I need to start picking up books again. Help!

supraja_prasad · Post by **supraja_prasad** » 30 Nov 2019, 14:58

Hi,
I had been an avid book reader from my childhood but I haven't been able to pick up a single book (or at least see it through to the last page) in the last year or so. When I was checking online for books and reading habits, I came across this book club and here I am. As a reading community, do you have any suggestions that can help me get back to reading regularly again?
TIA!

NetMassimo · Post by **NetMassimo** » 01 Dec 2019, 02:40

Have you tried rereading a book you loved? That might revive the positive feelings you had in the past.

supraja_prasad · Post by **supraja_prasad** » 01 Dec 2019, 02:45

NetMassimo wrote: ↑01 Dec 2019, 02:40 Have you tried rereading a book you loved? That might revive the positive feelings you had in the past.

Yes, I did re-read the whole Harry Potter series. It kinda pushed me a little. But finishing new ones are still a task! Joining here was because of that in part. Thanks anyway!

Arina Siaban · Post by **Arina Siaban** » 01 Dec 2019, 07:31

Following NetMassimo's solid advice, maybe reading childhood books that are everlasting in their wonder is the best route for you to take to pick up reading again.

Considering you like Harry Potter, I suggest giving these a try, they are, to me, that kind of books that although targeted at younger ages, every adult should read to inspire the child inside and make one dream, learn and travel again, as every book should.

The Larklight Trilogy by Philip Reeve, which is a Victorian-era space opera (space spiders. Need I say more?); The Edge Chronicles (particularly The Twig Saga) by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell, a fantastical world of monsters and evils that evolves into steampunk pirates; the Book of The Stars trilogy by Erik L'Homme, similar to HP in the sense that it revolves around a sorcerer boy coming into his powers and the magical world around him.

If you give these a try you won't be disappointed, and definitely let me know how it worked out!

supraja_prasad · Post by **supraja_prasad** » 01 Dec 2019, 13:20

Sure. Will do. Thanks for all the recs!

supraja_prasad · Post by **supraja_prasad** » 01 Dec 2019, 14:19

Arina Siaban wrote: ↑01 Dec 2019, 07:31 Following NetMassimo's solid advice, maybe reading childhood books that are everlasting in their wonder is the best route for you to take to pick up reading again.

Considering you like Harry Potter, I suggest giving these a try, they are, to me, that kind of books that although targeted at younger ages, every adult should read to inspire the child inside and make one dream, learn and travel again, as every book should.

The Larklight Trilogy by Philip Reeve, which is a Victorian-era space opera (space spiders. Need I say more?); The Edge Chronicles (particularly The Twig Saga) by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell, a fantastical world of monsters and evils that evolves into steampunk pirates; the Book of The Stars trilogy by Erik L'Homme, similar to HP in the sense that it revolves around a sorcerer boy coming into his powers and the magical world around him.

If you give these a try you won't be disappointed, and definitely let me know how it worked out!

Hey, and btw, I just finished the first book and the review as well. Hopefully the need to submit the review gives me that necessary push too. And again, thanks for all the recs. I'll look them up for sure and will let you know when I finish them!

Arina Siaban · Post by **Arina Siaban** » 03 Dec 2019, 19:57

supraja_prasad wrote: ↑01 Dec 2019, 14:19 Hey, and btw, I just finished the first book and the review as well. Hopefully the need to submit the review gives me that necessary push too. And again, thanks for all the recs. I'll look them up for sure and will let you know when I finish them!

That's great to hear, it's all about finding the little motivational pushes to pick up the habit again. Great job

No problem, and I'll be happy to hear what you thought of them! No hard feelings if you end up not liking them of course ahah.

Alyssa · Post by **Alyssa** » 31 Dec 2019, 17:52

If you enjoyed the Harry Potter books I would recommend The Shades of Magic by V. E. Schwab. It has the magical components in it but is set in a whole different world and I found it sucked the reader in. Good luck.

supraja_prasad · Post by **supraja_prasad** » 01 Jan 2020, 14:02

Oh, cool. Will check that out for sure! Thanks for the rec.

Laura Lee · Post by **Laura Lee** » 03 Jan 2020, 15:35

One thing that helps me when I get in a slump is that I try a completely new and different genre. I have my preferred genres, but occasionally I do get bored. By reading something from a completely different genre, it gives my brain a break and then when I return to my preferred genres, it feels fresh again.

You might try The Hobbit or even James Herriot's books, beginning with All Creatures Great and Small. You might also enjoy something completely different such as Richard Feynman's Surely, You Must Be Joking, Mr. Feynman! It's a brilliant and funny book by a Nobel Prize Winner.

xxqueenforadayxx · Post by **xxqueenforadayxx** » 06 Jan 2020, 04:05

Harry Potter is my fav

so I think you'd equally enjoy The Hobbit and find it's a great read. I've probably read it at least 7 times now (Harry Potter I read like twice a year lol). And I didn't even like the rest of the LOTR books.

*oh and I forgot to say anything by Mercedes Lackey, it's the closest I've found to anything as magical as Harry Potter. The Queen's Arrow series is my fav.*

supraja_prasad · Post by **supraja_prasad** » 15 Feb 2020, 12:46

Laura Lee wrote: ↑03 Jan 2020, 15:35 One thing that helps me when I get in a slump is that I try a completely new and different genre. I have my preferred genres, but occasionally I do get bored. By reading something from a completely different genre, it gives my brain a break and then when I return to my preferred genres, it feels fresh again.

You might try The Hobbit or even James Herriot's books, beginning with All Creatures Great and Small. You might also enjoy something completely different such as Richard Feynman's Surely, You Must Be Joking, Mr. Feynman! It's a brilliant and funny book by a Nobel Prize Winner.

Hey,
Actually, I just tried that. I picked up my first memoir after a long while, having sworn off never to touch that particular genre. And it was refreshing! Also, thanks for the recs. I will check them out!

supraja_prasad · Post by **supraja_prasad** » 15 Feb 2020, 12:49

xxqueenforadayxx wrote: ↑06 Jan 2020, 04:05 Harry Potter is my fav so I think you'd equally enjoy The Hobbit and find it's a great read. I've probably read it at least 7 times now (Harry Potter I read like twice a year lol). And I didn't even like the rest of the LOTR books.

*oh and I forgot to say anything by Mercedes Lackey, it's the closest I've found to anything as magical as Harry Potter. The Queen's Arrow series is my fav.*

Oh, I have never heard of both of these. Will give them a try for sure if they are as good as you say they are! Thanks for the recommendations!

leximutia · Post by **leximutia** » 02 Apr 2020, 11:45

Alyssa wrote: ↑31 Dec 2019, 17:52 If you enjoyed the Harry Potter books I would recommend The Shades of Magic by V. E. Schwab. It has the magical components in it but is set in a whole different world and I found it sucked the reader in. Good luck.

On the topic of V. E. Shwab, I seriously enjoyed her book Vicious. Lots of supernatural elements, great characters, a fun, moving storyline, slightly dark... Just another reccommendation!

RobynLynne1973 · Post by **RobynLynne1973** » 27 Apr 2020, 23:48

If you are an Agatha Christie fan, you will probably like Sofie Hannah. She got the permission from the Agatha Christie estate to write the new Hercule Poirot novels. She is VERY good (which is why she granted permission from the estate) and I own all of her works. Also, James Patterson is THE BOMB!! He keeps his chapters short which I really like. You can never put down one of his books.