To ask you to find my reading mojo

[LEMtheoriginal]

Totally lost it - anxiety greatly restricts what I can read. Fucking phone and social media and yes, mumsnet mean my ability to stick with "difficult" reads is waning. I read on my kindle and need new glasses so paperbacks not an option. As a result I find it hard to find something decent to read.

Any suggestions?

Me too I have been podcasting instead for the last year and it makes me sad but nothing I read helps even terry prachett

I have read one book all summer.

I've just started Good Omens in the hope that I can rekindle my love of books.

I blame the internet.

What kind of books do you like? Find a book with shortish chapters that have a few twists and turns. Keeps you interested. Also, nothing too heavy.

Georgette Heyer? Gentle, funny Regency romances. Or Agatha Christie?

I know what you mean, LEM

I am reading very, very 'easy' books - Sophie Kinsella books are a huge favourite of mine, seem to take me back to a more innocent time somehow!

Hello, I've spent the summer reading more than I have in years - I found its a time/space thing... When you say anxiety - does that mean it limits your choice of books? what sort of things do you like reading/watching /listening to?

Depending what you're into of course, and I haven't read these only listened to them on Audible (which I find invaluable for my anxiety, I really can't be left alone with my own thoughts, far too disturbing, the Stitcher app with podcasts are a life saver too) a couple from my shockingly long library list...

Ravenspur: Rise of the Tudors

Lancaster and York: The Wars of the Roses

Shogun: The Epic Novel of Japan

His Bloody Project

The Woodcutter

And one of my favourites Company of Liars

For a lighter read Jon Ronson is funny and fascinating?

Re-reading your OP, which isn't that long tbf, maybe they're a bit heavy

I like lots of different things - I started Handmaids tale but I can't read it as I'm finding it too upsetting. I end up reading a lot of "easy"psychological thrillers. Quite a few detective series. I just don't have the attention span these days. I loved JohnathAn strange but couldn't get past the first chapter to 're read.

When I was struggling to get back into reading I read some from the young adult/teen section. They are lighter reads and found some I really enjoy. I tend to read supernatural/Sci fi or dystopian books.

Sometimes I get in a rut particularly after a terrible book or one that was a struggle (game of thrones took me 4 starts over a period of 2 years to finally finish book 1) I have a few books which are old favourites I read to get into the swing of reading again - harry potter being my absolute favourite have read the series at least 8 times 😁

I'm the same at the moment. The only books I've finished this year are Rob Delaney's memoir and Alexandra Hemminsley's book about swimming, Leap In.

Easy, non-anxiety provoking reads about interesting people.

I read Marian keys a lot when I'm feeling like you are, I find her books really easy to read. My favourite when I'm struggling is brightest star in the sky, such an uplifting book.

Me too. It's the phone for me. I have to consciously decide not to check my phone all the time as I end up on it for ages and then can't be bothered to read.

I second young adult stuff for getting back into reading. Beth Revis's Across the Universe trilogy is very absorbing and twisty.

Alternatively, Jane Austen works for me every time.

I read The Rosie Project recently during a particularly stressful time - very easy to read and it helped me to keep distracted without a heavy read.

I have just rediscovered my reading mojo through Harry Potter. Probably should be slightly ashamed but I'm not. It had been heavy going non fiction for years and then nothing.
Started as DS1 has got to HP age and we somehow have 2 copies of each book so thought I'd see what all the fuss is about. Just rollicking great stories, a commitment to 8 books or so, plus reading appetite well whetted for grown up books afterwards. PLUS I get to have actual converstations with my kids and their friends about something they all care about. win win.

I read a cracking short novel last week called Old Buildings In North Texas. Really different, easy to read, quite witty but not drivel.

Short stories are good if you're struggling to concentrate. Try Alice Munro - Runaways is breathtakingly good.

Rachel Joyce's books are quite a gentle read.

Matt Haig is wonderful. The Humans and How To Stop Time are very life-affirming.

My phone distracts me from reading too. Have you tried the CJ Sansom Shardlake series? Historical mystery series. I also read a good one of a series set in Istanbul, but can't remember the author or title... Also historical detective kind of thing; someone may recognise this.

Laurie Graham -writes like somebody talking, helps a lot.

Liza Picard'so history books.

I am a huge fan of Tim Powers' On Stranger Tides. I found it very easy to read when I hadn't been able to read anything for months.

Also This Thing of Darkness by Harry Thompson utterly gripped me, I was bereft when it was over.

I just read 'the couple next door'. Plenty of twists and turns and short chapters!

Get yourself some nice Pratchett.

I'd recommend the Tiffant Aching ones.

You need to limit the time you spend on the internet.

Book a cottage somewhere that promises wifi but doesn't deliver. Weep a bit then start reading the back catalogue on your kindle.

Worked for me.

I read "Wonder" by RJ Palacio to my children (ages 7,8 and 10) - they adored it and demanded it to be read a second time. I loved it so much I recommended it to my book club - a bunch of 40-something women - and they all loved it too.

What about some short story compilations?