Ehhh...a whole bunch of nothing.
I'm still attempting to read, but nothing is holding my interest. Truly. The only book I remember reading lately is Jojo Moyes' new book.
And it was sweet and lovely...but just okay. I wanted the magic of Me Before You. Sigh.
Other than that I've read crap. Crap that I don't even want to record on Goodreads because it doesn't matter.
And I've been checking out books from the library, but they don't even interest me enough to read them.
I guess you could say I'm in a reading slump. Or maybe exercise has taken my reading time. And that's okay, but I would love to read a good book.
So it's your turn. What have you read lately that you loved? I want something that will grab me and pull me in. I want something that I will immerse myself in. I want something GOOD. I don't want to struggle. I want to be consumed.
Whoa. That's quite the laundry list, no?
Go!
Did you read We Were Liars?
Posted by: Denise | 09/15/2014 at 07:15 AM
hmmm…i'm currently reading i capture the castle, a book on adoption, and about to start caught up in a story (a book about fostering a love of reading with your children.) and the to-read pile is SO very tall…as it should be!
are you familiar with the blog modernmrsdarcy.com ? a primary focus of her blog is books, and she shares some great ones! she has a series called literary matchmaking where she takes a reader's list of books (favorites, hated, and most recently read) and makes recommendations based on the list given.
Posted by: Kimber-Leigh | 09/15/2014 at 07:36 AM
I really enjoyed the Language of Flowers, and am currently reading Expats. If you like historical romance at all, you might want to check out Roses by Leila Meacham. I normally don't read that genre, but it was highly recommended by my BFF and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Posted by: Rita | 09/15/2014 at 07:46 AM
Right now reading "Goodnight June" by Sarah Jio. Really like it although I just haven't had the time to read as much as I'd like.
Posted by: Gina | 09/15/2014 at 07:49 AM
Have you read the kids books: Wonder? it was really good, but very simple!
Have you read the kids book The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane? My favorite book in the world!
I am going to give you a list of books my sil gave me and she always always has good choices when she passes them to me:
The Book of You
Fourth of July Creek (heard this was amazing)
The Good Girl
Everything I Never Told You
The Blessings
here are a few I loved:
I'll be Seeing You by Suzanne Hayes
The Art of Hearing Heartbeats & A Well-Tempered Heart by Maurice Sendek
The Storied Life of AJ Fikry
The House Girl by Tara Conkin
A Reliable Wife by Robert Goolrick
This is where I leave You by Jonathon Tropper
Keeping the House by Ellen Baker
The Light Between Oceans
The Bakers Daughter by Sarah McCoy
The Language of FLowers
The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton (anything by Kate)
The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grissom
All the LIght we cannot See
and Savannah recommends Elanor & Park
okay I know you probably read 99% of my list, but if there is ONE book on there, I guarantee you will LOVE it!!!!!
https://listography.com/1103725350 my lists!
I hope you find something soon!
I am reading Jo Jo Moyes new one now!
Posted by: tara pakosta | 09/15/2014 at 07:50 AM
I would agree with you about Me Before You. Since reading it everything else is just OK.
Posted by: Keli | 09/15/2014 at 07:55 AM
I agree, I have had a hard time getting into books lately too. Looked at my Goodreads & the recent stand outs were:
Little Big Lies by Liane Moriarty
One Kick by Chelsea Cain
Hope you find something great soon!
Posted by: Kimmie | 09/15/2014 at 08:14 AM
Read 'Eleanor and Park' by Rainbow Rowell, its a YA book, but such a wonderful story that translates to any age. I couldn't put it down.
Posted by: Kelley Hartnett | 09/15/2014 at 08:19 AM
I have been reading like crazy lately...but I will burn out too eventually. I really loved;
Orphan Train by Christina Baker Kline
The Husband's Secret by Liane Moriarty
Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsio
Posted by: Jennifer C | 09/15/2014 at 08:53 AM
I loved Little Big Lies by Liane Moeiarty. The Husbamd's Secret is so good too.
Posted by: Ellie | 09/15/2014 at 08:56 AM
The Secret Keeper by Kate Morton
A wonderful book that will suck you in!
She is a great author and her other books
are awesome too.
Posted by: Dana | 09/15/2014 at 09:10 AM
Just read Me Before You and loved, loved, loved it. It *is* a hard act to follow.
I'm currently reading the new Jan Karon book, Somewhere Safe With Somebody Good (the Mitford series); if you've read that series in the past, you'll like this one.
Posted by: Laura | 09/15/2014 at 09:17 AM
Yes, I'll second the motion. Really, really good. And Landlines is pretty good, too -- same author.
Posted by: Laura | 09/15/2014 at 09:18 AM
A couple I have loved lately:
The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry (bookseller on a little island)
Tell the Wolves I'm Home (set in the 80s, about a girl whose uncle dies from AIDS and the relationship she forms with his partner)
Longbourn (a sort-of P&P retelling, but about the servants' lives)
The Daughter of Smoke and Bone series (I am SUPER picky about what kind of fantasy I'll spend my time with. This was really good!)
Have you read The Historian? It is a long & spooky read about vampires (but not anything like Twilight!). The first chapter is a little bit slow and then WHAM, you're sucked in. So good!
Posted by: AmySorensen | 09/15/2014 at 09:19 AM
Here are the book club books from my island ... you'll notice there are a lot of British authors. Anything I've marked with a (*) was particularly good.
The Girl who Saved the King of Sweden by Jonas Jonasson*
The Miniaturist by Jesse Burton
Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese
A Single Breath by Lucy Clark
Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand
Instructions for A Heatwave by Maggie O'Farrell*
Wonder by R.J. Palacio*
And The Mountain Echoed by Khaled Hosseini
Life After Life by Kate Atkinson
The Summer of the Bear by Bella Pollen
Trespass by Rose Tremain
A Widow for One Year by John Irving*
The Light Between Oceans by M L Stedman*
Elephant Moon by John Sweeney*
We Are All Completely Beside Ourselves by Karen Joy Fowler
The Bone Clocks by David Mitchell
Longbourn by Jo Baker*
The Husband's Secret, Liana Moriarty*
The Bookseller of Kabul, Asne Serestad
Life, Death & Vanilla Slices by Jenny Éclair
The Thirteenth Torment by Pam Chambers
The Boy That Never Was by Karen Perry
Burnt Shadows - Kamila Shamsie
The White Princess by Philippa Gregory
The Villa by Rosanna Ley
The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion*
I'm catching up on Jo Jo Moyes right now (The Last Letter From Your Lover, Me Before You and One Plus One)
Good Luck!
Posted by: Melissa | 09/15/2014 at 09:24 AM
My book club books for October are The Hangman’s Daughter by Oliver Potzsch (my choice - a German author from Munich who writes about this area that I live in . . . in the 1600's. Our book club is going to take a field trip to the Ansdech Monastery (BREWERY!!, which of course I can't drink beer because I'm doing WLC) to review the book. It's a 3-book series right now, so if I like the first, I'll continue with the others.
The other choice for October is: Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
Posted by: Kerry | 09/15/2014 at 09:25 AM
I just finished the latest book "The Long Way Home" (the Inspector Gamache series) by Louise Penny (mystery) that just came out. There are 10 books in the series and I read them all pretty quickly (found them late after they were already out). I really like the series as it deals a lot with what drives people to do the things that they do and I usually don't figure out who did it until the end!
Posted by: Cari | 09/15/2014 at 09:29 AM
Encountered the exact same problem at the end of summer. Our girls headed back to school on 8/15 and 8/25. I checked out books from the library but they didn't keep my interest. Until the latest book from my fav series (Mitford Book Series by Jan Karon) came out. Then I was happy to be reading again! Sadly, I devoured it in a couple days... Mitford's first book was a little slow for me as they developed the town and characters, but then I couldn't put it down and eagerly grabbed the next. Sweet small town, faith links, I appreciated it. Anyway, not sure what I will pick up next. Good luck!
Posted by: Jennifer Henson | 09/15/2014 at 09:36 AM
Check out Reamde by Neal Stephenson and The Circle by Dave Eggers. The first is kind of a thriller and the second is a take on how technology is taking over our lives bit by bit.
Posted by: Alison | 09/15/2014 at 09:57 AM
Love these posts! I have often been in a reading slump too. We go to the beach for a month in the summer. I love sitting on the beach reading while listening to the ocean! I read
"A Midwife's Confession" by Diane Chamberlain
"Digging to America"
"I'd Know You Anywhere" - Laura Lippman
"Beautiful Day" - Elin Hildebrand (and got to go to her book signing at Rehoboth Beach!)
"Ladies Night" - Mary Kay Andrews
I can't remember what else I read! School/activities for the kids has started, so not much time to read now. A little before bed, that's about it. Love to see what everyone else is reading!
Posted by: Stacey | 09/15/2014 at 10:10 AM
I just finishing a really great book - I smiled throughout the whole thing!
"The 100 Year Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson.
So good!
Posted by: Janell Knudson | 09/15/2014 at 10:36 AM
Storied Life of A.J. Filkry and Labor Day, I thought were both really good.
Posted by: Tiffany M. | 09/15/2014 at 11:15 AM
So thankful you posted this. I feel much the same way and I usually read 2-3 books a week but cant seem to make myself finish even one lately! Read all of L. Moriarty's books and really enjoyed them though it was a while ago. Maybe it is the weather :-)
Posted by: Barb | 09/15/2014 at 11:17 AM
I feel like it's out of your usual genre, but have you read 11/22/63? It's Stephen King novel, and out of his usual genre too. I'm not sure why, but it's stuck with me for a good couple of years since reading it. Here's more: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/11/22/63
Posted by: Kristin | 09/15/2014 at 11:40 AM
I Capture the Castle is one of my faves!
Posted by: Anna K. | 09/15/2014 at 11:50 AM
Cat in the hat... again and again and again. I know a lot about space. I'm sure this wasn't what you meant.
Posted by: Leigh Erin | 09/15/2014 at 11:56 AM
did you read Why We Broke Up? you will read it in hours. it's so lovely. Same for Eleanor and Park. Same for Wonder by R.J. Palacio. All are Young Adult and super-fast reads that are also meaningful.
i liked The 100 Year Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared too but it wasn't a super fast read for me, though enjoyable.
Posted by: karen | 09/15/2014 at 12:10 PM
Melissa, I love how widely ranged your list is! A reader of my heart. I just finished The Bone Clocks and loved it.
Posted by: karen | 09/15/2014 at 12:11 PM
oh and yes The Rosie Project by Graeme Simsion is awesome, fast, and hilarious!
Posted by: karen | 09/15/2014 at 12:11 PM
These are the 3 I have not been able to stop listening to, even after my commute is over I'd sit on the couch and continue to listen because they sucked me in big time:
Gone Girl (if you haven't read it already, totally crazy plot)
Middlesex (about a hermaphrodite that was raised as the wrong gender bc no one knew he was a hermaphrodite until puberty)
Red Rooster: awesome badass WWII fiction
Posted by: Cassie | 09/15/2014 at 01:47 PM
Richman, Alyson “The Lost Wife”
Kline, Christina Baker “Orphan Train: A Novel
Hill, Lawrence "Someone Knows My Name"
Kwok, Jean “Girl in Translation”
Orringer, Julie “The Invisible Bridge.”
Turner, Nancy E. “These is my Words – The Diary of Sarah
Turner, Nance E. “My name is Resolute”
Hoffman, Beth “Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt
Kibler,Julie "Calling Me Home"
These are all excellent from page one. We have talked before. We both loved "Room", I think you also loved Cee Cee Honeycutt, if I remember correctly. If I am correct, we have the same taste so try these, you will thank me.
hugs, Dorothy
Posted by: Dorothy | 09/15/2014 at 03:37 PM
I love Sarah Jio's books. They are all good but my favorite two are The Violets of March and The Bungalow.
Posted by: Shannon | 09/15/2014 at 03:38 PM
I read all of Rainbow Rowell's books- Eleanor and Park, Fangirl and Landline. But Attachments by the same author is my favorite. Best read of 2014 has been The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt
Posted by: Kari Ann | 09/15/2014 at 05:15 PM
Read "Attachments" by Rainbow Rowell. It's the perfect book to get you out of a slump. :)
Posted by: Alyssa O | 09/15/2014 at 05:18 PM
The Story of Beautiful Girl . . . it is so hard to put the book down and I pick it up here and there during the day to try to get in a few more pages.
I also love "Out of the Woods" by Lyn Gardner. It's a youth book and so, so good.
Posted by: Melanie | 09/15/2014 at 06:38 PM
Thank you for the post. My current read and favorite is "The Boys in the Boat" http://www.amazon.com/The-Boys-Boat-Americans-Olympics/dp/067002581X non-fiction but great read!
Posted by: Julie B | 09/15/2014 at 07:24 PM
The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult = Amazing. Or anything by her. I'm about to start The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd. I'm hoping it's a great read. :D Happy reading.
Posted by: sam | 09/15/2014 at 08:21 PM
Stumbling across Goodreads years ago has been a godsend to me! I loved reading but had a hard time finding new books or authors. Four years and about 1000 books later I do not have that problem.
I don't know what you like to read but here are a few suggestions: A piece of cake, Gideon's gift, The girl with no name (INSANE!!), Stolen (by Lucy Christopher), Earned in blood..
Posted by: Kristy | 09/15/2014 at 08:26 PM
I have also been in a reading slump. Thanks to everyone for your recommendations. I will be adding many of these to my Goodreads list.
Posted by: Keely | 09/15/2014 at 09:08 PM
I'm in a slump too, but i wrote down your past few lists and read a lot of those, most really excellent thank you!! So I understand the slump. There isn't even anything I'm super excited about reading right now. Slumps stink! When I find the book that gets me out of it I'll let you know!
Posted by: VanessaMeryl | 09/15/2014 at 09:15 PM
Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. A different and great read.
Posted by: Kylie | 09/15/2014 at 11:27 PM
Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy, starting with Northern Lights. He's the very best storyteller there is, I kept looking up to say, "This is so good". They really are amazing. You have quite a list now I think! I love to see what other people recommend. CJ xx
Posted by: CJ | 09/16/2014 at 12:56 AM
No- but it sounds GOOD! Added it to my Goodreads To Read list!
Posted by: Stephanie Howell | 09/16/2014 at 06:40 AM
Um, this sounds awesome. Thanks so much for the rec!
Posted by: Stephanie Howell | 09/16/2014 at 06:40 AM
Thank you so much Rita. Added them to my list!
Posted by: Stephanie Howell | 09/16/2014 at 06:43 AM
Thanks Gina!
Posted by: Stephanie Howell | 09/16/2014 at 06:45 AM
So many of my favorites here! Eleanor and Park! AJ Fikry! Wonder and anything Kate DiCamillo! Lots of these were new to me too. Thank you SO much my fellow bookworm!
Posted by: Stephanie Howell | 09/16/2014 at 06:47 AM
I know right???
Posted by: Stephanie Howell | 09/16/2014 at 06:47 AM
One Kick is new to me. Thanks so much, Kimmie!
Posted by: Stephanie Howell | 09/16/2014 at 06:48 AM
I LOVED this book. Read it in a few hours in Florence and fell in love with the characters!
Posted by: Stephanie Howell | 09/16/2014 at 06:49 AM
I LOVED this book. Also really loved Fangirl...haven't read Landlines. Rainbow Rowell is the best. :)
Posted by: Stephanie Howell | 09/16/2014 at 06:49 AM
I LOVED the last three on your list so it goes without saying I'll love the first. Off to put on my list!
Posted by: Stephanie Howell | 09/16/2014 at 06:58 AM
I love everything by Liane Moriarty. Great choices!
Posted by: Stephanie Howell | 09/16/2014 at 06:58 AM
This sounds vaguely familiar...but I don't have it on my Goodreads so I added it. Thanks so much!
Posted by: Stephanie Howell | 09/16/2014 at 06:59 AM
I LOVE Jan Karon. <3
Posted by: Stephanie Howell | 09/16/2014 at 06:59 AM
You are awesome, Amy. Adding these all to my Goodreads list (except AJ, which I already read and absolutely adored). Thanks so much!
Posted by: Stephanie Howell | 09/16/2014 at 07:00 AM
Melissa Reed.
First and foremost...you are AMAZING. Thank you so much for taking the time and effort to share these with me.
Lots of these I've read and loved. Wonder (it makes me weepy just thinking of it), Rosie Project...etc.
But there are even MORE I haven't read. So thank you . You have single-handedly filled my Goodreads "To Read" list to bursting today. Next time I'm just coming straight to you!!! xoxo
Posted by: Stephanie Howell | 09/16/2014 at 07:03 AM
Awesome, awesome. Thanks so much. I'm going on a prosecco tour with ODR tomorrow and I'm drinking the damn prosecco. I've been looking forward to this for months!!!
Posted by: Stephanie Howell | 09/16/2014 at 07:04 AM
Oooh, this sounds super interesting. Thank you so much!
Posted by: Stephanie Howell | 09/16/2014 at 07:10 AM
I love those books!! <3
Posted by: Stephanie Howell | 09/16/2014 at 07:11 AM
OOH, awesome. Thank you!
Posted by: Stephanie Howell | 09/16/2014 at 07:11 AM
I love lots of these authors and several are new. Thank you so much- I'm adding to my list!
Posted by: Stephanie Howell | 09/16/2014 at 07:15 AM
Adding to my list stat. Thank you!
Posted by: Stephanie Howell | 09/16/2014 at 07:16 AM
I adored, LOVED, enjoyed every moment of AJ. I've added Labor Day to my list!
Posted by: Stephanie Howell | 09/16/2014 at 07:18 AM
Barb- Good thing we have all these amazing recs now!
Posted by: Stephanie Howell | 09/16/2014 at 07:18 AM
Kristin- That book was freaking amazing!
Posted by: Stephanie Howell | 09/16/2014 at 07:19 AM
Bahahahah. I love you.
Posted by: Stephanie Howell | 09/16/2014 at 07:19 AM
I adore Rainbow Rowell and Wonder broke my heart. So so so good. I've added Why We Broke up to my list!
Posted by: Stephanie Howell | 09/16/2014 at 07:21 AM
LOVED Rosie! So quirky and good.
Posted by: Stephanie Howell | 09/16/2014 at 07:21 AM
I need to read Eleanor and Park! that was savannah's favorite! I knew you probably had read MANY of these! glad I could give you a few new ones! happy reading my friend!
tara
Posted by: tara pakosta | 09/16/2014 at 10:00 AM
Currently I am re-reading (for the 4th time) the 3rd book in the All Souls Trilogy by Deborah Harkness. This is a series that I just adore, in spite of the vampires & witches. =) I'll link the first book up for you here:
http://deborahharkness.com/discovery-of-witches/
After I'm done, I might go back and do a re-read of this one, since the TV series that they've made out of the book is currently running on Starz. It has to be one of my all time favorites!!
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10964.Outlander
Posted by: Vivian | 09/16/2014 at 10:06 AM
Oh, also if you like a little quirky-ness, Jasper Fforde has a fun series beginning with this one :
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27003.The_Eyre_Affair
Posted by: Vivian | 09/16/2014 at 10:07 AM
Back at you pretty girl!
Posted by: LeighErin | 09/16/2014 at 02:38 PM
Have read two thrillers recently which were really good. 'I am Pilgrim' by Terry Hayes and 'The Truth about the Harry Quebert Affair' by Joel Dicker.
Posted by: Cathy G | 09/16/2014 at 03:59 PM
I have read 50 books (novel length) this year already...all are posted on my instagram -- http://instagram.com/dinkime -- the majority were VERY good, a few were not, but those are usually commented on.
Posted by: becky d. | 09/16/2014 at 04:42 PM
Stephanie, We Were Liars is my favorite book of the summer. READ NOTHING ABOUT IT. The end.
trust me--you will love.
Posted by: Twila Bennett | 09/16/2014 at 07:46 PM
I seriously adore these posts. I just wasted too much time on The Heiresses by Sara Shepard. I guess it was just good enough to keep me going, because I tried to give myself permission to give it up. And now, The Girls from Corona del Mar by Rufi Thorpe. I think I really like this author, but the book isn't exactly a happy-maker so far.
Posted by: Kirsten J | 09/17/2014 at 01:30 AM
I am reading the concluding book of the Discovery of Witches trilogy (The Book of Life). Love it so far. And then I have to indulge in the last Outlander book Written in my own blood. I started reading this series when we were living in London, UK and it just reminds me of the atmosphere there. While in Europe you must go to Scotland especially the Western Highlands. If there is magic or faries to be found here in Europe then you will definitely find some there :) Have you read the House of Spirits by Isabel Allende? It is one of my all time favourite books. But other than those I am also a bit disappointed in the current books and did not find any new one that spoke to me.
Posted by: Melanie | 09/17/2014 at 12:45 PM
I second Cari's suggestion of the Louise Penny novels.... they are amazing and very addictive. My boss recommended them to me and 10 minutes into the first book I was hooked.
Penny has an incredible talent for developing characters that are quirky and compelling so that you can't help but wonder what is next in the lives of the people of Three Pines, QC.
Posted by: Leslie | 09/17/2014 at 03:51 PM
She also wrote Attachments! Read that before Landline.
Posted by: Stacie | 09/17/2014 at 09:38 PM
I liked all books by Sarah Addison Allen, but my favorite is Garden Spells. For me, it was definitely one of those books that pulled me in, and kept me immersed, and when it's done, you're just left feeling good.
Love reading everybody's recommendations - thank you! :)
Posted by: Kirsten | 09/18/2014 at 08:26 AM
Currently reading We Are Not Ourselves and cannot put it down. So good. Loved Light Between Oceans too.
Posted by: Vicki | 09/18/2014 at 01:11 PM
Currently reading Run by Ann Patchett and Americanah by (embarrassed I cannot spell or pronounce or currently remember the name).
Recently enjoyed:
Mr Penumbra's 24-hour Bookstore (like da vinci code for book nerds)
Cinnamon and Gunpowder (female pirate kidnaps a male chef at cook for her at sea)
All the Light We Cannot See (one of my favorite books of all time)
This is Where I Leave You
Non fiction:
Carry On, Warrior --Glennon is amazing; you probably read her already
Bread & Wine
I need to bookmark this page for future reading ideas!
Posted by: Margaret McGarry | 09/20/2014 at 05:04 PM