Q&A: Has my taste in books changed over the years?

Every month, I publish an answer to a reader’s question. Here’s a transcript of my answer to the reader question about my taste for books.

Hi Lisanne, I’ve noticed your bookshelf is filled with a wide variety of books. I’m curious—has your taste in books evolved over the years?

Yes, my taste in books has slightly changed over the years. I used to gravitate toward a wide range of nonfiction books that explore deeper themes— Psychology, spirituality, and personal growth. I still enjoy a good nonfiction read, but I’m more selective now, looking for something that feels meaningful or leaves me thinking about something in a way I haven’t before.

For example, I have found profound insights and inspiring ideas by reading a bunch of books in the self-help genre, but at a certain point I felt these teachings often left me inspired, but often unsure of how to move forward in a meaningful way. Although many of these writers excelled in their specific subtopics and provided valuable insights, much of that knowledge was challenging to apply in real-world situations. In other words, they are not adapted to fit your own, specific situation.

For that reason, I now tend to gravitate more toward spiritual books that teach me about awareness and being present. Also more than before, I find myself drawn to books where I could escape into another world for a while. The Great Gatsby and Poor Things are good examples of that. Those books hold much more appeal to me now than they did back in the day.

Let me know in the comments what kinds of books you gravitate towards.

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Thank you for reading. This reader’s question is part of the Ask Me Anything series. I´d love to answer more of your interesting questions and get a sense of your interests. If you have questions to extend this Ask Me Anything section, please let me know. I like to hear from you. Send me your question via team@lisanneswart.com

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