The Post-Great-Book Blues

Whenever I read a book that captivates me, I experience an odd sensation that I like to call the post-great-book blues. Hopefully we've all read books that move us, those that are exceptional reads with engaging characters, books that we are sad to see end. After I finish the last page of such a book, I usually don’t want to start reading another story right away. Which is odd. I love reading. Always have. That’s how I know the book I just finished was a good one. I’m in some sort of a reading funk after I finish it.

The same thing happens whenever a favorite TV series ends. I’ve been known to put off watching that final episode for months, even years, in order to avoid the melancholy of saying goodbye to “old friends."

Why is it hard for me to pick up another book? I think it’s a combination of several things:

- I’m sad to let go of the amazing characters I’ve just read about and delve into a new set.

- I’m afraid the next book will be a letdown.

- I don’t want to judge a new book too harshly when I might enjoy it under other conditions. It’s not fair to the book or the author since I’m in a funky mood.

- The characters were so well drawn that I feel a sense of loss like I’m saying goodbye to an old friend.

These days, this reaction is an annoyance. I only have so much time to read. I’m also working and writing and spending time with family and friends. I can’t let available time for reading slip by. So I’ve come up with a few ideas to help snap out of the post-great-book blues next time they hit:

- Try a book in another genre. Something I’d be less likely to compare to the previous book.

- Read a short story. Shorts take less of a commitment and might make a better transition to something longer. Many authors offer free shorts, so it could be a great way to try out a new author.

- Read something non-fiction. There are many subjects I want to learn more about. A quick non-fiction read between books would make a nice break from fictional stories.

- Re-read another old favorite. Reading a book that I know I’ll enjoy (but have already gone through the experience of finishing) might make it easier to get back into reading something new.

- Browse through my tremendous, ever-growing, mountainous to-read list and look for books that I’ve heard great things about and have been meaning to read for a long time. This sense of accomplishment might make it easier to jump into a new story.

- Try a multi-book series that will hopefully have in-depth characters I can enjoy getting to know through several stories.

- Instead of reading, do something fun I’ve been wanting to do. Maybe watch a couple of movies that I’ve been dying to see or a TV series on DVD I’ve wanted to check out. This will give me some distance from the book I just finished before trying another.

Am I the only one to feel like this? Anyone else have a hard time picking up another book? Have you found anything that helps you start another story?

I'd love to hear about it.

Sloan Parker
www.sloanparker.com