Over the past two weeks I fell into an obsession with suspense novels. I finished Under My Skin by Sabine Durrant and Dark Places by Gillian Flynn. I started novels by Sophie Hannah, S.J. Bolton, Laura Lippman and Koethi Zan and checked out others by Megan Abbott and Chevy Stevens, Though I’ve always liked suspense novels I have only read them sporadically through the years so I’m surprised I fell so hard for them. I think the obsession is over, however. Yesterday I just couldn’t make myself read any of them and I have started all over with my reading today.
I started To the North by Elizabeth Bowen this rainy morning, downloaded The Good Lord Bird by James McBride (the new winner of the National Book Award) and dipped into the Paris Review interviews with women writers including Anne Sexton, Rebecca West and Eudora Welty.
Sometimes my reading life drives me mad – my tastes seem to change by the day and even by the hour. I’ve decided not to fight this fluctuation. There is no reason for me to feel guilty about dropping a book and starting something completely different. Do you feel a crazy turbulence in your reading life or are you steady in your tastes?
My Classics Club spin book is Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Truman Capote. What did you draw?
Enjoy your weekend!
A Certain Fondness 
That happens to me a lot as well – sometimes in mid-book. I think you’re right not to worry about it and just read what catches your attention or engages you. The great thing about books is they’ll still be there. Having less stress, with the new librarian now, and maybe more time to read? might also make a change.
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I find that by this time of year I start to crave re-reads, and it’s best just to give in to it – or, at least, to humour myself a bit, otherwise I might not read anything (terrible thought!). I find myself on a bit of an Agatha Christie binge at the moment. She really is a good crafts(wo)man.
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My spin book is Cheerful Weather for the Wedding by Julia Strachey… read a few pages last night and look forward to continuing. I haven’t heard much about The Good Lord Bird, but added it to my wish list this week.
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I sometimes think its frustrating when I’m reading in phases – of course I’m enjoying the books but I know I’ll start disliking it after a while – but I think the same as you, to just give into it. It often means you read more anyway so it’s not bad. I didn’t take part in the spin, but your result is bound to be brilliant 🙂
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look forward to your thought on Mcbride ,I not aware of him before the win and his books sounds very set in the south of the US ,all the best stu
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I know just what you mean, I went off classics for a bit and read loads of teen fiction for a while instead. I think your attitude is just right- reading is for pleasure so why not read what you feel like day to day? 🙂
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Try reading American Gods. Both this and the Troupe touch on an alternate reality that’s hidden behind the real world. Both novels are steeped in myth. Both novels feature a young protagonist trying to find his way with the guidance of a gruff older man helping to show him the way. There are some overlaps between Silenius from the Troupe and Mr. Wednesday from AG. Both characters exhibit a mystery that encompasses the entire narrative structure of the book.
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