Hi and welcome back to another Let’s Talk Bookish post! This is so much later than you’re used to from me, but I just couldn’t write it earlier and I didn’t want to miss this topic either. This week’s topic is suggested by Melanie @ Melanie’s Book Blog and discusses Authors Branching Out. Interesting, as we have seen this numerous times over the past few years.

Prompts: How do you feel when an author you love does something new and not at all like their previous work? Do you still read all their books, or do you stop after a point? If they write in a new genre that you don’t read, do you read it for the author, or stop following every title the author releases (in the new genre)? What are some of your favourite books where the author veered away from their previous work quite drastically?

How do you feel when an author you love does something new and not at all like their previous work? Do you still read all their books, or do you stop after a point?

The past few years, I have seen a fair share of authors whose books I enjoyed branching out, whether it’s in genre or age range. Sometimes it works out well, sometimes not. I always give their new work a try, because even though it’s not my favourite genre and their signature one, broadening your horizon could provide us with such gems. For Sarah J. Maas venturing into adult fantasy worked really well in my opinion, whereas I didn’t like Veronica Roth’s try at adult urban fantasy. I have to admit I never read Divergent, but I’m not willing to do so now. Same applies to Leigh Bardugo, I only happen to like the original “Grisha trilogy” and simply did not enjoy anything after. I’m still a bit torn about Cassandra Clare trying out adult fiction, I want to give The Ragpicker King a fair chance before I decide on that. Rebecca Yarros dipped her toes in fantasy with Fourth Wing back in 2023 and I have such conflicted opinions on each of the individual books in this series. For now, I think contemporary suits her better.

Which brings me to the second part of this question, do I keep trying or do I give up at some point? I al ways want to give authors a fair chance. This means I can’t just give up after one book, unless it’s really, really bad or I ended up DNF’ing it. So, I will at least try one more book and if it isn’t for me, I will stop. I’m really curious for the new books by both Marissa Meyer and Stephanie Garber, beloved YA authors who are about to branch out to a more adult target audience. I only try this way of branching out. I won’t be trying adult to middle-grade or something like that as I know I won’t be enjoying that shift too much.

If they write in a new genre that you don’t read, do you read it for the author, or stop following every title the author releases (in the new genre)?

Oh definitely. For me, genre is such an important element. If it’s a genre that doesn’t appeal to me or my reading tastes, I won’t be picking it up at all. Ever. So why would I care about it and new publications? Even though an author I used to love branches out to it, it doesn’t take away the fact that it’s not my genre. Reading books I will not enjoy, no matter the author, will put me in a reading slump regardless, so better not engage with them. This might sound harsh, but there are so many books and only so little time. You just can’t read everything you lay eyes on.

What are some of your favourite books where the author veered away from their previous work quite drastically?

I think I either have answered this question already, or I haven’t read any book by an author that veered away from their genre to drastically. When talking about both Yarros and Bardugo, they quite stay true to their previous work in terms of subgenre and subjects. Yarros writes romance and made a shift from contemporary to fantasy, but still it’s romance. Bardugo however is still writing fantasy, but for another age range. Same for Clare. I just can’t think of examples where the author did something completely different.

And now it’s your turn! Do you enjoy when authors branch out or is this putting you off? What are your examples for branching out going right or wrong?