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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!

OP posts:
Oneforthemummy · 20/07/2013 09:33

A trip to the bookshop might be a good idea - there's nothing quite like a brand new book!

Original poster
DoItTooJulia · 20/07/2013 08:33

Thanks for the recommendations, I might treat myself to some new books for over the summer.

I don't know about the Hunger Games either, it just seems popular and easy...

OP posts:
Oneforthemummy · 20/07/2013 08:27

I've not tried Hunger Games - not sure it's my kind of thing (although I guess you never know until you try). Books I read were things like Sophie Hannah, Elizabeth Jane Howard (The Cazalet series) and currently loving Barbara Pym.

Oneforthemummy · 20/07/2013 08:25

I've had a copy of Prep on my shelf for about 2 years and it's never felt the 'right time' to read it. I actually put it on a pile for charity last week, but might have to just give it a go - so many people have recommended it! I think I'm worried it'll be like Donna Tartt's Secret History, but not as good.

Original poster
DoItTooJulia · 19/07/2013 21:26

I haven't read Prep, my mum has a copy and has offered it to me, but I didn't fancy it. See what I mean? I've become awkward and fussy, whereas 12 months ago I would have read anything!

OP posts:
Original poster
DoItTooJulia · 19/07/2013 21:25

It's funny isn't it? Ds1 is 8, and I do remember going through something similar with him, and funnily enough it was around his first birthday that I started to read again. I set myself a target of 12 books a year, 2 of which need to be challenging. But I just haven't got the concentration span!

Easy books are so hard, I don't know where to start? Is the hunger games worth it?

OP posts:
MimsyBorogroves · 19/07/2013 21:22

Have you read Curtis Sittenfeld's Prep? That's a bloody good read, whilst being light and easy to read too.

Oneforthemummy · 19/07/2013 21:16

I felt exactly the same when I started maternity leave! I used to read on my commute and suddenly I didn't quite know when I was supposed to read. Before I had DD I just could not concentrate on anything - I had planned to read some classics that I thought I might never get the chance to read once DD arrived... War & Peace, maybe have a crack at Ulysses, but that just didn't happen. I watched trash tv, a lot of the Olympics and slept. It's only really now (DD turns 1 next month) that I am getting around to reading again. I've read a few books over the last 12 months, but on the whole they have been easy reads - crime/detective/historical fiction. I did feel a bit like I had just got out of the habit and reading a few 'easy' books helped me break that. I'm now about to settle down with Claire Tomalin's Dickens biography...

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