9 thoughts on “Reader’s Block

  • June 25, 2014 at 7:57 am
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    I have gone through something very similar recently Simon but I notice that it always happens in the summer. Not sure if it harks back to my childhood when my mother used to tell me to get out in the fresh air and put that book away, but that is so.Also at the moment have hayfever and with itchy eyes reading is tiring.

    However, I have a huge pile of books awaiting my attention and try as I might I simply cannot read any of them at the moment and so I have done what I always do and that is turn to old and familiar books or read rubbish. I have been immersed in a Mills and Boon fest the last few weeks. I read one, hurl it into the charity shop box and start the next. I am not decrying M and B authors, how they manage to write these books and on a deadline I will never know, but they do not stay with me, they are light and charming and fun and they have seen me through the last few weeks.

    I, too, turn to Agatha when I hit this kind of block and I reread some of my favourites. I particularly enjoy her stand alone books written in the twenties/thrities such as The Man in the Brown Suit and Secret of Chimneys. They are sheer delight.

    Wimbledon this week and then I think I can concentrate on reading again but come September I shall be settling in for the winter and that is when I love reading the most.

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  • June 25, 2014 at 8:47 am
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    Oh yes! I recognise this. Agatha Christie helps with me too. Or short stories, I can often find my way back into reading by giving short stories a go, and children's books. Preferably something that's familiar from my childhood. It's no good trying to read something new, and there's no point in fighting it, eventually it'll pass. Though there's always that horrible moment when you think – will I ever read again? Makes me come out in a cold sweat just thinking about it.

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  • June 25, 2014 at 11:30 am
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    I certainly recognise it and have suffered from it from time to time. Horrid. And nothing to do but wait for it to go away. Glad yours has gone, anyway.

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  • June 25, 2014 at 11:48 am
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    Simon, that is a hysterically funny piece! It made me laugh out loud. You're brilliant!

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  • June 25, 2014 at 9:40 pm
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    After a traumatic separation and divorce several years ago, I found I was unable to read anything. I turned to crossword puzzles that I could dip into until things calmed down and concentration slowly returned. I was so thrilled when I finished the first book after this time, that I sent a card to the author, Katie Fforde, thanking her for writing it and telling her a little about why it was so significant. She wrote me a charming letter back and I went on to enjoy all types of books.
    Since that time, I can always tell if I am in danger of having some "black hole" days, because the reading stops. It's a real pleasing when I notice it resuming. Then I know that all is going to be fine and I have ridden out the wobble.

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  • June 28, 2014 at 6:42 pm
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    Balance your spiritual energy and get in harmony with your soul by practicing these Radha-Krishna meditations.

    Sri Gita Govinda
    -A book written in the 12th century, this is a description of the intimate loving affairs of Radha and Krishna
    http://www.mediafire.com/view/keqr4lqp7wr1rru/Sri_Gita_Govinda.pdf

    Govinda Lilamrta
    -An 400 year old book which poetically describes the eternal daily pastimes of Radha and Krishna
    http://www.mediafire.com/view/uhcuigauc6uqiei/Govinda_Lilamrita.pdf

    Ananda Vrindavan Campu
    -This is probably the most poetic and intimate portrayal of Sri Krsna’s life in Vrndavana that has ever been written.
    http://www.mediafire.com/view/k9j3ldwbt17be3b/Ananda_Vmdavana_Campu.pdf

    Prayers of Service to Radha and Krishna (Sankalpa Kalpadruma)
    http://www.mediafire.com/view/lvkqsro3sbzm249/Visvanath_Cakravarti_Thakur_Sankalpa_Kalpadruma.pdf

    Prema Samputa The Treasure Chest of Love
    http://www.mediafire.com/view/mpbncdyt97nw0x7/Prema_Samputa_The_Treasure_Chest_of_Love.pdf

    And the following four are taken from Visvanath Cakravarti's Camatkara Candrika, a 300 year old scripture that talks about the love meeting of Radha and Krishna:

    The Meeting in the Box
    http://www.mediafire.com/view/c81a7cp43n5v6aj/The_Meeting_in_the_Box.pdf

    The Meeting of Sri Krishna Disguised as a Female Doctor
    http://www.mediafire.com/view/hgomrnem7829pda/The_Meeting_of_Sri_Krsna_Disguised_as_a_Female_Doctor.pdf

    The Meeting of Sri Krishna Disguised as a Female Singer
    http://www.mediafire.com/view/gyuboduhn8dvdml/The_Meeting_of_Sri_Krsna_Disguised_as_a_Female_Singer.pdf

    The Meeting of Sri Krishna Disguised as Abhimanyu
    http://www.mediafire.com/view/911h9qoxn4ca027/The_Meeting_of_Sri_Krsna_Disguised_As_Abhimanyu.pdf

    And lastly, we have a very amazing scripture which describes the 24 hour daily loving affairs of Radha and Krishna in Vrindavan, called Bhavanasara Sangraha. This book is now available on Amazon for Kindle, for only $3.49

    http://www.amazon.com/Bhavanasara-Sangraha-Mahanidhi-Swami-ebook/dp/B00CW9H4DI/ref=la_B00J2M5LAQ_1_15?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1402209195&sr=1-15

    Here is a 41 page sample of Bhavanasara Sangraha:
    http://www.mediafire.com/view/t4gsse2d4sw0f8p/Sample_of_Bhavanasara_Sangraha.pdf

    The above book can also be read on your PC using Amazon Kindle for PC, download here for free:
    http://www.amazon.com/gp/feature.html/ref=kcp_pc_mkt_lnd?docId=1000426311

    Disclaimer: We are not affiliated with ISKCON in any way whatsoever. ISKCON, or "The Hare Krishna Movement" as it's popularily known, is a radical and extremist distortion of the original Radha and Krishna dharma from ancient India. The author of the above book Bhavanasara Sangraha is no longer affiliated with ISKCON either, having cut all ties to ISKCON a few years ago.

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  • June 29, 2014 at 1:28 am
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    I have experienced reader's block in the past. It is not enjoyable and one feels guilty about having too many unread books on my bookshelf. My technique to deal with the dreaded reader's block is to read a variety of books, some challenging and some easy, light quick reads to keep reading fun. Re-reading my favourite books also keeps me interested in reading.

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  • June 29, 2014 at 9:06 pm
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    I could see you being played by Tom Hiddleston if Clooney isn't available. I'm having a touch of readers block at the moment too and it definitely bothers me.

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