Do you ever lose that loving feeling?

[Nossa]

I do get that feeling sometimes. All I do is just take a break, watch more TV or go out somewhere. I agree with Virgil that maybe you should just read less books during the month. Or maybe if you feel bored with the 'serious' books, you can try something a bit childish or something that's not complex. I do it all the time

[The Atheist]

Never.

I'd lay odds that since the day I could read, not one has passed that I haven't read. I'd read the instructions for the toaster if that's all there was.

(did you know you can change settings on toasters?)

[Scheherazade]

What were the five books, btw?

Kasie, you might be right about the "mental indigestion" I have mostly enjoyed the books I have read so far and I might need let them simmer a little before I move on.

The books I have read:

Becoming Madame Mao by Anchee Min

Norwegian Wood by Murakami

The Twits by Roald Dahl

The Kite Runner by Hosseini

The Secret History by Donna Tartt

The Treasure Island by Stevenson

I do let's say once or twice a year. Most of the times it's just a sign that i am not happy with my life (working long hours, not enjoying myself etc) in general and not just books .

Interesting because I am an escapist and whenever I am not happy I bury myself in my books until I feel ready to surface and face the music... but, then again, I read when I am happy too!

I don't have any tips to offer. All I can say is that I'm not a big literature reader these days. That alone should inspire you to get back on the book bandwagon.

I don't consider myself a big literature reader either. I will read almost anything and everything; reading children's books or mystery or romances does not bother me.

Reading for me is like a hunger. I can't settle for Big Macs, and I cannot ever quench my thirst. When I am not reading, I am flipping through my memory bank of poetry, and cutting at things at new angles.

There are occassions that a burger feels pretty good to me!

you can try something a bit childish or something that's not complex. I do it all the time

So do I as you can see (The Twits and Treasure Island!)

Never.

Lucky you.

I'd lay odds that since the day I could read, not one has passed that I haven't read.

I haven't stopped reading as such; I just cannot get hooked on one particular book.

I have started reading these:

A Suitable Boy by Vikram Seth

The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Hosseini

The Wind in the Willows by Grahame

The Dune by Frank Herbert

[Nossa]

I have started reading these:

A Thousand Splendid Suns by Hosseini

I always think of Khaled Hosseini's books as good reads anytime. But if you're not too keen on reading these days, maybe he's not the best choice at the moment. It's a good book, I really enjoyed it, but it's complicated, and in more than one place it can be depressing. Just thought I'd tell you what I thought

[kasie]

I have started reading these:

The Wind in the Willows by Grahame

Go off for a gentle trip down the river with Ratty and Mole - it's Bank Holiday this weekend after all. It's a restorative read at any time. (And should you ever be in the area, you might enjoy a visit to the River and Rowing Museum in Henley which has a delightful section on Wind in the Willows - and a nice cafe where you can sit and look at the river - and the willows.)

[grace86]

I've lost that feeling for awhile now. I've been reading one book for ages, and have a bunch of other ones started. It's so bad I've been thinking about picking up one of those crazy popular fiction books that are supposed to be fast reads....lol I feel like I am cheating

Seriously, you might just need a break considering you've read so many in a short amount of time. Go outside for a little while, then maybe you will find you are being called by one of your books.

Not a good recommendation for me..I have been taking a break for quite a long time now. Time to find a book.......

[Lioness_Heart]

When I'm tired and emotionally overloaded, I either read far to many heavy books and depress myself more, or cannot face any serious reading whatsoever. If it's the latter, I tend to rely on my stock of good-mood-books - they're generally some my favourite books from the last few years that have a good adventure and a happy ending (or just happy-ending books like anything by Jane Austen if I want to distract myself for a long time). Are there any old favourites that you want to reread? It generally gets me back into the swing of reading.

[Poetess]

Now, I have started various books (five, I think); even though they are considerably good ones, I cannot bring myself to stick with them.

I can`t read but one book at a time. This is how I focus more into one general/specific concept.

Do you experience anything like this?

Yes, the last time I experienced it was some hours ago. I wanted to continue the book i`m currently reading but just felt like i`m not loving reading it.

If yes, what is your remedy?

I just leave it temporarily.

[mickitaz]

I have to say that in general, I don't loose the feeling. In fact, I go through withdrawals if I don't have at least two books waiting for me (like now).

There are times when I just can't seem to concentrate, and read a sentance over and over. At this point, I set it down, and do some housework. If a book is taking me exceptionally long to finish, sometimes it does drain me. But then I make sure I pick up a light reading book (usually my fantasy books HP, WW etc).

The other issue I have is that I can't read more than one book at a time. I have to make sure I finish the one that I am reading before I go on to the next. Otherwise, I would get the stories mixed up in my head.

[Scheherazade]

I always think of Khaled Hosseini's books as good reads anytime. But if you're not too keen on reading these days, maybe he's not the best choice at the moment. It's a good book, I really enjoyed it, but it's complicated, and in more than one place it can be depressing. Just thought I'd tell you what I thought

Thank you, Nossa. I have read a little more from the book and you are right; it does look like a sad story.

Go off for a gentle trip down the river with Ratty and Mole - it's Bank Holiday this weekend after all. It's a restorative read at any time. (And should you ever be in the area, you might enjoy a visit to the River and Rowing Museum in Henley which has a delightful section on Wind in the Willows - and a nice cafe where you can sit and look at the river - and the willows.)

Just checked the map; it is that far from where I live. If the weather is nice, I might give this a try! Thank you, Kasie!

The other issue I have is that I can't read more than one book at a time. I have to make sure I finish the one that I am reading before I go on to the next. Otherwise, I would get the stories mixed up in my head.

I don't usually read more than one book at a time either but, being unable to get into stories, I ended up starting different books one after another.

[Nightshade]

I do ... usually I will read a book or 2 a day but at the moment a seem to only want to read for a few hours a week and then its only the philosophy that is interesting me. The best solution i have found is to just go withit usually I eventually come back to wanting toi read again...

[Niamh]

I do.

I am not a very fast reader but I read regularly and stubbornly. Even though I can read only an hour or so during the term-time, when it is holidays, I read 2-3 hours a day - or as much as my daily commitments let me - but sometimes (maybe once a year) I find myself unable to get into any books, almost falling out of love with reading.

At the moment, I am going through one of those patches.

I have finished reading five books so far in August but now all of a sudden, I cannot read.

Now, I have started various books (five, I think); even though they are considerably good ones, I cannot bring myself to stick with them.

Do you experience anything like this?

If yes, what is your remedy?

If not, how do you manage to avoid falling into such a pit?

Oh i get like that. its generally around summer time when i'm very busy and i cant unwind and get stressed. no matter what book i pick up i cant get into. Generally to get myself back into the swing of loving my reading, i pick up something i have read before and really enjoyed and have been meaning to read again and read that. Sometimes if the book is part of a series that i've read i'll get into reading them all and then that seems to swing me back in.
This summer i was almost two months for not loving reading where the only books i finished where ones i had to read for someone else. but then i picked up Faerie Wars by Herbie Brennan, because i'd been meaning to read the series again and because i was able to get into the book so easily (due to familiarity ) i ended up not being able to stop reading and read the four books in five or six days.

[blazeofglory]

I love books and the love of books is intensely embedded in me. This addiction at times is disturbing and of course I like it but this obsession at times gives me a pain.

I have numbers of books and they bury me all the time. I never can think about parting with books, not a day. 365 days go reading and reading. This obsession is at times an impediment and I have cancel many programs when books fix me.

[vheissu]

I do as well...I'm in the middle of one of those times right now.

In the past 2 months I manage to read Cat's cradle and Slaughterhouse 5 which are very short, but it took me awhile to finish them.
I won't even begin with The count of Monte Cristo: I simply can't carry on with it and I started it at the beginning of July.

At the moment, I'm slowly going through a novel of Julia Navarro, which I found laying about in the house. It's been the only book that has kept my interest, probably because it doesn't require much thought!

As for a remedy...I haven't found one!

[Scheherazade]

I have been trying to read A Suitable Boy recently and it is sort keeping me going (read about 250 pages so far); it is a funny state to be in surely.