's getting cooler - well, supposed to be anyway, I've settled in with a bit of a longer read (The Undead Pool) and have several slated to be read over the next few months. I'm definitely a mood reader year-round and I try to keep my genres switched up so I don't get bored. I've never been much of a holiday-themed reader though. Not because I don't like them but I've just never made it a habit.
    Great post! I hope you're having a good week. :)

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  19. I'm not really much of the 'theme' reader. Like, I don't tend to read scary books in October - because I don't really like them - and I don't read Christmas-y books in December - because I don't celebrate Christmas, but I'm also usually not interested in the fluffy romance that most of those books are. I do love reading about all the seasonal events though, even if I don't participate in them.

    I do notice that my general reading interest shifts throughout the year. In summer, I'm more interested in Sci-Fi than I am any other time of the year. I also prefer lighter fantasy then. Fall I usually want to read mystery or steampunk, winter is definitely those complicated fantasy books and spring, more often than not, is just something a bit deeper though it doesn't matter the genre. It's really neat, too, the way you can sometimes see trends from other bloggers when they talk about what they've been reading.

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  20. I've always been a bit of a seasonal reader but I do agree that being part of the blogging community and seeing ARCs and participating in events has made me even moreso.

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  21. This is interesting! I most definitely am not a seasonal reader, I read whatever I want, whenever I want haha but since I started participating in reading challenge, I find myself trying out books I never thought I would. Like, I'm not a horror/mystery fan but last month I read some due to Halloween read-a-thon. I mostly only read based on my mood/time. If I'm feeling tired or busy or simply not in the mood for something too complicated, I read contemporary and vice versa. Although I have a tendency to read books from the same genre in a streak.

    Puput @ Sparkling Letters

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  22. I've not been a seasonal reader but since blogging I have been aware of the shift in books and I did pick out a scary book because it was Hallowe'en. Don't think I'm going to go as far as a Christmas book though. It's either waaaay to early for anything festive or it's the right time of year but I'm too busy to read.
    #talkoftheTown

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  23. Must admit I do try to plan ahead with the seasons but they are novels I would have read anyway ... although I'm still sharing my 'summer' reads on the blog and I have a 'dark' read review scheduled at the end of the month (missing Halloween!). Christmas reads WILL be up at the beginning of December (now I've declared that it will have to be so :).

    Great post and thank you for linking.
    #TalkoftheTown

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  24. What an interesting post, Greg! I've occasionally noticed that I gravitate more toward certain genres at certain times of year — fall seems a good time for mysteries to me as well, for instance. Before I started taking so many review books, I used to go on genre benders (or binges), reading nothing but fantasy (or mystery, or whatever) until I tired of it and turned to another genre. I can't do that as easily anymore, though now that I'm allowing myself to re-read a bit more again, I find I still do it with my re-reads. But I think I do gravitate more to one genre than another based on season, at least a little.

    Now that I'm blogging and reading review books, I agree that I'm much more aware of the seasonally-themed books than I used to be, and more interested in reading them. I'd prefer to read them around whichever holiday or season they take place in, but that's not always possible when reading ARCs.

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  25. I don't consider myself a seasonal reader but I do like reading UF or spookier books around Halloween! I don't read Christmas-y books but I do get drawn to Wintery stories like Potter or Narnia during that time of year. The thing with me is that I read mainly fantasy so I can find excuses to read those all year round LOL!

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  26. I don't do too much seasonal reading, but I definitely do more now that I'm a blogger. Like you, I think it's fun to join in on a Halloween-themed read-a-thon or something, where I wouldn't really have even thought about reading scary books near Halloween before.

    Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

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