If you’re into fantasy, do you ever pick up a romance and give it a shot? Or read a historical fiction book if you’re into scifi? It’s a leap of faith that doesn’t always work out but when it does it’s pretty sweet.
I asked a friend what her favorite book was, and she said The Goldfinch. I had never heard of it and hadn’t read any fiction/contemporary like it, but it ended up being such a great surprise. It was one of the few 5 star reads of that year and I never would have experienced it if I hadn’t taken the chance.
I’d say every so often, just take a chance. You might be pleasantly surprised.
All the time, I’m in a book club that has a dozen members and only one other person reads the same stuff I like. I gotta say most of what the others pick I’m not a fan of, but there are usually 3 in each circuit that are great and I would’ve never picked myself.