Reader's Block

Lately I've been trying to get back into reading a lot more after suffering from a severe case of reader's block. Since finishing University last year I, shamefully, haven't read nearly half as much as I used to. The course I studied was incredibly literature heavy - obviously, considering that it was an English Literature course - and I feel like the amount of required reading knocked me for six. I became so accustomed to powering through almost a book a week, and after graduating I felt as though I deserved some sort of break. But that break should definitely be over now.

The last book I finished was John Green's The Fault in Our Stars, on holiday last July, and it really was an amazing book. I knew there was a lot of hype around it before I picked it up, and it definitely lived up to said hype for me. I can't wait until the film comes out this year! :) However, since then, I haven't managed to pick up a book that has really grasped my attention. Above you can see part of the reading list that I've created for myself, and I am determined to get through at least these two piles by the end of the year. Most of these books are ones that I've picked up in charity shops or the book stand that is often set up in my local shopping centre. If anyone has read any of these, I'd be interested to know what you thought of them.

I have always been told that a good reader makes a good writer, and I firmly believe that. The more you expand your literary horizons, the more you open up your mind to so many different, amazing and unique pieces of writing, and I always feel so much more inspired to put pen to paper, or tap my fingertips on the keyboard whenever I'm reading a good book. Reading really gets your creative juices flowing, and I'm planning on fitting in a little time each day to just relax and read for a shirt while, and now that the days are longer and summer is closer I'll be able to make the most of time outside instead of being cooped up indoors. 

I would be interested to know if anyone has any book recommendations. There is still a considerable list of books that I want to buy, but I'm determined to push myself through the unread ones in my bookcase first. 

I'm excited to re-immerse myself in as many different stories as I can and, who knows, maybe it will give me some inspiration to start writing something a lot bigger myself :)

~ C xxx