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Always_lurking
Regular Poster
Username: Always_lurking
Post Number: 67
Registered: 02-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 05, 2009 - 08:50 pm: | 
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I love love love to read, but lately, I have had to give it up for a little while. I am working full time, taking care of kids and home, and started going to nursing school. Reading a novel had to take a back seat. I couldn't wait for the winter break. No school work meant I had time to read a few books.
I could not find anything that I wanted to read. Seriously! I was turned off by every summary I read. I spent hours at the book store until I just got frustrated.
So, there can't be such a thing as reader's block, right? Has anyone else ever experienced this? Maybe I am just burnt out from school and everything else. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 13245
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 05, 2009 - 10:27 pm: |
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I have previously reached the conclusion that reader's block does, indeed, occur. And, like you, I am currently afflicted with this condition.  |
Soul_sister
Regular Poster
Username: Soul_sister
Post Number: 88
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 06, 2009 - 09:56 am: |
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Hey Always,
I have never heard of reader's block - but with the "situations" you are handling it could just plain fatigue. I know that I too love to read and enjoy being propelled to another place and time, but when the fatigue hits I am sitting - comfortably, reading the same line again and again - until I am awakened by a thud -when the book hits the floor.
Have you thought about audiobooks - not the same - but definately something to consider - especially a series - because it will keep you hungry until you complete the whole thing - I loved the Green Mile by Stephen King and my favorite character is Sano Ichiro by Laura Rowland.
In the meantime - if you have been able to finish this rambling response -- your on doing fine - just a little fatigued. And when you are dealing with school and children, WOW -- I take off my hat to you for being that kind of person -- a go-getter - peace
Soul Sister |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 13246
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: 
Votes: 2 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 06, 2009 - 11:37 am: |
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As you noted, "Always Lurking", a contributing factor to this palpable reading block has a lot to do with not being able to find books which command your interest and which, by doing so, would dispel any existing lethargy.
Adding book-reading to your full plate is obviously not something that should neutralize your appetite, but rather something which should complement your menu.
Take it from me that reading blocks, like writing blocks, do pass. |
Mochascafe
Regular Poster
Username: Mochascafe
Post Number: 97
Registered: 08-2007
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 06, 2009 - 11:56 am: |
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I just finished A Mercy, that just might be the book to bring you out.
Its is not too long, a quick read and beautifully written.
I experienced the same thing a about a month ago. I found that reading a book just for the fun of it like E. Lynn Harris and Kimberla Lawson Roby's installment of her Pastor Curtis series really helped. These soap opera like books were just the type of light reading I needed to get my groove back. I think the books that I read last year were really heavy in their subject matter and it took its toll. Perhaps something light or even funny may help. |
Libralind2
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Libralind2
Post Number: 1139
Registered: 09-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 06, 2009 - 12:15 pm: |
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I couldnt completely understand A Mercy by Toni Morrison so it was not good for me. Im reading The Right Mistake by Walter Mosley. I dont know if you read our thread about Gather Together In My Name by Tracy Price-Thompson as this is one I recommend. It is EXCELLENT
LiLi
Oh and I have had reader's block MANY times. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 13253
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 06, 2009 - 02:45 pm: |
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I agree "a mercy" might be a good book for "always lurking" to jump start her reading proclivity. Getting into this book can be challenge but you have to just open up and go with the flow and its subliminal message will seep into your psyche.
Reading a Toni Morrison book is an adventure in exploring the territory of language. |
Always_lurking
Regular Poster
Username: Always_lurking
Post Number: 68
Registered: 02-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 06, 2009 - 05:05 pm: |
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Thanks all. Since I have never experienced this, it is throwing me for a loop. LOL
You know, I have heard only good things about TPT's books. Of course when I went to pick up Gather Together in My Name, they did not have it. Go figure LOL. The one book I was ready to get into was no where to be found. I'm going to order it online but since school has started up again, it will have to wait until spring break.
Soul, thanks for the encouragement. I am suffering through this now for "my master plan" ;). |
Thumper
Veteran Poster
Username: Thumper
Post Number: 723
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: 
Votes: 1 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 06, 2009 - 09:01 pm: |
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Hello All,
Yes there is such a thing as reader's block. With all that's on your plate, i think soemtimes its stress related. I have reader's block at least once a year. What i've learned over the years is that one, you can rush reader's block away. Whatever is stressing me out, I have to deal with it otherwise I won't be able to concentrate. The second step is harder. In order to bannish reader's block it is ESSENTIAL to start off by reading an EXCELLENT book. Start with a book that is not in the same genre of the last books you read before you got reader's block. I usually look at it as an excuse to go exploring in the Winter Wonderland, or pick up a book that I have always wanted to read but for whatever reason didn't have the time, or the book wasn't available, etc. Third, make sure that the book I pick to break the block gets me caught up from the first page! Then is not the time to invoke my 100 page rule. If I'm not in it from the first page, I toss the book aside and begin my search again. |
Troy
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Troy
Post Number: 1645
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 08, 2009 - 09:54 am: |
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Always_lurking, I hope when you make that on-line purchase you do it via AALBC.com: http://aalbc.com/authors/tracyprice-thompson.htm (or from any AALBC.com/Thumpercorner.com page including this one)
In many ways reading is a luxury. Especially when consuming one of Morrison's books http://aalbc.com/authors/toni.htm
You need large blocks of time, when you are relatively alert and coherent. When my kids were younger and I worked a full time job in addition to AALBC.com, reading a novel was definitely a luxury, reserved for air travel and vacation.
When I do have the time and energy; I don’t suffer from readers block. There are simply too many interesting books available to read. Over the last few years I’ve abandoned many books before completion. Years ago I hated dropping a book before completion but now I have no problem doing this – life is too short to waste time on a book that is going nowhere when there are so many options. So I agree with Thumper on that point. |
Emanuel
Veteran Poster
Username: Emanuel
Post Number: 677
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, January 10, 2009 - 02:13 am: |
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For me it's not necessarily reader's block. It's more to the fact that reading for pleasure isn't high on my priority list at the time. There are way more good books out there (new and classics) than I have time to read them. But when you're worried about things such as where you're going to work because you've been laid off or how your kids are going to get medical coverage, you probably have no time or motivation for reading.
For writers it's worse. We feel guilty reading when we could be spending that time writing something worth selling. When we're writing, we regret we don't have time to read.
When I was in college reading textbooks all the time, the last thing I wanted to do was crack open another book simply to read for pleasure.
It just depends on your priorities and how you want to spend your free time. |
Chrishayden
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Chrishayden
Post Number: 7656
Registered: 03-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, January 10, 2009 - 11:31 am: |
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I have never had reader's block. When I am troubled reading calms me down. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 13280
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Saturday, January 10, 2009 - 09:03 pm: |
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Hummm. To me, reader's block is not about external factors. It's about your mind drawing a blank because the books at your disposal do not ignite your interest.
The cure for reader's block is simply a special book which, when you connect with it, will make the wall of your inertia come tumbling down.  |
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