Life in progress

Don’t Let It End!

63 Comments

You know that feeling you get when you’re reading a book that’s so good–you’re enjoying the world and love the characters so much–that you don’t want it to end? You approach the last few chapters and you’re divided – do you hurry up and read it because it’s so exciting? Or do you savour it slowly like a fine glass of Chardonnay? It’s a dilemma I think we all deal with at least once or, if we’re lucky, many times.

I’m currently reading a book like that. The book is catskinner’s book by Misha Burnett. If you’re not already following his blog and/or haven’t started reading his novels, you should. You can find them here: http://www.amazon.com/Misha-Burnett/e/B008MQ8W4K I’ll be writing a review as soon as I’m finished.

But this is only half the reason for this post.

When I finished writing my novel, The Great Dagmaru, I was miserable. Like that feeling when I’ve finished reading a novel I enjoyed, times ten. It was like my children had left home and didn’t need me anymore. I walked around with a dark cloud over my head for a week. It was so dark, in fact, I think I heard thunder. I wonder if this is part of the reason it’s taking me so long to edit it… I don’t want it to end.

So in my own insane way of undertaking more than I can really handle, I’m seriously entertaining the notion of beginning the sequel. I was going to write one anyway; I wasn’t going to start it until NaNoWriMo in November. In some convoluted way, maybe adding more to my workload will increase my productivity.

I need a way to get past this psychological block, however I do it.

Do you have a book you never wanted to put down? Recommend it in the comments. And don’t forget to check out Misha’s blog and his novels!

Unknown's avatar

Author: Linda G. Hill

There's a writer in here, clawing her way out.

63 thoughts on “Don’t Let It End!

  1. jetgirlcos's avatar

    Yes, quite the dilemma for a reader. I’m a “stay up until 1am because I can’t stand to go to sleep without knowing” girl, myself. The most recent one for me was the final part of Alex Cavanaugh’s trilogy, “CassaStorm.” Which I discovered thanks to A to Z! (read all 3 in quick succession) Great post here…so many good ideas in the comments too!

    Like

  2. Diana's avatar

    I wanted to sail away with Frodo and Gandolf….

    Like

  3. englepj620's avatar

    I know that feeling! Recently, I have fallen in love with the Miss. Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children books by Ransom Riggs. Prior to that, I would have to say, Right to Life by Jack Ketchum. I savor my books, and so many people don’t get that!

    Like

  4. sistasertraline's avatar

    Just a few of mine are One Day by David Nicholls (don’t let the movie put you off because it SUCKED), The Time Traveller’s Wife (ditto) and A Prayer For Owen Meany by John Irving x

    Like

    • Linda G. Hill's avatar

      I absolutely LOVED A Prayer for Owen Meany. I’ve never laughed so hard reading a book, before or since. And so touching as well. Thanks for the recommendations! 😀

      Like

  5. mpwilson's avatar

    I feel that way every time I finish a book or series of books that I love.. which just brings me back to it awhile later to enjoy yet another time. Thank goodness for the long battery life on my Kindle 😀

    Like

  6. todessakane2013's avatar

    I have quite a few books like this, some of them I just want to read as fast as I can others I have to digest them one page at a time!! Love reading, where would we be without books, I dread to think. Keep up the great work, loved your blog 🙂

    Like

  7. worthyexploits's avatar

    Yes! I have many books that I feel this way about. You personally connect with those characters and they become like kindred spirits. Anything by Robin Jones Gunn has left me wanting to savor the pages.

    Like

    • Linda G. Hill's avatar

      They really do, don’t they? I think that’s the mark of a good writer – being able to put characters on the page that we can relate to. Thanks very much for the recommendation! 🙂

      Like

  8. Sahara's avatar

    Oh yes, I know this feeling. I hope to be able to WRITE books like this that do this for other people. What do you think that key element is that we all miss so much?

    Like

    • Linda G. Hill's avatar

      For me it’s usually the characters, but in some cases it’s just being able to fall into the world. I, too, hope people will enjoy my writing enough to not want to leave. Best of luck, Sahara, and thanks for sharing. 🙂

      Like

  9. stronglyspeaking's avatar

    That happens to me all the time. I force myself to read the book slower at that point.

    Like

  10. liamtoddsmommy's avatar

    This is the EXACT reason I let myself fall behind on the Walking Dead comics. Always have… I am currently 5 behind, and I’m okay with that… Gives me something to look forward to. I don’t know what I’ll do when/if they ever stop printing this masterpiece. I also love the novels that came out written by Robert Kirkman (writer/creator of the Walking Dead) and Jay Bonasinga. The recent trilogy was about one of the villains in the comic, and I still have yet to read the last installment that is downloaded for me to read, because of that…

    Like

    • Linda G. Hill's avatar

      Finding a world like this is like being able to escape, isn’t it? I do the same thing with tv series. I don’t think I could do a marathon on something I really enjoy. Better to let each episode rest in my mind a while.
      Thanks very much for commenting!

      Like

  11. LaDonna's avatar

    I’ve read a lot of books which I did not want to end, but if I had to choose it would be “A Thousand of Splendid Suns” by Khaled Hosseini

    Like

  12. caseylove1985's avatar

    I have several books I wish did not end. There are two that comes to mind both by Khaled Hosseini: “A Thousand of Splendid Suns” and “And the Mountains Echoed.”

    Like

  13. Opinionated Man's avatar

    Reblogged this on HarsH ReaLiTy and commented:
    I haven’t felt this way in a long time. Actually kind of sad… I should read more.
    Note: Comments disabled here, please comment on her post.

    Like

  14. Oliana's avatar

    I have too many books…most every book actually I save the last chapter to read at home….if I am too close to the end at work, on the Metro or bus, I rush home, make myself a cuppa tea and then read the last chapters real real slow. It’s like saying goodbye to a friend. I feel that way with almost every book.

    Like

  15. S.K. Nicholls's avatar

    I enjoyed both Catskinner’s Book and Cannibal Hearts, so there’s that to look forward to. I can’t pick a specific book, but I felt that way about everything Anne Rice has written and I am not particularly fon of vampires. Glad she is a prolific writer. I am working on a new series right now. First book, so I have a ways to go. I plan to have at least three ready before I publish number one…so I say, just write.

    Like

    • Linda G. Hill's avatar

      I loved Anne Rice’s older stuff. I find her writing has become a bit weak though, in recent years.There’s a new Lestat book coming out though. I must read it. Hoping it meets expectations.

      Thanks for the encouragement, Susan. I’m looking forward to writing more. 🙂

      Like

  16. MishaBurnett's avatar

    The first book I remember feeling that way about was Robert Heinlein’s “The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress”. It’s one that I’ve reread a lot, but you never quite get the same feeling when you know how it ends.

    I hope you like the ending of Catskinner. A lot of people have complained that the ending is weak, and I think I agree with them. I do think I did better with Cannibal Hearts.

    Like

    • Linda G. Hill's avatar

      No, don’t say that! I’m almost finished! Haha. I just bought Cannibal Hearts. Looking forward to it. Keep writing, Misha!

      And thanks for the recommendation. 🙂 I’ll have a look for it Heinlein’s book.

      Like

  17. LAMarcom's avatar

    “Sometimes a Great Notion”
    –Ken Kesey
    But there are many others.

    Like

  18. dF's avatar

    The Book Thief was one of those books I didn’t want to set down. Like someone ahead of me there really are so many others I am not sure where to begin. One thing that kind of bothers me though is the tendency these days for stories that don’t in fact end. This is mostly in genre writing maybe like certain sci fi & fantasy where a series just goes on and on even when the story just doesn;t have that much to offer anymore. I like the BBC because they show some restraint. I might only get a few espisodes of a series I like and that is a good thing because then it doesn’t overstay its welcome. And I adore Connie Willis because even though she was tempted by others to extend her Oxford series she knew it wasn’t the right thign to do. Oh, which reminds me: Willis’ The Doomsday Book was another book I was really sad to see end.

    Like

  19. samokan's avatar

    Yes there are several books that I don’t want to end. I guess that is why I love series cause I can still continue to have an adventure with my favorite characters.

    Like

  20. Pamela Beckford's avatar

    Catskinner is a good book – but I rush to the end and then look for my adrenaline rush!

    Like

  21. joey's avatar

    Too many books to list. I’m a savor-er. The last one I read that really blew me out of the water was The Book Thief. It’s too incredible to explain.
    I do understand the feeling of emptiness when we complete a project. Must be normal-ish. lol

    Like

  22. navigator1965's avatar

    My WordPress email alerts are being / have been repaired!

    Book I didn’t want to end? I’m actually mine finished. Maybe LoR, when I was in high school.

    Like

Leave a reply to LindaGHill Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.