As is natural things have been quiet around here due to the busyness of the Thanksgiving holiday. But even when I did find some time for reading this weekend, I couldn’t settle into anything. Starting and stopping different books right and left. Incapable of becoming excited about any of the books on my bookshelf or nightstand. I hope this is not the beginning of a real slump, just life temporarily overwhelming me in a way which few books can alleviate. But just in case, I need your help in the form of your best no-fail stump breaker recommendations. All I ask is that they hook you within the first few pages. They don’t necessarily have to be short, quick, light and/or fluffy reads but of course those will do just fine too. Any genres welcome.
Reading slumps happen to all of us. I think it’s inevitable for us voracious readers
I was going to suggest Laura Whitcomb’s A Certain Slant of Light but I see that you’ve already read it! Have you ever read Maria V. Snyder’s Poison Study? If you haven’t, I would suggest picking it up immediately! It’s fantasy and the MC Yelena is kickass!
And for contemporary YA, I’d suggest Scrambled Eggs At Midnight by Heather Hepler and Brad Barkley. Or Stephanie Perkins’ Anna and The French Kiss (which comes out really soon! yay!). OH, and Cornelia Funke’s middle grade series called Inkheart. Those books are enchanting and they can be read by all ages
I’ve heard great things about Poison Study. Thanks for the rec. Also I think I’ll know where I’ll be on Thursday on a certain book’s birthday.
Slumps are the worst! I understand the feeling though. As for recommendations, what about Julie James’ Something About You? I remember you mentioned you haven’t read that one yet. Or Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist since that one’s a pretty easy read.
You like fairy tale retellings, right? I loved Orson Scott Card’s Enchantment, which is a retelling of Sleeping Beauty. Also, I looked it up in Goodreads and it looks like you haven’t read Howl’s Moving Castle yet. I’d love to know what you think of it. Last but not the least, I’m going to pimp out Elizabeth E. Wein’s books because one of her characters, Telemakos, reminds me of Gen. I started with Sunbird and it’s another book that’s easy to read because it’s short.
I hope these recommendations help and I hope you get over the slump soon.
Maybe you’re just tired because of the holiday?
Thanks for all those. I have been wanting to look at Elizabeth Wein’s books. I know it’s the holiday and the fact I’m in between houses right now.
Umm…..
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This is always a hard question.
Lately when I feel a slump I stare at the TBR and make myself feel a little guilty about ALL THOSE BOOKS I HAVE TO READ ONE DAY!! And then I search for what looks like the skinniest one.
Otherwise it’s the usual switching of genres, or letting myself actually go to the book store and buying a book I really want to read but have been holding back on. You have read Echols’ GOING TOO FAR, right?
No, I haven’t? I was actually thinking of picking it up.
Oh reallllyyy??? This would be a good time. *nods sagely*.
Thanks for the advice, wise one.
Come borrow my copy of BET ME. Guaranteed to make you smile and hook you early.
Got it from the library once and only read a couple of pages. We are due foe a get together.
Well, then maybe you should come by and borrow my copy of ANNA AND THE FRENCH KISS…
ANGIE! I was so tempted to ask you but didn’t. Hmm…when can I come over…
YES!!! Get over to Angie’s and read ANNA & THE FRENCH KISS pronto. It will cure any slump guaranteed! I was just headed over here to tell you to pick up that one for sure.
Angie! How was Anna and the French Kiss? You must’ve liked it since you’re recommending it to Holly.
I can’t wait to read that one.
Psst, she’ll have a review of it up soon.
I’m back to second everyone’s suggestions – Poison Study, Going Too Far and Bet Me – they are all wonderful in their own way.
I’m just stopping by so I don’t know what you’ve read and what you haven’t. I will say that Liar Liar and The Time Traveler’s Wife really hooked me in the first couple of pages. But then I ended up being very upset with both of those books for different reasons. You can give one of those a try if you haven’t read them already.
I really liked The Time Traveler’s Wife but I’ll haven’t read Liar, Liar. I’ll have to take a look.
When I have slumps, it’s often a sign that I need a break from fiction. Have you ever read Augusten Burroughs? Best known for the book/movie “Running With Scissors”. I think he’s hilarious in a somewhat twisted way, which is good for that quick hook of interest. I’ve read his “Possible Side Effects” and loved it. I would recommend it to anyone suffering from slumpiness, especially since it’s organized into short snippets — no pressure because you can read just a few bits at a time rather than commit to reading the entire book.
Also, slumps are, for me, good times to break out the books on mythology, folklore, history, etc.
No I haven’t, but that definitely sounds like a great slumpfree book. I like the idea of the snippets. Adding “Possible Side Effects” to the TBR.
I love all of these comments because now I have a list of no-fail, pull you out of a slump books for anytime I may need them. This is great. Thanks.