Five Books To Get You Out Of A Reading Rut

It's not about being clever, or cool - these books will just make you feel wonderful...

Photo by Erik Mclean on Unsplash

Hello, and welcome to the special Friday edition of the Creative Confidence Clinic newsletter.

I’m always so thrilled to be in your inboxes. This week, I’m recommending books to break a reading block. Because I have a feeling that a lot of us would love to read more - but we struggle to make time, which makes us feel guilty - and when we feel guilty, we usually end up feeling resentful. 

I host a podcast called You’re Booked. I interview celebrated authors about what they like to read. A wide range of writers have appeared on the podcast - from Marian Keyes to John Waters, to Ben Okri to Dawn French. Every single guest has had two things in common.

Firstly, they write, because they read. Loving books, and immersing themselves in books is what creates and tones their imaginative muscles. They have accomplished extraordinary creative things because reading gives them a feeling of possibility. It stokes the fire.

Secondly, they apologise for what they read, or for not reading ‘enough’. These people - who are all constantly creating work that inspires the rest of us - no matter how well read and passionate about reading they are, they sometimes respond as though they’re giving a homework excuse. NO-ONE FEELS AS THOUGH THEY ARE READING ‘ENOUGH’. EVERYONE IS READING AS THOUGH THEY ARE TRYING TO WIN THE APPROVAL OF THE WORLD’S STRICTEST LIBRARIAN.

I am evangelical about reading, and what it does for us. I want us all to read more - not because reading is ‘good’. It’s not a superior hobby, it doesn’t have a greater moral value than watching TV, or baking, or trawling Vinted with one eye open and your phone pressed against your nose.

However, when I read for ten minutes, I feel a hell of a lot better in my body than I do when I’m squinting at preloved occasion-wear. Reading soothes my brain. And it does not hurt my nose.

Early next year, I am going to be announcing a project that I am SO excited about. And you, my beloved Substack pals, are going to be the very first to hear all about it. It’s all part of my dream to become the Joe Wicks of reading. I want you to read something- anything you like! - for ten minutes a day, and notice how it makes you feel. Especially whether you feel calmer and more somatically stable than you do after ten minutes on your phone.

With that in mind, this week’s Five Things features books with an excellent effort:reward ratio. These can all be read little and often. If it’s been a while since you read anything that helped you to recall just how enjoyable books can be, I hope one of these five will do it.

This letter is for paying subscribers, but if you’d like the full CCC experience and you’re not able to make the full financial commitment at the moment, email creativeconfidenceclinic@gmail.com, and I’ll be happy to give you a gift subscription. If you’d like to pay for this newsletter, you can get 45 per cent off an annual subscription. Firstly, I’d be enormously grateful - it’s such a wonderful practical and emotional boost. Secondly, and most importantly, it gets you full access to the archives, the monthly Sunday Session masterclasses (and we’ve got a fantastic one coming this Sunday with creative coach Sheryl Garratt) and a discount on my courses. Write Like A Reader is coming back for the New Year, and you can find out more here.

Now - to the books!