Kat with a K: Reading slump

June 03, 2008

Reading slump

(I had this all written and then the site went down for a few minutes and I lost it. Bah.)

I've been in an awful reading slump for the past few months. I guess it's been partially because of moving and other time-consuming activities, and partially because I'm just... not getting into things. I've only managed to finish a few books, and apparently couldn't be bothered to post about them for April or May. I was going to try to do a big catch-up post, but it's been hanging over my head for a while so I think I'm going to just let it go and move on, and try to keep up in June.

But really, I hate not reading. I don't feel like myself when I'm not reading. So I am taking the following steps to snap myself out of the slump:

1. I committed to a summer reading challenge with some friends. My goal is to read 20 books between June 5 and August 31. It's sounding kind of daunting at the moment, but it's only about 1.5 a week, which should be totally doable. (My other goal is to finally finish Jane Eyre. Yeah. Still.)

2. Tonight I'm going to start rereading So Many Books, So Little Time: A Year of Passionate Reading by Sara Nelson. It has gotten me over several slumps in the past, so I hope its magic will continue.

3. Ask you for advice. I think I need some new ideas. What have you read recently that you'd recommend? Or what favorites do you have that I might not have read? Thanks!

Posted by Kat at June 3, 2008 05:10 PM

Comments

I am the same way (not reading much, not bothering to post reviews) but I did just read that de los Santos sequel you told me was coming. LOVED. IT. It took a few chapters to get into it, maybe because at first I was afraid it was going to be one of those "suburbia eats your soul"-themed novels. But it wasn't.

Posted by: Rachel at June 3, 2008 06:09 PM

Oh, and also, have you ever read any Annie Dillard? I'm finally just now reading Pilgrim at Tinker Creek, and while I can only manage it in smallish doses (it's a little bit rich), it's lovely.

Posted by: Rachel at June 3, 2008 06:11 PM

Have you read Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson books?

Go back to things you loved as a kid/teen. I find that can help me regain my lost joie de lire.

Posted by: sprite at June 3, 2008 07:25 PM

May I direct you to my reading lists? Maybe something will strike a chord...

http://chappysmom.com/category/monthly-reading-list/

Posted by: --Deb at June 3, 2008 09:28 PM

Sometimes when I'm "over" reading, I like to read a cheesy historical romances or chick lit (so that I can get that refreshing "I finished!" cheap thrill after a just a couple of days), or something completely different from what I have been (ie, nonfiction when I'm overdosing on novels). Books that I've gotten really really excited about lately are "Don't Think of an Elephant" and "Gods Behaving Badly."

Posted by: Eliz at June 3, 2008 10:30 PM

I don't feel like me when I'm not reading much either, but it's happened. The only way I've ever gotten out of it is to only read what interests me, if that means picking up and discarding a hundred books before I hit on The One, so be it.

Otherwise I "chore" myself into continuing my reading slump by reading under duress. (Granted, self inflicted but still).

I know! Obama's in. Wonder if Hilary is going to armtwist him into making her VP?

Posted by: Carrie K at June 3, 2008 10:45 PM

Actually, I have read a few books because you have mentioned them :) but I see that your reading tastes are **so** different than mine. I read simply to be entertained - I don't spend a lot of time analyzing plots or characters.... However, I will suggest some of my favorite authors, just in case you'd like some of them:
crime drama/mystery: Patricia Cornwell, John Sandford ("Prey" novels), Sue Grafton, James Patterson
not sure how to categorize it: Janet Evanovich "Stephanie Plum" novels - every one of them has made me laugh out loud at least once. Each book has a short intro/reminder, but I'd still recommend reading them in order.
Romance novels: Judith McNaught, Jude Deveraux.
Political drama/action/adventure: Vince Flynn (I'd suggest reading them in order) Kyle Mills is also good.

Would love to know if you read any of these and find them interesting! :)

Posted by: Amy at June 3, 2008 11:17 PM

I'm still on my sci-fi/fantasy kick and am just going through recommendations on ravelry (here be dragons) of new-to-me authors. i've had some hits some misses, but it's a fun challenge.

Posted by: penny at June 4, 2008 08:17 AM