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No Mojo: Otherwise known as not reading

Dec 8th, 2009
by gav.

Reading is something that is essentially bringing together two minds. And my mind isn’t really on reading at the minute.

Nothing else going on really but lacking book mojo. I’m think I’ve short-circuited and really can’t seem to fire up the usual passion.

Does anyone else get this or is it me?

Back after a recharge.

gav.


Posted in: personal.

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  • Troy Knutson
    Read some Alex Cross novels by James Patterson or some Spenser or Jesse Stone novels by Robert B. Parker---short bullet chapters and not too mind numbing fluff.


    Troy
  • peterwilliam
    Yeah, think I'll do something I rarely do - read a pair of books concurrently. I've been staring at the cover to Stackpole's Talion for a while. I'll just bounce back and forth.
  • That way lies madness, man. It is 800 pages, yeah, and that is relatively average considering the genre we read and your love of omnibi, but this is a Wolfe novel and, well, that ain't no ordinary book. I have been steadily reading the first book of it for the past six months, taking frequent breaks because otherwise it would: A) Kill my reading, or B) Verbally batter my brain until I finally set it aside out of frustration. Seriously man, of course you are spent, that is just the sort of book to do you in. I prescribe fluff, particularly something short with simple sentences and a lack of large words.


    As for me, every once in a while I play a video game to completion, which takes away from reading rather significantly. I was a gamer once, back before the new consoles rolled out, but since then it is a rare thing for me to play anything. It's a nice break and clears the mind.
  • peterwilliam
    No doubt. I'm currently reading the Gene Wolfe omnibus Severian of the Guild, a single volume edition of The Book of the New Sun. While it is 800 pages, I've been at for 45 days and haven't even completed half of it yet. Seriously, its clear that one has to be trying not to read to have had such little progress. I'm spent, too. What do you do to recharge?
  • peterwilliam
    No doubt. I'm currently reading the Gene Wolfe omnibus Severian of the Guild, a single volume edition of The Book of the New Sun. While it is 800 pages, I've been at for 45 days and haven't even completed half of it yet. Seriously, its clear that one has to be trying not to read to have had such little progress. I'm spent, too. What do you do to recharge?
  • That way lies madness, man. It is 800 pages, yeah, and that is relatively average considering the genre we read and your love of omnibi, but this is a Wolfe novel and, well, that ain't no ordinary book. I have been steadily reading the first book of it for the past six months, taking frequent breaks because otherwise it would: A) Kill my reading, or B) Verbally batter my brain until I finally set it aside out of frustration. Seriously man, of course you are spent, that is just the sort of book to do you in. I prescribe fluff, particularly something short with simple sentences and a lack of large words.

    As for me, every once in a while I play a video game to completion, which takes away from reading rather significantly. I was a gamer once, back before the new consoles rolled out, but since then it is a rare thing for me to play anything. It's a nice break and clears the mind.
  • Troy Knutson
    Read some Alex Cross novels by James Patterson or some Spenser or Jesse Stone novels by Robert B. Parker---short bullet chapters and not too mind numbing fluff.

    Troy
  • peterwilliam
    Yeah, think I'll do something I rarely do - read a pair of books concurrently. I've been staring at the cover to Stackpole's Talion for a while. I'll just bounce back and forth.
  • nextread
    Thanks all.


    I'm going to try the comfort reading thing. And I might even not review it when I've read it. Going to delve into the shelves. Mighty try some Phil Rickman I haven't read that series for ages.



    I think I need something that isn't 'new'. I'm kicking myself though, and it's probably not helping, as I have some books I really want to read.



    I'm taking a few duvet book days and will go from there! :D
  • I know what you mean Gav - I sometimes feel like I just haven't got the patience to read. This does tend to pass though, but what I usually do is exactly what everyone has siad - either re-read some favourites or just pick something completely shallow up that I know will be a blast.


    I did this recently - I was getting stuck in a rut with the current doorstopper I'm reading so I picked up Death Troopers, a Star Wars book, a great read that has now got me back into reading the meatier stuff (as Sam says). I even managed over 100 pages of The Rats and the Ruling Sea last night :)
  • Really, it happens with any sort of media that requires creative or interpretive thought: writing, reading, playing a game or watching a movie. Overloading and straining a brain muscle are common declarations, but I prefer just to think of it as the mind getting gassy.


    James is dead on that the best remedy is to read something mindless (or probably watch something on television). You basically want to just allow your brain to fart for a while, if you'll pardon the vulgarity. I suggest renting something violent and stupid (but still fun) and just sort of sitting back and giggling for awhile. Eventually, you'll start to crave meatier things.
  • nextread
    Thanks all.

    I'm going to try the comfort reading thing. And I might even not review it when I've read it. Going to delve into the shelves. Mighty try some Phil Rickman I haven't read that series for ages.

    I think I need something that isn't 'new'. I'm kicking myself though, and it's probably not helping, as I have some books I really want to read.

    I'm taking a few duvet book days and will go from there! :D
  • I know what you mean Gav - I sometimes feel like I just haven't got the patience to read. This does tend to pass though, but what I usually do is exactly what everyone has siad - either re-read some favourites or just pick something completely shallow up that I know will be a blast.

    I did this recently - I was getting stuck in a rut with the current doorstopper I'm reading so I picked up Death Troopers, a Star Wars book, a great read that has now got me back into reading the meatier stuff (as Sam says). I even managed over 100 pages of The Rats and the Ruling Sea last night :)
  • Really, it happens with any sort of media that requires creative or interpretive thought: writing, reading, playing a game or watching a movie. Overloading and straining a brain muscle are common declarations, but I prefer just to think of it as the mind getting gassy.

    James is dead on that the best remedy is to read something mindless (or probably watch something on television). You basically want to just allow your brain to fart for a while, if you'll pardon the vulgarity. I suggest renting something violent and stupid (but still fun) and just sort of sitting back and giggling for awhile. Eventually, you'll start to crave meatier things.
  • I recently dropped everything I was reading (three or four books) halfway through because of this. For me, it is not a matter of not being into reading, but rather my mind being overloaded by everything I have been reading and just not wanting to continue on. I find that simple books, pure fluffy popcorn entertainment, provide a good purge that allows me to get back on track. Although, I have read two short books since dropping those few and still look over at the stack of half-finished books with a mixture of dread and loathing, even though I enjoyed what I read of them.
  • lizsara
    All the time, so i do re-reads or chick lit only. Easy reading until i feel like getting back into something good again
  • I recently dropped everything I was reading (three or four books) halfway through because of this. For me, it is not a matter of not being into reading, but rather my mind being overloaded by everything I have been reading and just not wanting to continue on. I find that simple books, pure fluffy popcorn entertainment, provide a good purge that allows me to get back on track. Although, I have read two short books since dropping those few and still look over at the stack of half-finished books with a mixture of dread and loathing, even though I enjoyed what I read of them.
  • lizsara
    All the time, so i do re-reads or chick lit only. Easy reading until i feel like getting back into something good again
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