Recently I began to re-evaluate that strategy. There was one week in early April when the top three spots on the fiction best-seller list across all genres were occupied by the erotic romance “Fifty Shades of Grey” series by E. L. James.

Frequently described as “mommy porn” by the popular press, these romantic novels have been heralded as groundbreaking in their frank depiction of bondage and S&M, in some ways lifting the taboo on kinky sex for mainstream audiences. A movie already is in development, likely to be slapped with an NC-17 rating. Anticipation is high.

I have nothing against such literature — romance long has been one of the best-selling fiction genres — but seeing three erotic novels on the top of The New York Times list made me wonder about why we read what we read and what I’m missing out on by sidestepping the most popular new books.

Originality doesn’t seem to be playing much of a role here. James openly has admitted that her “Fifty Shades” series began as fan fiction for Stephenie Meyer’s “Twilight,” with the roles of Bella Swan and Edward Cullen changed to Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey prior to publication. The romance genre in general tends to celebrate stock character types and an abundance of clichés without any loss of readership.

In fact, many of the most popular books today are parts of series. Readers return to the same set of detectives, serial killers and young adult heroines again and again.

Reading, for most Americans, doesn’t seem to be about discovery or new experiences, but rather an escape into the familiar — with a twist, of course. Life always is more exciting in the fictional world, even if that world doesn’t change much.

However, there are glimpses of new perspectives that crop up every once in a while. Katherine Boo’s new book, “Behind the Beautiful Forevers,” landed on the The New York Times best-seller list after its release.

“Behind the Beautiful Forevers” is not a genre story. It doesn’t feature any familiar heroes or heroines, and it’s certainly not designed to be titillating. The nonfiction work describes the people encountered by Boo, a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, during her time in the Annawadi slums of Mumbai, India.

We’re lucky MSU and the city of East Lansing have chosen this exciting new book as the One Book, One Community selection for 2012, and not “Fifty Shades of Grey.” That alternative might seem laughable, but the truth of the matter is, many more Americans have immersed themselves in James’ erotic fantasy than have experienced the stories told in Boo’s book.

Those who do read “Behind the Beautiful Forevers” likely will be much different people because of it.

After all, research has shown reading can influence behavior: “We are what we read,” one might say. Relating to fictional characters might help us relate to people in the real world.

And the people in Boo’s account are very real. In a press release, the One Book, One Community organizers described the context of the book.

“Strategically located on the road to Mumbai’s glittering airport and luxury hotels is a giant billboard advertising floor tiles that stay beautiful forever. The billboard hides Annawadi, a makeshift squatter’s slum that is home to some of India’s poorest citizens. Boo sensitively follows the lives of three Annawadi families and a cluster of orphaned boys as they scrape out a living sorting trash and other grueling labors.

With a reporter’s eye for facts, detail and meaning, Boo carries her reader into the heart and soul of her subjects. She follows their day-to-day struggles and reveals how the cycle of poverty traps them.”

This kind of insight is not likely to be found in a romance novel or a genre thriller. When taking stock of the current literary environment, it might be worthwhile to consider why we read what we read.

Is it just for pleasure? Are we seeking little more than a rush of hormones or adrenaline? By the looks of things, it seems like this is true for many people.

However, when books like “Behind the Beautiful Forevers” appear on the best-seller list, we all can heave a sigh of relief. And then we can go pick it up and read it and hopefully see the world in a different light.

Craig Pearson is a State News guest columnist and biochemistry junior. Reach him at pears53@msu.edu.