I do not know what is happening but I cannot seem to focus on one book. I keep dipping in and out of a bunch of books and nothing seems to be sticking. I am reading books from a variety of genres, and I just cannot figure out what I am in the mood for. I thought it might be fun to share all the books I am reading right now as more of a wakeup call for me than anything else. It is frustrating because all of these books are great so far, I just don’t know which one to focus my full attention on. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!
The Exiles by Christina Baker Kline
This is the book on this list that I really should finish first. I have an ARC copy, and I am really enjoying it. There are some heavier themes and the injustices that take place get me so heated that I find myself having to step away from the story every once in awhile. I think that is what started the mess that I find myself in at the moment! I am determined to finish this before September and to have a full review for you soon.
Raybearers by Jordan Ifueko
I am a few chapters into the audiobook of Raybearer, and it is fantastic. The narrator is doing an amazing job at bringing the story to life and I will be checking out some of the other books she has narrated. I have a few audiobooks on the go, but I am leaning towards focusing solely on this one. I am not a huge fantasy reader, but I can already tell this is going to be an original story with great characters. Also, have you seen the reviews? They are absolutely glowing!
How to Write an Autobiographical Novel by Alexander Chee
This is a collection of essays, and I have only read the first one, but I really did enjoy it. I am planning to read an essay a night because Chee’s beautiful words make for the perfect way to unwind before I go to sleep. I can already tell that each of these essays is going to feel like I am having a deep, personal conversation with a friend, which is something I love in collections like this one.
Midnight in Chernobyl by Adam Higginbotham
I am a few chapters into Midnight in Chernobyl, and there is just a lot to keep track of. I feel like the author keeps throwing names at me and I have no idea who these people are. I am sure that I will get a handle on things the further I get into it, and I am definitely curious to know more about what took place in Chernobyl. It is already evident that the author has done a lot of research while attempting to present it in a way that is accessible. I think I will really be captivated by this book once I am in the headspace to give it my full attention.
The Falling in Love Montage by Ciara Smyth
I barely started the audiobook for The Falling in Love Montage but, once again, I am loving the narrator. This book seems to get mixed reviews from my friends on Goodreads, but I enjoyed the first couple chapters enough to want to continue on with it. In theory, this should be the book that I stick with because I usually turn to romance when I feel a reading slump coming on.
Seaweed Chronicles: A World at the Water’s Edge by Susan Hand Shetterly
I know that this book seems so random, but every once in awhile I enjoy a good piece of nature writing. I am also a fan of microhistories, so a deep dive into the world of seaweed is intriguing to me. Shetterly’s writing is so beautiful and her passion for nature leaps off the page. Seaweed Chronicles is less than 300 pages, so if I sat down and focused on it I could get through it rather quickly.
Slippery Creatures: The Will Darling Adventures #1 by KJ Charles
This is not the kind of book I would typically pick up, as I am more of a contemporary romance reader versus a historical one, but when Talia Hibbert recommended this series on Twitter, I knew I had to give it a chance. I started it last night and was immediately drawn in. If I am honest, this will probably be the book I finish first because it is an easy read but there is still a lot of intrigued. The second book in the series just came out as well!
That is seven books!! And there are actually a few more that I tried, but these are the ones that I am most interested in at the moment. They are all books that I know I will enjoy if I give them the chance! Maybe I just need to take a few days off from reading?
Instagram | Twitter | Goodreads
I say start with Seaweed Chronicles, then move on to whichever one you’re struggling to get through the most. I recently started a book that I had trouble getting into. I decided just to finish it, since it was a little over 270 pages, but by the 100th page or so, it suddenly took off for me. I ended up finishing the remaining 2/3 of the book in two days, because I enjoyed it so much. You might find a new favorite in one you thought you wouldn’t like.
That’s great advice! A shorter book is probably the best way to go.
I have Midnight in Chernobyl too. I want to read it since the show is so interesting 🧐
I want to read it before watching the show. I heard the show was fantastic!
It was great in a sad and disturbing way. People complain about inaccuracies but they filmed it in what the people of Chernobyl knew/were informed of at the time.
Reading problems! I haven’t read any of them so I’m no help! Maybe finish the ARC so you can get it reviewed by the pub date?
That’s really what I should be doing, and it is really good too, so no excuse!
Oh wow so many haha!
I’ve been hearing so many amazing things about Raybearer, really want to check that one out as well!
(www.evelynreads.com)
I’ve listened to a couple more chapters today and it’s really quite incredible. Getting more and more into it!
I get into these slumps too! It can be hard sticking to one book when you’re in that kind of mood. I just put an order in for Raybearer last week (even though I don’t read much fantasy either) and I’m really looking forward to it. Hearing that Talia Hibbert recommended Slippery Creatures makes me want to pick it up now 😀
It’s such a frustrating cycle to be in! I listened to a few more chapters of Raybearer today and it’s truly incredible. I’m going to order a phsyical copy.
I will pretty much read whatever Talia Hibbert recommends!
Same, I just finished Take a Hint, Dani Brown and I’m convinced that she’s just mastered the genre of romance completely 😀
This happens to me a lot when I get really busy and overwhelmed. Sometimes I have to sit down and force myself to finish a book even when I’m not in the mood.
I did that yesterday and I find it helped!
That’s great to hear! I also find that setting a time aside for reading helps so I don’t get stressed about it. Like I usually try to read right before bed instead of being on my phone. Or I listen to a podcast. 🙂
Listening to podcasts is a great suggestion. I also find watching booktube helps!
That is frustrating. It happens to me sometimes when my mood is all over the place. Sometimes it leads to a slump because I start too many books and end up feeling overwhelmed, and other times it works out — I end up sticking to a few that really stand out to me. You have some great ones going here. I plan to start Raybearer soon and would like to read Midnight in Chernobyl as well.
It is frustrating! I committed to a couple of them yesterday and that seemed to help. I am about halfway through Raybearer now and it’s fantastic!!
I’m currently experiencing the same. I have few audiobooks on hold and few physical copies that I started. But, we’ll surely finish them one book at a time. 😊
I am in the middle of a dozen books, but now all are on hold as I’m reading and trying to finish only two at present. 🙈