So interesting what you said about motivation declining due to a streak of "just fine" books rather than books you hate! I've been going through a "book hangover," which has made me feel a little slumpy. Glad you're enjoying reading again!
@@TomOrange R. Scott Bakker's The White Luck Warrior from his Second Apocalypse series. I thought it was a wild ride, emotionally gripping, and complex. It took everything out of me in the best way possible. 😅 Fortunately, Lonesome Dove is really starting to hook me! I agree with what you said about switching up genres.
@@TomOrange I recommend waiting until you clear some of these heavier series off your plate. It’s a bit dense at times and very bleak! If you’re looking for an incredible standalone recommendation in the meantime, I recommend Guy Gavriel Kay’s A Song for Arbonne or Lions of Al-Rassan!
It's sounding more and more like Malazan's just not for you. The early books are the ones people tend to like the most and they haven't hooked you as yet. My biggest slump was 4 years - I'd just read China Mieville's The Scar and the popular fantasy at the time just couldn't compare. Eventually just stopped reading, focused a little more on my career and next thing I knew it was 4 years. And then, I was in the mood for something light and fun, and along came Dresden Files. And that was like getting bit by the fantasy bug all over again.
Sorry to hear that it's been so rough the past few weeks/months! I can definitely relate to the frustrating streak of aggressively fine books, that is just so demotivating 🙃 I also think we need to normalize 'not reading' more, it's so easy to make reading your entire personality when you enter the online bookish community. Glad you have found some good entertainment in other areas, and I hope your reading mojo will only increase again from here on out. Cheers :)
Hey Tom! I’ve been in a gnarly slump too probably as a result of life and also reading some 3 star “not bad but not great” books. This is so counterintuitive but I started reading The Stand by Stephen King and I cannot put it down! You’ll be back in the groove in no time!
I like Backman's longer books better than his shorter ones but as I've said before, his longer ones are some of my absolutely favorite reads. You had some good suggestions for getting out of your slump. For me, rereading a favorite book is especially helpful. Good luck, I'm sure you will be back to reading a lot at least by summer's end.
Malazan is the bane of booktubers who have a goal to finish as many books as possible. If you're looking for quantity, read other easier/shorter books. If you're looking for quality, read Malazan.
East of Eden really shook me out of a stretch of reading that was very mediocre. Bullied it's way onto my list of favorites of all time. Also I agree on shorter stuff being a good reset/palette cleanser, I've actually got a couple Backman novels on the shelf ready for just such a thing, also just snagged a compilation of Harlan Ellison stories.
My recommendation is to put more Robert McCammon to your TBR. He has a reputation for writing long books, but he actually has quite a few 400ish page bangers. Mine and Gone South in particular are both excellent novels, both would scratch that itch perfectly when you're wanting something awesome but outside your usual SFF.
@@TomOrange very happy to hear you loved Boy's Life, it's a fantastic book. Don't miss out on the rest of the author's work, he's written a lot of stuff!
I typically read horror books and I think what helps is switching up the genres. It’s been nice to find a good fantasy book, or sci-fi book after my scary books!
People will come at me with pitchforks.. but I had a slump for an extensive period of time (think years), and what pulled me out was... The Fourth Wing 😬 Ok, hear me out, I had never done fantasy before, The Fourth Wing was an easy read, fast-paced and it has dragons.. can you blame me.. yes the writing was tacky, and it had all the cliches, but for someone who never read fantasy (barring Harry Potter) it really pulled me out and now I read 3 books a week..
Memories of ice with its density and emotional hits definitely could force one into a slog. I needed months off Malazan after memories just to regather all my senses lol If you want a change up, Imperium by Robert Harris (recommended by Library of Allenxandria) is 305 pages and a total pace shift. It’s helped me kinda pull myself from a mini slump. And so far, halfway through it is absolutely compelling. Also-odd question but are you a fan of Star Wars Old Republic Era?
@@TomOrange ah fair-I’m thinking I may throw the darth Malgus book on my TBR since I just love the old republic. But yeah Star Wars has kinda been disappointing besides the animated series
So interesting what you said about motivation declining due to a streak of "just fine" books rather than books you hate! I've been going through a "book hangover," which has made me feel a little slumpy. Glad you're enjoying reading again!
Hope your slump is not too bad! What book is giving you a hangover currently?
@@TomOrange R. Scott Bakker's The White Luck Warrior from his Second Apocalypse series. I thought it was a wild ride, emotionally gripping, and complex. It took everything out of me in the best way possible. 😅 Fortunately, Lonesome Dove is really starting to hook me! I agree with what you said about switching up genres.
@@Johanna_reads I have some interest in the Second Apocalypse series. Not sure when I would fit it in though.
@@TomOrange I recommend waiting until you clear some of these heavier series off your plate. It’s a bit dense at times and very bleak! If you’re looking for an incredible standalone recommendation in the meantime, I recommend Guy Gavriel Kay’s A Song for Arbonne or Lions of Al-Rassan!
I can really relate to this, I go through spurts where I read like 100-300 pages a day, vs days where I don’t even want to pick them up
I’m normally so steady with my reading and hope I can’t get back on track
Switching genres helps a lot. I try to change the genre I'm reading every week.
I don’t switch it up that frequently but I do need to be better about it
It's sounding more and more like Malazan's just not for you. The early books are the ones people tend to like the most and they haven't hooked you as yet.
My biggest slump was 4 years - I'd just read China Mieville's The Scar and the popular fantasy at the time just couldn't compare. Eventually just stopped reading, focused a little more on my career and next thing I knew it was 4 years. And then, I was in the mood for something light and fun, and along came Dresden Files. And that was like getting bit by the fantasy bug all over again.
Oooo the Dresden Files are fun!
It may not be for me. I committed to at least the first 3 books so we will see.
Sorry to hear that it's been so rough the past few weeks/months! I can definitely relate to the frustrating streak of aggressively fine books, that is just so demotivating 🙃
I also think we need to normalize 'not reading' more, it's so easy to make reading your entire personality when you enter the online bookish community. Glad you have found some good entertainment in other areas, and I hope your reading mojo will only increase again from here on out. Cheers :)
Thanks! It is easy to really lean into being a reader but there is so much stuff you can do as a hobby its okay to take a break.
I completely feel you regarding reading books that are just OK for you. Too many in a row = go do anything else besides read... I like the video, Tom!
Thanks Brian! Never thought I would complain about reading just fine books
Great recommendations Tom! Memories of Ice put me in a reading slump as well, and I still haven’t gone back to finish it lol.
I do not blame you. I think I’ll be able to finish it but we shall see
Hey Tom! I’ve been in a gnarly slump too probably as a result of life and also reading some 3 star “not bad but not great” books. This is so counterintuitive but I started reading The Stand by Stephen King and I cannot put it down! You’ll be back in the groove in no time!
Maybe I should dive into some long standalone.
Read indie authors, they’re usually fun short and new concepts that help me get through slumps or use as pallet cleansers lol
I try to mix in some indie authors. Not as often as I would like however
I like Backman's longer books better than his shorter ones but as I've said before, his longer ones are some of my absolutely favorite reads. You had some good suggestions for getting out of your slump. For me, rereading a favorite book is especially helpful. Good luck, I'm sure you will be back to reading a lot at least by summer's end.
I’ve had mixed results with his shorter stuff. Some of it hit just as hard and others not so much
Malazan is the bane of booktubers who have a goal to finish as many books as possible.
If you're looking for quantity, read other easier/shorter books. If you're looking for quality, read Malazan.
Quality is much more important to me. I don’t have any crazy reading goals as far as book count goes
East of Eden really shook me out of a stretch of reading that was very mediocre. Bullied it's way onto my list of favorites of all time. Also I agree on shorter stuff being a good reset/palette cleanser, I've actually got a couple Backman novels on the shelf ready for just such a thing, also just snagged a compilation of Harlan Ellison stories.
East of Eden is a classic I still need to read. Backman is fantastic
My recommendation is to put more Robert McCammon to your TBR. He has a reputation for writing long books, but he actually has quite a few 400ish page bangers. Mine and Gone South in particular are both excellent novels, both would scratch that itch perfectly when you're wanting something awesome but outside your usual SFF.
I do like him as an author. I read Boy’s Life last year and loved it!
@@TomOrange very happy to hear you loved Boy's Life, it's a fantastic book. Don't miss out on the rest of the author's work, he's written a lot of stuff!
@@Coleton2573 I do plan on reading more from him. Probably Swan Song next
@TomOrange Yesssss!!! Swan Song is one of my all time favorite books. It's such an epic journey.
Hey Tom! Sorry about the slump, but glad to hear things are looking up!
Sweet Pan Am, BTW! 😁
Thanks!
I typically read horror books and I think what helps is switching up the genres. It’s been nice to find a good fantasy book, or sci-fi book after my scary books!
I need to read more horror. I’ve enjoyed what I have read but it’s not a whole lot
This was an excellent video thank you for sharing your experience.
Thanks for watching!
After I finished The First Law trilogy I read Jurassic Park, Piranesi, and Recursion and that really kept me motivated since they were quick.
Blake Crouch is great author to stay out of a slump with
I think trying to change up what kind of story you're reading would work best for me. That's what I currently do and I've yet to hit a slump.
I think that is normally a safe bet.
i hope your reading mojo comes back soon . wishing you a lovely weekend
Thanks! I hope you have a good weekend as well
People will come at me with pitchforks.. but I had a slump for an extensive period of time (think years), and what pulled me out was... The Fourth Wing 😬 Ok, hear me out, I had never done fantasy before, The Fourth Wing was an easy read, fast-paced and it has dragons.. can you blame me.. yes the writing was tacky, and it had all the cliches, but for someone who never read fantasy (barring Harry Potter) it really pulled me out and now I read 3 books a week..
No hate from me! Read whatever makes you happy. I’m glad it was able to spark your reading journey
There is something in the water. I've really been struggling a lot lately as well.
Hope you get out of it soon!
I feel like everyone has gone through a slump recently ! I’ve been reading the same book (that I actually enjoy !) for a month
It happens! Hope you get back into the swing of it as well
I just found this channel. Great thoughts!
Thanks for watching!
I'm reading Day Zero by Robert Cargill. My first foray into scifi for beginners.
Have not heard of that one. Hope you enjoy!
I started reading comics to cleanse the pallet
I think a trade or two works well for that
Memories of ice with its density and emotional hits definitely could force one into a slog. I needed months off Malazan after memories just to regather all my senses lol
If you want a change up, Imperium by Robert Harris (recommended by Library of Allenxandria) is 305 pages and a total pace shift. It’s helped me kinda pull myself from a mini slump. And so far, halfway through it is absolutely compelling.
Also-odd question but are you a fan of Star Wars Old Republic Era?
I’ve not read any Star Wars books. I kind of gave up on the whole series after the Bobba Fett tv show
@@TomOrange ah fair-I’m thinking I may throw the darth Malgus book on my TBR since I just love the old republic. But yeah Star Wars has kinda been disappointing besides the animated series
@@Chance.Dillon Ive heard good stuff about some of the Legend stuff just not sure Ill ever get around to it.
U got this. Dont rush it and also dont spend too time on Lies of. Soft DNF
I am so bad about DNFs. It’s something I should do
Your video is very nice
Love form India ❤
Thanks for watching!