The prompt for this week was “books guaranteed to end your book slump,” and while I’m tempted by that thought, I really don’t know if those books exist. Partly because there is so much variation between readers – what one person finds gripping, another will want to take a nap while reading. But also because, at least for me, slumps are more often to do with what is going on in my life and my mind rather than the quality of my reading material – I’m pretty good at moving on if a book isn’t grabbing me! But I’ll try to find some that I think might be helpful – mostly books that I’d consider re-reading if I were feeling slumpy and needed a book I knew I’d enjoy and get into easily.
The House on the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
I Capture the Castle by Dodie Smith
The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende
The Twat Files by Dawn French
Friends of Dorothy by Sandi Toksvig
Travels by Michael Crichton
Up to here I’ve picked books I’ve loved, books I’ve laughed while reading, some I’ve cried, others just had me on the very edge of my seat throughout – but all that I’ve been instantly swept into and read without any effort at all. The next three are slightly different, but bear with me.
Ten Steps to Nanette by Hannah Gadsby
My Mess Is a Bit of a Life by Georgia Pritchett
These three are more serious, in theory – one is about a woman suffering from an undiagnosed chronic illness, the second is Gadsby’s memoir of her life, including the really grim parts, and the third is about a woman dealing with some mental health struggles. BUT. Though they all deal with some tough content, they also all left me feeling incredibly alive and grateful to be here. Yes, life can be hard, but also you can find humour and moments of pure joy in most situations if you look hard enough, and sometimes the smallest thing can turn your life around. So I’m including them because they all left me feeling better than when I started.
That’s it for me this week! Which direction did you take with this week’s prompt? Do you think there are books guaranteed to bust a book slump? Do you agree with any of my picks?
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly link-up feature created by The Broke and the Bookish and hosted by Jana at That Artsy Reader Girl. Every week TTT has a different topic, and everyone who links up has to create a link of ten items that fit that topic. To see past and upcoming topics, go here.
I loved I CAPTURE THE CASTLE when I read it years ago. It’s definitely time for a reread!
Happy TTT (on a Wednesday)!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
Thank you, this is a good mix of of genres with books to make me think.
https://rosieamber.wordpress.com/
Thanks! I’m glad that it was an enjoyable read for you!
It’s been ages since I’ve read Cricthon – I’ll have to read more from him soon. 🙂
I haven’t read anything by him for years, but the feeling of some of the ones I read ages ago still linger! He was a great writer.
I recently added The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating to my TBR list. I’m looking forward to it.
Oh I love that one so much! It left me feeling an odd sense of hope and aliveness – and I really get that need to find another living being outside of yourself to focus on when your own existence is challenging for whatever reason. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!
Nice list! I still need to read The House in the Cerulean Sea. Thanks for sharing.
Oh that one is just such a lovely read! I enjoyed the sequel just as much. You’re in for a treat!
I love house on the cerulean sea!
Me too! Have you read the sequel??
The Martian is such a good read! I like your idea of reading life-affirming books even if they’re maybe not the most obvious reading slump remedy.
The Martian is one of my all time faves. I was so surprised that one person stranded on Mars for months could make me laugh so much and become so invested. I have read it a few times and expect I’ll go back to it again! Yeah, I think sometimes it’s just the right book at the right time – which is obviously going to be different for everyone – but for me there have been some great ones that fit that category! Thanks for visiting!
I agree that there is so much variation in taste. I have covered a couple of different genres in my list.
I loved The House In The Cerulean Sea.
Have a great week!
Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
My post:
https://budgettalesblog.wordpress.com/2025/08/12/top-ten-tuesday-books-guaranteed-to-put-an-end-to-your-book-slump/
Agreed! The House In the Cerulean Sea is probably one that will appeal to quite a range of readers I think – it’s got some supernatural elements, found family, love story, triumph of love over hate…. so many great elements to that one, and it’s one I will keep coming back to! Have a great week as well!
I’ve read several of these—the Alan Bennett, Capture the Castle, and more—and I agree that these have something that entices us to come back to reading.
Oh, some of my favourites! I Capture the Castle is one I fell in love with as a teenager, and that love has held more than two decades (nearly three) later!
When my dad passed away four years ago, I had a hard time processing anything. I couldn’t find the desire to read. But I knew I had to find a way out of my head. That meant picking up a book that I could read and forget everything going on. In the end, it was an open-door romance with some wild scenes. Sure, it felt weird laughing at the funny parts, but I knew it was the right thing to do.
Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/the-os-have-it-ten-titles-starting-with-o/
I’m so sorry to hear about your dad. I can’t imagine how that feels (yet), but I can understand how hard it would be to process. I think you found exactly the right book to read to help you feel something other than grief, sometimes that’s such an important reminder that life is still waiting for you, despite the darkness, and I am sure it’s what he would want for you. Thanks for sharing.