Let’s Talk: Reading Outside Your Comfort Zone // Non YA Booktuber Recommendations

Before we get into this post I just want to apologise for missing any of your posts. I had 500+ emails in my inbox and it was just not possible to catch up on everything, haha. Feel free to link me to any of your posts that you’d like me to see. I really wanna see what you guys have been up to ♥! I’m still not officially back, but am trying to read, comment and post as much as I can in my spare time. Obviously reviews are going to be sparse.

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Tiny disclaimer that this isn’t supposed to be a dig at Young Adult – it’s quite obvious it’s my favourite genre and I will defend it with my life.

I know a lot of people out there are looking for BookTubers that don’t primarily focus on YA. I find that following BookTubers who talk about other genres really helps inspire you to attempt to read outside your comfort zone.

This post was inspired by my current read Night Film which is an Adult Fiction Thriller and I am having so much fun reading it. This is also a note to myself because I really want to try and read more books that aren’t YA. I’m definitely not trying to claim that I’m an expert 😂

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Why should we read outside of our comfort zone?

I think it’s important that everyone at least tries a book they wouldn’t usually read. I know how scary it can be – I was terrified to read Classics, but I’m so glad I gave them a go. Even if you don’t like it. That said the most important thing to remember is that whether you read one genre or a million, you’re still a reader.

1. You might be surprised and find your next favourite book. If I never gave Classics a chance then I would never have found The Yellow Wallpaper which changed my entire life.
2. Don’t judge a genre by it’s Bad Tropes. Fun fact: I once got into an argument with Caitlin Stasey on Twitter because she was making digs at YA and people who read it. She presumed that every YA book was a carbon copy of Twilight (not that there’s anything wrong with liking Twilight). It’s just that not every YA book is going to be full of vampire and werewolves love triangles and not every Adult Fiction book is going to be 50 Shades of Grey.
3. It can be a gateway for you to learn, discover and understand topics that you’re not familiar with or aware of. When I see certain things in books that I don’t understand I always hit up Google and do research. I’ve learnt so much.
4. Books with difficult topics. I understand that some people can’t read certain books because they’re triggering, but I highly suggest that if you can you read a book about mental illness, sexual assault or even on social issues like feminism because it can open your eyes and educate you so much.
5. It may seem like a small thing, but it could even help you step outside your comfort zone in real life. Interacting on this blog has slowly made me feel a tiny bit more confident to initiate conversations in other settings. Setting tiny goals for yourself can go a long way.
6. Different mediums. If you’re main genre is Young Adult then you don’t have to necessarily read Adult Fiction to try something new! There’s so many options: comics, graphic novels, poetry, short stories, non-fiction (memoirs, autobiographies, history, true crime) ect.  
7. Accomplishment. Who doesn’t enjoy feeling accomplished? Even if you read a graphic novel or short poetry book and didn’t like it at least you can say you gave it a go!

So, here are some BookTubers that may occasionally mention YA but who don’t have it as their focus. Hopefully they can help inspire you as much as they inspire me 😊

Amanda Egle

Amanda’s channel’s main focus is comics which I LOVE. A lot of BookTubers talk about comics and graphic novels, but they’re definitely not the focus. Amanda has videos that talk about her weekly pull list and she also has lots of sci-fi/comic focused unboxings. It’s also great seeing girls who are into comics.

books and pieces

Elizabeth doesn’t read a lot of books I do, but I still love her videos. She reads a lot of adult literature especially fantasy and sci-fi. I know there are a lot of fantasy fans out there so if you ever want to try adult fantasy then Elizabeth’s channel will definitely help inspire you to do that!

booksandquills

Sanne actually works at Penguin Random House UK. Her videos are all so informative, professional and you can tell how knowledagable she is about bookish things. She reads a wide range of genres including: Adult Fiction, Classics and Poetry.

ChapterStackss

Katie made a video at the start of the year were she talked about not reading YA in 2016, whilst that is not something I would personally do it was a really interesting discussion.  I really love Katie’s channel because she talks about a genre I rarely see on BookTube – HORROR!! Her videos are all really informative and she has really great and well thought out opinions.

Connor O’Brien

Connor does read the occasional YA, but his main focus is Middle Grade! I feel like Middle Grade is another genre that doesn’t get much attention on BookTube. I definitely don’t read enough Middle Grade and Connor has introduced me to a lot of great series. For an added bonus he has the most adorable husky and does BarkBox unboxings on his channel with said adorable husky.

Jean BookishThoughts

Jean is one of my favourite BookTubers. Again, she reads a lot of books I don’t but she has inspired me SO much to read outside my comfort zone especially regarding classics. She also talks a lot about mythology, non-fiction, comics and graphic novels. Her videos are always so interesting and informative. Jean also runs The Feminist Orchestra Bookclub which focuses on feminist reads.

Lauren And The Books

Besides having an amazing name 😜 Lauren’s videos are seriously so lovely. I’ve only recently subscribed to her but her videos are so genuine and down to earth. She’s adorably funny without even trying. From what I’ve seen she reads a lot of Adult Fiction as well as comics and graphic novels.

Leather-Bound

I only recently subscribed to Taylor, but I’m really excited to see more of her videos. I love the way she talks about the books she reads. I’m not quite sure what the main books she reads are, but it seems like she focuses on a lot of adult fiction, classics and even talks about fashion-esque magazines which I think is really cool.

mynameismarines

This is kind of a cheat, but I couldn’t NOT talk about this video or Marines’ channel. Marines talks about so many important issues. She is never afraid to call out books on being problematic. She was one of the only few people I saw who shared the same problems I had with A Court of Thorns and Roses and it was so good seeing I wasn’t alone. She recently uploaded this video about diversity on BookTube. The video above is a playlist of 60+ BookTubers who are POC. I haven’t had the chance to go through all the list yet, but I’m definitely excited! Marines also created the #fakereadergirls hashtag which was kind of amazing.

PixieTonic

Another slight cheat, but I just stumbled across Daniella’s channel and I had to include it. Is love at first watch a thing? Because I think that just happened. The video I’m linking is extremely helpful for anyone who wants to try out Adult Fiction. It’s a really well thought out discussion video with a bunch of helpful recommendations. She does talk about YA, but she also mentions a lot of adult fiction and I’m definitely super excited to watch more of her videos!

Portal in the Pages

Another new channel I recently subscribed to. Sophie reads a lot of adult fiction and also non-fiction and poetry. Her videos seem really wonderful and she has a lot of informative thoughts. I’m definitely looking forward to watching more!

squibblesreads

Joce is another one of my favourite BookTubers. This video I’m linking in particular is one of my absolute favourites. Joce reads a lot of Thrillers which I find awesome because again it’s not really talked about much on BookTube. She also reads a lot of general adult fiction and the occasional YA. Joce talks a lot about problematic and important issues regarding books and has so many on point opinions. Joce also has an amazing video on reading outside your comfort zone. Her videos are always so informative. She’s seriously so wonderful and I can’t recommend her videos enough!

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How do you feel about reading outside your comfort zone? Is it something you can easily do or is it a struggle? I would absolutely love to read your thoughts on this topic.

Are you subscribed to any of the BookTubers I mentioned? Also, if you have any recommendations then feel free to let me know!

I hope you’re all having a fantastic day xx