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Original poster

Book/reading drought.

33 replies

DoItTooJulia · 19/07/2013 21:04

I've been on maternity leave since November and I haven't really read much, despite really looking forward to the time off as I am usually such a bookworm!

I bought the Booker shortlist to read and have read a couple, but didn't really enjoy any. I tried Hilary Mantel, but didn't get through it.

Part of me wonders if its the baby brain syndrome stopping me, or whether I have just not got a good couple if books to hook me back in?

Anyone recommend anything good?

I love Atwood, Kingsolver, Orwell. I have enjoyed Julian Barnes, but not all of them. I loved the American Wife by CurtisSittingfeld, I enjoyed The Seamstress, Snowflower and the Secret Fan, The Life of Pi, Birdsong. I enjoy Isabelle Allende and Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

Help!

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Lovemynailstoday · 21/07/2013 19:19

Based on a MN recommendation I have just read a couple of Dorothy Whipple books. They are lovelywritten in the 30s/40. Hard to explain the tone reallyjust gentle tales of domestic life in that period but with quite strong plot lines. Not too deep but very intelligently written.

Original poster
DoItTooJulia · 21/07/2013 19:06

I was halfway through wolf hall when I had to go to hospital for an induction. I haven't picked it up since and that was almost 9 months ago.

I wasn't enjoying it. I didn't warm to any of the Thomas's at all!

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greenhill · 21/07/2013 19:01

Yes, remus HM has to be read in long chunks, so you are immersed in it. I'm dipping in and out of Bring Up The Bodies and it isn't working as well as Wolf Hall did, because I read that over a weekend.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 21/07/2013 18:56

If you've been off reading for a while, personally I don't think that Hilary M is going to be the best place to start. Her writing is very wearing imo.

Short and gripping is the way forward!

greenhill · 21/07/2013 18:55

YY completely understand where you are coming from julia I normally manage MN, news and a browse through Amazon in a day.

I have Hilary Mantel on the go, a crime novel and have been half heartedly flicking through The Spectator, but it is too hot to concentrate on any of them...

Original poster
DoItTooJulia · 21/07/2013 18:48

I just downloaded that, great!

I think that's it greenhill, headspace. I have an 8 year old ds too, so I am pretty busy and my headspace can cope with mumsnet, news, a couple of random blogs and that's about it!

But I want to be lost in a book!

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greenhill · 21/07/2013 18:44

Thanks katy I've just downloaded that Smile

Julia I read a lot of books when I was b'feeding during the night, but it tailed off when my DC became toddlers (and I've read a lot more newspapers online since I've had an iPad). However, I'm on the "50 book challenge" thread and that has motivated me to read novels again, whether paper copies or on my kindle.

I think your interests change when you have older DC too, because their demands take up so much of your time (and headspace) too.

katydid02 · 21/07/2013 16:37

www.amazon.co.uk/Stolen-ebook/dp/B00CMFTKZW/ref=zg_bs_digital-text_f_9 this - and it is free on the kindle today

Original poster
DoItTooJulia · 21/07/2013 16:27

Thanks so much for the recommendations! And for the reassurance!

2 votes for Sue Gee....sounds like a must!

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Cherrypi · 21/07/2013 14:54

Reread an old favourite maybe?

Galaxymum · 21/07/2013 13:32

I went through a long period of not reading after DD was born - I worried I'd never get back into it. But nother friends with children a couple of years older reassured me I remember!

I would choose novels with strong characters and themes which interest you. I got back into reading with Sarah Dunant's historical novels and felt I was learning from her research as well as great characters and storylines. Then there is Rose Tremain or Sharon K Penman.

My read of the year is The Light Between Oceans - it is so emotional and fascinating details about a different era and life in a lighthouse - this completely swept me to a different world.

I also think writers like Maggie O'Farrell or See Gee can challenge you but it's not like ploughing into a 700 or 1000 page book that may daunt you when you have a little one!

highlandcoo · 21/07/2013 12:50

Oh, and because you liked Birdsong try My Dear I Wanted To Tell You by Louisa Young. Looks like chick-lit but it isn't - the cover does it a disservice IMO.

Also That Summer by Andrew Greig, WW2 and the Battle of Britain related. Very good.

highlandcoo · 21/07/2013 12:47

You like a lot of the same authors as me Smile

With that in mind, try Ann Patchett. Bel Canto, Run and State of Wonder are particularly good.

For something a bit lighter, I'd recommend Sue Gee. She's a writer who really deserves to be more widely known. The Mysteries of Glass to start with, and Thin Air. Earth and Heaven is excellent but very sad (child-related) so might not be a good one at the moment.

Original poster
DoItTooJulia · 20/07/2013 19:42

And I like the look of the Brides in the Bath one!

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Original poster
DoItTooJulia · 20/07/2013 19:41

The Knife man floats my boat! Thank you!

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RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 20/07/2013 19:35

Another really interesting non-fiction book
And this but it is v long

Original poster
DoItTooJulia · 20/07/2013 19:32

Not read any except Clockwork Orange, great!

Conan Doyle Grin

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RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 20/07/2013 19:31

Oh and if you liked A&G, you'll probably like This too.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 20/07/2013 19:30

Short stories - gotta be Conan Doyle!

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 20/07/2013 19:29

Okay - other things I love include:

Lolita
A Clockwork Orange (but you have to steel yourself for it)
A Heartbreaking Work Of Staggering Genius
Jane Austen (Persuasion maybe?)
The Perks of Being a Wallflower (but be warned that the ending spoils it imho)
Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day is v sweet and light
Have you read, 'I Capture The Castle' before, or revisited as an adult?

Original poster
DoItTooJulia · 20/07/2013 19:26

Remus, I loved Arthur and George! Possibly because its local to me! I have Flauberts Parrot but haven't fancied it yet. Maybe that's the one I will start with? We have similar tastes? Any other recommendations?

I loved both of the Allende books, Paula was so moving.

I don't like the McCall books at all, (possibly because I read masses of African lit for my first degree).

Short stories....hmmm...never tried any! Any recommendations?

American Gods, never heard of. Will check it out.

Thanks all, any more ideas welcome!

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superbagpuss · 20/07/2013 17:46

Iain banks - the ones in black and white covers - you may like - but some of the are very rude

american gods - Neil gainman

Stephen king - the dome

David Mitchell - cloud atlas

all based around the fact you liked Atwood

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 20/07/2013 17:35

Or essays. I've just re-read Orwell's, 'Decline of the English Murder and other essays' and really enjoyed it.

greenhill · 20/07/2013 17:29

Try short stories to get yourself back in the mood.

RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie · 20/07/2013 17:17

The Hunger Games isn't worth it. The first one is readable, the second is ridiculous and the third is positively unreadable.

Have you read Barnes' Arthur and George? 'Flaubert's Parrot' is great fun too.

My favourite Allende is, 'Paula' and then her one about Chile, 'My Invented Country.' Both vastly superior to her novels imho.

All Quiet On The Western Front - very, very well written and very moving, but short and gripping so can be read quickly.

Evelyn Waugh - A Handful of Dust / Scoop / Vile Bodies = all v short but well written.

Bill Bryson is v funny and interesting, but v easy.

I quite like the Ladies' Detective Agency books for mindless escapism.

Or these little non-fiction books are good, for interesting and intelligent but not needing too big an investment of time because they are short. They are perfect for a train journey, for example.