It is not often that I find myself in a book hangover but when I do it can be difficult to get out of! Maybe I will share some tips about out to get over a book hangover in a future post.
The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde
There is just something special about this book that I could not stop thinking about after it was over. It is just so smart and there is a lot going on. It is one of those books that I just had to live in for a while before I was ready to move on, which is ironic as the plot is about living inside the story of Jane Eyre.
Recursion by Blake Crouch
Blake Crouch knows how to mess with your mind. It is almost impossible not to have a book hangover after you read one of his books. I thought that Recursion was brilliant and it left me with a lot to think about. This story did not seem that farfetched. What I wasn’t expecting was for it to also make me so damn emotional!
The Travelling Cat Chronicles by Hiro
The Travelling Cat Chronicle was so beautiful and special. As a HUGE cat lover, this story touched me and truly spoke to my soul. I adore everything about the relationship between Satoru and his cat Nana. I was an emotional wreak and I had to take a week off from reading in order to recover.
The Secret History by Donna Tartt
This book was so heavy. It was a difficult read both in the plot and the way it was written. It left me feeling a certain way that no other books has before. I absolutely loved it but it also drained me in many ways. It is a book that I think about all of the time.
The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead
I am started to realize that emotional books often lead me to a book hanger. That was definitely the case with The Nickel Boys. It devastated me and also infuriated me. It is crushing to know that it was based on a true story and a school like this actually existed. As soon as I put the book down I ended up doing a great deal of googling on the school this story is based on.
The Silence of Girls by Pat Barker
I have fallen in love with mythology and The Silence of Girls is probably my favourite. I loved that Pat Barker told Achilles story through the eyes of a women. It was not a perfect book but it was refreshing and eyeopening. It also lead me down a rabbit hole of researching more about Briseis as she has also been in the background.
Women Talking by Miriam Toews
As soon as I finished Women Talking I knew that I had found a new favourite author. I knew nothing about Miriam Toews but I could just feel that this book was deeply personal for her. This is another book based on a true story and I once again fell down a rabbit hole of research which detracted me from reading.
The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet by Becky Chambers
The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet is everything that I love in SciFi. I remember distinctly how it made me feel and I think I actually hugged the book when it was over. Becky Chambers is a master at creating worlds and diverse, unique, memorable characters. I just was not ready to move on from this book.
The Ensemble by Aja Gabel
It is funny because I know many people do not feel the same way as I did about The Ensemble. There was just something about it that I connected to and has stayed with me. I love stories about musicians or artists and it was a joy to follow these characters throughout the years. Seeing how their relationships change and evolve as time went by was what made this book special in my mind.
Tin Man by Sarah Winman
I talk about Tin Man all of the time and I have no plans on stopping any time soon. I know that it is so cliche but this tiny book packed a big punch. It is an almost romance and I think so many of us can relate to that. It is also a beautiful story about a friendship that may have been more in another lifetime. I think about Ellis and Michael all of the time. I had to reflect on the story for awhile before I was ready to move on.
Putting this list together has made me realize that there are usually two reasons why I fall into a book hanger. One is when a book is super emotional and the other is when a book leads to wanting to do more research on my own. I think that is interesting!
What was the last book to put you into a book hangover?
Thanks for sharing 🙂
❤️
The travelling cat chronicles 😭😭
The best!!
Oh I just got recursion from the library, can’t wait to pick it up!
Also very excited to read the nivkel boys!
(www.evelynreads.com)
Yes!!! You in for a wild ride!
I suspect the Travelling Cat Chronicles would make the list of everyone who’s read it. It’s brilliant but heartbreaking.
I have Recursion on my TBR mountain so this makes me want to read it soon
I think you’re right. I think about Nana the cat all of the time!
As a fellow cat lover I love the sound of The Travelling Cat Chronicle, but I know I’ll be an emotional wreck if I ever came round to reading it haha.
It is devasted but worth it!
Just put two of these on hold at the library! Thanks!
Awesome. That makes me happy!
I definitely agree that Blake Crouch’s books keep me thinking about them long after I’m done with them!
Exactly. He is a master at that!
I seriously need to pick up The Secret History soon! Also, I was waiting to read The Eyre Affair until after I ACTUALLY read Jane Eyre, but now that I’ve read the classic I have no excuse! Great post💜
Thank you. Both such great books. I think you’ll love The Eyre Affair!
Great list! I LOVE Blake crouch – his books are always entertaining.
Same!!
I agree with many of these! A great list – many genres in here which just goes to show it really is about the emotional impact more than anything else.
What a great list! I loved The Silence of the Girls (although I read it after Song of Achilles, which is the version that gave me a serious book hangover). I couldn’t stop thinking about Recursion either!
My TTT
One of the last books that gave me a book hangover was Feather by Olivia Wildenstein <3
Recursion and The Secret History are great books! I may have to pick up a copy of The Silence of Girls, it sounds interesting.
Amazing Grace by Leslie Crew did. The Secret of White STone Gate put my 11 year old in a book hangover, although, of course, we call it a book slump. I also loved Travelling Cat Chronicles.
I guess I’m too late to comment but I couldn’t resist myself. The book that gave me a book hangover was Gone girl by Gillian Flynn.
It’s never too late to comment! I felt the same way about that book. There was so much that I didn’t see coming!
The last book that gave me a hang-over was definitely Charlamagne Tha God’s “Black Privilege: Opportunity Come To Those Who Help Themselves”. The title might seem shocking, but it’s actually really insightful & touches a lot on the ups and downs he encountered during his broadcasting career.
Thanks for this amazing article! I can totally relate when it comes to book hangovers and also appreciate the fact that I am not alone lol
I have a feeling the book I am reading right now is going to give me a book hangover!
Sounds like the beginning of a part 2 article lol. Thanks again!
I just finished The Secret History and loved it!
Yesss! I was just looking at it the other day and was thinking of rereading it. It has so much going on so I’m sure there’s stuff I missed.