Certainly -- do something else that has nothing to do with reading for awhile. Though if you are suffering health-wise that might rule out a lot of options, because when I feel that way I usually do something physically challenging.

I've been catching as much of the Winter Olympics as possible and there are some incredible stories taking place there about human courage. I cheer for all of these young people, country doesn't matter. Did anyone see the Pairs long program a little while ago, for example? The Chinese silver and bronze medallists had me searching for kleenex, amazing grit. I've had some exposure to young athletes who compete at an elite level and I admire their tenacity, drive and work ethic. My hat is off to any kid who makes it to the Olympics without cheating...

Anyway, watch the tube for a bit just for the human stories 'til the reading doldrums pass. :-)

Heck yes. I have a few hundred books at home and there are times when I just can't find anything to read! I sometimes have 3-5 books on the go at the same time but ....... there are times when none of those books catch my fancy. I guess I'm in a bit of a slump right now -- I was hard pressed for something interesting to read last night and I ended up reading most of the New York Times!

I used to take comfort and solace in a Nero Wolfe mystery or a PG Wodehouse madcap adventure with Jeeves and Wooster. Or, if I was in the mood for something very easy to read, I'd pick up one of the Harry Potter books. But, for some reason, these old stand-bys don't seem to work. I've been watching a lot of CSI and CSI:Miami reruns. Oh, those and Star Wars: Battlefront on the Xbox keep me sane.

Much like everything else in the world, this too shall pass. I just wish this stupid phase wouldn't take its sweet time in passing......

Happens to me periodically.Something cyclic I think. Something to do with hormone levels, the phase of the moon, global warming,astrological disturbances or some fluctuation in the earth's magnetic field.
Whatever it is when I'm in a reading trough everything I pick up is as dry as dust and just as fascinating. My prob. worsened by the fact that I never reread anything, Cursed with a near photographic memory so only have to hold a fave book in my hands for the whole thing to come flooding back.
Eventually the pleasure of reading something new comes flooding back - usually from an unexpected source. It's like falling in love - as soon an you stop actively looking suddenly you're entranced.
Best of luck with the asthma though. Hard to take much pleasure in anything when you can barely draw a breath. Larry

Yes - knowing that this isn't the first drought, and knowing that there will be that gem of a book soon makes it easier to go through. I have learned to re-read (tho I used to avoid it at all costs), and those books are usually favorite books from sci fi/fantasy, just coz they take me out of my world a bit.

My problem is having a slew of books on my TBR shelf and not wanting to read any. So of course I have to go out and get another book....

Wishing you better health soon

Cindy

sorry you're under the weather-I think the olympics from the comfort of a nice warm bed sounds good too. How about knitting? I sometimes knit in bed and always knit when I watch the tube-something mindless-it's quite soothing

Thank you for the good wishes and the good advice.
I do try to watch TV but I crave to read. I do have some knitting on the go (I am a terrible knitter but these new very long loose knit scarves are something I can cope with -chose a really super silky yarn and you can save yourself £££$$$) -but I just cant get on with that either.
I know this will pass and I have a million and one little but pressing jobs I can while I sit around -
I'm looking forward to picking up a good book again and/or falling in love again so I havn't really given up.
Cindy I empathise entirely - that's just how I feel.

I'm in the samd doldrums-I have 50!!!!!! books that have come in from Paperback Swap, and several from the library (we can now place reserves on line-very dangerous) but nothing suits. I think my problem is I have deadlines looming over me, and I know I should not be reading for pleasure, but writing for money or grad classes-so my subconscious is stopping me from falling into any book at all.
My subconscious needs to lighten up. Maybe some chocolate would help....
back in a bit....

Cabin fever folks, cabin fever...I have started and "skimmed to finish" about three books in the last week (can those count on my book list?) plus put one aside deeming it unworthy of even skimming.

Sometimes short stories do it at a time like this, or going through some gardening magazines from my collection.

Or just watching the olympics and sleeping.

>Maybe some chocolate would help....

Well, tis the season ;)

Sometimes--not always, but sometimes--it helps me if I read something completely different from what I usually read. Think about the sections of the library or bookstore you never go into, then ask for some recommendations (either here or at the library/store) and take a chance. Usually, I have renewed interest for my accustomed books, but I've also enjoyed some books I'd have missed otherwise.

Good luck,

Russ

I fall back on house magazines..."oh, such a pretty room. Oh, another pretty room. OHHHH-what WERE they thinking?"

I think Russ has a point: go for some reading you normally would not touch. The same phenomenen happens to me periodically. In fact, quite recently. Thus, I turned to reading short stories, which I usually would not choose. Other times, I have taken up poetry, such as Eliot's "Four Quartets" or A.E. Housman, or Rilke.

I think this usually occurs when I've just had a particularly compelling read such as "The Historian" or "Birds without Wings". I did not want either to end and felt left with a void to fill when I finished these.

Well = I've been trawling Amazon and bought (both used) An Unexpected Light - Travels in Afghanistan by Jason Elliot - I leant my copy out and cant wait to read this wonderful book again - and I also ordered The Sewing Circle of Herat - My Afghan Years by Christina Lamb - which I havent read -
but thanks for all other suggestions
jan

jan,

I would suggest getting some audio books to listen to as well. That way, you can have your stories while doing something else. I love to listen while driving, walking, doing light housework, playing solitaire on the computer and working on something (crafty things like knitting or quilting might work here) that doesn't need your full attention.
I sympathise, by the way, not only with your health problem, but with having trouble finding something to read. I currently have 5 books started and just can't seem to get back to them to finish. In the meantime, I wander around and look at my bookshelves, trying to find something that appeals.

>An Unexpected Light - Travels in Afghanistan by Jason Elliot -

Oh I loved this book. Read it not long after 9/11 - the author gave me so much into the culture, the history and the conflicts over the last four decades. That one section when he 'flies' as an eagle over the country, pointing out famous and infamous places, ancient and modern, was probably my favorite.

I'll be interested to hear how you liked Sewing Circles. I wasn't far into it when I got bored and went off to something bright and shiny. I might have to give it another try. BTW, The StoryTeller's Daughter is very much worth the read.

I agree with Russ--browse some books which fall outside your reading box. Normally, I'm not much of a mystery/suspense/thriller fan so for that reason, put off reading "The Rule of Four" which I'd purchased at a library sale for 10 cents. Ended up being forced to read it (means I had nothing else to read on a Friday night,) really enjoyed it, started looking up Hypnernotomachia on Google, sequed into Savonarola and now wonder if anyone can recommend other reading on that topic--as well as having a new understanding of "bonfire of vanities" which I erroneously thought Tom Wolfe had coined.

If you are a library user, go into a section of the library which you do not frequent and take the time to really browse, pulling out books and reading a page or two. With luck, you'll probably make an interesting, surprising find.

Shoot--meant to add "if you can make it to the library.

Also, Singulair has been a godsend medication for my daughter for keeping her ticklish hate-cold-weather-and-wind airways calmed.

One of my symptoms is although I am exhausted is not being able to sleep - so here I am at 02.16 back at RP
Cindy I cancelled the Sewing Circles - since I think we are on the same wave length and will buy your suggestion instead.
Russ and Bookmom - I found tucked away on my book shelves 'TheWisdom of Bones' In Search of Human Origins' and the discovery of the Nariokotome homo erectus - not something I would usually burrow into all that deeply - but it is a gripping read and I'm enjoying it,
Has anyone read James Lovelock's latest 'The Revenge of Gaia'? I've been reading reviews on the Net - I dont think I could take the whole book- but it certainly raises concerns that will affect us all.

>since I think we are on the same wave length and will buy your suggestion instead.

uh oh. The pressure is on...

Dont worry Cindy after perusing my options again I chose 'Take Me With You' by Brad Newsham instead (haa anyone read this - it looks good) but I will get around to reading your 'suggestion'. OK you can relax now!
Thanks anyway

Jan,

Best wishes for a speedy recovery.

My suggestion is a non-fiction book by Geraldine Brooks entitled, The Nine Parts of Desire. It is about women's lives in the Middle East and was written when she lived in Cairo.

Yes, this dliemma of nothing to read hits me regularly and drives DH up the proverbial wall. He throws his hands up in dismay, "HOW can you not have anything to read? I just don't understand it." Sometimes, a movie of a an old favorite gives me a needed break to refocus. Most recently, I spent some time with the late Jeremy Brett and his flawless protrayal of Sherlock Holmes.

PAM

Pam, is that Brooks book new? I really liked her book Foreign Correspondenc, which is about her contact with childhood penpals when she lived in Australia. I didn't care for her two novels, but I suspect she does best with non fiction.

BTW, she is the wife of Tony Horowitz, the travel writer who gave us Confederacy in the Attic, Baghdad without a map, and One for the Road. Excellent travel writer.

Cindy, The Nine Parts of Desire may actually be her first book. It is non-fiction and it was definitely written before Year of Wonders.

As far as Tony is concerned, how did you like One for the Road? I've read his others, including Blue Latitudes which held me captive - especially the historical portions about Captain Cook.

PAM

I really enjoyed the Nine Parts of Desire when I read it last year. Our book club read it as a selection and we had a great discussion about it. HIghly recommend it although I found it irritating not because of how it was written or anything, but the subject matter - how the religion has been turned around to benefit men over women in nearly every way....

Grumble, grouse, grumble.

Oh - how could I forget Blue Latitudes? That was my favorite. I well remember being taught about Cook, and thinking he was a horrid man. Horowitz takes that stereotype apart, puts him in his time, and shows just how far ahead he was of everyone else.

One For the Road is a little dated - I think there are better travel books about Australia out there (esp Bryson's). But its still fun to read.

I read Baghdad without a Map years ago, and am thinking this would be a good time to read it again. There is also much about his girlfriend at the time, another journalist who just happens to be named Geraldine...

I'll have to check that book out then. And yeah, that subject matter is frustrating, esp when you realize that we haven't necessaily come a long way baby for many women in the world.

Cindy

Try Guests of the Sheik by Elizabeth Fernea. She wrote about her experiences while staying in a rural Shiite Iraqi village in the 1950's as guests of a tribal sheik. Her husband is an anthropologist who was doing his graduate field work in the village. She, like the women of the tribe, was living in purdah and wore an abayah (because those choices made it much easier for her to fit in) and decided to write a book documenting her experiences with the women of the tribe. It's an excellent book.