The Next Best Book Club discussion

Hey!

Just thought I'd introduce myself, so here it goes:
I'm Jessica, and I'm definitely looking to find some damn good books, because I've been struggling lately to find really enjoyable reads. Back when I was a kid it felt so easy to find good books to read. Probably due to the fact I hadn't already read hundreds of books (still a lot of classic and popular books left to read) and the fact that I was young, so I had quite low standards as to what makes a good story. I stopped reading almost completely for a couple of years in the middle of high school, but picked back up again my senior year. Now that I'm an English major in college I find quite a lot of opportunity to read, seeing as I usually have to read a minimum of two books a week for my english classes alone. Still, though, I haven't been quite able to find many books that make me want to read like I did in elementary and middle school, the kind of books that make me forget time and just engross me so much I can finish them all in one sitting if I have the time.

I'm definitely going to try to start reading the books recommended here, though I don't know how much time I'll have during school, but I do try to read (ideally) one book for pleasure a week in addition to my two required books.

Jessica wrote: "Hey!

Just thought I'd introduce myself, so here it goes:
I'm Jessica, and I'm definitely looking to find some damn good books, because I've been struggling lately to find really enjoyable reads. ..."

Welcome to the group! I'm in Texas too. As a grad student, I can totally relate to not having time to read for enjoyment. I find that I'm much more selective about what I choose to read now. I think you'll find this group has a nice mix of mainstream and independent publications and a quality discussion about each selection.

Hi Jessica, welcome to the group. I go through reading slumps all the time. the best way to break that cycle is to pick up something totally unlike what you usually read....

Hi Jessica,

I'm in Texas too!

I hate it when I can't seem to find that magical book to carry me away from the world.

I hope you find something fantastic soon.

I'm curious about what kind of books you like, so I'll take a look at your bookshelf.

Jessica,

Do you like video games at all? One book that comes to my mind is Ready Player One I thought that was very engaging. My son is a reluctant reader, and he loved it too.

Even if you're not a huge video game fan, you might like it. I'm not a huge fan, but I still greatly enjoyed the book.

Dina wrote: "Jessica,

Do you like video games at all? One book that comes to my mind is Ready Player One I thought that was very engaging. My son is a reluctant reader, and he loved it too.

..."

No, I don't play video games at all, but I'll definitely give the book a try! My favorite book is The Art of Fielding, and I have no interest or knowledge of baseball, so I know that an excellent book can be enjoyed even if you don't have a lot of interest in what seems to be the main subject.

My bookshelf is all over the place tbh because I'm just adding books that I remember I've read as I come across them, so the reading of my youth is kind of mixed in with everything I'm reading now. I love YA lit, esp. John Green, David Levithan, Rainbow Rowell, Maureen Johnson... basically that whole group of writer friends, haha. I also like Jonathan Franzen, Lisa See, Amy Tan, and many other more "adult" writers. For nonfiction, I love books like Bossypants, Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me and How To Be A Woman, you know, memoirs especially of female comedians. I've read quite a lot of holocaust books (relatively), from fiction like The Book Thief to nonfiction like In Our Hearts We Were Giants. I pretty much can get into anything so long as the writing is good, and the characters well developed.

Jessica,

It sounds like you have eclectic taste. I do too.

For me, I think it's about the quality of writing and the characters; rather than the type of book.

Your love of Art of Fielding reminds me of how I felt about Silver Linings Playbook. I don't care about sports either; so it's hard to imagine I'd like a book about it. But I loved it.