Fiction books are part of my everyday routine. There is always — always — a novel on my nightstand. I plan my evenings to accommodate some reading before I go to sleep. I love discovering wonderful new authors, or catching the latest work from one of my old favorites. When we go on vacation, I agonize over how many novels to pack, and which ones. After all, with all that free time, I’m likely to zip through my fiction and want to make sure I have a sufficient stash.
In summary: I read fiction constantly.
But there are times when I can’t read fiction. I look at the novels on my bookshelf or I browse the bookstore and library, but nothing appeals to me. Nothing at all.
This usually happens immediately after I read a terrific book. Not just a “that was a good book” kind of book, but the kind that I can’t put down, the kind that keeps me up reading until the wee hours of the morning. When I turn the last page and put the completed book aside, it’s impossible for me to pick my next novel. Nothing could possibly live up to what I just read.
Yes, I occasionally suffer from Post-Good-Book Letdown.
I’ve found that there are two kinds of “terrific books” that affect me this way:
1) The ultimate page-turner — Any book that pulls me in so completely that I don’t ever want to put it down. These are the books that sit open on the kitchen counter while I’m cooking, so I can squeeze in a paragraph here and there. The ultimate page-turners don’t live on my nightstand; they travel around the house with me. Bathrooms go uncleaned and laundry goes unfolded while I’m reading an ultimate page-turner. No time for that mundane stuff; I must keep reading. And when I finally finish the engaging book, every other novel available to me looks tame, or even boring, by comparison. I love to read thrillers, so I read plenty of plain ol’ page-turners, but I only come across an occasional “ultimate page-turner.” Dean Koontz and Jeffery Deaver have written some of my favorites.
2) Novels whose characters or worlds I fall in love with. Maybe it’s a character or two that I get attached to. Or maybe the novel presents a world that is so fascinating, so intriguing that I feel as if I’m in it when I’m reading. When I finish one of these novels, I’m usually not ready to let go. I’m not ready to say good-bye to the characters. I have no interest in reading a book that doesn’t take place in the setting I’ve grown to love. I can’t imagine reading anything else because my heart is still in the last book. Most recently, I ran into this situation when I finished the Harry Potter series.
When I hit the Post-Good-Book Letdown, it takes me a few days until I’m ready to move on, to try another novel. In the meantime, I might focus on non-fiction for a while, catch up on some podcasts, work my way through my magazine pile. Fiction always calls me back eventually, though.
Am I alone in this? Have any of you ever gotten to the point where you have no desire to pick up the “next book,” because no novel could ever live up to the one you just finished? Or am I just weird? (Okay, don’t answer that last one.)
You are not just wierd. I have experienced this. This is the first time I have ever seen an explanation for it. It makes sense though.
Of course your wierd, but you’re not the only one. I know what you mean about becoming involved in the authors world and falling in love with characters but, alas, all good things must come to an end! Hang in there, you’ll find something.
I too have suffered from this phenomenon. My mother says I never read a book I didn’t love, so I have been through this very often.
I think have found the answer to the “good book let down” syndrome. It is the series books.
I found Karen Kingsbury’s Redemption series about a month ago and right now I am in the 5th book of the next series (the Firstborn series), which means I am 9 books deep into the lives of the Baxter family and friends. I feel like I know these people and I even dream about them.
One day, I will post about my experiences with them on my blog, but at this point, I cant stop reading long enough to post.
Looking forward to spring reading thing soon!
Oh, I get that way sometimes too.
Sometimes I think it is a matter of savoring the good book a little while longer — sometimes it’s more practical in that I have neglected other reading because I was so caught up in that book that now I need to work through my magazines before getting involved in another book.
I’m the same way…only I never had a name for my “condition” until now.
I soooo know what you mean. Sometimes a well written novel speaks to me more than any teaching book and it’s like I need a few days just to finishing absorbing and thinking on how the book changed my thinking or the way I look at things. My last one that did that was the biography of Joan of Arc that I finished not too long ago. I couldn’t pick up another book for about 3 days.
I have sooooo been there! In fact, I experience it with non-fiction books too. However, I’ve found that the PGBL syndrome actually drives me to seek out other, better books after a couple days. I can’t take the site of my coffee table cleared of bookmarks dangling out of the middle of two or three books at a time. I feel so out of my element when I’m not in the throes of a really good book. I’ve even been known to read or re-read a less than great book just to tide me over till the next great one comes along. It’s a sickness, I declare. One that I NEVER want to go away
I know what you mean. I can’t even allow myself to pick up a fiction novel right now. I wouldn’t get ANYTHING done. And that would be dangerous around here!
The last fiction book I read was while I was in labor with Kaylee. I stood, rocking back and forth reading the book. It was a Karen Kingsbury novel and made me a little teary. The nurse asked me if I was okay, and I had to explain it was just the book!
At least I finished it before the baby was born!
Yes! I know exactly what you mean. For example, I remember when I finished “The Thirteenth Tale” I was so depressed. I was anxious to finish, but sad when I did.
What book has you on this “letdown?” I might need to check it out:)
I totally get this too. Although I don’t read as much fiction nowadays, even after a good non-fiction sometimes, I feel like I need time to breathe and soak it all in. SO ./ . . like Kelly asked – what book has left you with this PGBL syndrome?? Inquiring minds want to know.
Your not alone, I have experienced this quite often. Most recently with The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox I just wasn’t ready to say goodbye to the characters. It made it worse that it is quite a short book so they hadn’t even been with me that long!
I love finding books that do that too me though.
When I have PGBL syndrome I usually go clean my house. It gives me the chance to go on automatic pilot and savor the book longer.
Maybe I should have the PGBL syndrome more often.
Kelly, Dianne, & others —
To be honest, I’m actually not in the midst of PGBL right now. I did enjoy the last “Bug Man” book I read — First the Dead. And when I finished it, I wasn’t sure what genre to go on to next… I wanted another forensic entomology book! That got me thinking about the times I have no desire to go on to any other book because of PGBL… and a blog post was born.
You’re definitely not alone. I get this too. Unless I’m reading a series and the next installment is already out. Then I go crazy until I can get it!
I sometimes take a break after a good book and do some sewing, or…nothing… 
Yes! I know what you mean. I just finished ‘The Other Boleyn Girl’ and hated that it had to come to an end, I loved it so much!
Nope I do this all the time! I especially do it if I just finished reading the last book in a series like the Stephanie Plum’s, Harry Potter, Golden Compass, etc. I have to take a couple day break from reading to mourn finishing my book, lol.
I hate Post-Good Book Letdown! I hate good books that end! I want to climb into them and live with the characters just to see what happens next!
Yes! Totally! I love how you call books ultimate page turners…that’s a good description.
Katrina, I’ve had PGBL, but didn’t know what it was. I’m with Kim and would like to live with the people I’ve met for a while. Love, Mom
We were on vacation last week and I read three books and finished the fourth 2 days later. But I also have good book letdown. My cure is not to read anything but magazines for a few days do a few scrapbook pages and then I am good to go.
This weekend I’m traveling with my middle daughter to a dance convention. Problem is I’m the driver; no reading in the car!! This will seriously be tough for me but I will be able to read once shes in classes all weekend.
This is a frequent occurance for me. I call it a reading schlump. I mope around picking up and putting down books that I really do want to read but can’t seem to start knowing that it will not possibly by as good as the book I just finished. Truly excellent books ruin my reading for a day or two at least; sometimes for a week or more. Fortunately, it alwasy goes away.
I have experienced that many times. I wander around the library wanting a good story, something to match what I just read. It is frustrating.
Oh, yes! I have been “ruined” for another book after an exceptional read!
I too am a huge fan of fiction, well told and well written. I find myself in something of a protracted slump, I think because my standards are too high! As such, I have tried to read more classic literature, but haven’t read a really, really, REALLY good title in awhile!
I laughed about the thinking of how many books to pack–because yes, I do that. I’ve sometimes underpacked clothing–wishing I had bought another long sleeved shirt, or a pair of nicer pants, but I don’t think I’ve ever ran out of pages to turn!
Great response to this post!!
No, I can’t say this ever happens but sometimes I read a book that’s so good, I have a hard time deciding what to read next because I know it can’t be as good.
I’m so involved in a page turner right now, it’s interfering with everything. Pillars of the Earty by Ken Follett. Almost 1000 pages to turn!
That’s Pillars of the Earth. Perhaps my next page turner should be a refresher course on the mechanics of typing. LOL
Oh yes, definitely!
I’ve been rather short on good novels recently, although I have several promising unread books on my shelves – I just need that block of TIME, you know?
any true book lover will side with you. It amazes me, still, after all these years, that a book can sit on the shelf, I could care less about it, but once I pick it up and dive into it and it’s one of THOSE books, I cant put it down, and am sad to finish it. The Mark of the Lion series – I was ready to name a next child Hadassah I loved that character so much!
Sometimes I try to read a book slowly because I want to enjoy it…some of Charles Martin books are that way. But, yeah, I can relate.
Too funny! Great way to sum up a sad disorder. Thankfully some books will always be “old friends” that way and worth a revisit.
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Try “The Choice” by Nicholas Sparks or “Redeeming Love” by Francine Rivers – both sure to pull you out of a slump.
I’ve been there in the slumps before. It’s tough, it’s lonely, it passes. Good Luck!
You’re not alone in this, but you’re the first one I heard to coin that phrase. I think I’ll borrow your phrase.
This Book For Free
I can totally relate. When I finish a book like that I keep looking through my stacks of books to read and saying to my husband, “I need something to read.” He says, what about all those book sitting right there. I say, “Those just are not good enough right now.” It is as if I know that whatever I read next will not measure up and am kind of stuck for a day or two. You are certainly not alone!