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Help me start to read again - social media taking over!

41 replies

Kazzawazzawo0 · 03/01/2016 15:30

I spend all my spare time on mn and fb these days. I used to read all the time, but now "never have time" .. Confused

Anyone else been in a similar position or struggling right now with this?

I need to find a good book to get me reading again. I've resorted to reading trashy stuff at bedtime for ten mins because I can't concentrate on anything else (pretty stressful life at the moment, separation, moved house, bereavement).

I can't give up social media entirely, because a lot of the time it's the only way to keep in touch with my older children and good friends who live far away.

Any suggestions of books to start with? Something well written, but not difficult to read...

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Rivercam · 03/01/2016 16:56

I alternate between chick flick books and something less trashy.

Currently reading Round The Bend by Neville Shute - slightly dated language in parts but good

Jackie Collins - good, light hearted but well written
James Patterson - crime and thrillers. Chapters tend to be short so I find them convenient to read if you don't have a lot of time
Maeve Binchley - good solid stories
Jeffrey Archer -yes the ex-MP, - good stories, one of my favourite authors
Martina Cole - very gritty books

bigbadbarry · 03/01/2016 16:49

Last year's Kate Atkinson (a god in ruins) was lovely.

NatashaBolkonskaya · 03/01/2016 16:47

Have you ever tried Barbara Trapido? If you like Kate Atkinson, you may like her early novels. My favourite is her first novel Brother of the More Famous Jack but I also loved Noah's Ark. I'm not quite so keen on her later novels, but they're still enjoyable.

And good luck for tomorrow Mock

TheWoodenSpoonOfMischief · 03/01/2016 16:47

There's a thread in books about reading more and less time on the internet.
I'm trying to do it by going to bed earlier and with a book instead of my phone.

WipsGlitter · 03/01/2016 16:42

Versions of Us

I've deleted the Facebook app to try and wean myself off it.

MockTheWeek · 03/01/2016 16:40

A friend loaned me The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini a few months ago but I couldn't get into it whilst watching DD. And then when she napped I'd find myself watching trashy TV and kicking myself for not reading for an hour!

I agree with JoJo Moyes. The new one is on my wish list but last time I looked, it was still very expensive as it was so new.

Kazzawazzawo0 · 03/01/2016 16:32

Thanks I'll check them out.

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DingbatsFur · 03/01/2016 16:28

The girl you left behind
me before you
Are both v v good!

Kazzawazzawo0 · 03/01/2016 16:11

Thanks, I haven't read any JoJo Moyes. Any suggestions which to start with?

I'm not sure about crime, not a genre I've really read in the past, but willing to try anything.

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BitOfFun · 03/01/2016 16:11

I am totally lurking for ideas here- exactly the same problem!

Chorltonswheelies422 · 03/01/2016 16:11

Help me with crime

Chorltonswheelies422 · 03/01/2016 16:09

There's a great thread running where a mn asked for crime reads - loads of great suggestions and I've just got myself 3 x Belinda Bauer books as they had lots of votes. I'm still new to mn so don't know how to link to the thread - back in a min to get you the title to search on

DingbatsFur · 03/01/2016 16:09

JoJo Moyes
I love her books.

Kazzawazzawo0 · 03/01/2016 16:06

Good luck for tomorrow Mock. Have you picked a book to read yet?

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MockTheWeek · 03/01/2016 15:46

Following with interest as I'm the same. Back to work tomorrow after 11 months maternity leave and looking forward to reading again on the commute.

Kazzawazzawo0 · 03/01/2016 15:33

Sorry, I should probably add books I've enjoyed in the past ..

Life by life, Kate Atkinson and others by her
The house I grew up in by Lisa Jewell
The queen and I Smile
Various Joanna Trollope books
Jane Eyre

... I'll think of more ..

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