Context: I’m 23F, who previously had a voracious appetite for books especially fantasy stuff like PJ and ACOTAR etc
I started doing an English Lit degree. You know the thing where you shouldn’t study in a field you love? Well apparently that hit me.
The passion I have for reading for the sake of it has nearly died out completely. It’s awful now picking up a book only to never get back to it.
The good news is I think I’ve been starting to become more open to different genres e.g I read Pierce Brown two years ago, might be something that comes with age. I’m okay with anything as long as it doesn’t make the twisted English major side of me go this was written so badly without meaning. I’m no book snob but seriously would love anything with decent writing, a purposeful storyline etc
So give me your best shot, I’ll be waiting and (praying to the literary deities) for The One.
by Zealousideal-Week515
3 Comments
I really like Nothing To See Here by Kevin Wilson. That did exactly what you’re describing for me. I hadn’t read since grad school and leaving academia about 6 years ago. I was in philosophy, not English, but close enough imo. It’s a fast paced novel that I would lovingly describe as an airport novel BUT with writing quality far above what you would expect from that. The writing voice is clear and witty and fun.
From there I’ve finally been able to return to some classics, but that was the book that reminded me that I loved to just read for the sake of reading.
My list since that has been as follows: the wall by Marlen haushofer, I who have never known men by Jacqueline Harper (quite beloved on this sub it turns out), Kafka collected stories (finally divorced from academia I can actually enjoy him!!!), the vet’s daughter by Barbara comyns, and weather by Jenny offill.
Not sure what I’m gonna read next after finishing those (debating…dare I say Virginia Woolf??? I haven’t decided yet 😅) but all thanks to a glorified airport novel I can finally read again! It’s so damn fun!!!
I think Weather could also fill the same role as Nothing to see here if that one doesn’t do it for ya.
Ancillary Justice by Ann Leckie, I loved this book so much
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls