Echo Posted August 4, 2007 Share Posted August 4, 2007 Have any of you gone through a period, whether for a few days, or even a few months or years, when you couldn't make yourself sit down and read anything? This week, I've been having a heck of a time reading anything except my For Better or for Worse comic strip collections. I am still trying to finish three separate books, and I'm constantly thinking about what I want to read next, but I can't make myself sit and just read. I went through a long stage like this about two years ago, when for almost that whole year, I hardly read at all, which is very unusual for me, as reading is my favorite pass time! Has anyone else ever dealt with this kind of problem? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Oblomov Posted August 4, 2007 Share Posted August 4, 2007 Yes, something like that happened to me in the late 1970s, soon after I qualified as a doctor. I had no problem with academic reading, but for some reason I went through a patch that lasted almost 2 years during which I could not keep up with and finish any work of fiction. I have still no idea why and even though I eventually conquered the problem, I feel that the experience slowed down my pace of reading permanently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michelle Posted August 4, 2007 Share Posted August 4, 2007 My problem is more that I get really fussy.. I can't settle into a book, and I flit around. I've been like it for a while.. suddenly a book will grab me, but then I'm back to the flitting again! lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JudyB Posted August 4, 2007 Share Posted August 4, 2007 I was like that a week or so ago - I read 10 pages of one book and then half of another before settling on the one I'm currently reading. There have been a lot of distractions and change to routine recently so I think that's the reason. I agree Michelle, when you get like that you do get more fussy - I think you have to be in the right frame of mind for the book you choose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted August 4, 2007 Share Posted August 4, 2007 I've found it hard to settle into a book since HP and the Deathly Hallows, and I've now settled for some good old Marian Keyes easy reading chick-lit to try and get me back in the mood! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kell Posted August 4, 2007 Share Posted August 4, 2007 I'm suffering a loss of book mojo at the moment too - although I'm really enjoying The Name of the Rose, I've now been reading it for 4 days and I'm only up to page 196! It's 502 pages long, so I'm not even half-way through it yet! And if this is happening with a book I'm enjoying, think how bad I'd be if I wasn't enjoying it so much! I'm hoping to finish it by Tuesday night as it's a hefty book and I don't want to take it to Swindon with me - I already have several picked out for the trip and all are a good deal shorter than this one in the hopes that my mojo will revive! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Liz Posted August 4, 2007 Share Posted August 4, 2007 Whilst I was revising for my GCSEs, I decided to give up reading so as not to get distracted from revision. Afterwards, it took me a few weeks to get back into reading. I found it hard to settle down and relax with a book as I kept thinking that I should be doing something else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hazeltree Posted August 5, 2007 Share Posted August 5, 2007 I always read something before I go to sleep - otherwise I can't! Over the last few years though I've been so tired I haven't been able to focus very well, so I've been re-reading all the books I know well. The same thing happened when I was doing exams - A-levels, Uni etc. I've never had a period where I've not been able to read anything but I have had to go back to really 'easy-to-read' books. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karen1 Posted August 5, 2007 Share Posted August 5, 2007 I went for about 3 or 4 weeks earlier in the year without reading anything as I just wasn't in the mood. I think it was because prior to that the book I was reading just didn't grab my attention at all and even though I gave up on it a couple of chapters in it really put me off reading for a while. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
angerball Posted August 5, 2007 Share Posted August 5, 2007 I used to have that problem when I constantly bought books. I'd really struggle to decide which ones to read, and would sometime read the first few pages of 5 or 6 different books before settling on one. Now that I mostly read library books, it's not so hard to choose. I know that I have to read them before the due date, so it helps me choose. I haven't really gone through a phase of not feeling like reading at all. I do find it hard to sit still and read for long periods of time (something always distracts me), but I always do have a book on the go. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteffieB Posted August 5, 2007 Share Posted August 5, 2007 Are you feeling ok, Echo? Sometimes not being able to concentrate can mean you have something on your mind... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nici Posted August 5, 2007 Share Posted August 5, 2007 I often go through periods when I really have trouble reading a book, so I tend to flick through magazines instead until it passes. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madcow Posted August 5, 2007 Share Posted August 5, 2007 I'm going through a phase of not reading at the moment. I'm struggling to find something that keeps my interest (apart from The apple!) long enough to get past the first couple of pages. Went to the library yesterday and came back with some smaller books which I am hoping will help. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Echo Posted August 5, 2007 Author Share Posted August 5, 2007 Are you feeling ok, Echo? Sometimes not being able to concentrate can mean you have something on your mind... Thanks, SteffieB! I'm all right, just the usual stresses: money, family, moving, school, work, etc. This problem with reading is a very recent phenomenon. I was able to read Harry Potter in 24 hours! I think I'm just not able to concentrate on any silly or heavy. I need to find a book that's in-between, something easy to read, but of good quality. That will get me back into the groove. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Icecream Posted August 6, 2007 Share Posted August 6, 2007 I too have been through these phases. Earlier in the year I read a few books that really grabbed me and enjoyed them a lot. Now, although I am enjoying the bookd I am reading (they still grab me), I feel like I am just meandering through. I agree with Michelle. You need to be in the right mood. I'm not sure that this applies to Harry Potter 7. I think with that it is that I don't want to finish it. I only have about 10 pages now though. I have so many choices for my next book. Do I read what I have recently bought? Do I read something I have had for a while or do I head to the library and catch up on some reading circle books I want to read? I also have a book on brass bands I have borrowed and want to read, but I'll read through that slowly. I think I am really going to have to think about what I want to read next. Janet, I too think I am going to find it hard to settle after such an amazing Harry Potter book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Andrea~ Posted August 6, 2007 Share Posted August 6, 2007 I go through reading deserts all the time (not since I have been here though yet). If I am struggling to read I simply have a break and don't try to force it. If you need some recommends for something half way between silly/heavy I am sure people here can help. I would suggest Alex Garlands the Beach (I know not everyone liked it) but I found it pacy with a good story and plenty of good quality writing. It has elements of adventure, is easy to read and has depth too. Or for something with humour in it why not something by Douglas Adams or Ben Elton (intelligent but light and funny). maybe Dirk Gently's holistic detective agency? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SteffieB Posted August 6, 2007 Share Posted August 6, 2007 Thanks, SteffieB! I'm all right, just the usual stresses: money, family, moving, school, work, etc. This problem with reading is a very recent phenomenon. I was able to read Harry Potter in 24 hours! I think I'm just not able to concentrate on any silly or heavy. I need to find a book that's in-between, something easy to read, but of good quality. That will get me back into the groove. That sounds like a lot of stuff going on! Hope all goes well. The "usual stresses" get overwhelming at times..but a good book works wonders. Have you ever read Practical Magic, by Alice Hoffman? Light and fast reading, for sure. And I second Douglas Adams..or even some Neil Gaiman/Terry Pratchett with Good Omens. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
carm Posted August 6, 2007 Share Posted August 6, 2007 i went through a period when i didnt read right after i finished graduate school- i just felt totally burned out by school reading that picking up a book seemed really an effort- carm Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merflerher Posted August 12, 2007 Share Posted August 12, 2007 I went through a horrible period a couple of years ago when I was on antidepressants and one of the side effects was that i just couldn't concentrate enough to read anything...which made me feel even more depressed:roll: I was eventually diagnosed with underactive thyroid and although I'm now back to normal (debateable!!) I still get times when I just can't read. I find going for a walk sometimes helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beef Posted August 13, 2007 Share Posted August 13, 2007 This has happend to me before yes, i went for probably 2-3 years without finishing a book, which is odd as most months i will finish at least one book, if not 2 or 3 but it does eventually pass. I could not for sure say what stopped me wanting to read but i think its because i was so fed up at school as soon as i was in college i hit the books for fun again and have not looked back. Is there some sort of weight hanging over your head? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lilywhite Posted November 11, 2007 Share Posted November 11, 2007 I have lost my reading mojo I'm only finishing books because I need to not because I want to and it's taking me so much longer. I have so many wonderful books on my shelf but can't really be bothered with them at the moment. It's so frustrating. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
madcow Posted November 11, 2007 Share Posted November 11, 2007 Aww hugs babes, not a nice feeling is it? You need a holiday (25 more sleeps and counting!) Mine still hasn't fully returned from July but a least I am start to enjoy reading again even if it's not quite as prolific. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 Right now I am going through this in a way. My life is so busy right now and I am getting stressed out about things. It is taking me like two weeks to read a 196 page book. I want to read, but I just can't find the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Icecream Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 Me too. I just can't finish this Penguin book, but then I am not really feeling myself either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kell Posted November 12, 2007 Share Posted November 12, 2007 I've not been in much of a reading mood lately - my mojo seems to be on the fritz! I've ditched several books recently because they just weren't engaging me, despite being critically acclaimed novels (Brick Lane and The Mystic Masseur) and even though I'm enjoying my current read (The Identity Factor), I'm finding that if I read for longer than about 20 minutes, my mind starts majorly wandering and I end up having to re-read chunks of text to get back to where I was. It's very annoying, as I really do want to read this book (I started reading it on 7 November, and here we are almost a week later and I'm only on page 158! That's VERY slow reading for me! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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