Help Dave out of his rut
Maybe it's the cold, grey February weather. Maybe it's the lull between Ravens and Orioles seasons. Maybe it's getting mired in a book -- The Man in the White Sharkskin Suit -- that I'm not enjoying.
Whatever the cause, I'm in a Reading Rut.
You know the feeling. You're afraid of diving into a bulky tome of nonfiction. You don't want to get burned by a made-up memoir. And no novel on your shelf looks very appealling. So you wait -- and waste time on mediocre TV shows.
I need intervention -- in the form of a great book recommendation. Help me get out of this rut. What have you read recently that can blow my blahs away?
Photo by Amy Davis
Comments
I loved Drood by Dan Simmons, but it's long and might not be a good fit for you right now. Another book I loved was Little Pink House by Jeff Benedict. It's non-fiction about eminent domain, but it really struck a chord with me. I think my friends and family are sick of hearing about it.
Posted by: Kathy | February 20, 2009 7:25 AM
My wife's been listening to John Grisham's "The Appeal" on CD during her commute, and recommends it highly. Grisham's always good for the blahs. I recently started reading Stephen King's collection of short stories "Just After Sunset." The stories are terrific and quick mood "booster shots."
Posted by: Paul Lagasse | February 20, 2009 8:26 AM
For short, masterful works of fiction, check out Marilynne Robinson's 'Housekeeping' or 'Gilead' (if you haven't already). I haven't read her latest, 'Home,' yet, but from everything I've heard it stands up to her others.
Posted by: Mike | February 20, 2009 8:52 AM
I recently read The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga-- the Man Booker Prize winner from last year. Excellent book, funny and upsetting at the same time, and not a slow read. It definitely kicked me out of a looooong poetry slump.
Posted by: Thomas Bechtold | February 20, 2009 12:42 PM
"Beat the Reaper" by Josh Bazell. Even my husband, who hates to read fiction, couldn't put it down.
Posted by: Anne | February 20, 2009 1:36 PM
These are all great suggestions -- keep 'em coming.
I find that breaking out of a rut often requires one or two quick reads -- just as an injured runner starts out again with short jogs. I'll hit the library tomorrow to search for these.
Posted by: Dave | February 20, 2009 2:10 PM
I enjoyed "The Wrong Man: the Final Verdict on the Dr. Sam Sheppard Murder Case" by James Neff (2001). It made me think twice about that old phrase "innocent until proven guilty." Although the book is eight years old, it's still relevant, especially since there's been a lot (see, for example, "Crime lab deficiencies noted by audit," by Melissa Harris in the Feb. 7 Baltimore Sun) written recently about problems with the accuracy of forensic evidence.
Posted by: Gail Farrelly | February 20, 2009 11:11 PM
Legends of Paul Bunyan. A recent reprint of a 1946 collection of tall tales re: the master lumberman, this is both a midwestern anthropologist's dream, and pure comedy gold. Definitely a change of gear and well worth a look.
Posted by: John | February 21, 2009 11:47 AM
I'm reading "A Salty Piece of Land" by Jimmy Buffet. It's very enjoyable tale about Tully Mars who is fleeing some legal trouble in Wyoming and falls in with Gulf Coast characters like shrimp boat Captain Kirk and a horse trainer named Clark Gable and an island named La Piedra del Cocodrilo [Crocodile Rock].
Posted by: Jim | February 22, 2009 8:58 AM
It's time's like these when I pick an unread classic off the shelf. I am currently, and finally, reading "Sense and Sensibility". To help the decision pick your favorite book about books and pluck a title from its recommendations.
Posted by: Jake | February 23, 2009 10:42 AM
It sounds like you should delve into some good YA fiction. Strong, focused storylines, an element of fancy, reconnecting to the elemental things that matter to kids...
Graveyard Boy- Neil Gaiman
My Most Excellent Year- Steve Kluger
Should perk you right up out of you rut.
- E
Posted by: Elizabeth Willse | February 23, 2009 4:47 PM
The Associate by John Grisham & Don't Look Twice by Andre Gross. Psstt, read The Dark Tide first. lol.
Happy Reading.
Posted by: Diane | March 2, 2009 2:52 PM
Any of Rob Hiaasen's Florida books. His Juvenile books might make a good quick read, since they're a quicker read, written for a younger audience but not down to it.
Posted by: Eve | March 2, 2009 3:29 PM
I'm catching up on blogs, Dave. Sorry for getting to the party late.
If you haven't read THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY, I highly recommend that one - but seems I'm one of the last souls to get to it...must be why it took 6 months for me to finally get to the top of the list at the library! LOL
I also just finished THE CAMEL BOOKMOBILE, which I found very insightful.
For more action, I loved Jo Nesbo's THE REDBREAST.
If you can get your paws on an early copy of MIND SCRAMBLER, you absolutely must read that one! It's Chris Grabensteins BEST! If you can't get it early, look for it in June. So, so, so, so worth it!!!!
I also have to say that I was quite impressed with Diane Struckart's THE QUEEN'S GAMBIT. I thought that was a unique and creative concept for a historical mystery.
Hope you find some good stuff to get you out of your rut!
Posted by: Jen Forbus | March 2, 2009 8:02 PM
THE GUERNSEY LITERARY AND POTATO PEEL PIE SOCIETY
I just reserved this online with Baltco. Looks like every copy in the county is checked out!
Posted by: Eve | March 3, 2009 12:15 PM