# I think my reading bone is broken...
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-my-reading-bone-is-broken/327868
**Category:** Cafe Society
**Created:** [October 25, 2005, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-my-reading-bone-is-broken/327868 "2005-10-25T19:58:30Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TellMeI_mNotCrazy)
#### Post date: [October 25, 2005, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-my-reading-bone-is-broken/327868/1 "2005-10-25T19:58:30Z")
Because I can’t find anything to read that I like. There’s all kinds of books laying around here that I haven’t read yet, so I keep trying to pick one up and get into it, because I’m desperately craving a good story.
I tried Tom Clancy. And I hated it. I didn’t make it past page 5.
I had heard all these rave reviews of “The Life of Pi” by Yann Martell, so I gave it a try. And I cannot figure out what I am missing. I don’t just dislike the book - it actively annoys me when I read it. I finally had to give up.
And so it goes with everything I try to read. I’m just eager to get my hands on the newest Lemony Snicket book, because I know that I’ll enjoy that, even if it is only for the two hours it will take me to read it.
I’ve never struggled to find something I wanted to read before. Normally I pick up a book, and am absorbed enough to finish it off in a few days, eager for whatever’s next in the stack. But suddenly, nothing seems pleasing to me anymore…
And it really, really sucks.
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### Author:  [@marque\_elf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/marque_elf)
#### Post date: [October 25, 2005, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-my-reading-bone-is-broken/327868/2 "2005-10-25T20:12:50Z")
> [@TellMeI'mNotCrazy](#):
>
> Because I can’t find anything to read that I like. There’s all kinds of books laying around here that I haven’t read yet, so I keep trying to pick one up and get into it, because I’m desperately craving a good story.
>
> I tried Tom Clancy. And I hated it. I didn’t make it past page 5.
>
> I had heard all these rave reviews of “The Life of Pi” by Yann Martell, so I gave it a try. And I cannot figure out what I am missing. I don’t just dislike the book - it actively annoys me when I read it. I finally had to give up.
>
> And so it goes with everything I try to read. I’m just eager to get my hands on the newest Lemony Snicket book, because I know that I’ll enjoy that, even if it is only for the two hours it will take me to read it.
>
> I’ve never struggled to find something I wanted to read before. Normally I pick up a book, and am absorbed enough to finish it off in a few days, eager for whatever’s next in the stack. But suddenly, nothing seems pleasing to me anymore…
>
> And it really, really sucks.
I’ve been there a couple of times in my life and it does suck. What I did then was to read something very different from my usual choices. One time it was a western by Louis L’amour. Another time it was a celebrity “autobiography”. If I liked what I read, it added a new area of reading to explore. If I didn’t like it, then I returned to an area of interest which had to be better than the tripe I just read. Either way, it was a winning proposition.
---
### Author:  [@TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TellMeI_mNotCrazy)
#### Post date: [October 25, 2005, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-my-reading-bone-is-broken/327868/3 "2005-10-25T20:19:12Z")
Maybe I’ll just go to the bookstore (since I haven’t a clue where the library is around here) and grab a few books at semi-random, and see what happens. The idea of going outside of my usual choices is an interesting one, maybe it will help!
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### Author:  [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)
#### Post date: [October 25, 2005, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-my-reading-bone-is-broken/327868/4 "2005-10-25T20:30:26Z")
**Terry Pratchett**. If that doesn’t work, I don’t know what will!
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### Author:  [@NotWithoutRage](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NotWithoutRage)
#### Post date: [October 25, 2005, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-my-reading-bone-is-broken/327868/5 "2005-10-25T20:43:31Z")
Two that’d I’d recommend:
_The Promise of Rest_ by Reynolds Price
_Stonewall_ by Martin Duberman
Radically different books, both brilliant.
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### Author:  [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)
#### Post date: [October 25, 2005, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-my-reading-bone-is-broken/327868/6 "2005-10-25T20:54:49Z")
I don’t know which Tom Clancy book you started, I would recommend Hunt for Red October first though. He was at his best when the Cold War was still a going thing.
What do you normally like?
I could recommend dozen of Sci-Fi/Fantasy books but you may not like these.
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### Author:  [@js\_africanus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/js_africanus)
#### Post date: [October 25, 2005, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-my-reading-bone-is-broken/327868/7 "2005-10-25T20:56:08Z")
> [@silenus](#):
>
> **Terry Pratchett**. If that doesn’t work, I don’t know what will!
I’ll second that. Also, Tom Robbins & Kurt Vonnegut may be good, especially because Vonnegut’s books are often broken in to very, very short sections. Alternatively, David Sedaris’s _Me Talk Pretty One Day_ made me laugh out loud.
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### Author:  [@TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW)
#### Post date: [October 25, 2005, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-my-reading-bone-is-broken/327868/8 "2005-10-25T21:16:14Z")
> [@silenus](#):
>
> **Terry Pratchett**. If that doesn’t work, I don’t know what will!
…in putting you off of reading _permanently._ :rolleyes:
I don’t want to be a jerkwad, but look what you’re reading! Tom Clancy? THE LIFE OF PI!?!? You’re reading the greasy anal dribblings of humanity’s collective retardation.
What do you like to read? What qualities in books just turn your crank? What puts you off? What are some of your favorite reads of all time? What genres do you like? What don’t you like?
Stop reading crap, and maybe you’ll enjoy reading! 🙂
---
### Author:  [@TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TellMeI_mNotCrazy)
#### Post date: [October 25, 2005, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-my-reading-bone-is-broken/327868/9 "2005-10-25T21:29:02Z")
It’s hard to really pinpoint what I like or don’t like - it depends largely on whatever mood or frame of mind I’m in. Used to like Stephen King; now I have no desire to even try his new stuff. Love Douglas Adams, but am leery of Pratchett for reasons I really can’t explain, other than the dropped quotes and little excerpts I’ve seen have not appealed to me at all. I like some fantasy - love Tolkien and Donaldson, for example - but I think this is the one area where I am the most picky. Aside from those two and the Chronicles of Narnia, I haven’t found another fantasy writer that I like. And I can’t find sci-fi that doesn’t bore me to tears, even though I find the sci-fi concept itself fascinating.
Keep the suggestions coming though; I will definitely be using them in trying to pick something, even if it is outside my normal “preferred” reading set.
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### Author:  [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)
#### Post date: [October 25, 2005, 9:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-my-reading-bone-is-broken/327868/10 "2005-10-25T21:29:24Z")
> [@VCO3](#):
>
> I don’t want to be a jerkwad…
Too late.
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### Author:  [@TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW)
#### Post date: [October 25, 2005, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-my-reading-bone-is-broken/327868/11 "2005-10-25T21:33:25Z")
This is definitely flame war territory, but Pratchett is silly-billy Fantasy for only the most indiscriminate, honking, nose-laughing, slap-happy nerds of the world. It’s so silly, punny, wacky, and generally ridiculous that it makes Piers Anthony and Douglas Adams read like the Epic of Gilgamesh and _Ulysses_. Take me to the pit over that one if you must, but there you have it.
I think you might really enjoy Kurt Vonnegut, as someone else mentioned. Vonnegut often incorporated sci-fi elements and concepts, though his stories are far from “genre” exercises. They’re incredibly witty, insightful, affecting, and are just amazing all around. I suggest _Cat’s Cradle_, _The Sirens of Titan_, _Slaughterhouse 5_, _Deadeye Dick_, or any number of others.
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### Author:  [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)
#### Post date: [October 25, 2005, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-my-reading-bone-is-broken/327868/12 "2005-10-25T22:06:14Z")
De gustibus non est disputandum.
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### Author:  [@AuntiePam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AuntiePam)
#### Post date: [October 25, 2005, 10:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-my-reading-bone-is-broken/327868/13 "2005-10-25T22:07:23Z")
> [@TellMeI'mNotCrazy](#):
>
> Aside from those two and the Chronicles of Narnia, I haven’t found another fantasy writer that I like. And I can’t find sci-fi that doesn’t bore me to tears, even though I find the sci-fi concept itself fascinating.
Have you tried George R. R. Martin or Steven Erikson’s fantasy series? Serieses. What’s the plural of series?
John Varley’s latest – **Mammoth** – was a fun SF read.
**English Passengers** by Matthew Kneale has been recommended in several threads. Many Dopers have read it and everyone seems to like it. It has humor, history, pathos. Good stuff.
For something completely different, **Emile Zola** got me out of a slump a couple of years ago – Therese Raquin, The Earth, The Dram Shop, Germinal – can’t beat the 19th century naturalists.
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### Author:  [@TellMeI\_mNotCrazy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TellMeI_mNotCrazy)
#### Post date: [October 25, 2005, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-my-reading-bone-is-broken/327868/14 "2005-10-25T22:21:01Z")
> [@silenus](#):
>
> De gustibus non est disputandum.
So very true.
So I’ll pick up a copy of Vonnegut AND Pratchett, and give both a fair shot. I’ve been meaning to pick up Vonnegut anyway, and well, at least if I don’t like Pratchett I’ll be able to say so with a reason 😉
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### Author:  [@Stranger\_On\_A\_Train](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Stranger_On_A_Train)
#### Post date: [October 25, 2005, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-my-reading-bone-is-broken/327868/15 "2005-10-25T23:23:09Z")
> [@VCO3](#):
>
> This is definitely flame war territory, but Pratchett is silly-billy Fantasy for only the most indiscriminate, honking, nose-laughing, slap-happy nerds of the world.
Then take it over to [flame war territory](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/forumdisplay.php?f=5) instead of spraying your feces all over this forum. :rolleyes:
**TellMeI’mNotCrazy** , I’m going to throw a flyer out and suggest Graham Greene (_The Quiet American_, _Our Man In Havana_). He’s respected by the literatti but he’s not a big-L **Literature** writer who puts a lot of quiet humor and intelligence into his novels; in fact, I’d say that he’s who John le Carre has spent his career trying to emulate. I’m rather partial to Patricia Highsmith too (go figure); you’ll find her listed under “Mystery” but she was far more of a “Whydonit” than “Whodonit.” Kind of an existentialist horror writer, without any supernatural elements; things just keep going more and more wrong, like a good film noir. _The Cry Of The Owl_ is my personal favorite, but _The Talented Mr. Ripley_ is better known and quite engrossing.
I have to concur with Vonnegut; _Slaughterhouse Five_ and _Cat’s Cradle_ are solid old standbyes, but I’ll recommend his short story collection, _Welcome To The Monkey House_ as well, as it has some great shorts in it, including “Harrison Bergeron”, “Miss Temptation”, “The Foster Portfolio”, and “Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow.”
Nobody I’ve recommended it to has ever been able to put down Jim Thompson’s _The Grifters_, but I’ll warn you; it’s nihilism served neat. There’s a damn good movie adaptation of it, too, if you like to read and see.
Now, let’s see…How can we get you onto Pynchon? 😉
Stranger
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### Author:  [@TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TLDRIDKJKLOLFTW)
#### Post date: [October 26, 2005, 7:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-my-reading-bone-is-broken/327868/16 "2005-10-26T07:24:55Z")
> [@Stranger On A Train](#):
>
> **TellMeI’mNotCrazy** , I’m going to throw a flyer out and suggest Graham Greene
Excellent rec. Greene is in the wierd middle ground where he doesn’t seem to get read by non-academics, yet isn’t heavily-jocked by the academic set other than as an occasional mantlepiece for “The power and the glory.” My favorites are “The Ministry of Fear” and “The end of the affair,” but as per your recs, everyone’s MMV.
> [@Stranger On A Train](#):
>
> Now, let’s see…How can we get you onto Pynchon? 😉
Definitely start with _The crying of lot 49_ if you go down that path. You get the full brain/colon blow effect of _Gravity’s Rainbow_ in about 1/10 of the time. 😉
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### Author:  [@One\_And\_Only\_Wanderers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/One_And_Only_Wanderers)
#### Post date: [October 26, 2005, 7:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-my-reading-bone-is-broken/327868/17 "2005-10-26T07:29:00Z")
> [@VCO3](#):
>
> This is definitely flame war territory, but Pratchett is silly-billy Fantasy for only the most indiscriminate, honking, nose-laughing, slap-happy nerds of the world. It’s so silly, punny, wacky, and generally ridiculous that it makes Piers Anthony and Douglas Adams read like the Epic of Gilgamesh and _Ulysses_. Take me to the pit over that one if you must, but there you have it.
Which Pratchett books have you read to form that opinion, out of interest? I am guessing just Colour of Magic and light fantastic? His later books are much much better, and certainly (IMO) far outshine Piers and Douglas.
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### Author:  [@singular1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/singular1)
#### Post date: [October 26, 2005, 11:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-my-reading-bone-is-broken/327868/18 "2005-10-26T11:35:50Z")
If you’re looking for light and really, really clever wordplay, I think you’d love anything by [Christopher Moore](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/102-7115856-1312106). Mr. singular and I have read all his books at least twice, and look forward to reading them again.
If you want a more serious storyteller (and a wonderful wordsmith), try [Barbara Kingsolver](http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/search-handle-form/102-7115856-1312106). I think _Prodigal Summer_ might be a good start to her work, but I’ve read everything she’s written and loved them all.
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### Author:  [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)
#### Post date: [October 26, 2005, 11:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-my-reading-bone-is-broken/327868/19 "2005-10-26T11:50:12Z")
> [@One And Only Wanderers](#):
>
> Which Pratchett books have you read to form that opinion, out of interest? I am guessing just Colour of Magic and light fantastic? His later books are much much better, and certainly (IMO) far outshine Piers and Douglas.
Interesting. I too dislike Pratchett, having tried him based on all the praise here. It just seemed rather dull to me. But yes, it was the _Colour of Magic_ that I tried. Maybe the rest are better.
To the OP, can you tell us something that you HAVE enjoyed in the past? Maybe that will help us find something for you.
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### Author:  [@TV\_time](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TV_time)
#### Post date: [October 26, 2005, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-think-my-reading-bone-is-broken/327868/20 "2005-10-26T12:35:20Z")
Speaking as a man who has played professionals who deal with reading-bone breaks.
I would say you need to step out of your field of reading and venture into…a cheap used bookstore and just look for titles that grab you. Also, if you have been reading paperbacks, look at hard backs or vise versa. If you have been reading new stuff, which it sounds like you have, look at old stuff. If you have been reading fiction go to non-fiction.
Your reading bone is not broken it is merely sprained and you need to put stress on a different part of the bone.
Also take two aspirin and call me in the morning.
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