Hi everyone! I’m in need of some help. The past few months I’ve been so into all the incredible books I’ve read but right now I just can’t find something that’s clicking right now. I’m open to fiction, biographies (I love these but haven’t read one in a while), fantasy, thriller, crime, comedy etc. I really enjoyed Fourth Wing and Iron Flame (I got really attached), the Girl Who was Taken was also incredible! I’m looking for either something light but not cheesy or a really good thriller that takes you from the start
by Finest-Smurf
3 Comments
I just finished First Lie Wins by Ashley Elston, and it was a fun read. Definitely made me want to read every day.
When I’m in a slump I take that as wisdom and let it happen.
Give yourself some time to not read, and then I do what I call “priming the pump”. Basically I do things related to reading that aren’t reading: organize shelves, take books to the used book store, check that my reading journal/goodreads are up to date, watch book reviewers, walk through my local book store, etc.
I wait until all the time I’ve spent thinking about books but not reading them has my brain *wanting* to read.
Piranesi, by Susanna Clarke really gripped me. I went in completely blind and got so engrossed i ignored life for like 36 hours until i finished it. it’s for if you want to get completely lost in a strange world for a little while.
I’ve also always found Vonnegut to be good at breaking my reading slumps. Most of his books have decently short chapters so you always have a convenient place to stop. He writes such incredibly deep themes in plain language so it’s not daunting to read him at all. Cat’s Cradle is perfect for this, but so would many of his other books. Welcome to the Monkey House is a short story collection and it’s great.
speaking of short stories; i’ve also really enjoyed books of interconnected stories just kinda about life in a place. the two i’m thinking of are Winesburg, Ohio by Sherwood Anderson, and Between Friends, by Amos Oz (the latter of which i’m pretty sure is an homage to the former; Oz specifically mentions Winesburg, Ohio in his autobiography Love and Darkness as very influential). both are set in small communities with characters that all know each other, and tell a variety of beautiful stories about the place and the people.
don’t sweat the slump, happens to everyone from time to time. take care of yourself and do what you gotta do for your life. books are patient teachers; they give us all the time we need.