Reading Blahs
I'm not sure what's wrong with me, but I'm in a bit of a reading funk.
Every romance book I picked up within the last two weeks, I've struggled to finish. I have NO idea why. There was nothing wrong with the writing.
But I just didn't see any spark with the characters, which makes me believe I'm a little burned out on romance.
I even picked up a book from one of my favorite authors and I actually did something I don't think I've ever done with her. About halfway through the book, I put it down for a few days. And never thought twice about it. YES! I actually walked away from a book!
I thought maybe I needed to change my reading genre, so to cleanse the pallet, I decided to read non fiction and picked up Karen Walker's memoir Following the Whispers.
(PS I really enjoyed reading her story)
Then I thought I was ready to dive back into romance again.
WRONGO.
I can't believe I'm going to say this but I think I need a longer break from reading romance.
So, my dear friends, I need help with some book recommendations.
What is the BEST...non fiction, mystery, YA, women's fiction, thriller, OR literary fiction book you've read within the last few months? Anything BUT romance.
I need serious help, so pull out the big guns. :-)
23 comments:
I vote for anything by Terry Pratchett! Yay! take care
x
I actually go through the same thing, Jennifer, so don't feel bad! Switching genres definitely works for me.
I just read a Stephen King book in two days. Sucked it right down!!! And it was great. So maybe try something you don't typically read. :-)
I LOVED 11/22/63. It's long and a commitment, but soooooo good!
I'm not on a reading kick right now either. I think it comes and goes.
Karen's book was absolutely wonderful. Very powerful.
Terry Pratchett
Stephen King
11/22/63 <-- ? I never heard of that one!
This is good. Keep 'em coming!
I've been on a nonfiction kick lately, but they're all homesteading books--and I don't think you plan on going all pioneer on us anytime soon. LOL.
Hope your dry spell ends soon.
I'll second the Stephen King book. Held my interest. And if you're okay with swears and twisted psychology Gone Girl was also a great read.
~ Wendy
I've read some fabulous YA recently, Across the Universe by Beth, Revis, Slated by Teri Terry, and the whole Gone series by Michael Grant - enjoy!
I'll third Stephen King.He's a master storyteller. His latest books are a lesson in themselves.
Gosh, I need to think on that. I know how you feel though. When it's what you write and you stress over deadlines etc...a clean break is needed to refuel.
I do reach for special interest non-fiction, things specific to our dietary needs, holistic medicine...or books on hobbies like collectibles. As a parent, I like to read child psychology/behavior books as well.
For pure fun, you can't beat anything by Douglas Adams (The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Universe, for instance). For mystery/suspense, have you tried Harlan Coben's Myron Bolitar books? I love those, too.
I hate getting into funks like that. Everything I've read in the past few months has had a romance element. But for non-romance, try Stephen King or Dean Koontz, John Connelly, David Baldacci, Lisa Gardner, Lisa Scottoline (her earlier legal thriller books), Libby Hellmann, James Patterson.
I also go through these patches - quite frequently actually. But I have the other problem in that I don't really enjoy reading anything except for romance. I just take a break from reading altogether then. Sometimes I try other genres and occasionally I enjoy a light mystery or a fantasy novel like Ted Dekker's Circle series. I enjoy the light mystery reads like the Hometown Mysteries books published by Barbour Books. As a romance writer, I tend to crit the writing sometimes when I read and try to learn tips from it so it's not always a relaxing read. That's why taking a break helps. Also, we feel like we should be reading all the time to work on our knowledge. That takes the fun out of reading a bit.
www.kathybosman.com
I went to a marriage conference and got a book. It's called Love and Respect by Dr. Emerson Eggerichs. I'm about half way through. The conference was excellent and I am enjoying the book which has many more goodies included.
I'm a fan of Patterson. Everything I read has some romance in it. Huh. I'm going to scan the comments and take notes too! lol
I constantly read in a variety of genres, and it does avoid any reading funks! However, sometimes reading funks do happen, and usually that's when I re-read some of my favorite books. Maybe try that!
I really like the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. It has me laughing on every page! Her Lizzy & Diesel series is good too, a very similar style and tone as Plum.
I absolutely LOVED "Where the Mountain Meets the Moon" by Grace Lin (it's middle grade). Completely enchanting!
Laini Taylor's "Daughter of Smoke and Bone" is great, and there's a sequel, "Days of Blood and Starlight".
"11/22/63" by Stephen King is really good. It's not his most recent book, but I think it's his most recent non-horror book, which is why I read it. (I don't read horror because I'm a wimp, lol!)
Have you read any of John Grisham's non-legal thrillers? I like all his books, but "Bleachers" and "Playing for Pizza" are good books that show he can write something different.
I recently bought these books but haven't read them yet:
"The Dressmaker" by Kate Alcott
"The Thirteenth Tale" by Diane Setterfield
"A Visit from the Goon Squad" by Jennifer Egan
I've heard all good things about them and can't wait to read them!
Good luck! I hope you find something good that gets you out of your reading funk!
I've only been reading romances lately. so sorry, I don't have any good suggestions.
I do go through a lot of moods in the sub-genres of romance! Currently I'm all about new-adult romance. can't seem to get enough of them! Maybe you could try a new sub-genre. Paranormal? Historical? Futuristic? I don't know!
A couple years ago I really enjoyed The Lovely Bones by Alice Seybold. The Secret Life of Bees was good too! But, yeah, nothing recent.
I recently read The Keeper of Lost Causes, a mystery by Jussi Adler-Olsen, and really enjoyed it!
Uncharted by J.B. Chicoine is absolutely 5 stars. About a shipwreck. It's not a romance, but there is a man/woman relationship. But that's not what drives the book.
And for a totally mind-blowing experience in early 1601, try THE ASTROLOGER by Scott G.F. Bailey. It's about a murder plot to kill the king of Denmark. Really intriguing. another 5 stars.
I tend to go to my favourites too when I'm in a funk, but most of my favourites are romance... Hm.
Elana Johnson's Possesion & Surrender (YA)
Terry Lynn Johnson's Dogsled Dreams (MG)
SR Johannes's Untraceable & Uncontrollable (YA)
These are all awesome!
Soul's Gate by James Rubart was awesome! Speculative fiction about a group of people who enter souls to fight for them! For non-fiction, Real Life, Real Miracles by James Garlow has a lot of short stories about modern-day miracles from people saved in a plane crash to all kinds of different things. Very inspiring!
I'm a Hunger Games fan:)
Let's see. How about anything by Jodi Picault? I haven't read every single one of her books, but have loved every one I have read. Warning: they can pack quite an emotional punch. Have you read Jessica Bell's books? Her most recent one, "The Book", is quite unusual. I could list a zillion more, but I'll leave room for some other people to make suggestions. (Oooh, have you read any Anne Tyler books?) Okay, I'll hush now.
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