So here is something I have been pondering lately… do we read different styles/genres of books at different times of the year? I was reading a post earlier today at Ryan’s Wordsmithonia and he mentions how as the weather gets colder he starts looking forward to spooky movies. I think this applies to books as well.
I know this is true of myself. In the summer I love light chick lit fun friendship books. I love books about beaches and beach houses, fictional travels – I think just overall what you could probably call beach reads (although I rarely ever make it to the beach). Its not set in stone and of course there are other reads in there as well.
As fall comes in – I do notice a change in my reading. Shorter days that bring darkness to our area by 7:30 pm, cool nights that require the heat on and usually a warm blanket to throw over myself as I watch a movie or dig into a book. And those books I tend to crave? I seem to feel like reading a good mystery. Visions of Agatha Christy and Johnathon Kellerman… maybe the latest Grisham or my new found author Michael Connelly. It almost seems like as those of us in Minnesota are taking out our crock pots and planning heartier meals of soups and chili’s… I am also looking for a heartier read.
So my question today to you is – are you a seasonal reader? Do you seem to crave different reads at different times of year? Share a little here about that. I would love to read your thoughts on this. 🙂
Book Journey 
I am a seasonal reader. Beach themes in summer, extra dose of mysteries and thrillers in fall, and a good amount of holiday reads from nov-january. I also tend to read lighter themed books in spring and summer for some reason.
Great topic! Have a great week.
Hi diane, I think maybe we read lighter things in the summer as our lives are usually so busy then… I think it is hard to really dig into a big deep mystery or thriller when the days are long – the sun is shining and so much calls our attention. In the cold winter months nothing is calling my attention but a great read and a blanket! 🙂
Sadly, not this year. I have too many review books to be one at the moment. It was what I was discussing with you earlier. I feel more like a book reviewer than a book blogger. Even though I focused more on reading challenges this year and cut way back on my reviewing, I still had lots come in. In 2010, I want to get back to reading for fun and very little for review.
J Kaye I totally understand what you are saying. I see it here too. I will think of what I am going to read next and then remember I have a commitment to read something else. I hope to plan this better in the future. I ove to review but like to read and review what I want – when I want. 🙂
I love reading in relation to the seasons – but I find that I am unable to do this simply because of the amount of required reading. But, like you, I do find myself that during the summer I love the light ‘chick lit’ genres, whereas now I’m feeling more ‘academic’ writing like John Donne and Milton. 🙂
Hi Reagan – I suppose in your work you do a lot of required reading. Summer is wonderful for chick lit…. 🙂
It’s weird I don’t think I’ve ever been a seasonal reader. Whatever grabs my attention, gets it. I can see how the urge is there for folks tho, I get the urge for comfort food and movies during these long winter months.
HI Zia. I just noticed it in myself recently…. seemed like I was just craving a mystery thriller type….
I do tend to read seasonally and I do it intentionally. I will read any genre though out the year but I put aside some horror novels especially for around Halloween. I will hold off reading a Christmas themed book until after Thanksgiving because I can enjoy horror any time of year but I can’t stand a reading a Christmas book in Summer.
Icedream I like that you actually save books for different seasons!
I’m so into season reading/watching. I’ve found myself buying mysteries, thrillers, and horror novels lately and craving horror movies.
As soon as Halloween is over my brain swtiches to Christmas….I was listening to Christmas music in the car yesterday.
Hey Ryan – your blog really reflects your season changes. I really see your love for the different seasons.
Definitely enjoy certain genres more during specific seasons — beachy reads during the summer, classics and mysteries in the fall/winter, romance in the spring….good historical fiction year ’round. For a list of my favorite fall reads (books to thrill and chill), hop on over!
HI Joanne – I did hop over and your latest book review is exactly what I am tallking about – a great fall read!
I definitely do more reading when the temps go down (it’s not much fun to spend any time outside in Nebraska in January). Which means I’m also likely to be more willing to pick up something heavier. Although on those particularly bitter cold days, a beach book might provide a bit of much needed warmth!
Hi Lisa, I think for me life slows down a bit in the fall and winter so reading time does pick up for me as well.
Interesting topic. I know that movies are usually released according to the season, but curious if publishers do the same thing with books? Can’t say I’ve ever noticed anything other than big names being released right before the holiday gift giving season.
I tend to read anything at anytime, so guess I’m not a seasonal reader. If anything, I’ll pick up a book based on my mood. Light, fun books when I need a pick-me-up, sad books when I’m in the mood for a good cry, mysteries when I want to solve puzzles, etc. Does that make me a “moody” reader? *L*
Aleia561, you bring up a really good point. I wonder if publishers do – I bet to an extent they must… knowing when certain books will sell, much like movie producers.
While I read year round, I definitely understand the appeal of mysteries during the fall. I’m not really sure why, but it’s always a lot more exciting reading one when the days are so short. I also like chick lit a bit more in the summer, when I just want to relax.
Great post!
HI Lizzy – I just noticed that about myself recently….. so glad it is not just me 🙂
I am absolutely a seasonal reader! Especially this time of year when I delve into horror, gothic and classic monster stories.
Election years tend to bring lots of biography, history and political reading, and summertime just begs for light, fun reading.
BTW, thanks so much for the kind words you left in my comments tonight, it’s so much appreciated.
A great post Sheila, thanks for that – it certainly had me thinking.
Alexia got there before me – I also wanted to say I didn’t know if it was ME who was a seasonal reading as such or if it was largely due to the fact that books seem to be released on a seasonal basis – chic lit, beach reads etc during the warmer seasons, horror, science fantasy/fiction come Halloween and lots of historicals, biographies come winter, especially around Christmas time.
Yet again it could be that i simply like something ‘light and easy’ to read during the summer months when I may be too hot and concentration may not be 100% whilst during the winter months as you say, Sheila, there’s nothing nicer than to be curled up with a good book.
My reading habits aren’t weather driven. My TBR list hasn’t changed because it’s gotten colder outside. While this doesn’t work for me I can definitely see how other people’s moods (and hence their reading choices) could be altered by atmospheric conditions of one type or another.
I don’t tink I’m a seasonal reader, it’s whatever gets my attention when I’m looking.
Within the last year or two, I’ve become a seasonal reader. I read more chick lit and beach reads in the summer. In the fall/winter, I read more mysteries. During the holiday season, I try to read at least one holiday themed book.
Having said that, I still will read a chick lit book in the winter or a great mystery in the summer.
I do agree! I also like a good holiday story or two to usher in the holiday season. Those are books that I can’t imagine reading in the summer, of course!
I tried to pull away this year by making reading challenges a priority and though I did, books for review were just as important no matter how many times I tried to pull away. For me, the obsessive type, it has to be all or nothing. That’s what I will have to do as soon as these review books are completed. I receive unsolicited ARCs now and that’s fine. Those aren’t very many. I just need to stop accepting more and use that referral list to the very best of my ability…lol.
I don’t think I pretty much stay to my norm of reading books. I do after a few thinking hard books to follow the mysteries and stories I read a lighter book as to not think so hard but usually the same ruitine as normal. Though it does seem that some people do read lighter reads in the summer time and heavier reads as it gets cold and dark earlier.
HI Melissa – thanks for your thoughts on this 🙂
I like to read different genres, but wouldn’t say that I necessarily am a seasonal reader. For instance, I love historical romance and a good mystery romance is always welcome, however there are times when I need a little enlightenment in my life and read books that I can learn from. Right now for instance, I am reading Kristen White’s latest book, “Mystic in a Minivan” because I needed to read a good book that could teach me how to be a kinder more patient person, which is what I found in this book. I read all of these books at all different times of the year- no trend.
Hi Becky, I can take historica fiction any time of year… love it! 🙂
Me too! LOL!
I tweeted about this giveaway: