top ten tuesday

Top Ten Tuesday: Books To Pull You Out of Your Reading Slump

Hi All!

This week I’ve decided to take part in ‘Top Ten Tuesday’ hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl again. The topic for this week is ‘Most Recent Additions to My Book Collection’, I wasn’t really feeling the prompt this week because I have a book haul post coming up soon, and just felt like they would be too close together to fit, so I’ve gone back through the archives and picked this topic to brighten your days!

The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller

I’ve had a lot of mental health problems over the last few years, and therefore a lot of depressive slumps that often induce reading slumps. On one of those slumps in 2019 I picked this up from my library and instantly fell in love with Miller’s writing and characters. I devoured this within 24 hours and whilst it certainly didn’t cure me, it was a brightness in the dark for me.

Thirteen by Tom Hoyle

I first picked this up when I was a teenager because I think it was on sale on Amazon, and happened to read it during a reading slump, and suddenly I was over it. This a fast-paced, action-packed middle grade read written by a former head school teacher who believes action should happen in every chapter – and they deliver on that promise.

Nimona by Noelle Stevenson

Over the years I have come to appreciate graphic novels more, but this was one of the first I ever picked up and boy was it an excellent choice. Stevenson is an excellent storyteller and this is easily still one of my favourites books ever. It’s loving, compassionate, somehow fierce and meaningful all at once and would highly recommend reading it for when everything else feels like too much.

Good Omens by Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman

Whilst not the ideal book to end a reading slump for everyone, if all you think you need is a fun fantasy that will make you laugh: this is it. Gaiman and Pratchett are both known for their wonderful worlds and wit, and together they are a force to be reckoned with, if this one has been collecting dust on your TBR its time to dust it off and pick it up.

Sooner Or Later Everything Falls Into The Sea by Sara Pinsker

A collection of short stories which I think has started an obsession over short stories for me, Pinsker really raises the bar on this one. Whilst there are always stories you like less than others, the nature of a collection of short stories really helps me get back into reading without feeling too daunted about it.

The Binding by Bridget Collins

A powerfully emotive read with a fascinating premise that had me hooked from start to finish, if you haven’t read this yet, there is a reason for all the hype. I found it helped me with one of my many reading slumps as it kept me hooked with it’s turns, whilst also not being too complicated.

The Women of Brewster Place by Gloria Naylor

Very much like Pinkser’s novel this book is here for it’s format of short stories, but unlike the former this one’s stories are all interconnected. So, in a reading slump, theoretically, you could read one story at a time to ease yourself back into reading, without worrying too much about the continuity or remembering just exactly what happened in the last story. It also helps that it’s a bloody good book.

When You Were Everything by Ashley Woodfolk

For fans of Shakespeare, who know they can’t possibly stomach anymore iambic pentameter or a very long historical play during a reading slump, this novel will help you. Or for people who aren’t fans of Shakespeare, a delightful novel on the nature and losses of friendship which isn’t overbearingly sad, where you run little risk of feeling lost or the desire to put it down.

The Bone Season by Samantha Shannon

I am constantly raving about this series, and with good reason too because Shannon is nothing short of a genius. So, if you are in a reading slump after your latest series has ended, and all the greatness that comes with it, this might be the series to cure it. As it progresses it really picks up and there are so many twists and turns I can never really predict where it’s going to go.

Lanny by Max Porter

Or more accurately, the audiobook will cure your of that reading slump like nothing else. It’s creepy, eerie, atmospheric and I just couldn’t stop listening to it, I was hooked to the story and all the mystery it held to tell.

What do you think of this list? Do you have any additions I missed?

11 thoughts on “Top Ten Tuesday: Books To Pull You Out of Your Reading Slump”

  1. Great change of topic! I’ve got Lanny, Bone Season, The Binding and Good Omens on my TBR and I keep putting them off (don’t know why!)—so it’s good to know that if ever I’m in a funky slumpish mood, these could possibly help get me out of it! 😃

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    1. thank you! Ugh you must read at least one of them!! But I also understand, I have so many books on mine that I have no idea as to why I’m putting them off!

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    1. Thank you! Sorry to hear about Good Omens, it’s definitely not for everyone, have you tried the series you may get on with that more. Yh when I first read The Bone Season I was enamoured, but in recent rereads of the first book I’ve come to realise it’s easily dwarfed by it’s sequels!

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