Has it really been two weeks since my last entry here? That’s just positively shameful. SHAMEFUL, I say, especially since I haven’t got an excuse to procrastinate, really. The accounting class that gave me the cold sweats previously occupied all my time ended last week (I passed with a C+, by the by, and, yes, I did work my ass off for that grade, so I am damn proud of it) and I have a mountainous book pile just waiting for my eager hands.
So why the lack of bookish activity? Truth be told and for lack of a better explanation, I’m just in a bit of a rut, that’s all.
As I said two weeks ago, I managed to finish That Night by Alice McDermott, with the vague promise that I would review it. Well, since that time, I’ve read both Stardust by Neil Gaiman and Platform by Michel Houellebecq, and I’m still uninspired.
West’s Business Law is a book that I’ve been giving a lot of attention, although it’s hardly the kind of work that I had in mind when I thought of chronicling the books I read. Haha. Still, my business law class has turned out to be a joy (no, really), and I’ve been looking forward to reading the assigned chapters every night. Additionally, what I’ve learned of contract law and intellectual property/copyright law has been helpful in dealing with the legal and business aspect of my boyfriend’s band.
I am now in the middle of reading The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly. Although initially slow-going, I’m glad I didn’t give up on it, because it’s only now, eighty pages in, that I see why this book was so well-reviewed. It’s too early to say, really, but I’m hoping that this book will be the one to pull me out of my rut and that I’ll have more to say after I finish it.
So there, a pathetic update, such as it is. In the interest of becoming a more active reader and reviewer, I’ve signed myself up for Weekly Geeks, and, no, I didn’t sign up just for the chocolate monkey. Besides, with a name like that, how can anyone resist signing up? 
And so now, my questions to you, dear readers: Has anyone got any advice on how to pull oneself out of a reading (or, to be more accurate, a reviewing) rut? What is the one book that you would recommend to someone lacking energy and inspiration?
11 Comments
Apr 27, 2008 | Sunday at 8:17 pm
To get out of a reading and reviewing rut, I try to find something short and inspiring. Sometimes, I also read a trashy magazine.
Apr 27, 2008 | Sunday at 9:36 pm
I’ve been in a bit of a rut too recently and only just came out of it last week. I find that I need to have variety and when I’ve read a really good book (which I had) it’s even worse – nothing seems right. My answer is just ride along with it until the next great book comes along. I agree with Beastmommoa find something short, or something that you don’t have to think about, or have a break from reading – watch a film etc.
Thanks for your comment on my post on “Travels in the Scriptorium”. I agree that it is obtuse and if it had been any longer I probably would have given up. I did enjoy it but mainly as a puzzle.
I started and stopped “The Book of Lost Things” a while ago – it seemed very slow. I see from your review that maybe I should have persevered.
Apr 27, 2008 | Sunday at 10:57 pm
I’d recommend the book of lost things – so keep going with it
Apr 28, 2008 | Monday at 12:29 am
Definitely go for something with a very strong plot line that pulls you through despite yourself. I normally look for a detective novel by a writer I already know with a detective I know as well. That way I don’t have to do much work in establishing the read. I already know the world of the book.
Apr 28, 2008 | Monday at 4:24 am
Ann’s idea is a good one – something you’re already familiar with would be just the ticket. In fact, when I find myself in a “reading rut,” I usually try to pick up a book I’ve enjoyed in the past and give it a quick re-read. That can sometimes spur me on to other newer things.
Anyway, hope you get out of the rut, and back in the groove soon!
Apr 28, 2008 | Monday at 7:13 am
The book that pulled me out of my reading rut last year was Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See. It was the first book our book club read together, and I have been a reading machine since! It’s got great atmosphere, great characters, so much to think about and discuss. It’s fascinating, not too long, and different from most other books out there.
Apr 28, 2008 | Monday at 8:23 am
@Beastmomma, Ann, and JLS Hall – Thanks for the advice and suggestions. My secret guilty pleasure during past ruts? Anything Sidney Sheldon. (Shhh! Don’t tell anyone!)
Apr 28, 2008 | Monday at 8:26 am
@BooksPlease – I almost gave up on The Book of Lost Things, too. It started off too slow for my tastes and I also found it to be kind of lifeless at first. But try it again and stick with it until about 80 pages in; you just might change your mind.
Apr 28, 2008 | Monday at 8:35 am
@lisamm – Thanks for the suggestion. I do actually own Snow Flower, but I haven’t gotten around to reading it. I think it’s time to dust it off and put it on top of the TBR pile.
May 04, 2008 | Sunday at 3:26 pm
[...] with it when I started, I was very affected by the book as I neared the end. Finally, after a rather annoying slump, I am inspired again to read and write (reviews, that is). The Book of Lost Things deals very [...]
May 08, 2008 | Thursday at 10:02 pm
[...] than the execution (wow, how diplomatic am I?). There were times when the writing fell flat; as I mentioned previously, I nearly gave up on the book as it was pretty slow-going. The wildly creative reimaginings of the [...]