The Sword and Laser discussion

James Davis Nicholl talks about how to recover from reader's block on Tor's blog. We all need a little help in this regard from time to time. Nichol says,

"The best method I know of for mitigating reader’s block is to cast one’s net wider. Literary ennui may be simply be a matter of reading too narrowly. Consider the books you’ve recently read and ask yourself if they have any common elements. If you’re not the sort of person who enjoys that sort of thing, muse on your recent reading in a vague way and ask yourself if there is something they share. Are all the authors of the same gender? Do they come from the same narrow cultural background? Have you been sticking to a certain sub-genre? If so, why not take chance on a book outside your comfort zone?"

He employs a spreadsheet to help direct him to new things to read. I tend to read a different genre when I'm suffering from reader's block. Usually a nice non-fiction book sorts me out. What other tricks do you employ?

All of that is good but I'll push back against one thing... that readers should always be reading and that a fallow period is something to be cured.

There are times when I want to read and nothing seems to catch me. These suggestions seem good for that case.

But there are also times when I just am not in the mood to read. Nothing grabs me, I don't really miss reading for whatever reason and, instead of panicking that I've got some kind of block, I just go with it. Eventually, I return to reading. Just did this as a matter of fact. Read nothing in October but in the last 2 weeks I've read two novels and a novella and am 50 pages into Arkady Martine's A Memory Called Empire

A related thing are the times when I want to read but everything I have is long or is something I want to pay close attention to, but I'm not in the mood to read a 673 page book. In those cases I will grab short fiction (in an anthology sometimes) or novellas. I can read 50-100 pages in an evening easily and it's nice to get a full story in that length or less.

I like to switch between formats - audiobooks, short stories on podcasts, ebooks.

Often a reread of a beloved book refreshes the pallet..

I usually find that readers block just means I am trying to read the wrong book at he wrong time. For example, I ad to shelve Snow Queen for a week because I was too tired to get through the slow bits.

Iain wrote: "I usually find that readers block just means I am trying to read the wrong book at he wrong time."

Perfect, concise explanation. Whenever I may be floundering through a book I might just set it aside for a while and see what else is on my pile of books to read. It's rare that something doesn't catch my eye.

Rick wrote: "I'll push back against one thing... that readers should always be reading and that a fallow period is something to be cured.

There are times when I want to read and nothing seems to catch me. These suggestions seem good for that case.

But there are also times when I just am not in the mood to read. Nothing grabs me, I don't really miss reading for whatever reason and, instead of panicking that I've got some kind of block, I just go with it..."

I have to agree. Sometimes the best cure for reader's block for me is to watch a few episodes of a tv show that isn't requiring as much focus. Or listen to some podcasts.

But when I really want to read something and am stuck I just rotate between genres, look through my vast kindle library of books i downloaded always meaning to get to them, or explore the physical books I have on hand. You never know when it might suddenly become time for that one book....

I do that as well. I haven't felt like reading much at all in the past 2-3 months so I've been watching a lot of TV or playing video games.

Yep, I'm with the 'its okay not to read' crew. I've just completed NaNoWriMo and am now working on a second draft, and my job just got really demanding and I simply don't have much energy or the inclination to read right now. And that's fine. I still love to read and I still get excited about books - I'm just doing other things at the moment.

I also agree with Jenny about finding 'the right time' for a book. I've had books that sit on my shelves for years and then, all of a sudden, there is this strong urge to read them, and it's always wonderful!

Alright, that does it, I'm quitting my job to buy more reading time!

Rick wrote: "All of that is good but I'll push back against one thing... that readers should always be reading and that a fallow period is something to be cured. "

Nicoll mentions this obliquely, too: "I have just been handed a note that says, “You could also try doing something other than reading.” I am at a loss as to what that could mean." :)

I'm not his "extensive reader" but I still get into reading slumps where I bounce off everything I try, no matter the length or depth. Comics (manga in particular), video games, narrative TV, or even an audiobook are good ways for me to scratch the itch for story when the ol' brain just isn't up to reading a book book.

I never get reader's block. Reading is just one of many things I do in my spare time. Video games, TV, Movies, Comic etc all compete for my media consumption time.

I know I'm never going to read all the books I want. That's why I don't have a TBR pile. I choose a new book when I feel like reading a book and finish that before I start another one. Most of the time I just wait for the next S&L book to be announced and read that.

I think I mentioned this before, but a couple months ago I saw someone tweet, “Buying books and reading books are two separate activities.” I feel ya.

I also have a huge TBR, although I *have* somewhat whittled down the monster one I used to have. Pic: https://www.goodreads.com/photo/user/...

But this cartoon hits a little too close to home: https://www.goodreads.com/photo/user/... I have a big stack of books on my nightstand that I really want to get to but just haven’t. I feel guilty about that.

Yeah, that's why I don't have a TBR. I might tag a book in the library but it's never more than a few. Things come up and I'll follow the latest whim. This place is good for that, book of the month often turns into "read the series" and there have been a lot of good ones. Plus recommendations in the "what are you reading" thread. Indies I see online as well.

I don't have a TBR as such, but I can't seem to resist buying books and the more I have the more I feel like I should get reading a few of them, which is sometimes a little off putting. But their time will come. I bought them for a reason, afterall.

I've been working my way through the Brother Cadfael series when I need a cozy read - I love me a British Detective mystery and I'm a medievalist so...

I also switch it up - I'm getting through audiobooks faster than reading any other way at the moment. I'm back playing video games and watching tv (all the series I like drop new seasons at this time of the year; come February I won't even turn the tv on for months).

Ruth (tilltab) Ashworth wrote: "Alright, that does it, I'm quitting my job to buy more reading time!" You know what? I did that this year! And I still haven't made extra time to sit down and read - too many other things to do!

I don't think I've ever had reader's block, but what used to happen, especially when I was reading physical books, is that I'd finish one book, then spend 30-60 minutes wandering back & forth in front of my bookshelves waiting for something to leap out at me.

But I almost never don't have a book in progress -- even if I finish something right before I go to bed, I'll usually read at least the first couple of pages in whatever comes next.

Elizabeth wrote: "I've been working my way through the Brother Cadfael series when I need a cozy read - I love me a British Detective mystery and I'm a medievalist so...."

Are those good? I saw a number of the TV episodes on PBS here back in the day, but I didn’t know enough to know if they were true to the period or the books.

My own personal favorite historical mysteries (although I haven't read the last couple in the series, or any of the follow-up series) are the Marcus Didius Falco books by Lindsey Davis, beginning with The Silver Pigs -- detective novels set in ancient Rome (Vespasian is the emperor, I believe?). Fast-paced and snarky and some great relationships develop over the course of the series.

Joseph wrote: "I almost never don't have a book in progress"

This is the best thing you’ve ever written because of its distilled truth.

Also, same. 😁

Trike wrote: "Joseph wrote: "I almost never don't have a book in progress"

This is the best thing you’ve ever written because of its distilled truth.

Also, same. 😁"

*blushes*

The one thing that I regret about doing almost 100% of my reading on my Kindle these days is that paging through Kindle collections is not an adequate replacement for standing in front of shelves, picking up actual books and seeing which ones are calling to me.

I'll agree with that. I love my kindle for so many reasons but there is something magical in the call of a physical book that it can't replicate.

Spotted on the Parasol Protectorate group on FB:

List of Books to Read Before You Die

1. Any book you want
2. Don't read books you don't want to read
3. That's it
4. Congratulations. You did it.

Trike wrote: "Elizabeth wrote: "I've been working my way through the Brother Cadfael series when I need a cozy read - I love me a British Detective mystery and I'm a medievalist so...."

Are those good? I saw a ..."

I've read a couple of them Trike and find them quick, pleasant reads. Cadfael is a very likable character.

Trike wrote: "Elizabeth wrote: "I've been working my way through the Brother Cadfael series when I need a cozy read - I love me a British Detective mystery and I'm a medievalist so...."

Are those good? I saw a ..."

The first Cadfael, A Morbid Taste for Bones, is currently in Amazon Prime Reading. If your a Prime member you can read it for free (which I just did last week.)

As for readers block, I agree with Veronica, go back to a favorite series. For that reason I never blast through all the books when I find a really good author, I leave a couple so I know I have something to look forward to.

I've had "reader's block" for about a month. Several books I've had on hold at the library have become available, and I just let them sit. I have some Amazon credit I could actually buy some books on my wish list... I just haven't. I've even looked at going back to books in series I enjoyed, but gave up on and just ...meh.

I typically read SF, so the idea of branching out a bit intrigued me - then I realized one of the books I was really excited about from the library from one of my favorite authors was a dragon fantasy... and I just didn't feel like picking it up.

I do occasionally branch out to mysteries/thrillers/technothrillers a couple times a year, but I don't have any on my lists available now or that interest me enough to pick up.

I finally opened a library book a couple nights ago that I had been looking forward to and started in to it, so maybe I'm finally over the hump.

I'm not going to make my Laser goal this year... and I was so close.

"Several books I've had on hold at the library have become available, and I just let them sit"

A request. If you're not going to read a book, release the hold so the next person can get to it (unless this is automatic after a few days).

"I'm not going to make my Laser goal this year... and I was so close."

This is why I never do challenges or set goals. I read for fun and if I'm not in the mood (and I've been where you are), eh. I do something else. But I'm a reader, so I'm never worried that I won't ever read again.

Some good points, Rick. If you don't mind my chiming in?

On the subject of libraries, yep, they're great for reading new books. Deals vary by publisher, but in the main libraries get a certain number of reads over a short period of time for new releases. This means that getting a book on hold (generally auto-checked out) and returning it will cost the library a slot. If you check it out, don't finish it and check it out again later, that's two checkouts charged against the library's limit.

Better to actively manage your holds and if you don't think you'll have time to read, postpone your hold. It's easy to do on Overdrive. Or drop your hold and go back in later. Make it easy on the libraries, they have enough funding issues as it is.

Regarding reading goals, yeah, I'm not into those either. But for those who are, I'll just note that there are some short, free books that can help you get there and are also historically important. RUR by Karl Capek, which coined the term "robot." A Princess of Mars by Burroughs, you can see where Lucas got half his stuff. The Time Machine, for those short on classic Wells, is a fast read. The first Tarzan book, same. The silly but fun Off on a Comet by Verne.

For not too much money or maybe a library read, there's Niven's Protector, about 200 pages. LeGuin's Left Hand of Darkness, a bit longer at 300 pages but still a fast read. Several books by Leigh Brackett. The books in Norton's Time Trader series come in at under 200 pages and are cheap or free at Amazon.

The perk/problem with branching out is that each new category of book adds appreciably to the TBR piles and exponentially to the surplus of options in finding new favorites (if you find that to be an problem).

Ruth (tilltab) Ashworth wrote: "I'll agree with that. I love my kindle for so many reasons but there is something magical in the call of a physical book that it can't replicate."

True. But ereaders are great for portability. I didn't get one until there was no way to carry enough books for a trip. My body appreciates its size and weeight for everyday carry.

John (Taloni) wrote: "This means that getting a book on hold (generally auto-checked out) and returning it will cost the library a slot. If you check it out, don't finish it and check it out again later, that's two checkouts charged against the library's limit..."

Ah... didn't know that. Thanks!

I was thinking I had a few books on the TBR list and decided to actually walk through my ebook library in Calibre and tag all of the ones I want to read.

uh... There are 71. I won't have to buy books for awhile.

Trike wrote: "Elizabeth wrote: "I've been working my way through the Brother Cadfael series when I need a cozy read - I love me a British Detective mystery and I'm a medievalist so...."

Are those good? I saw a ..."

They are definitely what my high school English teacher would have called chocolate. They are cozy and will not tax your faculties in any way. They have a set formula and hit all those beats in every instalment (view spoiler)[(mysterious death; Cadfael gets full leave to investigate, ignoring his monastic duties; love-at-first-sight B-plot that always resolves in a happy ending; mysterious death solved; fin.) (hide spoiler)].

I read them because I know what to expect. That's what makes it cozy.

There is a broad and loose historically-based background, both the politics of Stephen and Maud contesting the throne and in the monastery. If you want something of that period, and monastic in particular that's a little closer to accurate, you want The Name of the Rose.