8 outrageous thrillers that will get you out of a reading slump
God forbid a girl does whatever she can to dissociate from reality.
How does one cope when in a reading slump?
a) Despair
b) Convince themselves they will never find joy in a book ever again
c) Sigh like they’re in a period drama while staring at a random page
d) Consider drastic measures like actually engaging with the world
e) Go on Goodreads, see how much others are reading, feel bad about their precarious circumstances
Over the course of my reading life, I’ve done all of the above. I've also tried switching genres or mediums and rereading a favorite book. These hacks occasionally work.
More often than not, I just have to allow the slump to run its course. I catch up on movies, TV shows, I listen to music, I stare longingly at my bookshelf and wait for the word hunger to return. So far, it always did.
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I’m going through a bit of a slump right now.
I’m reading Mihail Sebastian’s Journal, which he kept between 1935 and 1944. Right before and during WWII. He was a Jewish writer and, needless to say, times were bad.
Typically, I find the idea of reading someone’s journal icky. I would loathe it if someone published my morning coffee ramblings without my express permission. But I’ve been drawn to his story ever since I learned the book exists. I also had a feeling that the situation back then would be eerily similar to what we’re experiencing now. I caved.
To my surprise, I love it. I was expecting to appreciate it for its historical context and whatnot, but I’m only a couple of years in, and I feel an unexpected kinship to Sebastian. He’s into music, has a sense of humor, gets petty, acts like a moron when he falls in love, works as a lawyer and likes it not a lot.
I’m guessing the journal gets more heartbreaking later on – bits are already infuriating. For now, I highly enjoy getting to know him. (Because I’m just a girl, I also eat up the gossip about his writer buddies whom I’ve read or studied in school. Camil Petrescu, for instance, seems… difficult.)
Despite loving Journal, it’s not the kind of book I inhale. I’m taking my time with it, a few pages whenever the mood strikes. In situations like this, I generally have another book on the go, one I can devour quickly. For now, nothing seems to stick.
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I think I’m also in a bit of a book hangover after Sunrise on the Reaping. I adored it so much that I immediately revisited the original Hunger Games trilogy. Given that those are some of my favorite books, it’s tricky not to judge something I pick right after more harshly. (Fiction, I mean.)
Still, there’s one route left for me at this junction.
The outrageous thriller.
The kind so insane I can’t put it down. That keeps me turning pages with fast-paced action and zany twists and characters you want to scream at. Or, sit back and feel better about yourself while they make the goofiest choices possible.
For the record, thriller is my main genre. I love a good literary thriller, a slow burn, a police procedural, a moral dilemma, a whydunit, an intricate mystery, a character study. When the situation is of the slumpy variety, though, quick and bonkers is what gets me back on track.
Unfortunately, not every title that fits this description will work for me.
Some are too insane, others not insane enough. I like the book to have minimal plot holes. Story aside, the writing has to flow well and the characters must be fun to hang out with, regardless of how unhinged they get. It can be dark but without gory torture.
In short, it has to be a fun little cuckoo concoction, ok?
Until I find the ideal one for right now, I’ve gathered eight recommendations that previously worked for me. Maybe you’re in the same boat and share my specific strain of crazy.
Or, maybe you want something fast and furious that keeps you turning pages until the early hours of the morning. These scratch that itch.
They might not change your life, but they’ll make it a little more entertaining.
At least for 7 to 9 hours or so.
Cross My Heart by Megan Collins
This book is dedicated to girls who relate to The Prophecy. It also has an author note at the very beginning that tells you the two pets featured inside the book don’t get hurt. I knew right then I was the target audience.
I ate this book up. Cross My Heart is about a woman who has a heart transplant and becomes obsessed with her donor’s husband. Maybe they’re meant to be? Maybe she is a little unwell? Maybe HE is unwell? I won’t tell. Read it to find out.
A Serial Killer’s Guide to Marriage by Asia Mackay
The title says it all. This book is about two serial killers who leave their extracurricular activities behind when they have a baby and move to the suburbs.
Being normal doesn’t suit them. She finds their new life boring, he is stressed that she won’t manage to keep her hands clean for long. Something bad happens, and their life unravels.
A Serial Killer’s Guide to Marriage is the good kind of chaos. It’s like Dexter and Mr. and Mrs. Smith rolled into one. The audiobook is excellent. You get both spouses’ POVs, with hers extra snarky. It made me lol multiple times.
The Kind Worth Killing by Peter Swanson
This is the book I recommend whenever someone asks for something deranged and murdery. When I first got through it, I was shaken to my core.
The Kind Worth Killing kicks off as a man in an unhappy marriage meets a woman at the airport. They hit it off. When he jokes that he could kill his wife, she offers to help. Things get increasingly complicated from there.
No one in here is nice. I like that. Also, the book has two sequels. They’re not quite the same level of insane, but they’re fun too.
You Will Never Be Me by Jesse Q. Sutanto
If your book has influencers, I’ll read it. I find them fascinating, probably because I imagine that putting your entire life online takes a toll. You can’t really blame one if they go psycho.
You Will Never Be Me is about two momfluencers who used to be friends but had a falling out when one of them blew up. Now, the other is doing some stalking. She gets her hands on an iPad with access to the big influencer’s social accounts and calendars and more.
Suddenly, her popularity begins to grow, while her former bff’s perfectly curated existence crumbles.
The book has drama of the juicy flavor and cattiness and jealousy. Saying more would approach spoiler territory. Pick it up.
Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney
While this author is hit or miss for me, Rock Paper Scissors kept me invested throughout.
It’s set during winter in Scotland and revolves around a married couple who goes to a remote converted chapel for romantic purposes, hoping to save their marriage. The man has face blindness (he can’t recognize faces), the woman keeps secrets, one of them is probably lying, there’s some other stuff going on. Madness ensues.
The book has wacky twists and tense atmosphere; you can feel the uneasiness in your bones.
Never Saw Me Coming by Vera Kurian
If you want your thriller to be truly outrageous, choose one with psychopaths.
Never Saw Me Coming is set at a college where a renowned psychologist runs a clinical study for psychopaths. We mainly follow one of the participants.
When she realizes that someone might be out to murder all study subjects, she has no interest in becoming prey. However, she can’t be sure if she can trust her fellow psychopaths enough to team up with them.
Besides the irresistible premise, the execution is a thrill. Once you start reading, clear your calendar. You’ll want your phone on DND.
True Crime Story by Joseph Knox
True Crime Story blurs the line between fact and fiction while delivering a narrative that immediately sucks you in.
The book is presented like a true crime investigation complete with mixed media, all about the disappearance of a university student. An aspiring writer interviews her friends and family in an effort to solve the case. There are buried secrets, conflicted memories, and the like.
In a meta twist, the author inserts himself into the plot, which is kind of divisive but worked for me. I found the story well-plotted and thought-provoking.
The Good Samaritan by John Marrs
I’m very into this author’s speculative thrillers. They share the same universe and start with The One. His conventional thrillers are not as riveting to me, but they’re usually nutty.
Like this one. The Good Samaritan revolves around a woman who volunteers for a suicide hotline. Her seemingly helpful exterior is a mask. In reality, she manipulates people, encouraging them to end their lives.
When someone catches on to her devious ways, there’s trouble. And I was there, compulsively turning pages every step of the way.
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Do you have similar recommendations? Spill.
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Photos: Book covers from Amazon, featured image by cottonbro studio
I sometimes get into a reading slump after I've finished a really good book, because I think anything that comes after it won't be as good! I was wondering about Sunrise on the Reaping! I saw it at Costco and honestly thought it wouldn't be as good as the original Hunger Games.