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Original poster

In a reading rut, help!

83 replies

1wokeuplikethis · 18/01/2018 17:13

Automatically I click on kindle bestsellers, look for what has the most reviews, try a sample, read, buy, sigh, feel dissatisfied, repeat.

I am really sick of reading "thrillers" you know; the "most unputdownable (worst descriptive word ever invented and utterly overused) thriller that will keep you guessing with a TWIST AT THE END YOULL NEVER SEE COMING!!!! Richard & Judy book club best seller hot new debut fab fab fucking head exploding incredible thrilly mind bending twisty twerker edge of your seat MUST READ that you'll have to finish in one go!" Etc etc and they are all pretty...meh.

In my dissatisfied rut I've returned to some old favourites and read some Stephen Kings I've not read before. Read Marian Keyes new one and then one of her old ones I've read before. And I'm thinking I'll just buy penny vincenzis new one and maybe when I come back to bestsellers there will be something decent.

I do like thrillers when they are good, but there is a lot of bumpf about right now as it seems the hot topic. I like real-life fiction and I like horror and I like a bit of humour like the 100 year old man or Danny Wallace. I'm rather eclectic, most of all I just like a GOOD BOOK. That I want to get to bed early for to read. Probably not felt like that since I read the hunger games.

Help a bookworm out, please!

OP posts:
mirren3 · 22/03/2018 18:36

There are some great suggestions here, I'm glad you started the thread too!
I've recently signed up for Kindle unlimited which is £7.99 a month and brilliant value. Some of the books are shorter that a normal kindle book but I've discovered so many authors I wouldn't have even known about.
I think I'm saving a small fortune on Amazon, some months when I added up what I'd spent on books was shocking.

Original poster
1wokeuplikethis · 22/03/2018 18:14

Back again! Nearly finished the hearts invisible furies to come to have a peruse of the recommendations here again.

I've enjoyed this book, moreso towards the middle and definitely towards the end now. Didn't like all the sad stuff at the start (aren't I delicate!)
I read the 100 year old man a while back and enjoyed that.

I was thinking of going back to Kate Atkinson but now am worried about when will there be good news, thanks for the warning as it sounds like something I should avoid.

I'm so glad I started this thread, you've introduced me to some wonderful authors and stories!

OP posts:
EmGee · 11/03/2018 20:12

I have become more discerning in my reading choices in latter years for three reasons:

  1. joining a book club (a highlight was reading East of Eden by Steinbeck)
  2. contributing to the 50 book a year challenge on MN
  3. making a new friend who is a prolific reader and lends me loads of books I would never think of reading

I've completely ditched all those 'unputdownable' thrillers, chick-lit and anything like that. I just find them so same-y. The last few that I have read (Gone girl, The Girl on the train, Let me go), I read in French ;)

Rokerwriter · 10/03/2018 11:05

When I was stuck in a reading rut, it was around the time the BBC did its 100 Great Reads so I set myself the task of reading all of them - or at least reading all of the ones I hadn't already read. It took me about three years in all because I was interspersing them with books of my own choice. You might not want that big a challenge, but if you look on something like Pinterest there are loads of book lists of all descriptions. Why not choose a list you like the look of and set yourself the challenge of reading them all. What I found is that I read books I never would have considered, some, to be honest, that I didn't really enjoy, but it also introduced me to new authors I would never have tried but found I loved and I followed that up by reading their other books.

TheJoyOfSox · 09/03/2018 10:06

The 100 year old man who climbed out a window is an absolute must-read for anybody that enjoys reading. I laughed, I cried and I gasped reading this.
The movie is ok, but the book just packed full of fun and adventure. It’s my most favourite book.

Longhairmightcare · 09/03/2018 09:59

Oops, bold fail

Longhairmightcare · 09/03/2018 09:58

Is the keeper of lost things any good?

Yes! I absolutely loved this book. A definite departure from thrillers but really enjoyed it. I’ve pre-ordered her next book, I was devastated to find that this is her only one (so far).

One of my best recent reads has been Ready Player One, it’s 25yrs old but so relevant but also very enjoyable.

DH & I recently set up amazon family sharing, so we can access one another’s kindle books. Ready Player One is one of those I’d have ordinarily skipped straight past had it not been for his recommendation, v glad I did.

Picoloangel · 03/03/2018 21:12

Armistead Maupin Tales of the City - 9 books in total and just a joy to read. Re-reading these for nth time!

Elmersnewfriend · 03/03/2018 20:44

Another vote for The Secret History (also hate books re children / babies that make me sad)

Viviennemary · 03/03/2018 20:32

Another vote for Kate Atkinson. I also have liked a few books by Robert Goddard. Thriller type mysteries. I especially liked Caught in the Light.

auberginesrus · 01/03/2018 19:32

OP would recommend you don't read When Will There be Good News by Kate Atkinson. It's brilliant but still upsets me to think about it now!

If you haven't read any Rebus books by Ian Rankin they are a great read, I also love the Cormoran Strike books by Robert Galbraith (JK Rowling)

Sassgee · 27/02/2018 21:21

Highly recommend Jeffrey Deaver books in particular any of the Lincoln Rhyme novels they are excellent. If you like crime and forensics.

Hightidewetfeet · 27/02/2018 21:08

Have you tried John Connolly? He's written a series about a private detective whose wife and child are murdered. They are beautifully written and have a lot of creepy/ spooky aspects so an interesting mix of thriller and horror.

SisterNotCis · 27/02/2018 21:02

Try the Dana Stabenow books - female detective set in Alaska.

Sleepyhead11 · 27/02/2018 20:49

Also, would love to second Crimson Petal and the White, love that book so much.

In fact every book 43percentburnt recommends.

Will be on the look out for a new book soon, so keeping my eye on this.

Sleepyhead11 · 27/02/2018 20:42

just reading All The Light We Cannot See

It is hugely compelling, and I can't pull myself away from it.

DinaCaliente · 27/02/2018 09:43

A Boy Made Of Blocks...Keith Stuart

Heart warming and emotional and so touching, totally a different type of book than a thriller (which is what I usually read too).

A story of a man, his autistic son and minecraft. I couldn't put it down.

Original poster
1wokeuplikethis · 27/02/2018 09:37

I've downloaded a sample of the hearts invisible furies, looking forward to giving that a bash.

Is the keeper of lost things any good?

OP posts:
Original poster
1wokeuplikethis · 27/02/2018 09:33

I'm glad I gave Eleanor oliphant a second chance, have devoured it and at 90% on my kindle so back on here looking for another suggestion!

I get the feeling that the end of EO is going to be tough going given my dislike of children being hurt as a theme.
I love Mark Edwards but having read the blurb on from the cradle I won't read it, which is a shame because I actually do find his novels "truly gripping and unputdownable with twists I never see coming!!!"

Back to the drawing board for me.

OP posts:
macnab · 24/02/2018 22:04

Some great suggestions here thankyou all, and I completely agree with OP the constant barrage of "gripping" and "unputdownable" thrillers has reached fever pitch and most of them can definitely be put down quite easily Hmm

I'd second the recommendation for "The Heart's Invisible Furies" it is fantastic

Given your dislike for anything bad happening to children I'd say avoid Eleanor Oliphant which is a shame as I really enjoyed that but it is a bit upsetting in parts.

mrscee · 24/02/2018 19:04

I 2nd Elenor oliphant is completely fine, I got it from the library and couldn't put it down and took me a day to read. I signed up for kindle unlimited however that seems to be full of thrillers too. I've just started how to stop time by Matt Haig so I'll see how that goes!

Ladyflip · 20/02/2018 10:09

Try Golden Hill by Francis Spufford.

Hygge · 20/02/2018 09:39

OP I think you might need to ignore my suggestion then. And ignore the book with the same name by the other other.

Garmadonsmum · 20/02/2018 09:39

Agree OP there should some special baby-related-trauma warning on books!

TheWitchwithNoName · 20/02/2018 09:38

If you don’t mind something ‘colourful’ try the book with no name by anonymous - hilarious