Now that I don’t drink myself to sleep reading’s all I’ve got left. Recently I bought some discworld fillers (gap fillers) - Lords and Ladies, Something, and something else. I also have a very well written if a little vulgar in parts (I dislike vulgarity in literature - I guess I’m a big kid) - Perdido Street station.
I am finding it hard to concentrate on reading these or any books at night. My mind wonders and I find that I’ve read a whole page and have no idea what I’ve just read. I’ve got about six or seven pages into Lords and Ladies and don’t really know what the hell has happened so far. Something about a blacksmith and DEATH, and the Ogg family.
Need a new Discworld (emphasis on new). Need another David Mitchell creation.
Yeah. I was trying to think of someone similar to recommend, to help you out of your doldrums, but I can’t.
I’ve only read two Mitchell books – Black Swan Green and Cloud Atlas. The Miracle Life of Edgar Mint by Brady Udall compares favorably (I think) with Black Swan Green. But Cloud Atlas – I got nuthin’.
I’m having a problem reading lately too, but I’m blaming burnout from my last semester at school. This is the first time in my life since I learned to read that I haven’t been reading 3-4 books at a time. I mean, I’m trying to keep up with my reading for classes, but aside from that I can’t seem to get interested in anything else. I pick out a book, read a few chapters and have no desire to finish it. I’m really hoping that this is just a little rut I’ll work myself out of once school’s over, because I really miss reading. But I just don’t seem to have the energy for it right now.
Lobsang, I see you live on the Isle of Man. Have you read English Passengers, by Mathew Kneale? One of the main characters is a wickedly entertaining Manxman (if that’s what one calls an Isle of Man resident).
Anyway, it’s a great book and a Doper book thread favorite. You might enjoy it.
Yeah, sounds like a little burnout. I’ve been a bookworm since I was a kid, but once in a while I just get to the point where. I’m. Sticking. On. Every. Sentence. It’s normal.
I find that a little relaxation and change of pace works. Take a few nights off and watch some rental movies. Also, you could study something that you usually wouldn’t. For me, that’s higher math. Thanks to burning out on lit, I’ve gotten through algebra, trig, and even a little calculus. And I suck at math.
I’ve had burnout for pert near a year - I had to make myself set aside a little time each night to read Potter and I’m a huge fan! Normally - I have 2 or 3 books going at once & I was that way all through life, thanks to my dad who was also the same but thank gods I didnt pick up his crossword puzzle craze (ok fine - I did love the fillins, word finds, and cryptograms & the picture gram thingies). Once in awhile I found myself itchin to read something - but lately it’s been more on the creating side myself.
Anyways - it probably just means you need a little break & dont worry about it. Maybe another hobby is in order in the meantime - journal writing, perhaps? A little artwork? Maybe your brain craving to create?
As for David Mitchell, perhaps you could try Haruki Murakami. I read and loved Mitchell’s Number9Dream, and the comparisons with Murakami turned me towards his works.
I’m an avid reader, yet I’ll occasionally go through periods when I just have no interest in reading at all. Eventually I’ll pick up a book and get right back into it.
So, don’t sweat it and don’t try to force it, just keep a couple of books lieing around and one day you’ll find one in your hands and you enjoying it.
One of my favorite books to recommend or lend out is The Philosophical Strangler by Eric Flint. Set in the city of New Sfinctre, it’s a really good read.
It happens. I’ve noticed a trend throughout my life when it comes to reading – four years on, one year off. It’s almost like clockwork, and I really can’t explain why it happens. Cicrumstances just come together that I get busy during those times, and I slack off on my reading. It’s nice, though, when my book addiction comes around again and I’ve got a nice store of material saved up.