I wonder if writers can ever enjoy books the same as before. As a reader, we are taken on the book journey as a passenger, eyes wide and ready to be impressed. As a writer, I find myself pointing out parts of the road and foreshadowing signposts, expecting the plot twists and noticing dumps of background information.
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The Diagnosis:
How I wish I could go back to that innocence. I’ve struggled to read some books lately, if they are too obvious or the characters are one dimensional. I’ve had reader’s block and it feels, frankly, ridiculous.
I borrow E books through overdrive and I’ve had to renew some three times (21 days each time) to finish them. I’ve got two real books to read and I just cannot get into them. How can I call myself a book-nerd now?
The Prescription:
That said, I’ve found my magic pill. This week, I consumed a book with the hunger and guilt of a carb-loading athlete. I was reading this thing til midnight, phone glare burning through the Stygian black of the bedroom. Finishing the last page of the delight that is Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine yesterday, I had a tear in my eye and a warmth in my heart (or maybe that was the coffee).
Genre: Literary Fiction
Rating: 5 / 5
Eleanor is a hard-working woman who shirks social niceties and speaks to her mother on the telephone once a week. She eats the same thing for dinner every Friday and buys the same bottle of vodka before a weekend at home. Spoiler: she is not completely fine.
* Winner of the Costa First Novel Award 2017
* Longlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction 2018
* No.1 Sunday Times bestseller
* Soon to be a major motion picture produced by Reese Witherspoon
This is a book about loneliness and social disconnect. In a world of perfect lives and social media, there is a lot of pressure to fit in, to have the perfect holiday, family or marriage. But, what about the people on the edges? Those who don’t like small talk in the office, reading the gossip mags or watching the latest reality shows. What about the ones who just don’t feel like they belong?
I have heard so many mixed reviews about this but I thought it had so many great observations of life; dry witticisms about the things we watch, the social niceties we stick to. At first, I thought the author had sketched Eleanor as a typical nerd/introvert but the book delves deeper, a lot deeper. The characters are so well-drawn, you will feel like you know them.
And the best of all: when you find a book that makes you want to be a better person. I want to be someone who befriends people who may be lonely, someone who looks behind the mask and doesn’t judge. Someone who could help an Eleanor Oliphant.
If you, too, have been stuck in a reading rut, perhaps you could try this book.
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Any other guaranteed great reads?
I’ve been “writing” most of my life, but took it up seriously about a year ago. Since then, I have not managed to read a book, though I’ve bought about 50! Writing has indeed ruined my reading – and watching Netflix – lol. I think I will try the book you mention 🙂
I just came out of a similar rut. I would start a book, lose interest halfway through, and never pick it back up. During a power outage, I picked up a new title that had been sitting on my bedside for months and finished in less than three days in the midst of midterm exams. The Crow Girl by Eric Axl Sund is a book that I recommend with caution, the swedish crime thriller is extremely dark. If that’s your thing though, give it a try!
Thanks for the rec! I’ll have a look. Good to know others are having the same problem.
Ah no, that’s sad. What are your favourite genres to read? What are you writing?