Out Of My Comfort Zone Book Tag

I saw this tag on Sophie's blog https://bewareofthereader.com/ and decided to take part. This tag was created by Emma at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kod0ZGDgqDY

RULES
You have to pick one genre that you frequently read, and then you can't use any books from that genre while answering the questions.

I'll be missing out my favourite genre of horror for this one!

1) A book that is an exception when it comes to genres or elements you don't typically like
I have little interest in stories with robots, evil corporations killing scientists or a lot of space travel and technology, but when I read Martha Wells Murderbot Diaries which is WAY out of my comfort zone, I just loved it! Murderbot is a wonderful character, it was funny, it had action and good human characters.  

2) A book you enjoyed from a genre you previously held some stigma against 
Despite liking LOTR as a kid, I never took to fantasy as a genre, preferring horror. However after becoming addicted to Game of Thrones on TV, I just had to read the George RR Martin books and I love them! If all the fantasy books I read were so good, I'd be reading a lot more in the genre for sure! 

3) A book you didn't know was out of your comfort zone until you started reading it
I wouldn't say it ended up outside my comfort zone but I read this based on loving the Game of Thrones series but found it to be the kind of fantasy that I don't enjoy at all. Yes it was the same world but I didn't take to the different characters, the slowness of the plot and the fact that little happened. It really didn't suit me at all. 

4) Pick a friend who motivates you to pick up books you might not normally be interested in-is there a book they convinced you to give a try
I pick up ideas for books in my favourite genres from quite a few people. There are also a few bloggers that regularly feature genres like fantasy, SF, cozy mysteries, thrillers and other things that I don't usually read. Here are a few examples...

Barb-I've read a few cozy mysteries featuring dogs after seeing them on her blog! 
http://bookertsfarm.blogspot.com/ 
Mogsy-I read Murderbot based on a book review on this site and it is great for SF and fantasy
https://bibliosanctum.com/ 
Greg-I've picked up a few SF, thrillers and YA from seeing them on his blog 
http://gregsbookhaven.blogspot.com/ 
Sarah-Wide range of non fiction I've often never heard of on a range of subjects
https://allthebookblognamesaretaken.blogspot.com/ 

5) A book that is out of your comfort zone but you would like to read
There are quite a few fantasy and SF books on this list to read that I've seen on other blogs and a few thrillers too. Here are three of them. For the first one, I'm worried about trying fantasy humour but the plot sounds good. Six Wakes has cloning which I fear might end up too technical for me. While I like politics, political crime thrillers can be very hit and miss!

6) A book or genre so outside of your comfort zone that you'll probably never give a try
I won't read anything that is erotica, romance, western, contemporary. I don't like books with lots of sex, religious content, YA tropes or depressing topics. I generally only read the Tudor and Plantagenet historical periods. There is a LOT that I'll never read!