When I get reader’s block I read something that doesn’t ask too much of me. A book I’ve read before, and recently. A fast-paced thriller that makes no demands save to gasp at the endless twists and turns. A children’s book. And usually the ‘block’ passes after that.
I have no idea whether we share similar tastes, but here are some thoughts:
- My go-to is P.D. James as a sort of "palate cleanser" - I love her use of language, the mysteries are always intriguing.
- For classic reading, why not try a short story? I just finished An International Episode by Henry James, and am reading The Haunted Man by Dickens
- The "newest" novel I read was All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr, as well as my husband's Exogenesis (in case you are into dystopian sci-fi a la Brave New World).
- For non-fiction I can recommend "Weapons of Mass Instruction" by Gatto and Stolen Focus by Johann Hari.
These days, if I have Reader's Block, I pick up some middle grade novel I didn't make it to as a child. It's quick and usually satisfying and, like Ruth said, doesn't ask too much of me. But there I've gone and finished the book in a day or two and am feeling back in the groove.
When I hit a bad patch of reader's block, I go for something with a strong plot and clear style that will carry me along. Captain Blood and Scaramouche, both by Rafael Sabatini, are great swashbucklers set in different milieus. Since you're focusing on the Middle Ages this year, The Long Ships, by Grand Bengtssen, and The Half-Drowned King, by Linnea Hartsuyker, are both very fun (and very different) Viking tales.
I get reader's block from time to time too, and usually follow the same path Ruth suggested - something I've read before and know I like, or something I expect nothing of that also demands little of me. Children's fairy tales or mythologies are usually fun, something like 'The Little Prince' even, or a graphic novel that gets me reading but isn't super dense.
I’d love to recommend a book, but it would help to know more about your preferences: is there a genre/author/subject you really enjoy? Any types of books you don’t like at all?
When I get reader’s block I read something that doesn’t ask too much of me. A book I’ve read before, and recently. A fast-paced thriller that makes no demands save to gasp at the endless twists and turns. A children’s book. And usually the ‘block’ passes after that.
I have no idea whether we share similar tastes, but here are some thoughts:
- My go-to is P.D. James as a sort of "palate cleanser" - I love her use of language, the mysteries are always intriguing.
- For classic reading, why not try a short story? I just finished An International Episode by Henry James, and am reading The Haunted Man by Dickens
- The "newest" novel I read was All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr, as well as my husband's Exogenesis (in case you are into dystopian sci-fi a la Brave New World).
- For non-fiction I can recommend "Weapons of Mass Instruction" by Gatto and Stolen Focus by Johann Hari.
All the best in overcoming your block :)
These days, if I have Reader's Block, I pick up some middle grade novel I didn't make it to as a child. It's quick and usually satisfying and, like Ruth said, doesn't ask too much of me. But there I've gone and finished the book in a day or two and am feeling back in the groove.
When I hit a bad patch of reader's block, I go for something with a strong plot and clear style that will carry me along. Captain Blood and Scaramouche, both by Rafael Sabatini, are great swashbucklers set in different milieus. Since you're focusing on the Middle Ages this year, The Long Ships, by Grand Bengtssen, and The Half-Drowned King, by Linnea Hartsuyker, are both very fun (and very different) Viking tales.
I bought a beautiful copy of Robin Waterfield's Meditations at that exact same bookstore!
I get reader's block from time to time too, and usually follow the same path Ruth suggested - something I've read before and know I like, or something I expect nothing of that also demands little of me. Children's fairy tales or mythologies are usually fun, something like 'The Little Prince' even, or a graphic novel that gets me reading but isn't super dense.
I’d love to recommend a book, but it would help to know more about your preferences: is there a genre/author/subject you really enjoy? Any types of books you don’t like at all?