Monday, August 20, 2018

Top Ten Books To Pull You Out Of A Reading Slump

  

 Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly feature hosted by 
That Artsy Reader Girl. Each week a new Top Ten list will be posted. Everyone is welcome to join. Link back to The Broke and the Bookish so everyone can check out other bloggers' lists. It's a fun way to get to know fellow bloggers.

This week is Top Ten Books To Pull You Out Of A Reading Slump. This can be tough- I mean, how do you ever know which books will do the trick- but I'll give it a shot. In a lot of ways this is almost like which books would I want to re- read, since I might have to turn to old favorites to beat the slump? Well here's what came to mind.      


Big Little Lies

This is probably one that I might turn to- I find this book so readable, and if I was slumping hard this might do the trick! 

Eight Hundred Grapes

I've been meaning to give this a re-read anyway, so a slump would just be an excuse to do so. 

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet (Wayfarers, #1) 

Same here. 

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, #1)

This might seem like an odd choice since I've never actually finished this book, but the offbeat humor might be just what I'm needing!

Rogue Protocol (The Murderbot Diaries, #3)

Or maybe a dose of Murderbot is called for. 

The Blue

Another one I'll probably re- read at some point- so why not during a slump? 

Emilie and the Hollow World (Emilie, #1)

Another Martha Wells pick, this one more of a YA- but it's fun with a really cool mer-culture. 

Heir to the Jedi (Star Wars)

Maybe my favorite Star Wars? 

The Shark Club

This seems to find its way on all my lists but I just think it has a lot to say- and the combination of relationship plus marine conservation is a winner for me. 

Planet of Exile

One of my favorites- I never tire of this one. 

85 comments:

  1. I find myself repeating books on my lists too. But when you find a favorite - whether it's a genre or author, you like to share them. A lot. :D Thanks so much for visiting Finding Wonderland, Greg.

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    1. Thanks Rissi. So true- I do find myself repeating certain favorites fairly often. :)

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  2. I second the Long Way. That one is amazing to just settle into and forget everything else.

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    1. I agree- so relaxing to just sit back and immerse in that world!

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  3. I watched the HBO mini-series adaptation of Big Little Lies and I so adored it. This just reminded me that I have to also check out the book.

    I've been wanting to read any Ursula LeGuin books and your fave might be a good starting point for me. :)

    Jennilyn @ Rurouni Jenni Reads

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    1. The book is awesome! I loved the mini series though.

      Planet of Exile is very short- a novella by today's standards? And it's kind of a space fantasy- I don't think as sophisticated as some of her later works, but it's a guilt pleasure for me. :)

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  4. I've been meaning to read Big Little Lies for a while now since I watched the series. I am happy to see you have so many awesome books to help you out of slumps!

    Amber ♥ The Book Bratz
    My TTT

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    1. Thanks Amber! Big Little Lies is awesome!

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  5. Great list! I'm due for a re-read of The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet as well and I really need to get to the Murderbot novellas - I've heard nothing but good things so far!

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    1. Hi Jess! I will definitely re- read The Long Way at some point- so much there to revisit!

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  6. I didn't do the topic this week because it would just be a re-hash of my favourite books! I'm going to be reading the third Murderbot book in the next few weeks which is exciting!

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  7. You've got some fabulous recommendations here, Greg! Big Little Lies is such a great book. My TTT

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  8. I agree old favorites are great slump busters. BLL is the best!

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    1. It is! An old fave will sometimes break that ole slump!

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  9. Nice picks! Those are all new to me reads!

    Here's my Tuesday Post

    Have a GREAT day!

    Old Follower :)

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  10. Emlie and the Hollow World looks good! And I hear you, when it comes to slumps, I think the book that's going to pull me out of it depends on what my mood is like.

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    1. Emilie and the Hollow World was pretty good!

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  11. I have to give All Systems Red a go soon. I didn't realize Martha Wells also wrote YA- Emilie & the Hollow World looks like an awesome read, too!

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    1. Oh please do! Would love to see what u think.

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  12. I just recently binge watched all 7 episodes of Big Little Lies, so I am confident I can turn to the book in the future when I get into a reading slump! Re-reading favourites seems like a foolproof solution to a slump, since you already know it's gonna be good!

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    1. Exactly! And BLL was SOOO good- both the show and the book. I loved what Reese and HBO did with that- and the book is awesome, but set in Australia so it's just different enough!

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  13. I am always impressed when anyone rereads a book. I just can’t do it. I slap it shut...or more likely archive it and race to the next one!

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    1. Ha ha well me too nowadays- I don't re- read nearly as much as I did pre- blogging.

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  14. I have yet to read Big Little Lies and I haven't watched the show it's based on. I've heard great things about it though :)

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    1. The show is amazing and the book is even better!!!

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  15. Great list, there are a couple on here that I've added to my list because you talk about them all the time, lol. The Shark Club and Murderbot for sure!

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    1. The Shark Club just goes on every week's list lol. And Murderbot practically too!

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  16. Yes to Big Little Lies!!! The snarky humor in that one is what I need sometimes.

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  17. A re-read of one of your favs is a good idea for a reading slump. That's what I did a couple of weeks ago when I couldn't find an audio book that hit the spot. I kept starting and saying "ugh" and moving on. I bet that Star Wars is good! Kevin Hearne is a fantastic writer! Love his Iron Druid Chronicles! Great post, Greg! :)

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    1. Thanks Rachel! I was impressed w/ Hearne's Star Wars! And I agree- sometimes a re- read is just what ya need.

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  18. I'm still curious about Big Little Lies - I haven't read it OR seen the show, as I don't have HBO. I also really need to read these Murderbot books!

    -Lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

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    1. The Murderbot books are great, and I say read Big Little Lies the book first- then if you ever get a chance to see the show it will mean so much more!

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  19. Reading Becky Chambers' latest book has really made me want to reread the entire trilogy! Which is an odd feeling because I /never/ reread books but they are just so good

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    1. I don't re- read much (anymore) but I know I'll re- read the Long Way- I love that book!

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  20. These are all new to me... but it's funny, my dd has been in the hospital this past week (she gets out today) and I brought her one of my ARCs to read. She said the only non-children's book they had there was The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy and that her friend was reading it!

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    1. Interesting! Do you know I've never read it (well maybe a quarter of it, then gave up) but I am going to retry at some point! And best of luck to her, I hope all is well!

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  21. I always love these lists. They really are a great way to find some great reads! Thanks for sharing these!

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  22. Big Little Lies is definitely a perfect slumpbuster!

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  23. yaya I'm so happy to see Big Little Lies here That was the book that had me reading and blogging again after the huge bloggedon of the fall of 2016.

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    1. That's a good one to break the blogeddon I would imagine. :)

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  24. I really need to read the Murderbot series. I keep seeing them everywhere and I hear such great things about them.

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    1. Well the third one just came out- I hope you get a chance!

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  25. I haven't had a reading slump in awhile, but I'll keep these in mind! Big Little Lies is on my list and so is Eight Hundred Grapes. I have the first book in the Murderbot series, but haven't gotten around to reading it.

    Lindsi @ Do You Dog-ear?

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    1. All three are excellent- I hope you enjoy!!

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  26. Great choices! I really enjoyed Big Little Lies! Still need to read Murderbot and The Long Way to a Small Angry Planet, looking forward to do so soon!

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  27. When I'm in a reading slump. I'm. In. A. Slump. I need to just take time off and novellas help me. Something quick but not overwhelming usually pulls me back in.

    Karen @ For What It's Worth

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    1. Yup, novellas or graphic novels... or Netflix lolol.

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  28. Big Little Lies would definitely help get out of a slump! It has the mystery, it has the (dark) comedy, it has the intriguing characters, it has it all! (plus a tv adaptation for when the reading slump is REALLY bad, haha :) )

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  29. I am ashamed to say that I have "the long way to ..." on my shelf and did not read it yet!!! Sophie @bewareofthereader

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  30. I think re-reading your favorites in a slump is the best way to get out of it.

    I haven't read any of the books on your list but I'm interested in murderbot, I read such great things about that series.

    have a lovely day.

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    1. I think so too. The Murderbot books really are lots of fun...

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  31. If you like audiobooks at all, let me recommend THE HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE in that format. It is double hilarious and I know you would want to finish it. My TTT list

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    1. You know, audio may be how I should go with that! I tend to get distracted w/ audio, but with that one being so wacky and humorous it might hold my attention better!

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  32. Aha! I knew I'd find The Shark Club here!

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  33. I keep meaning to read Hitchhiker's Guide! I definitely read part of it once upon a time but I don't think I finished it for reasons I can't remember (exams, maybe? Library due dates?)

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    1. I did too- started it but didn't finish. Soon!!

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  34. I bought Eight Hundred Grapes because of you. One day I’ll get to it.

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  35. Old favorites are always the way to go. I almost always reach for a reread when I'm in a slump. Happy reading!

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  36. It is a little weird that you included Hitchhikers if you have never finished it 😂😂 that would put most people into slumps instead of getting them out of ones, but it is a really good book! And you are right about the humor being offbeat!

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  37. Hitchhiker's is one of my all time faves!

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  38. I haven’t read any of these, but I’m on a waitlist for the Becky Chambers book. Hopefully I’ll read it sometime this century.

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

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  39. Moriarty will always do the trick for me too. Her books are amazing!

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  40. I honestly would be shocked if any list you did with even a moderately positive association didn't contain Shark Club hahah. Murderbot is always a good choice- quick and quirky! I need to read Big Little Lies, I feel like I always say that and never do. And the rest of the Becky Chambers series! (I might have gotten the last book in the mail today so... probably time!)

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  41. Big Little Lies made my list this week too! :)

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  42. I find novellas like Murderbot help when I'm in a slump. And of course, media tie-ins as well, especially Star Wars!

    ~Mogsy @ BiblioSanctum

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  43. I am not really a re-reader, but I sometimes do gravitate towards favorite authors, particularly of series, when I feel a slump coming on. They usually do the trick.

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  44. I'm really interested in the Star Wars books! The one I read was the retelling of A New Hope by Alexandra Bracken and it was meh.. :(

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  45. I haven't read a lot of these books but Big Little Lies. Great book for a slump. Also, The Husband's Secret by her is great.

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  46. I have had "The Long Way to A Small Angry Planet" on my TBR for a long time. I'll try to remember it for the next time I need a slump buster. Also it probably time for a reread of Hitchhikers Guide. I love that book!

    My TTT: http://books.thetechchef.net/top-ten-tuesday-43-books-to-pull-you-out-of-a-reading-slump/

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  47. I had no idea the Hollow World book was by Wells. I have that book. 📚

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  48. Yeah I think books I'd reread and Books that'd pull me out of a slump have a lot of overlap! I think Big Little Lies would be a great reread and I've got Eight Hundred Grapes on audio and I'm looking forward to it. It sounds like a good slump buster.

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  49. I still really need to read Big Little Lies and The Shark Club! I've also seen a lot of good feedback on the Murderbot series, which has me curious :)

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