Sometimes reading diversely can simply be about reading books outside your normal reading comfort zone. Mr. Splitfoot by Samantha Hunt met that criteria for me. It lies somewhere within the mystery / supernatural / gothic ghost story spectrum, and those who’ve gotten to know my taste in books over the years here will probably know those genres are not often in my wheelhouse. Plus there’s a big snake on the cover, and it looks mad.
So: why did I decide to read it? Well, I’ve heard great things about Samantha Hunt’s previous books, but hadn’t yet had a chance to read her. And the back of the book informed me that the plot involved orphans, religious sects, and talking to dead people. If I’m going to read a ghost story, it’s going to be a gothic one, and this seemed to fit the bill.
So, what did I think of my journey outside my comfort zone? It was wonderful. Samantha Hunt writes very well, and I loved the way she wove the two storylines: the past and the present, together in intersecting chapters. It’s creepy enough to be exhilarating, but not so much that I had to fling it across the room for fear of horrible nightmares. It’s the perfect book for when you’re craving a well written, gripping story – something you don’t want to put down. You follow the characters along a creepy, haunting adventure into the woods, and it might make you feel a little braver.
To celebrate and encourage reading outside of your comfort zone, I’m giving away a new hardcover copy of Mr. Splitfoot. To enter, leave a comment below and share what genre (or genres) are outside of your comfort zone. It could be books with scary snakes on the cover like me, or maybe for you it’s romance novels, science fiction, or classics. You can earn additional entries by tweeting about this giveaway and/or following me on Twitter. (Unfortunately – I’m only able to offer this to readers in the US or Canada, due to high shipping costs.)
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Add Mr. Splitfoot on GoodReads.
Author photo by Marion Ettlinger.
FTC disclosure: I received a galley copy of this book from the publisher.
Love stories are really not my type :)
New Samantha Hunt?! I skipped over your review entirely to avoid anything that could possibly be considered a spoiler, but I’m very excited to hear the author has a new book out. She’s one of my favorites and it’s been a long time. I was beginning to think she wasn’t writing anymore.
Mr. Splitfoot definitely sounds interesting—I love when authors cross genre boundaries or push genres in new direction. I tend to shy away from romances as a general rule.
Thanks for the chance! Horror is one that I don’t read very often. I tried Horrorstor for something different and loved it so that was lucky!
So happy that you read and liked this. I’m in your boat – hearing great things, but it’s on the edge of my alley. I tend to read a little bit of everything, but the one thing I don’t read is romance. I’m sure that surprises exactly no one who knows this curmudgeon. It’s not that I’m against romance or being romantic, I’m just SO romantic that I read to escape all the romance in my life. You’re buying that, right? ;)
This book sounds really intriguing. It can be hard to read outside of your comfort zone; I still have to push myself into trying sometimes.
For me, outside my comfort zone usually means realistic fiction, weird as that may sound. I’m more comfortable with books with magic or the supernatural than I am reading something that to me sounds boring.
I’d say that science fiction is outside of my comfort zone. But in the fall, I read Lagoon (because it had aliens in Nigeria), and I enjoyed it so much. It has certainly encouraged me to read more diversely. Or at least try… Thanks for the giveaway; I’ve seen lots of buzz about this book.
I’ve seen many comments about this book and now I’m interested in dipping my toe into deep waters (meaning books with snakes on the cover!) Normally my comfort zone does not include science fiction or romance, but as with everything, there are always exceptions. Thanks for an opportunity to win this book.
This book is fully within my wheelhouse, and I really loved it too! I definitely think it’s a right place right time kind of book, but is TOTALLY worth a read! There’s a little something for everyone, I think.
Chick lit or anything violent/emotionally wrenching is WAY outside my normal comfort zone. I read for escape, I don’t want to need therapy afterwards :D
I hear such good things about this book! Outside of my comfort zone — hm. I’d say books in translation, definitely. I try really hard, when I notice something is out of my comfort zone, to read at least some examples of that thing, just to make sure I’ve given it the old college try. And I read more books in translation last year than I ever have before!
This one has appeared today in all the newsletters I’m subscribed to and I’m intrigued. Horror is a genre I usually stay away from because I scare easy but classics are also out of my comfort zone and sci-fi novels too.
Super excited to give this one a try, even though it’s a little outside what I’d normally read. Fantasy and sci-fi are a little further outside that safe bubble, though :)
When I first read the description of this on NetGalley months ago, it completely grabbed me with its weirdness. I’ve seen comparisons to All the Birds, Singing and The Library at Mount Char, two books I absolutely LOVED, and I know I need to get my hands on this somehow. Thanks for the chance and for letting me know about the giveaway, so I don’t break my no-buy. ;)
Everybody’s telling me I should read this book and now I reaaaallly think I should read this book. It’s completely in my reading comfort zone haha.
For a genre that isn’t: romance. Honestly any love-y or sexy themes in books. My heart is cold.
Thanks for the giveaway!
I read pretty much everything but most rarely read and like science fiction. Thanks for the giveaway!
I used to read the Star Wars companion novels and consider that sci-fi. Now I don’t read them and I don’t really read anything else that counts either! Maybe this is the year?
I will read most genres, but I tend to shy away from romance novels.
I’m glad this foray out of your comfort zone worked out! The only thing I enjoy more than a good book is a book that surprises me with how good it is :)