Play Book Tag discussion

I’m in a slump. I’ve Ben trying to start Crossroads fog the past couple of weeks. Anytime I sit down I end up watching Shtisel instead (which is a wonderful series on Netflix. I miss reading though. I have this week off so I’m hoping I’ll be able to make some inroads

Sally, I had tried reading "Crossroads" too and soon gave up. I find that Franzen's writing is too pretentious for me.

I loved the Shtisel series on Netflix and watched all of the seasons. Isn't the character "Akiva" great? I became interested in how the orthodox community treated its artists. This led me to rereading an older book by Chaim Potok, My Name Is Asher Lev, which I loved.

What other streaming series are interesting you? Right now, my husband and I are watching "Shrinking" on Apple TV.

To me, it doesn't matter if it's a book or a film series. If either entertains and captures my imagination, I'm happy.

Sounds to me, Sally, like you need to dump Crossroads and pick up something fun or different.

I agree Sally-dump it and find something easy and fun. I also have been in a slump and reading has been extremely difficult. Slowly pulling my way out of it with a few easy books that are more popcorn than anything else

Sally is on winter break. We should all vote on her five or six choices and tell her exactly what to read this week!

Holly. I also adore Kiva. The Ultra Orthodox sect has always been a source of mystery and frustration for me and I have found this series refreshing. To see the emotions of the characters and the relationship between them has given me true joy.

Amy wrote: "Sally is on winter break. We should all vote on her five or six choices and tell her exactly what to read this week!"

Great idea! Just looked at Sally's Want to read list briefly. My suggestions for her to read:
The Maid - up for an Edgar and you can discuss it under the Edgars 2023 thread.
Black Cake - that cover! Looks like fun.
The Last Dress from Paris - sounds good
The Lost Vintage - HF that I just loved. Atypical of WWII because of vinyard setting.
Oh William! - lovely and such a NYC book. I rated this highly.

Anyone else have suggestions for Sally?

Sallys, I saw that you have Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows in your "to read" books, I highly recommend that, it was so much fun!

annapi wrote: "Sallys, I saw that you have Erotic Stories for Punjabi Widows in your "to read" books, I highly recommend that, it was so much fun!"

Ooh, yes!

Sally I am playing around on your Want to Read Shelf, and we have so many books in common which doesn't surprise me. I liked some that the others have suggested. But I have picked these out for you...

When We Were Mermaids
Remarkably Bright Creatures

*** And They Called it Camelot - I loved this so much. Jackie Kennedy Historical Fiction by Stephanie Thornton who is a new favorite of mine

The Rose Code

** Have You Seen Luis Velez. That is a real feel good pick me up.

*The World That We Knew (Just Beautiful!)

*The Marriage of Opposites (Also Just Beautiful) - But now with these two you are in Hoffman Land

Once We Were Brothers

Anyone of these is great! Not surprisingly we have a LOT in common that we both want to read. You also have a few doubles, and one or two that should just be tossed off your list entirely. The Book of Names for one, don't waste your time.

I can recommend (both 5 star reads):

Hamnet
The Plot to Destroy Democracy (although this might be slightly scary what with Putin and Ukraine!)

Sallys wrote: "I’m in a slump. I’ve Ben trying to start Crossroads fog the past couple of weeks. Anytime I sit down I end up watching Shtisel instead (which is a wonderful series on Netflix. I miss reading though..."

I loved Crossroads, but it sounds like it is the wrong time for it!

What usually works for me to break out of a reading slump is to move away from literary fiction (which I see from our shelves we share a lot of love for) and break out into a genre that's not my usual, but that is more engaging and easier to read.

My favorite go-to's for a slump are:

Memoirs (not celebrity for me, but ordinary people)
True Crime
Outdoor Adventure/Survival
Horror

All of these are usually faster paced, and such you into the storyline.

Let me know if you want any specific recommendations, but I think the trick is really to take a break from your usual reading pattern and go for something that just seems attractive to you that you usually don't indulge in.

My go-to's are the opposite of Anita's - I can't read horror, true crime, or survival in regular times, let alone a slump. I would read a humorous mystery, humorous romance, or nonfiction on pop culture or other light subjects. Or maybe a children's book you enjoyed in the past.

This is me right now, except I haven't even started the book I downloaded. I haven't done any reading since my dad passed away last month even though I have intentions every day. I manage to waste time on my phone. The book I downloaded is even a lighter read, so I don't know why I can't manage to just pick up my Kindle and start it. :(

Robin P wrote: "My go-to's are the opposite of Anita's - I can't read horror, true crime, or survival in regular times, let alone a slump. I would read a humorous mystery, humorous romance, or nonfiction on pop cu..."

Lol, yes, everyone needs to find their own "go tos", but something that might be outside your normal can shake things up and get you back on the reading path! I'd go for an option that really piques your own curiosity and interest.

~*Kim*~ wrote: "This is me right now, except I haven't even started the book I downloaded. I haven't done any reading since my dad passed away last month even though I have intentions every day. I manage to waste ..."

So so sorry you lost your father, Kim. I do think a lot of stress makes it so hard to read anything at all. The pandemic was a perfect time to do a lot of reading, and I have never read less in my life . . .

~*Kim*~ wrote: "This is me right now, except I haven't even started the book I downloaded. I haven't done any reading since my dad passed away last month even though I have intentions every day. I manage to waste ..."

So sorry to hear this, Kim. Don't worry about being "productive" or anything like that.

~*Kim*~ wrote: "This is me right now, except I haven't even started the book I downloaded. I haven't done any reading since my dad passed away last month even though I have intentions every day. I manage to waste ..."

I'm sorry to hear about this, Kim. My husband just lost his mother in January, and I agree that you shouldn't worry about reading or being productive.

Amy wrote: "Sally I am playing around on your Want to Read Shelf, and we have so many books in common which doesn't surprise me. I liked some that the others have suggested. But I have picked these out for you..."

I also recommend Remarkably Bright Creatures, although when I have a reading slump sometimes funny or just fun books help, or a complete reading change of pace. However, I agree with others that it's better just to set Crossroads aside if you're having a slump.

~*Kim*~ wrote: "This is me right now, except I haven't even started the book I downloaded. I haven't done any reading since my dad passed away last month even though I have intentions every day. I manage to waste ..."

Totally understand this feeling, Kim. When my daddy passed, I happened to have the audio of The Call of the Wild by Jack London on my Mp3 player. I found myself listening to it as we drove back to Wisconsin from Texas. It felt the a great way to remember my dad, who loved dogs and being "in the woods". In fact, after listening (and I'll admit my mind wandered a lot during that experience), I picked up the text version and spent some time with the things my dad loved - dogs and nature.

Thank you all. I’ve decided to stick with crossroads. It finally engaged me. I will keep all of your suffering mind for the future though .

Kim.I’m so sorry for your loss

Crossroads is definitely a generational book. I am of the generation profiled so it was easy for me to get into. I am hot and cold with Franzen. The Corrections was ok, I really likedFreedom (again, because of personal connections, I felt like he got the Minnesota context right) and I thought Purity was terrible.

I like Franzen. I’ve only read freedom and the corrections. Never tried purity

~*Kim*~ wrote: "This is me right now, except I haven't even started the book I downloaded. I haven't done any reading since my dad passed away last month even though I have intentions every day. I manage to waste ..."

Kim please don't stress over this. After my husband died it was a few months before I felt like reading again and when I did I started with something extremely light. I also ditched the book I was reading when he died and 14 years later I still can't face reading anything by that author.

Sally I'm glad you were able to get into your book and I love that the community came together to give you other suggestions.

Amazing I m so appreciative for our group!

I downloaded Words on Candy Hearts to my Kindle. It's a rom-com, so should be a light read. Hopefully I can get back into reading with it.