The Reading Joy & Delight Thread

hildea · 01-08-2024, 02:15 AM

This is a sibling to "The Reading Vent & Rant Thread", for the times when something about books or reading makes you happy

I'm in a bit of a reading slump and can't make myself start new novels, even though I have the latest Murderbot on my ereader and know that I'll enjoy it. But during the holidays I had a lot of fun reading the roleplaying/storytelling game Good Society, printing out the play materials, and thinking about running a game. It's a game for creating stories inspired by Jane Austen. I also have a couple of expansions: Sense, Sensibility and Swordsmanship for stories like The Scarlet Pimpernel and Zorro, and Pride, Prejudice and Practical Magics for stories like Shades of Milk and Honey and Sorcerer to the Crown. The game looks really interesting, and doesn't require a ton of homework to run, unlike many other roleplaying games.

I'm also rereading some of my favourite fanfiction, and there's a lot of really good writing out there.

So while a (partial) reading slump is annoying, it's good to still be able to enjoy reading!

Sirtel · 01-08-2024, 05:19 AM

I just recently finished the latest Murderbot. Love that series! I made an omnibus of all the Murderbot novels and novellas, so it's just one big volume.

Apache · 01-08-2024, 07:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirtel

I just recently finished the latest Murderbot. Love that series! I made an omnibus of all the Murderbot novels and novellas, so it's just one big volume.

Are they in the correct order?

Apache

Sirtel · 01-08-2024, 07:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Apache

Are they in the correct order?

Apache

Of course!

svenlind · 01-09-2024, 05:11 AM

As Hildea I am also in a reading slump finding it difficult, almost impossible, to start a new book.
I tried to google "Reading Slump" and found several suggestions to remedy the problem.
link

Some suggestions
"Read" an audiobook, not suitable for me. I simply can't concentrate to do the listening.
Reread a favourite book. Maybe a favourite from your young(er) days. I will try that one.

Well the Murderbot books really look interesting, probably an addon to my very long TBR.

Sirtel · 01-09-2024, 05:20 AM

Hmm... I actually had no idea such a thing as reading slump (inability to start a new book) even existed. I've never felt it in 50 years. I do reread, but not because I can't start anything new, only because I specifically want to reread something.

I often feel that way with movies and TV series, though. My solution is to read instead!

JSWolf · 01-09-2024, 05:27 AM

Another thing that can happen is having a hard time picking another book so start reading.

Sirtel · 01-09-2024, 05:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSWolf

Another thing that can happen is having a hard time picking another book so start reading.

Also something I've never felt.

SleepyBob · 01-09-2024, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sirtel

I just recently finished the latest Murderbot. Love that series! I made an omnibus of all the Murderbot novels and novellas, so it's just one big volume.

Thanks - I hadn't realized the series was ongoing!

DNSB · 01-09-2024, 03:31 PM

I have to agree with Sirtel. So many books, so little time. I never have the issue of starting a new book and I read a wide enough variety of books that there is no shortage. OTOH, a few times per year, I will re-read at least part of a series prior to a new book in the series being released.

ZodWallop · 01-09-2024, 04:36 PM

After reading a bunch of books (that I did enjoy) to finish a reading challenge, I'm back to reading my way through Raymond Chandler.

I'm on The Long Goodbye, and I just enjoy his writing so much. One of the few authors where I enjoy the writing as much as the story being told.

ZodWallop · 01-09-2024, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hildea

I'm in a bit of a reading slump and can't make myself start new novels...

When I hit one of those, I read some comics/graphic novels. The fact that I now rarely read comics tells me I don't have those slums too often.

Sirtel · 01-09-2024, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZodWallop

I'm on The Long Goodbye, and I just enjoy his writing so much. One of the few authors where I enjoy the writing as much as the story being told.

I've read one book by Chandler and that was 30 years ago. I didn't enjoy his writing at all and will probably never read anything more by him. Just goes to show how drastically different tastes can be.

I've finished The Winter Queen (goodish, but not outstanding; will probably read some of the sequels, but not immediately) and will start something new today. I also have some unfinished (by me, not the author) series going, but don't quite feel like reading them at the moment.

ownedbycats · 01-09-2024, 04:59 PM

There's a kind of slightly twisted relief to deciding to DNF a book you just couldn't get into and then moving on to a different book that turned out to be much better.

Uncle Robin · 01-09-2024, 05:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ownedbycats

There's a kind of slightly twisted relief to deciding to DNF a book you just couldn't get into and then moving on to a different book that turned out to be much better.

I wouldn't say there was anything twisted about it - simple joy for me, and an experience I have often, happily.

01-08-2024, 02:15 AM	#1
hildea Wizard Posts: 1,321 Karma: 69134700 Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Norway Device: PocketBook Touch Lux (had Onyx Boox Poke 3 and BeBook Neo earlier)	The Reading Joy & Delight Thread This is a sibling to "The Reading Vent & Rant Thread", for the times when something about books or reading makes you happy I'm in a bit of a reading slump and can't make myself start new novels, even though I have the latest Murderbot on my ereader and know that I'll enjoy it. But during the holidays I had a lot of fun reading the roleplaying/storytelling game Good Society, printing out the play materials, and thinking about running a game. It's a game for creating stories inspired by Jane Austen. I also have a couple of expansions: Sense, Sensibility and Swordsmanship for stories like The Scarlet Pimpernel and Zorro, and Pride, Prejudice and Practical Magics for stories like Shades of Milk and Honey and Sorcerer to the Crown. The game looks really interesting, and doesn't require a ton of homework to run, unlike many other roleplaying games. I'm also rereading some of my favourite fanfiction, and there's a lot of really good writing out there. So while a (partial) reading slump is annoying, it's good to still be able to enjoy reading!

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01-08-2024, 05:19 AM	#2
Sirtel Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,983 Karma: 243829945 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Estonia Device: Kobo Sage & Libra 2	I just recently finished the latest Murderbot. Love that series! I made an omnibus of all the Murderbot novels and novellas, so it's just one big volume.

01-09-2024, 05:11 AM	#5
svenlind Fanatic Posts: 540 Karma: 10491221 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Denmark Device: Kobo: Clara BW, Libra 2,Sage. Kindle Oasis 3, Ipad Mini	As Hildea I am also in a reading slump finding it difficult, almost impossible, to start a new book. I tried to google "Reading Slump" and found several suggestions to remedy the problem. link Some suggestions "Read" an audiobook, not suitable for me. I simply can't concentrate to do the listening. Reread a favourite book. Maybe a favourite from your young(er) days. I will try that one. Well the Murderbot books really look interesting, probably an addon to my very long TBR.

01-09-2024, 05:20 AM	#6
Sirtel Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,983 Karma: 243829945 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Estonia Device: Kobo Sage & Libra 2	Hmm... I actually had no idea such a thing as reading slump (inability to start a new book) even existed. I've never felt it in 50 years. I do reread, but not because I can't start anything new, only because I specifically want to reread something. I often feel that way with movies and TV series, though. My solution is to read instead!

01-09-2024, 05:27 AM	#7
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 80,746 Karma: 150249619 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, PW3	Another thing that can happen is having a hard time picking another book so start reading.

01-09-2024, 03:31 PM	#10
DNSB Bibliophagist Posts: 48,088 Karma: 174315300 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Vancouver Device: Kobo Sage, Libra Colour, Lenovo M8 FHD, Paperwhite 4, Tolino epos	I have to agree with Sirtel. So many books, so little time. I never have the issue of starting a new book and I read a wide enough variety of books that there is no shortage. OTOH, a few times per year, I will re-read at least part of a series prior to a new book in the series being released.

01-09-2024, 04:36 PM	#11
ZodWallop Gentleman and scholar Posts: 11,499 Karma: 111164374 Join Date: Jun 2015 Location: Space City, Texas Device: Clara BW; Nook ST w/Glowlight, Paperwhite 3	After reading a bunch of books (that I did enjoy) to finish a reading challenge, I'm back to reading my way through Raymond Chandler. I'm on The Long Goodbye, and I just enjoy his writing so much. One of the few authors where I enjoy the writing as much as the story being told.

01-09-2024, 04:59 PM	#14
ownedbycats Custom User Title Posts: 11,351 Karma: 79528341 Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Canada Device: Kobo Libra H2O, formerly Aura HD	There's a kind of slightly twisted relief to deciding to DNF a book you just couldn't get into and then moving on to a different book that turned out to be much better.