r/BookDiscussions

There are YouTube videos dedicated to this topic as well, but I would prefer to understand it through a book. I am still a beginner and have read around 15 books so far.

My problem is that, no matter how good a book is, I rarely feel truly immersed in it. Even after finishing one, I can recall the story only in very little detail.

Am I simply overthinking this, or am I actually not reading the right way? If it were just overthinking, then why are there so many discussions and videos about how to read properly and retain what you read?

I would appreciate any advice from fellow readers who have experienced something similar. Thanks!

I was just talking with a friend about reading, and they said that they can’t imagine/see the story as they read. This was mind boggling to me, as when I’m invested in a book it plays out like a movie in my mind!! Anyone else like this?

When I started reading Yesteryear by Caro Claire Burke, I was enthralled at the possibility of witnessing any or all of the following themes:

1. Consequences of propagating a way of life without deep diving or being responsible. For eg: promoting an 1886 lifestyle in a glossy way but erasing the physical, moral and cultural nuance of those times. Pandering to the right wingers.
2. Busting the hollowness of Manosphere or maybe an exploration of the psych of people who are bound to it. Any perspective on this would have been refreshing.
3. Impact of reality TV and the toll that maintaining an influencer lifestyle can take on people
4. A satire on self-righteous people or maybe even a POV

So so so many possibilities but what I got was a watered down thriller which had all the elements to be a sharp political commentary but resorted to being a ‘twist you didn’t see coming’

Did anyone else feel like the plot had tons more potential?
Do you have ideas of how the story could have been developed better? Would love to hear!

Reading Theo of Golden felt like growing up in a southern church all over again.

As I was reading I felt myself annoyed and suspicious. I then felt guilty for feeling this way because so much good was happening in the book and it was recommended by my Mema. Am I just a killjoy?

I fully tried so hard to be in it and enjoy it and commit to this experience. I felt like I really needed to give this story and character a chance. I felt guilty I was against such a “good” and “happy” story. Sometimes I can even get into those hallmark stories when I try.

Then I reluctantly finished this book and sat here wondering why a part of me is still loathing it. The “twist” in the end that I thought added at least some interest was Theo’s son. Is that small portion enough intrigue and addition of depth to Theo’s character enough to redeem the entire book?

NO. I don’t think so and I feel gaslit into feeling like I need to like this book!! I also am here to get some insight, as I may just be overthinking the entire thing but I am going to say why I think this book is awful.

It feels so me as though a self-righteous person wrote a character who is how they would view themselves, or at least who they wish they were but secretly know they are not. This thought also stands out to me because of the religious tones in the book.

Theo felt to me like another southern church going community leader that I felt like I needed to follow and like because of social pressure. The only difference is the author can decide to write away any character “flaws” that these people or any normal human carry with them every single day.

This is not only an issue to me with this book but a lot of southern church communities as a whole. It is difficult to be authentic and to feel good about yourself you need to convince yourself you are “virtuous.”

Theo himself even hid so much of himself throughout the whole book on the account of being “humble.” Give me a break.

You can be loving and live authentically and make mistakes in life and receive love. I think good books portray that!

P.S. Dont even get me started on the disdain I have with characters that have inexhaustible wealth. I’m looking at you “My Year of Rest and Relaxation” by Otessa Moshfegh

East of Eden is such a masterpiece that I’m still amazed a human being can write something so beautiful. I’m currently watching the show and I’m genuinely amazed at how great the adaptation is. I hope I get to experience another book like this in my lifetime.