What to Read When You’re not Certain You Want to

When I was going through some tough times—actually, I had no idea how to get through them—I was looking for something to help keep my mood up. So, I came up with reading, obviously, and was stopped by another question: what to read. I have some nice books written in various genres on my shelf, even a recommendation book that offers what to read on any occasion (‘Bibliotherapy’ by Molly Masters). Sadly, the connection between us hadn’t happened. I couldn’t focus on someone’s issues and worries, you know what I mean. 

Furthermore, I didn’t want to reread Tolkien or Rowling in avoidance of getting those worlds spoiled for me, but still looked for some magic. Making a long story short, there is my brilliant, yet obvious, trick. 

If there is no time for the real world nor for fantasy, you could try absurdist fantasy! My choice was ‘Thud!’ from the cycle ‘The City Watch’ by Terry Pratchett, and I’m going to explain why it can also work for you.

1. C’mon, it’s Terry Pratchett; it’s so easy to find his books anywhere, from huge bookstores to small chock-full second-hand bookshops in any country. Books are frequently reprinted, offering various options, including hardcover and pocket-sized editions.

2. If you had found your copy at some special location, e.g., while traveling, from your family library, on sale, or as a gift, these soft memories can add some brightness to your mood. I got mine at one of the cozy second-hand bookshops in Edinburgh, and it even sounds charming. 

3. I’m sure you know how many books Terry Pratchett wrote, so it’s easy to find a subject of your current interests among these cycles. 

• Sisterhood, magic, and women’s power (‘Witches’ and ‘Tiffany Aching’)

• Adventure novels with an archetypal wise fool (‘Rincewind’)

• More magic! And some Academia mood, but that’s not those chic Dark or Light Academies with fallen-in-love students (‘Unseen University’)

• Half-humorous, half-philosophical, and full of life stories about the Grim Reaper in Discworld (‘Death’)

• Crime novels about the police, the city, friendship, duty, bravery, unpredictable circumstances, a little bit of love, and much more (‘City Watch’)

• Stories about great inventions and how they could appear (‘Industrial Revolution’)

• Stories about something great and fun (a bunch of stand-alone novels, and we can also add a cycle with only two books)

4. You can start reading any book from any cycle. Of course, heroes are migrating, their characters and life circumstances evolving, but every book has a separate and complete story.

And if you are interested in my thoughts, ‘Thud!’ was about old enemies, great paintings, relationships between parents and children, law, duty, self-confidence, cruelty, and crime. If it sounds too pathetic, don’t forget to add werewolves, vampires, and dragons.

Or, if I hadn’t convinced you, take the first book from the shelf and start reading.