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Monday, 23 October 2017

The Dreaded Reading Slump

with Miranda

Do You Ever Have a Reading Slump?


Darlings, everyone does...! It might be a busy time of year when you're burning the candle at both ends, maybe feeling too pressured, too tired, too sick, too whatever. Happens to us all, even if you didn't plan it that way. Suddenly that TBR pile (mountain, whatever) seems all in the Too-Hard Basket and you (Shock! Horror!) don't want to read.

Never fear, Dr Miranda is here with some wonderful romantic reading suggestions to help you break out of that dire situation. 

Pick up something 'lighter' than you normally read.


If you normally read 500 page tomes, try a novella instead. Something like the delicious Pursuing Lord Pascal by our friend Anna Campbell. The perfect pick-me-up; just looking at that glorious cover makes me feel better straight away. But psst! Although this is shorter than a full-length novel, it packs a marvellous romance punch. You'll be reading more of Anna's books before you know it.

Photo credit: www.amazon.com

Or, pick up a series romance that is shorter than books you normally read. Perhaps Stepping Into The Prince's World from Aussie romance queen Marion Lennox. Yes, please. Sit down with a cup of tea and get lost in her world for a couple of hours. A reading slump get-well pill indeed. And then I can guarantee you'll go and get every Marion Lennox book ever, because you'll be hooked. She may write shorter books but by golly they are beautiful and tenderly romantic, with real-life issues. I love series romances.


Photo credit: www.amazon.com

Have fun with your books!


Head off to your local library - gotta love libraries, they're a home away from home. Just inhale and enjoy the whole booky atmosphere. So wonderful! Plus, you'll start seeing titles that tempt. Or, simply go to your own shelves (or your virtual shelf) and start picking up your books, looking at them, rearranging them, reading the blurbs, enjoying the cover art (who wouldn't?!) and maybe...randomly start reading one. Before you know it you'll be half way through. Problem solved.

If nothing else works...


Try rereading an old favourite that makes you laugh and enjoy life. One of mine is this fabulous book by Susan Elizabeth Philips, Nobody's Baby but Mine. Guaranteed to get you into a happy reading place.


Photo Credit: www.amazon.com

 

What else? What do you do to break out of a reading slump?


Love from Miranda xx

 

Love to love:

A book or author that begins a new reading glom for me. Quick, where's their backlist?

Love to laugh:

At old funny faves. A wonderful way to (re)read.

Love to learn:

About new authors, new books, new covers, new everything booky. I am a tragic book troll... But there's worse ways to live. Yes?
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13 comments:

  1. Sue Gerhardt Griffiths23 October 2017 at 16:20

    Nope, never had a reading slump. When I walk past my mountain of books my smile widens and I pick up the book I'm reading and read faster just so I can pick up another book from my TBR mountain.
    I do feel for people though when they go through days of just being fed up with reading. I can only hope it never happens to me.

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    1. Anonymous24 October 2017 at 07:51

      Sue, sorry about the 'anonymous' tag but it's me, Miranda!

      I laughed at your comment. I think I'm preaching to the choir here, we've all got tremendous TBR's...! And I did exactly the same as you recently, and swiped a book at random from the pile and enjoyed it. Didn't even look at the cover or back, it was a yes, quick, from that pile, great, moment. But occasionally people have mentioned to me they've had trouble picking their next read. Awful! so hopefully this might help them.

      Thanks for stopping by.
      Miranda x

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    2. Sue Gerhardt Griffiths29 October 2017 at 18:44

      You're welcome, Miranda! I forgot to mention that I'm adding your recommendations to my TBR list they sound sweet and definitely my cup of tea, and by the way love Anna's books, like Marilyn they're also a must-buy for me.

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  2. Sharon Bryant23 October 2017 at 18:41

    Hi Miranda, I reread my favourite books. The perfect cure for my reading slump with all the advantages of getting reacquainted with characters I love. Thanks for such an interesting article. I'll have to try reading your Anna Campbell and Marion Lennox recommendations. They both write such engaging books.

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    1. Anonymous24 October 2017 at 08:01

      Hi Sharon, that is the absolute best tip. I love rereading all my old faves, and falling in love with them all over again. I love the fact that so many of my keepers just seem to improve with age. Fantastic! I love all the authors above, hard to pick only a few from so many wonderful writers. Keep reading!

      Miranda x

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  3. Marilyn Forsyth23 October 2017 at 19:55

    Hi Miranda! I'm with Sue. Happily, I've never had a reading slump in my life. 😄 But if I ever do, I'll be sure to try some of your suggestions. Love Anna's novellas!

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    1. Anonymous24 October 2017 at 08:05

      I confess the only times I've had reading slumps is usually when I'm sick, Turning to the telly and to rom-coms or something like Pride & Prejudice (ahem, Colin Firth) might work. But as soon as I start picking up, that TBR tempting pile is calling to me again! I love the fact I can walk up to it and simply swipe something randomly and know I will enjoy it. So many good books, including yours, dear Marilyn! Did you know Anna Campbell has a new novella called THE CHRISTMAS STRANGER coming out for Christmas? A must read for me! Enjoy.

      Miranda x

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    2. Marilyn Forsyth24 October 2017 at 17:10

      I did know about Anna's new novella. Always a must-buy for me.

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  4. Cathryn Hein24 October 2017 at 07:11

    I suffer reading slumps. Well, they're not really slumps more wails of "I don't know what to read!" They never last long though.
    Miranda, you got me out of a slump only recently with your recommendation of Lost for Words by Stephanie Boland. WHAT a brilliant book! I raved to everyone I know about it. So now have I your other recent recommendation, The Romance Reader's Guide to Life, in my sights.

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    1. Anonymous24 October 2017 at 08:13

      Cathryn, how wonderful to know you loved Lost for Words as much as I did! I was surprised at exactly how much I did love it, how much the characters called me. When I was browsing it was such a wonderful booky looking book I couldn't resist...and I'm so glad I didn't walk on by. I'm rather excited by your newie, CHRISSY AND THE BURROUGHS BOY, out now (and on my Kindle). Can't think of a better way for others to break out of a reading slump than with Chrissy and Nick. What I love about romance is that there's always something special and wonderful coming out, to refresh and revive our love of reading romance. Plus, all the old faves.

      Thanks for stopping by!
      Miranda x

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    2. Cathryn Hein24 October 2017 at 08:21

      Oh lovely about Chrissy and the BB, Miranda. Thanks so much for picking it up!

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  5. Enisa Haines24 October 2017 at 14:05

    Hi Miranda. I'm another one never having had a reading slump. I'm always reading, even when sick I'll have my attention on the pages of a book. I think, if books were taken off me and I was never again allowed to read, I'd just swap my reading time to writing time and write. That way I would still have books!

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  6. Anonymous8 November 2017 at 14:16

    Well, Enisa, that seems to be what some writers have done through the ages - written the books they would like to have read but never found on the shelf! A testament to success. I hope to be reading yours very soon.
    Miranda x

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