this seems to be a month full of confessions. but this one is going to make me a little pink with shame. oh well. here’s the thing. my brain seems awfully limp of late. i’ve started book after book and haven’t finished a single one. the truth is, i want to read something gripping. something well-written. something without tiny tiny words. something with a great plot and scintillating characters. something that will have me ignoring henry. and i can’t find it. i can’t find the book i want to read. can you help me? have any of you read anything lately that fits my description?

I just picked up The Satanic Verses and I’m three chapters in after one evening. I’m not sure I’ve ever read anything quite like it… part myth, part code, part something else.
In fact, I’m not even sure what it is yet that I’ve got by the tail.
Hi Jessie,
Richard showed me your blog! Yipppeee, I love blogging! It brings me joy!
Sometimes when I am in a reading slump, I like to read something I know that I am going to like. An old faithful. For me, this can be as varied as To Kill A Mockingbird or the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. I’m not ashamed to admit that I picked up Ann Brashares first attempt at adult fiction because I am addicted to the Sisterhood.
I just finished A Thousand Splendid Suns and couldn’t put it down. I don’t know if that is up your alley, but I loved it.
If you like mysteries, try When Day Breaks by Mary Jane Clark…
there’s this book i’ve heard of, it’s called The Brothers Karamazov, it’s a page turner i tell ya. Oi, I’m so glad I’m not the only one having this problem. Tell me if you find anything good. I’m falling asleep after 10 pages. but i’m hanging in there, i’ve got to finish!
Have you read any books by E M Forester? I really liked “A Room with a View” and “Howard’s End”. I’m in line to read “Passage to India” (it’s being passed around out here and everyone loves it).
You really did just describe The Brothers Karamazov. Just let yourself skim through the first sections (especially the parts in the monastery) so that you can get into the rest of the book.
It’s got everything–a murder mystery, spiritual crises, a wonderful coming-of-age story, difficult intellectual dilemmas, saints and prostitutes, would-be saints and would-be prostitutes, and a murder mystery that keeps the pages turning (again, once you get out of that first discussion in the monastery).
There’s something for everyone!
Jess
I love your most recent blog entries. You are so funny. I am rereading Snowflake and the Secret Fan for bookgroup. I really enjoyed it the first time and 13 pages into again I think the 2nd time will be just as enjoyable :). June has been really busy. Hope we can get together soon.
Kathleen
favorites around our house include: “Blue Hat, Green Hat” by Sandra Boynton, “Hop on Pop” by Dr. Suess, and “Where’s Spot”. we’ve finished each one about 20 times and it’s not even lunchtime yet.
Song of the Sparrow by Lisa Sandell. Read it yesterday and had a lovely time. It’s a YA verse novel retelling of the Lady of Shallott. After I got past my happy memories of Tennyson Downs and Anne drowning under the piano cover, I was hooked.
I recommend
Calvin and Hobbes
. note that this is different from Calvin or Hobbes.
I’m sure you have read it already. But I really enjoyed “Cold Comfort Farm” by Stella Gibbons. It was difficult to get into… a little… but it sort of reminded me of “I Capture the Castle.” Fun, slightly romantic, entertaining… a happy, mindless, uplifting read.
If you don’t mind infrequent but seriously objectionable language, then I recommend “An Eyre Affair” by Jasper Fford. Or his “Lost in a Good Book.” Both very creative.
The only thing that got me out of post mission year long reading attention deficit disorder (PMYLRADD) was reading the sixth and seventh harry potter books.
After reading those, I was able to plow through brother’s k without too much difficulty. Except once i reached the last 200 pages, i thought, “man, this is really long.”
Have you read Suite Francaise yet? Loved it! Wanted to swim around in it until I was a complete prune it was that lovely.