I’ve been in a book rut for at least a six weeks now. You wouldn’t be able to tell from my updates at From Left to Write, but I’ve started and quit more books than I care to admit. I’m an avid reader and usually read 6-8 books a month. I’m woefully behind on my reading goal for the year (only 56 out of 100 read).
It kills me that I can’t get into anything.
The book is not at fault. It’s me. My mood. I choose my books by mood and not by release date. Sometimes I do choose one book over another because the publication date is sooner. I like reviewing titles close to their pub dates.
If only I had knew a literary apothecary like Monsieur Perdu in The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George. The novel is our From Left to Write book club pick for October. Monsieur Perdu could take one look at a customer and find the right book to solve their problem. I’ve had a lot of work on my plate recently. That has definitely affected my mood and my ability to lose myself in a story. Doesn’t that sound like the perfect medicine?
My book rut finally broke two days ago when I picked up The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen. I bought it on Kindle back in 2014–probably when it was on sale. (It’s on sale again for $1.99 on Kindle!) The novel is perfect for breaking my book rut. The heroine is smart and strong. Johansen has created a multidimensional world with lots of history and tradition.
I’m already 3/4 of the way through the book and will probably finish it today. Luckily, I have a copy of the second book on my Kindle: The Invasion of the Tearling (also $1.99 right now).
Losing myself into a book again makes me so happy.
What are you reading right now?
This post was inspired by the novel The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George, where Monsieur Perdu–a literary apothecary–finally searches for the woman who left him many years ago.. Join From Left to Write on October 8th as we discuss The Little Paris Bookshop. As a member, I received a copy of the book for review purposes. This post contains affiliate links.
I thought the same thing many times while reading this book – both how can I get access to this apothecary and how can I run one.
I’m reading Beach Music by Pat Conroy. I’m having a hard time getting into it, but like you it’s not the book, it’s me. I’m glad you found a book that broke your reading slump!
I have a book for you Alana by Tamara Pierce:http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B002ZJCQYW?keywords=Alana&qid=1444416518&ref_=sr_1_1&s=digital-text&sr=1-1 and it is book one of a 4 book series. I loved it and both my kids did too when they were your kids’ ages. We went on and read all of her other books and they were great too, but this series was the best.
A few weeks ago I finish A Bollywood Affair based on your recommendation and then had to download A Bollywood Marriage by the same author. And a friend and I just finished reading The Indifferent Stars Above by Daniel Brown (he also wrote The Boys in the Boat). She lives in the Midwest and we both like reading similar books, so sometimes we read then at the same time and discuss. This is our 2nd or 3rd Donner Party book and it was excellent!
I bet my daughter will like the Alana series. I’ll show it to her! I’m glad you liked A Bollywood Affair. I’ve read one Donner party book, and will look that one up.