Help … me out of my Reading Slump
I could blame the heat – my area has had a really, really hot summer.
I could blame the fact that I have had a lot of visitors this summer. That has been really fun but kept me busy.
I could blame the fact that I usually go on vacation in the summer — a key reading time for me — and because of scheduling problems, I didn’t go 🙁
I could blame the fact that I’m having a hard time finding a book that captures my attention.
Whatever the reason, I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump.
So …. help me out. Tell me the best book you’ve read recently. It doesn’t have to be YA.
I will read, respond to, and seriously consider all suggestions!
It ends with us by Colleen Hoover, helped me out of a run of meh books 🙂
That's a great suggestion, thanks. I've tried her joint book with Tarryn Fisher – but not sure that's a typical CoHo book.
I'm finally coming out of mine but I don't know if the books are anything that would help you out of your slump. I've been reading a lot of lighter contemporary YA (The Great American Whatever, Whatever…, Unscripted Joss Byrd, Girl Mans Up). They're short, sweet, poignant and leave me happy. Perfect for the summer where I've had trouble focusing on anything for more than a few minutes.
Karen @For What It's Worth
I haven't read any of those – thanks!
I really really enjoyed both An Ember in the Ashes and A Torch Against the Night. I couldn't stop reading. Aside from that, Behind the Throne (Orbit) is adult, but I read it basically in one sitting.
I did read AEITA but haven't read ATATN. That's a good idea!
A Court of Thorn and Roses series by Sarah J Maas (particularly the sequel A Court of Mist and Fury. Pardon if you have already read them.) Or The Syndicate by Sophie Davis. (One of my favorite reads of this whole year.) Or Burning Bright by Melissa McShane. I hope one of these will get you out of your slump. I hate when that happens! I tend to reread comfort books a lot at that point.
I did read ACOTAR but not ACOMAF (nervous about the triangle!) but I do want to read it.
If you want something light I'd suggest Kasie West's newest, P.S. I Like You. It's cute! Vicarious by Paula Stokes is really great too. It's darker and more of a thriller 🙂
I did read P.S. and I have the Paula Stokes on my kindle. Will check it out!
I'm in a huge reading slump this summer. I've read two books that I've really loved, and all they did was cause massive book hangovers, which did not help! But they were excellent books: Everything We Keep by Kerry Lonsdale, and It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover. I fee your pain!!
Aw, sorry you're slump-y too. I will check out your suggestions.
I just read The Captive Heart by Michelle Griep, and now I have a book hangover. It was a good bit different from what I normally read, but I enjoyed it despite and because of that. Hope you find the perfect book to break your slump soon.
Sandy @ Somewhere Only We Know
There's a sample of that on Goodreads. Will check it out!
Still in love with Every Exquisite Thing by Matthew Quick but, more recently, I loved The Boy is Back by Meg Cabot!
Have not read either of those – thanks!
Wild man's curse by susannah sandlin!!! Fantastic i also loved dr wolf: shockwave by cheree alsop
That one looks fun – I do like books about curses!
I recently finished the Steel and Stone series by Annette Marie and I loved these books. I recommend them to everyone.
Ooh, that one looks a little bit Buffy inspired. During my slump I've been binge watching that…
I went out of YA this summer after a blogging slump and got into Susanna Kearsley phase. I loved The Winter Sea particularly. A different pace from usual. Also recently The War That Saved My Life was an excellent MG. And I've jusf finished Ready Player One, which I assume you've read. But it was excellent!! I can't believe it took me so long to pick it up. Hope you find something great! Or do a reread. That's what I go for sometimes.
I wish we'd talked about this. I haven't heard of Kearsley. I did try the audio of Ready Player One because it sounds like the kind of book I'd like, but I think listening to it just didn't work for me. I will try the paper copy!
I would highly recommend It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover. It was fantastic. I would also recommend Paper Princess and Broken Prince by Erin Watt (there is still one more book). These YA books are so addictive.
Second vote for It Ends With Us – it's on the list!
I'm currently reading Fire and Hemlock by Diana Wynne Jones and loving it. Have you read The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater? It was my favorite read from last year and I was kind of in a reading slump myself when I picked it up, it's fantastic. Anyway, I hope this helps, or that someone else's suggestion helps. Begone slump! 🙂
I did read and enjoy The Scorpio Races! But I haven't read Fire and Hemlock – thanks!
I had a horrible reading month in July but August has actually been kind of okay! *flails* I'm not sure if you've read these, but I read Blackhearts by Nicole Castroman and really liked it…aaand then I read Prince of Thorns, which is actually adult fantasy but it's super dark and stabby and totally by the villain's POV. So it depends if you like that sort of thing! I really enjoyed it though.😂 I also reeeally liked Tell Me Something Real by Cara Devlin which was really plot twisty and nicely written.
I hope you find something that piques your attention soon!! Slumps are the worst!
Thanks, Cait. I have not read any of those!
I totally agree- my area, South Texas, has also been SUPER hot this summer. What is it about the super hot weather that just makes me hate everything – including reading, sometimes!
You'd think I'd just hide out in the A/C and read. But – bleh – I have to walk the dog and get groceries and work and then when I get home I just collapse in a sweaty puddle….
Hope your weather turns around soon. This Friday and Saturday are supposed to be nice *fingers crossed*
Oh NO!! I was in a terrible slump last year and didn't get out of it until I read the first page of every single book on my TBR shelves. Finally something stuck. As for suggestions– Stalking Jack the Ripper was really good, With Malice was addictive, and Every Exquisite Thing I read in a day 🙂
I liked With Malice so I will check out your other recs 🙂
If you are up for paranormal romance try Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh or her Guild Hunter series.
Interesting you should say that – I'm definitely back in the mood for paranormal…
I was just thinking about reading slumps. I hit a slight one where I just wasn't getting books read in a timely fashion but then I kicked it back in gear. I really enjoyed Suzanne Elizabeth Phillips' latest (First Star I See Tonight). It's adult romance (so some mature content) with some suspense. Her characters are so fun and it was different from my usual, which was nice to change things up.
I was trying to think of some paranormal books since you mentioned Buffy, but gosh, it's like no one really publishes those anymore with vampires and stuff in YA unless you go Steampunk. I think there should still be a few good ones published each year, right?!!
I'll let you know if any books come to me that I'd recommend. Maybe just switching genres for a little while will get you going again. Either way, I hope it gets better!
I think we all need a break now and then. And lol I am a SEP fan from way back. I haven't kept up to date on her latest – thanks of the reminder 🙂
Have you read The Lunar Chronicles by Marissa Meyer? I binge read them during my summer break and it was sooo good!
I still need to read the very last book!!
The Loose Ends List. Loved that book. Also Not If I See You First.
I liked Not if I See You First! Will check out the other!
Boy do I know how that goes. I feel like I'm constantly in a reading slump. I hope you get out of yours soon! The best book I've read recently is actually a re-read for me, it's called Paxton Private Investigations by Juli Alexander. It is a lot of fun and very cute!
Thanks – adding to the list!
Based on the other suggestions, I'd recommend The Only Thing Worse Than Me Is You if you haven't read it yet.
For something else, there's the Killer in Me.
I have read the first – super cute! And I will check out the second.
How about some cozy mysteries.
I loved the Silo series by Hugh Howey. It is a series of science fiction novellas and you can read a little every day. I read as much as I think I finished the Wool Omnibus in 2 days.
as much as I can.*
Thanks so much, Anne. I will look those up!
I hate reading slumps! I've never been in one so bad that I haven't read anything, but I have had some slower reading periods than others. I recently read The Help and just loved it, so I would recommend that one!