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Hi Elin ! We have similar tastes in books, so I thought I'd give you two suggestions similar to the books you loved.

- Lullabies for little criminals, by Heather O'Neill

- Exciting times, by Naoise Dolan.

And my ULTIMATE suggestion: just stop counting the books you've read.

Yes, you can take notes about them, list them, whatever, but I found by experience that numbered goals just demotivated me, and encouraged me to finish mediocre books just to count them as read.

Hope this helps! :)

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Thank you for the book suggestions! Haven't heard of the first one, will check them out 😊

Regarding not counting books, that's essentially what I did for 2023 and it nooot work 🙈 I just ended up reading less and feel even less excited about reading. I really love the tracking 😅 However DNFing mediocre reads and not finishing just to count them is definitely something I aim to change! 😊

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Elin, could it be that you are my twin sister? I am almost baffled by the similarities. Have not yet NOT finished reading a book no matter how bad. I wish I could but it is virtually impossible. Never heard of DNFing before :-)

Bookworm - yes, I even created a little library in my room as a kid acting as the head librarian.

Btw, I really really enjoy reading your posts!

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Haha hello twin sister! I'm glad to have introduced you to the brilliance of DNFing 😁 I haven't had to do it yet since writing this post, but we'll see... I tend to be scared of starting long books (like 500+ pages) and I have to remind myself that I can just not finish it if I don't like it... 😂

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Totally agree with you on the DNFing. Sometimes when I find myself in a slump it's because there are a few books that are just blocking my path. I can't bring myself to finish them, nor can I mark them as finished. Giving myself permission to move on and declare them DNF seems to free up a blockage.

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Yes, exactly! They become blockers, and deciding to not finish is so freeing. Ridiculous how hard it is though - definitely something I need to practice 😄

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I can completely appreciate where you’ve been in this post. It’s a lovely reflective outlook. Even now I struggle to read during term time. I find non fiction so much easier to pick up and spend short moments with than fiction; where I feel I sometimes lose track. However, what has helped me most is embracing some more audiobooks. Meaning I get to consume some wonderful content in a different way when the reading is slower. Then when the time comes I’d rather turn the pages, I don’t feel like I’ve missed out in the same way. ☺️

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Good stuff, Elin. I've come to the conclusion that some books just aren't worth finishing. I just faced the DNF dilemma myself (https://writingrhythm.substack.com/p/good-books-bad-books-and-your-ideal). Hope you're unslumped now. Happy New Year!

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Yeah, it’s been a while since I’ve fallen in love with a book, not being able to put it away, reading the whole night through. I miss that feeling.

I know my slump comes from the-neverending-parental-tired-ness, maybe from DNFing some books I really should have DNFed. I regret not DNFing books that dragged my soul through a puddle of mud and left a dirty aftertaste. That’s how you fall into a book slump, folks!😅

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Elin! You have taken so many words right out of my mouth. Between the hesitation to DNF, longing for a book that you can't put down, and the overall sad experience of being in a reading slump, I identify so strongly with you and am rooting for you as Operation Deslump commences!

(If I may add, I recently published a piece all about DNF-ing and the struggle it is to accept that a book might not be all you hoped--and that that's okay! Perhaps it can give you some encouragement as you start DNF-ing more. https://open.substack.com/pub/caitlanbrewer/p/in-defense-of-dnf-ing?r=1f0vfe&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web )

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"I became scared of picking the wrong book and being “stuck” with it for two months."

I've been grappling with this as well. There's so many books and it's giving me decision fatigue. It also doesn't help that I've been in emotional burnout so I don't have the energy for the roller coaster ride a book offers. I was on my way out, then a family death shoved me back to the start. Luckily, I've been able to read a lot of short fiction here on Substack.

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I read so much more now that I don’t use social media anymore-- I’m just tipping my toes into Substack now. But I bring a book everywhere and read a few pages when everyone else would look at instagram or TikTok. 36 books last year

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I have totally been in a reading slump for the last few years -that I’m tentatively picking my way out of, one of my favourite fiction books this year I think was convenience store woman ( also not too long). I’m desperate for a book that I can get sucked into and lose 3 hours without blinking like when I was a teenager. I have however been buying many books that I’m attracted too and have decided that if they are not for right now, that is fine. Like a wine cellar approach. I need to retrain my focus muscles I’m sure that’s part of the problem. Good luck with the deslump!

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Yessss!! And not that you’re looking for suggestions, but I always find it helpful to go back and reread (or read for the first time) old childhood favorites... and newer books that remind you of old favorites. Even if that’s picture books and “kidlit.”

Also: brava for recognizing that you need to be more ruthless about DNFing; that makes a huge difference, too.

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Oooh I know just how you feel. I've struggled with reading for the last few years. Every so often I think I'm back in the saddle, but then the next book fails to draw me in and I take weeks and weeks to finish it... I have no advice but I'm inspired to come up with my own action plan, so thank you!

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Also - book clubs! Joining my local libraries book club 18 months ago has introduced me to so many amazing writers and books I would never have picked up. A great way to get back in the game

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Oh where to start! Holly Ringlands novels are utterly beautiful - beginning with The Lost Flowers of Alice Hart. My favourite fiction book I read this year was Birnam Wood by Eleanor Catton and if you want a good thriller try Jane Harpers books (The Dry and The Lost Man are my favourites). Good luck unslumping from one book worm to another!

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Thanks for this - I need to raise my hand and admit I’ve been in a reading slump too. Totally agree with the DNFing point. I’m trying to get on with audiobooks too so that I can use my driving around and doing chores time.

P.s.: My “problem” is also that I like the quiet - just listening to my own thoughts or carrying an empty mind, so as much as I enjoy listening to audiobooks, sometimes what I crave is that pin drop silence during a drive or a run. 25 is a great yearly target. I need to get on that bandwagon too. Thx for that nudge!

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