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Original poster

Sick of fiction - can't read any more. Any fellow sufferers?

73 replies

Getabloominmoveon · 04/08/2017 15:36

Just back from holiday where I managed not to finish 1 book. Last year I read the Ferrante books - all 4 of them, and holiday reading normally involves 3-5 paperbacks. I was a bookworm child, and have a BA in English Literature. But I am just sick of fiction. I've stopped believing in the made-up people. I hate the feeling of manipulation. And strongly plot-driven narratives leave me feeling ultimately dissatisfied. But I don't want to plunder my husband's non-fiction/biographies either. I'm having a serious falling-out with literature. Any fellow sufferers, or remedies to bring me back to books?

OP posts:
MorrisZapp · 04/08/2017 15:38

Lucy Mangan did something on this, readers block she called it. I don't know what's happened to me, all my old stalwarts now leave me cold.

34AQuid · 04/08/2017 15:43

It happens to me every couple of years. I go off fiction completely and either don't read for a couple of months or only read non-fiction (usually history/ancient history).

It just takes one great novel to get me back in to fiction again, though Grin

SatsukiKusakabe · 04/08/2017 16:36

Yes to a non fiction break. Also any classics that you've missed you could go back to? They often are well written and free of any annoying modern trends. If I'm not getting on with anything I reread a favourite with some substance and see what else there is to get from it.

What have you read lately that you've disliked?

If you want lots of recommendations fic and non fic come over to the 50 books threads and join us Smile

Original poster
Getabloominmoveon · 04/08/2017 17:56

Satsuki, what have you read lately that you've disliked - A Little Life (lasted 200 pages), The Quiet American (halfway through), H is for Hawk, Germinal......
It's not that I really hate them (well, I quite disliked A Little Life), but they don't grip me the way it used to be where I could lose myself for hours.
I like your idea of re-reading an old favourite. Maybe I will try that to get myself back in. And I will take up your invitation to come over to the 50 books threads.

Deep down I am convinced it'll come back to me....

OP posts:
BMacklin · 04/08/2017 18:02

I've never been a fiction fan but I have a soft spot for John Le Carre maybe because I know bits are based on truth. Try him?

AnyFucker · 04/08/2017 18:06

I am jaded too.

I have been an avid reader since I did it under the candlewick bedspread with a torch after lights out

I rarely find fiction of true quality now and often give up quickly after the first few pages in disgust

I am gutted really

onlyconnect · 04/08/2017 18:08

I sometimes feel like that but there's loads of great non-fiction out there other than biographies:
Watching the English by Kate Fox
Precious Lives by Margaret Forster for example
How about letters and diaries? Alan Bennett's are good.

I like books about language, which you might too as you have an English degree: Bill Bryson has written one as has John Humphreys.

Seachangeshell · 04/08/2017 20:41

Jane Austen surely. Her novels are perfect.
You just need some guaranteed quality.
I don't want to read 'a little life '. It looks so depressing.

tobee · 05/08/2017 00:40

I don't really know what you mean about your husband's non-fiction. Why not your own choice of non-fiction?

lucydogz · 05/08/2017 07:40

I know exactly what you mean. I'very just started reading Walworth Beauty by Michelle Roberts but I can't be bothered to finish it. It's well written but I just don't care about the protagonists or their situation.
Instead I tend to read obsessively about real people (it's Margaret of Austria at the moment ). Different biographies and historical accounts present different views of a person and are almost a branch of fiction.

CoteDAzur · 05/08/2017 07:56

Try historical fiction. This Thing Of Darkness is fantastic and as close to non-fiction as is possible to get.

WhittlingIhopMonkey · 05/08/2017 08:01

I feel the same.A Little Life' was awful. Also couldn't finish Exit West.

34AQuid · 05/08/2017 08:05

I read A Little Life very quickly and found it quite absorbing. But on the whole, I agree. There is a lot of shit out there. I tend to steer clear of prize-winning modern fiction, with a couple of exceptions (love Zadie Smith). Re-reading the classics is a good shout.

Ancient history is my go-to when I'm 'off fiction'. It fires up the imagination. Some quality historical fiction is a halfway house, too. Mary Renault? Highly recommend The Persian Boy.

Baalam · 05/08/2017 08:08

Thank goodness I have found this thread. I was wondering if I was developing some sort of dementia Blush

I used to love love reading but now can't stick at anything, haven't found anything interesting for months. Have bought, started and discarded book after book.

I tried to 'dumb down' in an attempt to get going again. First I tried the shell seekers by Rosamund lehmann. Absolutely terrible book, awful writing. Trite. Hated it. Then 'it' by Stephen King. I like a good creepy story. Again, boring, too thick so I can't hold it properly, feels like a short story blown up to massive proportions. Then the new Jilly Cooper. Don't ask. Think I managed about 50 pages. Help!

TheOnlyLivingBoyInNewCross · 05/08/2017 08:09

Best non-fiction I've read:

Wild by Cheryl Strayed
Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer
In Cold Blood by Truman Capote

Baalam · 05/08/2017 08:10

I agree about steering clear of prize winning modern fiction. I have been utterly unengaged by everything I've tried.

spectacularvelvet · 05/08/2017 08:17

I thought it was just me! I've been blaming hormones, tiredness, my kids, apathy .... I keep buying books and there are little piles of half read books everywhere... it's soul destroying!

I've never read history books so might give that a try

KeiraTwiceKnightley · 05/08/2017 08:17

I was going to suggest some non fiction genres but I see you've rejected H Is for Hawk which is non f.
For me though, really good travel writing or historical stuff about people
And places I don't know much about always hits the spot. Especially travel stuff about v cold places like Antarctica or Siberia - bizarre because i hate being cold.

Baalam · 05/08/2017 08:18

I've also gone right off sex in books. Must be old and menopausal. I quite enjoyed the Sarah waters paying guests but hated the very explicit sex scenes Blush

Baalam · 05/08/2017 08:19

I listened to H is for Hawk in audio book and didn't enjoy it. Stopped listening.

Ivory200 · 05/08/2017 08:22

I need to detox from modern literature every so often. I re read Anthony Trollope, you can really lose yourself in the world he created, and the writing is so clever, both poignant and funny.

Tumilnaughts · 05/08/2017 08:24

A Little Life put me off fiction for nearly a year. I've just picked up my first fiction book since then with some reluctance but so far it's going well.

I spent my nights reading history, archeology and travel books in the mean time.

Baalam · 05/08/2017 08:27

I like travel books and enjoyed Wild. Any suggestions welcome
cote thanks for the darwin recommendation that sounds good

Brownsauceandsausages · 05/08/2017 08:29

Apart from a few notable exceptions, this has happened to me too. I think it's because, since becoming a mother, I don't have any emotion left to invest in fictional characters.

Wigeon · 05/08/2017 08:50

There's some great non-fiction - maybe your husband has the wrong sort?! Eg The Hare with the Amber Eyes, or The Wild Places by Robert Macfarlane. Or how about stuff like Bad Pharma, Bad Science, the Tiger that Isn't - pop science, pop statistics, but good reads.