Literary Doldrums

I love to read. I will read anything that doesn't get out of the way quick enough but my preferences are mysteries and SF/F. I'm a quick reader and it's possible for me to finish a book in one day, given the time and interest. Lately, though, nothing seems to satisfy me. I just had a reading run of several very good books so to suddenly hit a wall is especially irritating.  I've got several books going on my Kindle:

A History of the World in 6 Glasses - Tom Standage

This is just the kind of quirky book that I usually quite enjoy - a history of 6 particular beverages (beer, wine, spirits, coffee, tea and cola) and the part they have played in human history. So far, I haven't made it past spirits.

Cat in an Alien X-ray: A Midnight Louie Mystery - Carole Nelson Douglas

I've been reading the Midnight Louie mysteries for years and have eagerly awaited each one that comes out. Except ... this last one is very  hard for me to get into. I'm not sure why - it's not a bad book. It should be a very light, quick read. But I feel like I'm slogging through the story.

Snow Raven - Patricia McAllister
Knight's Caress - Lynette Vinet

My secret literary shame is that I do occasionally enjoy historical romance novels, complete with heaving bosoms and throbbing manhoods. I've been trying to take advantage of the Kindle Owner's Lending Library but so far I've been very disappointed with all the romance. I've got to have a good story in between the sweaty body parts but what I've been finding is really crap writing and story telling. Worse than that, these books are getting consistently good reviews. Maybe it's just me ... maybe it's that in a world where Fifty Shades reigns supreme, the literary bar has dropped to a very low point.

The Girls of Atomic City: The Untold Story of the Women Who Helped Win World War II - Denise Kiernan

I just finished this one although it took me quite a while to do so. I think I was expecting more of a straightforward history. This book indulged in a lot of recreated conversations and moments so it ended up being more story-like than I had anticipated. I think that's part of the reason it took me a while to finish it.

I do follow several series but unfortunately I'm caught up on all of them.

My recent run of good reads included:

The Golem and the Jinni - Helene Wecker
Magic Rises - Ilona Andrews
Kitty in the Underworld - Carrie Vaughn
The Ocean at the End of the Lane - Neil Gaiman
The Flavia de Luce series (currently at 5 books) - Alan Bradley

My quest for a good read continues...