There are some new releases coming in the next couple of months that I am looking forward to reading:

Touch & Go by Lisa Gardner
Night Ranger by Alex Berenson
The Carrier by Sophie Hannah

Plus more later in the Spring by - Stephen Booth, Elly Griffiths, Harlan Coben.

I already have my requests in with the library for my turn!

Meanwhile I am enjoying Peter James' books (kindle) about Superintendant Roy Grace taking place in Brighton.

Pat

Rosefolly, I know exactly what you mean. I've been at both the library and Barnes & Noble and nothing appeals to me just now. Fortunately I too, have a lot of favorites I can re-read and in fact I have 2 audiobooks going as well as an Amelia Peabody but I wish I could find something new to me that would hold my attention for longer than a few pages.

I love the Janice Holt Giles series that begins with The Kentuckians and follows one family member from the next generation on the westward movement in settling the U.S. They are out of print but available sometimes in paperback or, of course, through Abe Books or Amazon. My favorite is Hannah Fowler; my mother's was The Believers set in KY's first Shaker village. Unfortunately, Mrs. Giles died before she got them to California.

Have you read any Frances Parkinson Keyes? Also out of print, but try to find Dinner at Antoine's or Crescent Carnival, both set in New Orleans. She has written a number of books that are set in the South, in Washington, D.C., and in New England. She does politics well; I believe her husband was a senator.

I keep up with several authors and read their latest offerings, but usually I prefer to read older books.

Ditto to Rosefolly. Felt the same way about The Hunger Games as well. Am currently reading about three I keep picking up, plodding thru a few chapters then putting down. Maybe its the winter blahs. Well at least Downton Abbey is good on TV.

I have those times too-I recently "discovered" Jo-Ann Mapson, who writes chick lit type books but at least the newer ones are a step above. I love her books. They are fun to read.
I also have gone through most of Peter James series about Supt. Roy Grace and there are 8 books. I was very happy when I discovered him last year. What kind of books do you like best, as I am always on the hunt.

Whew! This is an all too-familiar experience to me. Rosefolly, you've actually consoled me since it's good for me to know that it happens to other readers, too.

I swear that I'm going through my second (third or fourth) adolescence because I've been rereading all of my Daphne du Maurier, Mary Stewart, Victoria Holt, and Anya Seton books. I'm glad Carolyn mentioned Frances Parkinson Keyes 'cause I am about ready for Steamboat Gothic again (as well as Dinner at Antoine's). After a recent trip to San Francisco, I've been on a kick of rereading stories about the way SF once was (e.g., Calico Palace by Gwen Bristow and The Trembling Hills by ?--can't recall).

I can read nonfiction every day, all day. If it doesn't suit me, I just toss it aside and don't fret, but I do wish fiction would excite me as it once did. I did try The Hunger Games but I couldn't get into the first one. I can't even read new mysteries (other than the true-life kind) these days. After seeing the praise from RPers, I thought Susan Hill's Simon Serrailler novels might be just the thing, but alas! I can't stick with those either.

My mother, who will be ninety-one later this month and still reads three or four books a week, assures me that good fiction comes in cycles. Well, she ought to know! And I hope she's right.

Add me to the list of you have been through that same desert. I know that you enjoy science fiction and I did read two books lately that you might like. The first was "The Wool Omnibus: Parts 1 - 5" by Hugh Howey. It starts out a little rough but gets better.

The second one I liked even better. It's called "The Rook" by Daniel O'Malley. I like the main character's sense of humor. Here's how the book starts:

Dear You

The body you are wearing used to be mine. It was hard for me to not keep reading that.

Hope the dry spot ends for you soon, Rosefolly.

Here is a link that might be useful: The Rook

I am reading MR. PENUMBRA'S 24-HOUR BOOKSTORE and am enjoying it.
A different sort of book.

Not sure if you like the older writers...Stella Gibbons' books are always delightful reads.

I loved RULES OF CIVILITY by Amor Towles
Check out his website.

Rosefolly, I know exactly what you are talking about. I go through at least one dry reading patch every year. I get over it by reading something fun and not terribly demanding, hence my yearly Agatha Christie jag.

Friedag, I envy your "second adolescence" reading. I have a small stack of Daphne du Maurier books in my TBR pile, as well as a very battered Mary Stewart collection with a hilariously lurid cover.

Carolyn, I have friends who are visiting New Orleans right now. My friend mentioned Frances Parkinson Keyes in his last email. Did she live there?

I agree that much of the current crop of fiction is regrettable. I reread old friends quite often.
I don't know which genres you favor (besides science fiction) but if you enjoy historic fiction, I recommend The Lymond Chronicles by Dorothy Dunnett. It is a 6-book series that benefits from reading in order (she clearly expects you to have read them that way.) I have read books that I enjoyed since I read those, but that is the last series that I read late into the night. She pulls you in and wraps the story around you.

I have a few recommendations that I really enjoyed immensely but they are either on Kindle or are audiobook recommendations. Some books are so wonderfully narrated I only recommend them as audiobooks.
For Kindle, I recently finished The Martian by Andy Weirs. It is science fiction, but without monsters, aliens, etc. It is a really fun read about a crewman who is left behind for dead on the third manned Mars mission. The book recounts, in the first person, his attempts to survive on Mars and live long enough to be saved. The book has adventure, humor, and a lot of techie terms. While I don't understand all the technology, it is a really intense, enjoyable read.
Also sci-fi, there is the Rho Trilogy starting with Second Ship by Richard Phillips. Again, lots of techie stuff as the author is a physicist. Each book was great, filled with lots of interesting characters and ideas. I am always surprised to find a trilogy that doesn't deteriorate in the second and third books. I loved the Hunger Games first book but I felt that each subsequent book got weaker. Not so with Rho. I am now reading Rhubarb, by M. H. Van Keuren, which also promises to be a really fun, sci-fi story.
As for audio recommendations, these books were recent favorites. The Dog Stars must be listened to, in my opinion, and is an all-time favorite post-apocalypse story. It has beautiful writing that must be heard. I listened to it twice. Additionally, there is The Book of Ebenezer le Page by G. B. Edwards, impeccably narrated by Roy Dotrice. Another book that really grabbed me is The Trustee From The Toolroom by Neville Shoot. I imagine it would also be good in a paper or Kindle book. And, The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry was a great listen for me, written by Rachel Joyce.
Another trilogy starting with the Poison Study by Maria Snyder was a good first and second listen. I haven't gotten to the third one yet. I imagine it would be good on paper or Kindle, too.
So, who knows, maybe one of my suggestions will knock you out of your slump. I, too, have been there but it usually doesn't last long.

Like most of you, I have those dry spells, as well, at least once a year. And like some of you, I cope by re-reading old favorites, such as Daphne duMaurier, Alan Paton, Louisa May Alcott,Alain-Fournier. I even will admit to re-reading an older version of a Nancy Drew mystery last year!

I must admit I am fascinated by The Hunger Games series and can never seem to get enough of the Simon Serailleur mysteries by Susan Hill. My latest attempt at re-reading was "The Shadow of the Wind".

If you like history, I recommend "Killing Lincoln" by Bill O'Reiley. It has a fast pace and reads like a mystery.

Tim, FPK wrote in New Orleans and there is a house she stayed in that is open for touring, but I'm not sure she ever actually resided in the city. Alas, the house was closed when I tried to see it.

Frieda, have you read the Morland Dynasty series by Cynthia Harrod-Eagles? They are historical fiction, set in Yorkshire, and beginning with the War of the Roses. There are a ton of them, and each one comes forward through a descendant, or in the later books several of them. She is now through World War I, and I understand she has been told to wrap it up in one last book. I hope it's 5,000 pages.

I absolutely love these books and spent the winter I discovered them holed up reading and reading and reading. My sister did the same thing when I passed them along to her.

Carolyn, I think it was Kath who caught my attention with her recommendation of the Morland Dynasty -- probably about the same time you discovered them. I actually bought the first three or four in the series, but unlike you I was never able to hole up with them. I never seem to be in the same place as my books are, and they aren't exactly the sort you can pick up at any old bookshop everywhere. I hope I can track 'em down, because they really sound appealing -- especially since you and Kath appreciate them so much.

I always say I am not much of a series reader, but apparently that's a lie! Where did I get that idea? CeCe reminded me of The Lymond Chronicles, although I still haven't gotten through The House of Niccolo. But oh! that Lymond. And I recall getting thoroughly enmeshed with Winston Graham's Poldark. Yes, if it's historical fiction, I'll bite. But I want it to be as realistic as possible or so damned good that it doesn't have to be completely realistic.

Kathy9, I adore The Book of Ebenezer LePage, but I never thought of listening to it being read. I am a lousy listener -- too distractable -- but if there was ever an audiobook that would hold my attention it could be Ebenezer if the reader does the Guernsey dialect. I am also very fond of Trustee from the Toolroom and just about all of Neville Shute other than On the Beach (apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic have never sat well with me).

Woodnymph, I haven't given up on Simon Serrailler. I'm waiting until I'm less dim. They sure do seem dark, but why should I expect Susan chill-me-to-the-bone Hill's books to be anything else? Heh! Mary, you're not the only one dipping into the old Nancy Drews. I bought about a dozen of the facsimile editions of the pre-1959 series for my granddaughter. I got such a bang out of the first six (The Secret of the Old Clock through The Secret of Red Gate Farm) that I delayed giving the set to my daughter-in-law to put up for my two-year-old GD. I want a blue roadster! Yeah, there's politically incorrect stuff all through 'em, but if people can't consider the times in which they were written and are too ignorant to know the difference...well, tough!

Interesting discussion - I have been in a similar place, but thought it was just me. I seem to be sliding into a non-fiction-only camp at the moment, and most of my TBR pile on the nightstand is NF right now. However, it's part of a cycle and temporary, so I just need to wait to get my reading mojo back.

I would love to find a book that knocks my socks off... (Fiction or non-fiction - either way would be fine.) There are some good suggestions here on this thread so thanks!

Friedag, the Ebenezer le Page book is narrated by Roy Dotrice, a native of Guernsey. It is a narration that is not to be missed and the audiobook is amazing due to Roy. He takes on the character and it is hard to believe he isn't actually Ebenezer.

Kathy and Frieda, Rot Dotrice read Ebenezer Page as a series many years ago on the BBC, which was the first time I had heard of it. Later I borrowed the book from the library but found it too long. I imagine the 'reading' had been cut slightly. Worth listening to as I believe the old Guernsey accent has almost died-out.
You may know that the Channel Islands, of which Guernsey is part, have an unusual relationship with mainland Great Britain and because of their low tax rates many very wealthy folk have moved there, although they have to pay many times over the odds for property.
An informative site below.

Here is a link that might be useful: Channel Islands

I have just preordered from Amazon Jane Gardam and Elizabeth Strouts new novels. I love both of these ladies novels.

Here's a suggestion, for those in a "dead zone": sign up for a class on some topic you are deeply interested in, then google for books on the topic. Hopefully, your enthusiasm will return. (I am currently signed up for amd emjoying a history class at the nearby college.)

My most recent knock my socks off book was Cutting for Stone by Abraham Verghese. Perhaps you've already been there, done that, but it was a great read and a page turner for me. I loved all three of the Hunger Games series. I never thought I would, but once I got started I couldn't put them down.

Thanks to everyone who has offered suggestions. If nothing else, it is good to know that this is pretty much a universal experience. It is not just me, thank goodness!

I know that there are many, many wonderful novels in existence, some of which I have read, some of which simply didn't suit my individual tastes, and some of which I would love but have yet to discover (probably fewer of this last group, unfortunately). I am concerned here mostly about current and recent fiction. Thank goodness I have this forum to point out ones I might otherwise miss. Some old favorite writers have left us, and some others continue to write but have moved in directions that don't suit me. I'm quite sure that in time new writers will appear to take their places. It's just the wait that frustrates me.

Meanwhile I'm reading books about sewing techniques and planting trees. Useful and informative they may be, but somehow I find them a bit weak in plot and character development.

Rosefolly

When I have this sort of desert, I find that watching films can help break the ennui. Either re-watching old favorites or perhaps looking for newer ones that I didn't get to see when they were showing in theaters seems to be an enjoyable alternative when nothing I read grabs me. Also working through the stack of magazines that inevitably accumulates helps also.

True, and I have seen two excellent movies in the past couple of weeks, Lincoln which I expected to enjoy, and did; and Silver Linings Playbook, which caught me off guard at just how incredibly good it was. Both movies are based on books, butI don't plan to read either one. It is the flip side of being wary about seeing the movie of a book you love in case the movie spoils the book for you.

Rosefolly

And after the desert, a gentle fall of rain.

I have just read two books I enjoyed. I read Mrs Queen Takes the Train with pleasure, not my usual kind of book but I liked the kind and affectionate tone. I also read a fantasy novel, Robin Hobb's Assassin's Apprentice on the recommendation of a good friend. It was better than I had expected, having previously read a book by Hobb that I did not care for. And there is now a stack of new library books on my nightstand. I won't like them all, but I believe I will like some of them.

Whew! That's over, at least for now. Thanks to all my friends for seeing me through this.

Rosefolly

Rosefolly,

Have you ever read any novels by Rose Tremain ?? I can highly recommend this author.

I think I just put one on my library request queue after hearing about her on the monthly reading thread, thanks! I got several of my ideas there.

Another author that I can recommend if in a reading slump is Irish writer Jennifer Johnston, she writes nice slim novels. The first for me was "The Xmas Tree" then "The Captains and the Kings" oh so good, from then I read most of her works.

I am, of course, a committed Harrod-Eagles reader, both the Morland books and the Bill Slider police procedurals.
I have just finished The Rosie Projectby Graeme Simsion, and really enjoyed it. It is fairly light, but written from the POV of a man with Asperger's (although he never actually says this) and is really funny.

Include me in the fans of Mr. Penumbra. A few others I've particularly enjoyed over the last several months, and perhaps you'd like, were Tan Twan Eng's The Garden of Evening Mists, Louise Erdrich's The Round House, and Memoirs of an Imaginary Friend by Matthew Dicks.
I've certainly been in reading slumps, too, so hope you get out of yours soon.

Just started THE DRESSMAKER and it promises to be an interesting read.

One of my favorites is CHRISTOPHER AND COLUMBUS by Elizabeth Von Arnim......as well as most of her other books if you can find them. ( not , however, CHRISTINE...too dreary and sad).

DOWN THE GARDEN PATH by Beverley Nichols is another older book that is a part of a series.....charming reading.