Nothing But Reading Challenges discussion

96 views
Group Discussions > Reading Funk

Comments Showing 1-44 of 44 (44 new)    post a comment »
dateUp arrow    newest »

message 1: by Sashana (new)

Sashana Do you guys ever get into a reading funk? I seem to be on a plateau when it comes to reading lately. Don’t get me wrong, I love reading. It’s my favorite thing to do and sometimes I really think I like books more that I do people. But here’s the thing, when you’re constantly reading at some point, it all becomes predictable. So I find myself reading maybe four books at a time just to find something that will capture my attention. What do you guys do when you’re constantly reading books that just don’t do it for you?
I try to take a break from what I regularly read. Or if I’m getting tired of reading paranormal romance I’ll switch to chick-lit. But it doesn’t always work.


message 2: by Arch (new)

Arch  | 133 comments When a book is falling asleep on me. I tend to do something else.

I am a person that reads more than one book at a time too.


message 3: by Sashana (new)

Sashana Arch wrote: "When a book is falling asleep on me. I tend to do something else.

I am a person that reads more than one book at a time too."


I try to do new things too. Or just take a day from reading.


message 4: by Arch (new)

Arch  | 133 comments Sashana wrote: "I try to do new things too. Or just take a day from reading."

Yes, because a good book can become a funk, if you aren't in the mood to read it.


message 5: by Lisarenee (new)

Lisarenee | 7659 comments You can probably tell my mood by what I read. If I'm worried about something I'll read an unreasonable amount of Romances. They're somewhat easy on the brain (don't need to stress yourself out with a lot of thinking) and always have a happy ending. Otherwise I have a fairly good mixture of books unless I get addicted to a series. As for not reading. I still have yet to really have that happen. Although I did go quite a few years without reading, but that was because when my kids were little I couldn't find the time. If there was any extra time then I used it for sleeping.


message 6: by Heather (new)

Heather | 504 comments Hmm, have you ever reread a favorite book? Sometimes, I find that helps out and makes me want to find a new one that could be a favorite..


message 7: by Arch (new)

Arch  | 133 comments Heather wrote: "Hmm, have you ever reread a favorite book? Sometimes, I find that helps out and makes me want to find a new one that could be a favorite.."

I have. For The Roses By Julie Garwood. I had to visit the Clayborne family, especially, my favorite hero in the book - Cole Clayborne.


message 8: by Heather (new)

Heather | 504 comments Yeah, I usually will reread Mr. Perfect by Linda Howard, Julie Garwood book, or Lorgin by Dara Joy.


message 9: by Heather (new)

Heather | 504 comments Shoot, I meant Knight of a Trillion Stars by Dara Joy; Lorgin is the hero.. I am too tired for words..


message 10: by Arch (new)

Arch  | 133 comments Heather wrote: "Yeah, I usually will reread Mr. Perfect by Linda Howard, Julie Garwood book, or Lorgin by Dara Joy."

I didn't care for Mr. Perfect.


message 11: by Heather (new)

Heather | 504 comments REALLY?? You're the first person to say that. Why? I am so dying to know..


message 12: by Arch (new)

Arch  | 133 comments My review to Mr. Perfect is here: http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/84...


message 13: by Heather (new)

Heather | 504 comments Arch, OK, I guess I'm slow but I checked the link and couldn't find your review.


message 14: by Arch (new)

Arch  | 133 comments Heather, under the book section you will see a section that says My Review. That's my review.


message 15: by Lisarenee (last edited Aug 12, 2010 05:16AM) (new)

Lisarenee | 7659 comments Here's the just of what Arch didn't like, "In my opinion, the hero and heroine didn't have any chemistry. Let me say that sex was on their mind and heavy. The hero and heroine didn't have anything to keep them glued together. I can't imagine Jaine and Sam staying together long."From Arch's review.

So now you both have my curiosity peaked and I need to put Mr. Perfect on my "to be read" list. Arch, I know all about having a different opinion from others. I rated Eat, Pray, Love as a 2. *ducks from any flying objects that may be heading her way* Sometimes something in a book, and it can be little or major or maybe even something you can't put your finger on, rubs us the wrong way and we just don't get what all the hype is about. That's the great thing about goodreads. If all the reviews were in agreement how boring would that be? Thanks for sharing your opinion.


message 16: by Heather (new)

Heather | 504 comments OK, I see your point Arch.

Thanks Lisarenee! At times, I need extra help. I will be curious to hear your opinion of Mr. Perfect once you read it. I had been thinking about reading Eat, Pray, Love but now I'm not sure. I heard a lot of people slam the author for being depressed about blah things, and they gave several examples about trying hard life can be..


message 17: by Lisarenee (new)

Lisarenee | 7659 comments I think most people will know before they make it through the first section whether or not the book is right for them. It's the story of a woman who has just gone through a divorce, another relationship that is all but done, and she has had about as much as she can take. She decides to go on a leave of absence from her job and travel for a year. She swears off men for that year and tries to find herself. She is the type that forms herself to whomever the person is she's with. The first thing she comes to understand is that she does not wish to have kids. That little self discovery set off the events that lead to her divorce (not the only thing I'm sure that set the divorce in motion, but one of them) and the realization she needs to figure out what she wants. As the book progresses she takes time to discover herself and in the process also finds spirituality.

It was a little slow paced for me and I think the movie will be better than the book because of all the visuals you'll get from the places she went. I didn't dislike the book, but it's not one of my favorites. There were some cute and funny moments, but I'll take a good romance over this book any day.


message 18: by Arch (new)

Arch  | 133 comments Lisarenee wrote:"So now you both have my curiosity peaked and I need to put Mr. Perfect on my "to be read" list. Arch, I know all about having a different opinion from others. I rated Eat, Pray, Love as a 2. *ducks from any flying objects that may be heading her way* Sometimes something in a book, and it can be little or major or maybe even something you can't put your finger on, rubs us the wrong way and we just don't get what all the hype is about. That's the great thing about goodreads. If all the reviews were in agreement how boring would that be? Thanks for sharing your opinion."

You are welcome.

I am reading another one of Linda's book. Kill and Tell and I'm not liking it. I can't wait to see John Medina. I have read All The Queen's Men first and Kill and Tell is suppose to be the book that introduced John Medina. I liked him in All The Queen's Men.


message 19: by Lisarenee (new)

Lisarenee | 7659 comments I always hate it when you love a character and have to wait for them to show up again in a later book. I'm not good at waiting. I'm the impatient type. You know the type who if a present says don't open till Christmas you just laugh and next thing you know it's open. :)


message 20: by Heather (new)

Heather | 504 comments Arch, I have been thinking of reading All the Queen's Men but something has been putting me off. I think it is the ending due to the 'bad guy' who isn't bad. Something like that, and on that note, do you think I should give it a try?

Also, did you read Howard's McKenzie men? I simply loved McKenzie's Mountain, as the hero, Wolf I believe was just a strong alpha male for me..


message 21: by Arch (new)

Arch  | 133 comments Hi Heather, if you are a fan of Linda Howard, I would say give All The Queen's Men a read. You might or might not like it.

I have the McKenzie book and will read it one day.


message 22: by Heather (new)

Heather | 504 comments OK, I know the library has to have it so I'll check it out.

LMK what you think of McKenzie's book when you read it..


message 23: by Arch (new)

Arch  | 133 comments I will.


message 24: by A Voracious Reader (a.k.a. Carol) (last edited Nov 13, 2010 11:28AM) (new)

A Voracious Reader (a.k.a. Carol) (avidreader68) I read so much, so fast that I get a case of the funks once in awhile. When that happens I switch to magazines or do some mind puzzles such as crosswords or the jumble. Sometimes, if the funk is extremely funky I'll just have a movie marathon. The brain is a highly complex machine that runs 24/7/365 with supreme efficiency, but it needs an occasional break.


message 25: by Alyssa (new)

Alyssa (shyluck13) When I'm in an emotional funk after reading a bunch of PNR/mystery/romance/dark realistic fiction/etc (technically a lot of the same genre) then I usually leave the genre for a bit, no matter how much I love it, and move onto something else.


message 26: by Mary X (new)

Mary X (marymaryalwayscontrary) | 5588 comments I usually just take a break from reading for a few days when I hit a reading funk. I catch up on shows I've TIVO'd. Maybe watch some old favorite movies or ones I've been meaning to see. Usually something I watch will put me in the mood for for a specific genre or type of book.

Sometimes just updating my goodreads and paperbackswap shelves will put me in the mood for something.


message 27: by Heather (new)

Heather | 504 comments If I even think I'm in a funk, I simply reread a favorite and think I add to that shelf which helps me pick up something new to read..


message 28: by Heather (new)

Heather | 504 comments Niquae, I find that it helps out. Also, if I am in a certain mood it helps out.


message 29: by Sashana (new)

Sashana I'm in my biggest ever reading funk. Everything that I read is coming off as bland. *sigh*


A Voracious Reader (a.k.a. Carol) (avidreader68) You need a relaxing hot bubble bath and a massage by a sexy man. Several massages. And chocolate! Oh, wait...maybe that was me that needed that.


message 31: by A Voracious Reader (a.k.a. Carol) (last edited Dec 16, 2010 01:17PM) (new)

A Voracious Reader (a.k.a. Carol) (avidreader68) You need a relaxing hot bubble bath and a massage by a sexy man. Several massages. And chocolate! Oh, wait...maybe that was me that needed that. Oh, heck...we ALL need that!!


message 32: by Sashana (new)

Sashana Ohhh that sounds good. I would love a massage and some chocolate (the really expensive kind, of course).


message 33: by Sans (new)

Sans Or a chocolate massage? There's a chocolate massage bar available at Lush. Edible too. I've never used it so I can't attest to the taste.

http://www.lushusa.com/shop/products/...


message 34: by Shay (new)

Shay | 923 comments Sashana wrote: "I'm in my biggest ever reading funk. Everything that I read is coming off as bland. *sigh*"

All day I've been picking up a book, reading a few pages, then putting it down. Picking up another book and doing the same thing. Tried reading fluff, tried starting another book. Nothing, still not able to read more than 10 pages at a time.


message 35: by A Voracious Reader (a.k.a. Carol) (last edited Dec 17, 2010 07:11AM) (new)

A Voracious Reader (a.k.a. Carol) (avidreader68) Sashana & Shay, try putting all books aside and having a movie marathon instead. That's what I do sometimes. Or I read a handful of magazines.


message 36: by Sashana (new)

Sashana Carol wrote: "Sashana & Shay, try putting all books aside and having a movie marathon instead. That's what I do sometimes. Or I read a handful of magazines."

Carol, good idea. I tried that once and it worked. But I have to wait until tomorrow to try that.


message 37: by Sashana (new)

Sashana I've put some serious thought into this and I've decided to dub tomorrow a 'ME' day. I will eat way too much junk food and watch movies until my eyes hurt.


message 38: by Shay (new)

Shay | 923 comments Carol wrote: "Sashana & Shay, try putting all books aside and having a movie marathon instead. That's what I do sometimes. Or I read a handful of magazines."

I have kids so the only movies we have are Wiggles, Elmo, Toy Story 3, etc. They won't even let me go to the bathroom in peace let alone watch a whole movie. I secretly love every minute because one day they won't want me around.


A Voracious Reader (a.k.a. Carol) (avidreader68) Shay wrote: "Carol wrote: "Sashana & Shay, try putting all books aside and having a movie marathon instead. That's what I do sometimes. Or I read a handful of magazines."

I have kids so the only movies we have..."


You could have a day or even a half day of playing games with the kids, board games, card games or even puzzles. Or building blanket forts. My kids loved blanket forts, blankets strung over a table (we used a card table) and some chairs. Then we would make up a story to go with our fort. Was our fort a castle? A camper/adventurer's tent? A big top circus? A secret home in the forest? Making up the story seemed to clear my head and bring me out of my funk.


message 40: by A Voracious Reader (a.k.a. Carol) (last edited Dec 17, 2010 12:27PM) (new)

A Voracious Reader (a.k.a. Carol) (avidreader68) Sashana wrote: "I've put some serious thought into this and I've decided to dub tomorrow a 'ME' day. I will eat way too much junk food and watch movies until my eyes hurt."

We love junk food days! I'll pick a day when the weather is really crappy and we eat junk food and watch bad movies, like Attack of the Killer Tomatoes or campy funny movies such as Monty Python and the Holy Grail. lol


message 41: by Shadow Jubilee (new)

Shadow Jubilee (uhqs) Just got into a reading funk about a week ago. Don't feel like reading anything. Making a poor effort at reading Northanger Abbey for the December Winter Wonderland and Classics Challenge. Am rereading a couple of Narnia books since I just saw Voyage of the Dawn Treader with my sister last night.


message 42: by Sashana (new)

Sashana Is it working, Niquae? I'm feeling much better, the last two books I read received four stars. Reading funk over. I took Carol's advice and cut back on my reading time to watch a few movies. I saw Going the Distance, Easy A, and Charlie St. Cloud. Awesome movies.


A Voracious Reader (a.k.a. Carol) (avidreader68) Sashana wrote: "Is it working, Niquae? I'm feeling much better, the last two books I read received four stars. Reading funk over. I took Carol's advice and cut back on my reading time to watch a few movies. I saw ..."

Glad it worked for you! I think it works for me because when I read I'm visually creating the book in my head and when I watch a movie it's already created for me. As much as I love to read and create, it's certainly more restful to the noggin to have the world already created visually than to create it from scratch when reading. Make sense?


message 44: by Sashana (new)

Sashana I get what you're saying, Carol.


back to top