There Are Many Reasons to Read Other Genres

With the many book genres out there, and undeniable talent of authors, choosing my next book from my To Be Read pile(s) is always a wonderful challenge. Every book on my shelf (and in my closet, dresser and stacked in a corner) teaches me something about myself, about life and about living, even the fictional ones.

And yes, even the children’s books and middle grade fiction like After the Wallpaper Music by Jean Mills, Canadian author and legend in my literary world. It also elevates the book for me when I’ve had the pleasure of meeting the author, however briefly, and know that greats are real people, too, who are humble, kind and hard-working.

My point is, while the cliche is to not judge a book by its cover, I also recommend not judging it by it’s genre. Yes, I have my preferred genres and favourite authors, but there is so much to be learned in books like After the Wallpaper Music, as well as Pet Tales by Heidi Tattrie-Rushton, Bertie Stewart Is Perfectly Imperfect Paperback by Melanie Mosher and many, many more. I often think about how I would have perceived middle grade reads when I was actually in middle grade versus the age I am when I’m reading them and it’s interesting. While I can tell I would have loved these books then, and would have learned from them, the lessons now are impactful in hindsight, too.

What I’m trying to say is, yes, I would have loved these books when I was younger but they all have a different impact when reading them now. Books of all types helped me through the years, to sort out big feelings and small situations I thought were bigger, and I realize that books age like a fine wine. They age well, teaching the reader lessons no matter how old, young, or whatever life stage the reader is experiencing. Like After the Wallpaper Music which is, absolutely, about music and its healing powers, while it’s also about grief, forgiveness and the complexity of relationships and the assumptions we make.

To conclude, I encourage you, dear reader, to think outside the genre in your next book and maybe scour your own child’s shelf, or a different section of your local library, to learn and grow with the stories that are truly remarkable no matter their target audience.

Thanks for reading,

Sarah Butland