I've been in a reading slump lately. I bought some books for my kindle and none of them are doing it for me. Which gives me buyers remorse because I COULD have bought some other books I've already read that are just sitting on my wish list.
To get out of my funk I scoured my bookshelves for some of my old favorites I could sink into a beanbag with. What's that you say? I should have been writing? Probably. But it's been a very draining week and I needed some reading rejuvenation.
I thought I'd share some of my favorites that I always go back to.
The Julia Grey Series by Deanna Raybourn. The first book in the series, SILENT IN THE GRAVE has one of the best opening paragraphs ever written. And Nicholas Brisbane is one of my favorite male characters. He's swoon worthy. And I don't swoon for much.
MRS. MIKE. What could be better than reading about a 16 year old girl from Boston who marries a Canadian Mountie and goes to live in the frozen north. Plus it's based on a true story. I just found out there were sequels to this and I'm anxiously awaiting them at the library.
Anything by Thomas Costain. Even his historicals are fascinating.
I have a great love of Russian literature so ANNA KARENINA, A DAY IN THE LIFE OF IVAN DENISOVICH, CHEKHOV, they're all good.
The Nell Sweeney Mysteries by P.B. Ryan. The first one STILL LIFE WITH MURDER I bought on a whim. It was .99 at Amazon on kindle. I finished it in less than a day and quickly bought the rest. I Loved the characters and stories.
The OUTLANDER series by Diana Gabaldon. These books aren't for the faint of heart. There's lots of swearing and violence and sex, but there are also some of the best characters, dialogue and story ever written.
There are others of course, but these came to mind. Do you have favorite books to get you out of a reading funk?
Sara,
ReplyDeleteYou read my mind! I'm rereading Diana G's DRUMS OF AUGUST right now. ; )
LOL! Make that DRUMS OF AUTUMN
DeleteI new what you meant. I've been flipping through Outlander.
DeleteSara, I hate it when I buy a bunch of books and none of them keep their promises. I just did this recently. And, like you, I pulled one that I had bought a few months back, and it was perfect--PENNY FROM HEAVEN by Jennifer L. Holm
ReplyDeleteHave a good weekend. :)
Ooo, I'll add it to the list. This weekend should be great. Hubby is back from a week long business trip. The kids have missed him horribly and have been behaving horribly too. They won't leave him alone all weekend so I'll have some free time.
DeleteHope you have a great weekend too.
Okay... get ready for me to FREAK OUT. I LOVE THE OUTLANDER SERIES MORE THAN ANY OTHER BOOK/SERIES ON THE FACE OF THE PLANET!!!!!!
ReplyDeletePhew! A little extreme? LOL. I've read them all like, 6 times, they're that amazing!!!!!!!
Not extreme at all. They're that good. I've probably read them all that many times too. Maybe more, I stopped counting.
DeleteI write for kids and do most of my reading in the middle grade realm too, but one book that speaks so straight to my heart is THE UNDERNEATH by Kathi Appelt. It's poetic, soft, and beautiful.
ReplyDeleteI'll have to try that one. Thanks for the suggestion. I read some middle grade too, though I don't think I could write it.
DeleteSara - I don't think you should feel guilty for reading - we all know how important that is to a writer. One of my favorite authors is one you mentioned: Diana Gabaldon. I have all of her Outlander Books and have read them all at least twice. She is amazing in all aspects of writing; but the off-color language can be a bit much at times.
ReplyDeleteYea, the language was hard for me too. Writers do need to read. I usually don't feel guilty for it but I'm so close to done that I just want work until it is.
DeleteAh, someone else who understands the pleasures and joys of rereading favourites :-)
ReplyDeleteMrs Mike sounds interesting, I hadn't heard of it!