Bit of a problem

[Anthony Furze]

I used to read anything up to 12 books simultaneously. Im a teacher of Literature-I read for a living. I love the classics.

The problem?I dont read any more! Im really stuck because I want to read just for pleasure. I know this problems an irony, but I d appreciate some help with getting back into the fun of reading.

At present Ive tried some of my old obsessions, with little success.

What would anyone recommend (subject to availability) to stir the reading instinct?

Thanks.

[Pensive]

I will recommend you Tolkien's works. The Hobbit is a light read unlike Shakespearian plays and many of the classics such as Wuthering Heights.

Also try modern stuff like Harry Potter series. Don't think that it is childish or something like this. Just read it, for the sake of fun. And I can assure you that you will find it enjoyable. :) Suspense and mystery novels like that of Agatha Christie's can be a good source of pleasure as well. :)

I hope this helps! :)

Happy reading!

[Anthony Furze]

Thanks, Pensive, for that quick reply. Coincidentally Tolkien is one of the authors I ve picked up to get out of this condition.

Thanks too on behalf of a student of mine you helped with a speech contest some time back. (His name was Moiz on the forum.)

[Pensive]

No problem.

I just remember another novel which caught my interest immensely and it is one of those masterpieces I would love to recommend to anybody who wants a suggestion. It is called The Kite Runner. A really gripping story - dark but very well-written and full of emotion. The language is easy though the theme is dark. It had some references to Pakistan as well. That was another aspect which interested me and made me buy the book.

I am not sure if you will be able to find it in the library easily but there is always some hope.

[Madhuri]

I think this happens in any job, that, what is started as a pleasure results in monotony. If things are overdone you'll not find a solution, that is, to get back the same interest, you need to take a break. Dont 'read' to get out of reading. Do something else (other than reading) for a while and then come back. :)

[Shannanigan]

I'm having the same problem right now, but for Christmas I got a bunch of Amazon gift certificates and more gift certificates to the local bookstore, so I've ordered and picked up some new works from some of my old favorite authors (Christopher Pike and Laurell K. Hamilton...I know I know, useless unstimulating immature horror-action-teen angst and sex garbage, but entertaining nonetheless), and I've ordered some books written by teachers and other books about teaching since I start student teaching next year...

Really, I would try re-reading a book you really enjoyed in the past, it might bring you back to that time when you were really reading a lot and making time to do so, and that might help you get back into that mindset...or at least read more works by an author you really like :D

[Scheherazade]

Why don't you try to take part in our Book Club:

http://www.online-literature.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=15

This month we are reading Pygmalion by Shaw and next month we will be reading a work by Truman Capote.

Sometimes group discussions are great to give that necessary push and keep our interest in the books going.

There is also the Shakespeare Discussion Group, which will be reading The Taming of the Shrew during the next two months:

http://www.online-literature.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=5895

[B-Mental]

Someone recently suggested the book Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts. Its based on the travails of an escaped prisoner from australia hiding out in Bombay (Mumbai), India. I was reluctant, but found myself reading a very compelling book. Sometimes switching to non-fiction helps me get out of a rut also. I went on a bender reading about the civil war, and autobiographies of WWII survivors and soldiers. It really depends on what your interests are.

[Anthony Furze]

OK. Thanks for all the great advice and support.

One of the things I must do is keep in touch with this forum-pressures of work, O level exams, etc, etc...

Pensive: I think I ve seen "The Kite Runner" hereabouts, I ll look it up next time I go to the bookshop. Thanks.

Madhuri: thanks for the kind words.

Shannanigan: I tried one of Frederick Forsyths latests "The Afghan"-I used to read alot of his novels, but my tastes have changed. I ll try rereading..

Scheherazade: another Shakepeare might be a little too heavy, however, I was spellbound by Burton and Taylor the other day.Capote maybe woth a look, so long as it s available here. But I ll definitely be keeping an eye on your Book Club.

B-Mental: yes, Im attempting to read "Rubicon" a book about the Roman Empire due to my interest in history. Its tough going but I ll persevere.

Thanks again for all your replies.

[Madhuri]

None of our suggestions worked it seems. Let us know what you did, Anthony. :)

[Bii]

I has a similar experience after having children, with less time and peace and quiet I found I went from being an avid reader to not reading at all but, thankfully, it didn't last forever. I found the book that picked me up out of the rut was "Mr Golightly's Holiday" which I read in very short stages whilst the children were out. It's a really nice book, gentle yet thought-provoking. It certainly did the trick for me.

Alternatively how about trying something completely different? It strikes me that as a teacher of literature you probably read some pretty heavy going stuff? Perhaps try short stories with a bit of a twist - I'd highly recommend pretty much anything by Haruki Murakami - he has a couple of short story anthologies out - The Elephant Vanishes is a good one; Angela Carter is also pretty good on the short story front, I love her 'alternative' take on well known fairy/horror stories. Or comedy, perhaps. Can't recommend anything there I'm afraid, though. I had the sad realisation, as I looked through my book collection recently, that most of what I read is quite 'grim'!

Anyway, good luck and I hope it irons itself out. Perhaps, after all that reading, you just need a break?!!

[Niamh]

If you are looking for something light and enjoyable why dont you try Alexander Macall Smiths No.1 Ladies Detective Agency series? They're quite quirky and very enlightening.

[Nick Rubashov]

I suggest just one day, totally out of the blue, you head over to your local used books store, regular book store, or library and just browse. Don't go in with the thought of getting any specific book, just browse to your heart's content. Maybe you'll pick up something that looks interesting and you'll want to read.

[Anthony Furze]

Thanks for all the suggestions!

I ll keep you in touch with what happens.

[Janine]

I have a similiar problem with my artwork. I want to get back to it, but I just can't seem to make the beginning move. If you think small at first, I think this might work. Don't overwhelm or put pressure on yourself. As someone suggested, go to a few stores and browse and something will strike you as interesting. Maybe you could start small with short stories or poetry. Then you could work up to novels again. I know the feeling - you got burned out reading too much. I try to take one thing at a time. When we are young, we can do 10 things at once, but at my age I have to read one book at a time, or I am totally confused and forgetful. My plan for drawing is to start with a simple drawing of small scale. I have to start somewhere. I got burned out myself and thought it was too much work to begin again, but one has to rediscover the pleasure in it - whether reading or drawing. Afterall, the love of doing it it is the most important thing.

[Bii]

Afterall, the love of doing it it is the most important thing

Amen to that :) :)

[Anthony Furze]

I ll be out in the bookshop today, so I ll have a browse and let you know what I find.

Thanks and thanks again!