Success only flourishes in perseverance -- ceaseless, restless perseverance.
--Baron Manfred Von Richtofen

Friday, February 19, 2010

Falling in Love with Books Again

For just about all of 2009, maybe even longer, I didn't do much reading. I could hardly make myself pick up a book. I just didn't want to read. It was weird. I worried about it a lot, but I just couldn't make myself do it. I read a few books, some really good ones, but nothing like what my husband and kids were doing. Part of it was  a time issue. Why spend time reading when I could be writing instead? (Yes, I know. Reading is essential. I completely agree.)

But around December something changed. I'm still not sure what. Maybe it was just finding the right book, but I finally got excited about reading again. Here's the book that turned it around for me:


I loved this book! Actually, I loved the whole trilogy, but this is the book that made me excited about reading again. Funny thing is, I got the book for Christmas in 2008. See what I mean? It took me a year to pick it up. Reader's block. It was bad.

After The Hero of Ages, I kept the momentum up with this one:



It was a fast-paced and fun space pirate adventure. A quick read to help keep me on the right track. Then I dove right into:


Written by a fellow Mindflights editor, Flank Hawk was a super fun read with characters that I absolutely fell in love with. Just yesterday, I finished reading:

 

All I can say is "Wow!" That kept me on the edge of my seat. That's four books so far this year! That's about as many as I read in all of last year. Next up on my list are these:

The fifth Fablehaven comes out next month, so I figured I better get on this.

We got this one for Christmas. My husband loved it, and I can't wait to read it.


The sequel to Heroes Die Young. I won it from T.M. Hunters blog, and I'm sure it'll be just as fun as the first.


My most favorite author, Connie Willis! I love her books so much that I can't wait to get my hands on this one. I hope to take a trip to Barnes and Noble tonight.



Don't know which order they'll go in, I'm so excited to read them all. Ah, it feels good to have my reading groove back. I feel more like myself again.

Have you ever experienced reader's block? What great books are you reading now?

19 comments:

Unknown said...

Hey, I just finished "Hero of Ages" too! It was very good. He has such a way with making everything so unique and his characters are amazing!

I'm reading Elantris now and then The Dark Divine.

lotusgirl said...

Not much. I've been slowed down by books I'm not enjoying, but, if I have books I like, there's no stopping me. Well, those pesky kids' schedules can put a damper in the reading but not stop it altogether. I loved The Maze Runner too. One of my recent read I really enjoyed was Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld.

Carolyn V. said...

Wow, that is a ton of books Angie! I have the strange urge to pick up The Princess Bride, again. I love that book.

Melanie Goldmund said...

Brandon Sanderson's books are awesome, and so are Connie Willis'! I'm really looking forward to reading both Warbreaker and Blackout.

I recently finished an excellent and very thought-provoking book called WE by John Dickinson, though I'm not sure if it's available in the U.S. yet or only in the UK. You can read a review of it at thebookbag.co.uk.

Julie Dao said...

Those look like fantastic books! Thank you for the recommendations. I've been trying to make more time to read and I have so many books awaiting their turn :) I'll have to make a trip to the library and see if I can pick up some of these.

Heidi said...

Thanks for the recommendations! I haven't read any of those and I'm excited to add them to my list.

tiffany said...

yes i get readers block all the time i read all of the twilight seires in 3 months 4 books that were 500 pages or more now i have read 4 books in 1 and 1/2 years i just finished the lovley bones that took me like 6 months to read and now im on to the last lecture i need to read more

Aubrie said...

I haven't read any of those books! I guess I'll have to check them out. I went through a period of time like that as well, but then I didn't write as well. I write better if I read a little every day. I'm so glad your back to reading!

T. M. Hunter said...

Glad you enjoyed Heroes Die Young...I'm certain you'll feel the same after reading Friends in Deed! ;-)

Suzette Saxton said...

You and me both, babe. Must be something in the cosmos. I'm glad we've both re-discovered reading.

Terry W. Ervin II said...

Great to hear you found Flank Hawk a fun read. Although I'm biased, I think it had some pretty cool characters too!

Anonymous said...

I usually only get reader's block when I run out of things to read. ;) No, sometimes I get burnt out because I've been reading a lot. It doesn't happen often but when it does, I don't feel like myself.

Thanks for all the great reads! Now I won't run out for a while!

Jackee said...

I don't block reading books, but I do get to where I start too many at once and overwhelm myself. A sort of eyes-bigger-than-my-time ADD, if you will.

And that Connie Willis book looks interesting! I love reading about the 1940s (but I'd rather not travel back to it). He, he.

Elizabeth Mueller said...

Wow, Angie!!!

I've been finding myself leaning toward reading. I've been harvesting best reads from friends. But WOW. I want to read the books you have listed here. Thank you for doing this. You are an answer to my book prayers!!! ((Hugs))

ME!
:)

Danyelle L. said...

Looks like some very great books. *writes some of these down*

Reading is my escape right now, but every so often I find myself having a hard time getting into a book. Not because of the book, but due to my mood.

I'm about to start The Chestnut King, once I finish Sorcery and Cecelia or The Enchanted Pot.

I have an award for you here: http://myth-takes.blogspot.com/2010/02/awards-and-more.html

Diana Paz said...

I loved The Maze Runner. Have you tried Hunger Games? More edge-of-your seat and a bit of a love story there too.

ali cross said...

Ha! You and are having the same renewed love for reading! I've read tons just this year alone, whereas only read a handful of books all last year.

You've got a few here I haven't seen so I'm gonna check some out!

Thanks Angie!

Elana Johnson said...

I have experienced this, but I'm glad you got over your block! And you've been reading a lot!

Angie said...

Thanks for all the comments, and for letting me know that I am not alone. I'm glad to hear that all of you are reading too. Suzette, our non-reading days were dark indeed! And thanks T.M. Hunter and Terry Ervin for stopping by the blog.