When you get an idea of what you are interested in, it only makes sense to immerse yourself in it. If you love a good fantasy book, and you want to be a fantasy writer, then go ahead and read every fantasy book you can get your hands on. However, that doesn't mean you shouldn't read anything else.
In fact, I find that there is much benefit to reading things that are our of your personal interest. If you are a fantasy reader and writer, try everything else. Try reading slice of life or creative non-fiction (something like David Sedaris). Try reading sci-fi, horror, mystery, action, and anything else you find.
Once you get outside of your genre, two things will happen. The first is that you will see everything else that is possible in your craft (writing). The second is that you will realize what is and is not part of your genre. Somewhere there is a line where a story is simple not fantasy. Most people can identify when a story is or isn't fantasy, but few people can define what the qualifications are. Once you start reading things that aren't fantasy, you will start to notice what is missing, or at least different, and that will help you realize what is key to making a true fantasy book.
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