I broke up with reading.

Friday, January 7, 2011

Kind of. For some reason, I am in a huge "I-don't-know-what-to-read-I'm-so-bored-with-everything!" phase. I have spent a lot of time stalking the shelves in my local library and nearby bookstores, even picking up random books just to try them out. Somehow, I just end up disliking them. I know I need a book -- or several books -- to bring me back to my normal self again, but I am at a loss. I don't know which book to read next. So the reason I wrote this post is to ask for the perfect remedy from you. Please recommend me a book. Something that you liked, something you thought was perfectly readable, engaging, and just plain entertaining. Any book at all, as long as you absolutely loved it.

29 comments:

  1. Jo KJanuary 7, 2011 at 6:44 AM

    Been there, done that. I had a similar experience last autumn, just couldn't find any book interesting enough to read it...

    Some sugesstions (I don't know if you might have alredy read these, but still, this is my favourite selection):

    - Earth Children series by Jean M. Auel (it old but extraordinary, really greipping, full of adventure, love it. The first in the series is The Clan of the Cave Bear)

    - Eucalyptus by Murray Bail ( a short love novel but written in an esquisite style, you'd never guess the end..., wonderful piece)

    - There is always the Lord of the Rings (huge fan, can't resist recommednding it)

    Hope I was helpful getting you and reading get back together:)

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  2. Elisabeth MarieJanuary 7, 2011 at 7:05 AM

    Take a break if you need to so you don't burn yourself out. I already made that mistake...

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  3. Fi-chanJanuary 7, 2011 at 7:07 AM

    Oh I'm on a break with reading. I just finished the Hunger Games trilogy, and the Mockingjay effect is too huge for me to handle, I think. Not even sure what is Mockingjay effect. So now, I'm on a TV series marathon. And I feel like I need a lot funny and relaxing -__-

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  4. CaitlinJanuary 7, 2011 at 7:13 AM

    I like escapist sorts of books when I'm feeling betwixt and between with what I'm going to read. Here are some:

    Children's Fiction - The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aiken
    Historical Fiction - The Sunne in Splendour by Sharon Kay Penman
    Literary Fiction with Zombies - The Reapers are the Angels by Alden Bell
    Women's Fiction - The Love Goddess' Cooking School by Melissa Senate

    Good luck! Remember, reading isn't a job, it's a pleasure.

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  5. brandileigh2003January 7, 2011 at 7:26 AM

    The Light of Asteria by Isaacs
    Minder by Kate Kaynak
    Unearthly by Hand

    Right now I am reading Amber Frost, it is an indie publication and liking it so far.

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  6. Carol January 7, 2011 at 7:33 AM

    I had a spell like that last year. I picked up and 'binned' several books before I could get back into a book.
    Maybe a break from books for a week or so may get you back in the mood.

    carol

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  7. KelseyJanuary 7, 2011 at 7:52 AM

    I adored Stolen by Lucy Christopher :) I highly advise you to check it out.

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  8. A Story UntoldJanuary 7, 2011 at 8:14 AM

    Try Anna And The French Kiss!It was amazing, IMO!

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  9. KimJanuary 7, 2011 at 8:16 AM

    Someday This Pain Will Be Useful to You by Peter Cameron. You won't be sorry.

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  10. AmeliaJanuary 7, 2011 at 9:23 AM

    I've been in a funk too Jillian! I'm totally not going to reach my holiday break reading goal.

    What I do, when I'm just kind of feeling bored with it, is purposefully pick up books that I KNOW will get a reaction out of me, a book with a character or a story that will *make* me care. Lighter books, ones with entertaining value but a lot of substance, are incredibly boring to me, so I try and go for the opposite-end-of-the-spectrum books

    I just read two heavily emotional and brilliant ones right in a row:

    THE KNIFE OF NEVER LETTING GO - Patrick Ness
    &
    JELLICOE ROAD - Melina Marchetta

    Hope you get some good suggestions!

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  11. WolfeJanuary 7, 2011 at 9:34 AM

    I say take a little time off. I have before. Especially if I feel overwhelmed. Usually a good thriller can get me back to reading.

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  12. Tales of WhimsyJanuary 7, 2011 at 10:48 AM

    The last time this happened I picked up something very jarring and dystopian. It totally works. Good luck!

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  13. dsJanuary 7, 2011 at 11:20 AM

    Anytime I lose my reading "mojo" (oftener and oftener, alas) I turn to the poets. And some old old favorites...
    Sometimes a slump is really a nudge in disguise--perhaps it's time to go in a new direction?

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  14. MarceJanuary 7, 2011 at 12:46 PM

    Reading slumps are the worst Jillian. I say get a massage and pedicure :-) And for the reading I will go for a verse Novel , any of Lisa Shcroeders or for a laugh, Gods Behaving Badly.

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  15. noseinanovelJanuary 7, 2011 at 1:08 PM

    I had this same slump after a hard semester... the book I'm reading now is the first to remind me that Oh yeah, I love reading. It's "Jane" by April Lindner, a contemporary re-telling of Jane Eyre. ::Le sigh::

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  16. UnknownJanuary 7, 2011 at 1:43 PM

    Hopping by to visit and follow!

    Hmm, The Hunger Games trilogy? That's some incredibvle writing. In urban fantasy, I'm mad about Ilona Andrews' books. :-)

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  17. KimJanuary 7, 2011 at 3:11 PM

    It's okay to take a break. How about reading an old favorite? I intend to this at least once this year.

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  18. AnonymousJanuary 7, 2011 at 4:44 PM

    Stopping by from the hop.

    Isn't that horrible? I had that issue after the Harry Potter series. Nothing seemed to hold my attention. Then I read Twilight...

    Anyway, here a few I've read recently that are really great:

    The Hunger Games Trilogy - It's already been mentioned, but it's sooo hard not to get into it.

    Nightshade by Andrea Cremer - Possibly the best teen paranormal romance ever written.

    Virals by Kathy Reichs - An exciting thrill ride. Hard to put it down.

    Hope that helps.

    Ella Bella
    http://ellabellareviews.blogspot.com/

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  19. Alison Can ReadJanuary 7, 2011 at 9:03 PM

    Have you read Anna and the French Kiss yet?
    I'd recommend going back to some of your old favorites. That can get me back into a reading mood.

    Have you read the Anne of Green Gables series in its entirety?

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  20. LesaJanuary 8, 2011 at 2:39 PM

    Sounds like you need comfort reading-- Try rereading Little Princess or another of your beloved books. I reread books all the time whether I'm in a slump or not but they definitely do help with a bookish funk.

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  21. UnknownJanuary 8, 2011 at 2:55 PM

    Have you read The Shadow of Wind, by Carlos Ruiz Zafón? It's an amazing book!
    For YA books, I'd suggest Forget You by Jennifer Echols and Sea by Heidi R. Kling.
    And the last one, The Nanny by Melissa Nathan - it was really really fun to read it!
    Hope I had helped!
    :)

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  22. Lady ScribblesJanuary 8, 2011 at 4:10 PM

    I just got over a particularly terrible phase of reading slump. I'm not sure I have any particular advice except that if I absolutely cannot find any book to read, then to just not read at all. Sure it's painful. :P After a while though, the natural desire to read will return and you'll begin to find enjoyment in reading again. Good luck.

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  23. Natalie January 8, 2011 at 6:37 PM

    I'd say give Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken a try. I really enjoyed that one! :) Hope you get out of your slump!

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  24. TouloulouJanuary 9, 2011 at 12:51 PM

    You already had a lot of advice, but I would recommend you Georgia Nicolson's diary, by Louise Renninson. It's so funny, and quite easy to read. Or one of the books you love, and can't have enough of. I often read comics or mangas too when I'm in a "bored phase".

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  25. Blueicegal ♥January 9, 2011 at 2:21 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

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  26. Blueicegal ♥January 9, 2011 at 2:23 PM

    This has happened to me quite a few times, like the others said, the solution is to read something amazing. I don't think something good will do it, it has to be more than that. I was lucky.

    I had been in a slump for over a month and it was driving me mad! I then spotted Perfect Chemistry and lets just say I haven't had a reading slump ever since.

    I don't know what you have and have not read so I'll just be shoutng out random titles that come to mind which are amazing worthy!

    Thirteen Reasons Why
    Hush Hush
    Vampire Academy
    The Book Thief
    Perfect Chemistry
    PS I Love You
    If I Stay
    Before I die
    A Thousand Splendid Suns

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  27. The BookwormJanuary 12, 2011 at 5:21 AM

    It happens to all of us, hope you find a great read soon.
    Some of my favs are:
    The Lotus Eaters
    Practical Magic
    The Other Boleyn Girl
    Nights in Rodanthe
    The Life O'Reilly
    The Recipe Club


    http://thebookworm07.blogspot.com/

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  28. sharkgilaJanuary 13, 2011 at 1:44 AM

    If you get the feeling of tired of diving into new books and not knowing what to expect, do this - reread books you've read before that you loved loved loved.

    I recently reread some five stars favourites - Life of Pi, Time Travellers Wife, etc. You'll be surprised at the things you didn't notice the first time around.

    Or you can be an absolute geek (like me) and do crazy things like read all 7 Harry Potter back to back. Took me 37 days.

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  29. AnonymousJanuary 15, 2011 at 12:03 PM

    Ohhh I hate reading slumps. I think with blogging and reviewing it hits us hard at times!! My go to book for slumps is always a Nicolas Sparks book, he's kind of feel good cheesy...I love Dear John and Nights in Rodanthe.....also I read when I.....

    Want Serious and Moving- Redeeming Love
    Want Fluffy brain candy- Twilight
    Want Deep and Twisty- The Time Travelers Wife
    Want Classic and Comfy- Jane Eyre

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