Booking Through Thursday!

What was the most unusual (for you) book you ever read? Either because the book itself was completely from out in left field somewhere, or was a genre you never read, or was the only book available on a long flight… whatever? What (not counting school textbooks, though literature read for classes counts) was furthest outside your usual comfort zone/familiar territory?
And, did you like it? Did it stretch your boundaries? Did you shut it with a shudder the instant you were done? Did it make you think? Have nightmares? Kick off a new obsession?

I flipped through my handy reading list.. I've had it since about 5th grade so that should cover most everything unusual I've read. I settled on Kissing in Manhattan. 

I think at the time, a few years ago I found the collection of short stories, Kissing in Manhattan pretty unusual. Click that link to read the amazon info, I'd write a review but I haven't read this book in a few years. 

I think this book was the beginning of my love of short stories. It weaves together a series of stories that somehow are related. There are definitely creepy aspects to some of the stories but I just loved it. 

It was sort of a new door opening, I loved this book so much. I can't even remember where or why I picked it up to read it. But I'm very glad I did. 

I guess I don't usually read too much outside of my comfort zone, I usually can tell from a synopsis if I'm going to enjoy something or not. 

If anyone is interesting... me and I think two other people have copies available on bookmooch. I picked up an extra copy at a book sale a few months ago, I just couldn't bare to let it sit there! I feel like this book is a hidden gem, or maybe it's just me! 

What book have you read that launched a love for a new genre of books or was the last straw before you banished the genre from your life?