I think that's why I'm liking Narnia so much - it's virtual travel to a magical world! Maybe this is the master key to a reading rut: a book that takes you to another time and place!
I rarely reread books! because Im always in the search for the best new addiction :). My two favorites I read recently which I really was so sad to see end were "Covenant of Water" (I almost started to reread it as soon as I finished it, I loved it so much) and "Hello Beautiful." A very quick read that is charming is "Beyond that, the Sea" which I read in one day at the beach. It is very compelling.
That Cut article was hilariously vapid and much too long. It’s really about the advantages of marrying into money, not age gaps. Harvard, Nabokov, Lolita, cringe. I skimmed, then gave up when I saw the writer’s grand pronouncement that she was 27 now. God help anyone taking marriage advice from her.
agreed! but what the writer did do incredibly well was stir up lots of attention for her piece, which I admire - because "going viral" seemed to be the real goal of publishing that article. it is fascinating to me how worked up people will get over a stranger's pronouncements about how to "do life."
As purgatorial as a reading rut is, its opposite (a reading... sprint?!) is the BEST. Hoping you get one soon!
I've been rereading the Discworld novels, which definitely make me nostalgic (my dad originally introduced me to them, and I even remember his reactions to specific scenes/plot points!) I also have a bank of authors I know will get me out of a rut and specifically save their books for those times: Anne Tyler, Laurie Colwin (although I only have one of hers left!), Elinor Lipman, Katherine Heiny...
I am having similar feelings while reading the Narnia books - I feel transported back to my childhood in a good way - I can remember the way I felt the magic in the books was attainable!! Meanwhile, it's continued to snow here and I keep thinking it feels like Narnia in the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe 😉
Would love to know: what's your fave Laurie Colwin? I have re-read Happy All The Time and Family Happiness many times...
Happy All The Time! It was my first (bonus nostalgia points) and simultaneously complex yet comforting (you could extend that to most of her work, I think.)
Reading ruts are so frustrating, and I'm hoping you find your way out of yours soon.
I don't do a ton of re-reading as a general rule, but there are certain books that I have returned to a number of times - one that comes to mind is Judy Blume's Summer Sisters, which I have read probably a half dozen times since discovering it at 15.
But I'm a notorious re-watcher of things that bring me comfort. For the past several years, one of my go-to comfort rewatches (besides Pitch Perfect, which is a great movie) is The Intern. It's not a good movie by any means but for some reason I love to watch it when I'm sad and it always makes me feel better.
I've been reading lots of heady nonfiction lately, so taking a break with old favorites sounds extra-appealing. Such a fun suggestion! I've been looking at two box sets of Laura Ingalls Wilder and Madeleine L'Engle books on my shelf lately—you're inspiring me to dust them off.
it kind of feels like going backward to re-read old faves, but it's such a treat - relaxing and energizing at the same time - you feel all the best things about being a kid again!
My remedies for a reading rut
: read highly entertaining stuff that is short and not deep (think reality TV in book form) or re read your favorite book.
yes, yes, yes! so many people recommend re-reading an old fave!
Returning to “A Moveable Feast” always gets me out of a reading rut — because I take a virtual trip to Paris in the 1920’s— loved this piece, Amelia!
I think that's why I'm liking Narnia so much - it's virtual travel to a magical world! Maybe this is the master key to a reading rut: a book that takes you to another time and place!
Yes! I just read the Wordle wedding 😂 and the Cut — at first I thought it was satire, but….no…. 😂
The Cut piece is an excellent example of "how to write a viral essay" 😉 and I think many of us might fantasize about marrying Wordle!! 🤣🤣
Yes, it’s like an accident, you can’t look away 😂
And Wordle seems like a lovely guy 😂
Ha ha ha ha
A lovely, sometimes hard to solve, but very reliable, guy! 😉😉
This is an all-time favorite. The Resurrection of Joan Ashby: A Novel
I don't know it but will add it to my list! Thank you!
I think it’s absolutely brilliant and also so novel (pun intended)
See you tonight?
Yes, on our way now!!
I rarely reread books! because Im always in the search for the best new addiction :). My two favorites I read recently which I really was so sad to see end were "Covenant of Water" (I almost started to reread it as soon as I finished it, I loved it so much) and "Hello Beautiful." A very quick read that is charming is "Beyond that, the Sea" which I read in one day at the beach. It is very compelling.
Someone else emailed me about Beyond that, the sea - it's now on my list! Where do you find really good book recs?
That Cut article was hilariously vapid and much too long. It’s really about the advantages of marrying into money, not age gaps. Harvard, Nabokov, Lolita, cringe. I skimmed, then gave up when I saw the writer’s grand pronouncement that she was 27 now. God help anyone taking marriage advice from her.
agreed! but what the writer did do incredibly well was stir up lots of attention for her piece, which I admire - because "going viral" seemed to be the real goal of publishing that article. it is fascinating to me how worked up people will get over a stranger's pronouncements about how to "do life."
As purgatorial as a reading rut is, its opposite (a reading... sprint?!) is the BEST. Hoping you get one soon!
I've been rereading the Discworld novels, which definitely make me nostalgic (my dad originally introduced me to them, and I even remember his reactions to specific scenes/plot points!) I also have a bank of authors I know will get me out of a rut and specifically save their books for those times: Anne Tyler, Laurie Colwin (although I only have one of hers left!), Elinor Lipman, Katherine Heiny...
I am having similar feelings while reading the Narnia books - I feel transported back to my childhood in a good way - I can remember the way I felt the magic in the books was attainable!! Meanwhile, it's continued to snow here and I keep thinking it feels like Narnia in the Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe 😉
Would love to know: what's your fave Laurie Colwin? I have re-read Happy All The Time and Family Happiness many times...
Happy All The Time! It was my first (bonus nostalgia points) and simultaneously complex yet comforting (you could extend that to most of her work, I think.)
That was my first LC too. Then Home Cooking. Then I got obsessed with Family Happiness ❤️
Reading ruts are so frustrating, and I'm hoping you find your way out of yours soon.
I don't do a ton of re-reading as a general rule, but there are certain books that I have returned to a number of times - one that comes to mind is Judy Blume's Summer Sisters, which I have read probably a half dozen times since discovering it at 15.
But I'm a notorious re-watcher of things that bring me comfort. For the past several years, one of my go-to comfort rewatches (besides Pitch Perfect, which is a great movie) is The Intern. It's not a good movie by any means but for some reason I love to watch it when I'm sad and it always makes me feel better.
I kind of get the appeal of The Intern - there's something comforting about that movie! And it is by Nancy Meyers, of course!
Yes, there's nothing so soothing as the immaculate white kitchens in a Nancy Meyers film.
The way I *cackled* at "motherthriller"!
I've been reading lots of heady nonfiction lately, so taking a break with old favorites sounds extra-appealing. Such a fun suggestion! I've been looking at two box sets of Laura Ingalls Wilder and Madeleine L'Engle books on my shelf lately—you're inspiring me to dust them off.
it kind of feels like going backward to re-read old faves, but it's such a treat - relaxing and energizing at the same time - you feel all the best things about being a kid again!