Can anyone tell me what they do when they come to the end of a really good book?

Question

I recently read the book, "the Year of Her Life" by Liz Ryan and became totally absorbed by this story and the characters. When Laurie died I was devastated and it made me cry for ages. Did anyone else feel the same way about this book, or another book?
I feel like I have lost some good friends and find it difficult to concentrate on reality afterwards - does anyone have any suggestions?

Thank you so much for all your empathy, advice and useful suggestions. I think I will join a bookclub - thanks for that - and - yes, perhpaps I will try to re-read a page or two of the book - I don't think I could ever read a book twice, because it just wouldn't be the same, you already know what is going to happen!
It is going to be so hard to choose the best answer - so sorry if I don't choose yours, but I am still grateful for your answers.
THANKS :>) x x x

Answer 1

Have a personal celebration....you have finished a book that was very fulfilling to you. I ,myself am an avid reader.....I become very enthralled in the books that I read....its that little slice of Heaven, that peace and serenity ,that we all long for that books take us to. Let that book help you realize the beautiful relationships that we have here in reality and don't cherish enough...let that book bring you closer to the ones that you love.Also because you have such a deep love for literature you should join a book club. I love that you felt some many different ranges of emotion whilst reading the book ....that means you have a big heart ...and that you feel for things very deeply ...I think that is beautiful......you ROCK !!!!!!!!!

Answer 2

Well, I would suggest that u read it all over again,not immediately but after a short lapse of time.That's what I do. After I've read a book, I think about what new things I've learnt,how the book has changed my opinion about certain things in life, how it has shown me a new truth about something I had previously taken for granted ,and how the book has helped me and given me a new outlook on life.If the book ends badly,I try concentrating on the good side.
I've just finished reading the book 'Bridge to Terabithia' by Katherine Paterson and at the end almost I cried coz the girl I liked so much died.It's a kid's book,and I'm no longer a kid, but it was moving nonetheless.Now I want to read all the other books by the same author.
I'm very much like u in that I get too much involved with the characters, and if something happens to them I feel lost. I thought this was a problem before but I came to understand that this was not a problem- on the contrary.
I know u said that u would never be able to read a book all over again, but don't think me impertinent to suggest that this is the very thing u ought to do.At least,give it a try for u might find new dimensions, symbolisms which escaped u on ur first reading.
U can also go into the background of the author to understand what prompted them to write the book- this is what I did after reading 'Grapes of Wrath' and 'Of Mice and Men' by John Steinbeck. U should try these books-they r really moving and powerful,especially the former.

Answer 3

I take a deep sigh of contentment as I finish the last page, and then hold the book in my hands for a while, looking over the cover and flipping through a few pages.

It's true that you can only read a book for the first time once, and there's something magical to that reading, but my favorite books are like old friends. I keep coming back to them, and it doesn't matter that I know what's going to happen. I just like to spend time with them and enjoy them.

Fortunately, in the case of the two books that most captured me in their world and wouldn't let me go even after I'd finished them, I found online communities of other fans who feel the same way. Since both books ("Katherine" by Anya Seton and "Outlander" by Diana Gabaldon) are historical fiction, I've learned a lot about the real background of the stories from those groups.

Answer 4

I can't always start reading a book straight away. When I've read a book which I thought was amazing, or I got completely absorbed in, I think it's hard to read something else so soon afterwards. I also find it hard to reread really good books for some reason - it's almost like a special real-life memory which I want to keep special rather than trying to re-live it. I prefer fiction that makes me feel nostalgic anyway.

Answer 5

Well actually I haven't read that book but I have read some books that touches my life and all I can say is that I think you should get over it. Past is past, and besides your life doesn't stops there you could still find some new friends along your life... So be strong :)


Or the best way you can do is sleep, yes sleep and maybe when you wake up you can now concentrate more on things

Answer 6

Book club and rereads are great ideas. I get to discuss books with friends and students and it helps but why not do what I need to and write down a few notes to get some energy out? It does help to focus on the ideas that were being generated. You are obviously a very sensitive person and this sort of thing can really help to see the messages which the writer wanted to get through.

Whatever you decide to do I wish you luck.

Answer 7

Try reading fantasy. A lot of those come in series ...sometimes ad nauseum. That way you can keep enjoying your favourite characters.

Only trouble is when your reading catches up with the author so you have to wait for the next book but if you can find several good series you are seldom without a good read.

Answer 8

I'll have to read that book, it sounds really good. Have you ever read Noughts and Crosses by Malorie Blackman? That made me cry. Sometimes when I read a book I end up thinking what would be best for the characters and what they would be doing etc. Sad as it is it happens when you get really into a book. What do you mean by suggestions?

Answer 9

sometimes a tale is so absorbing and well crafted that there is a real sense of loss when we come to the end of the book. The only way around it is to put it on the shelf for 6 months, then read it again, slowly, savouring every word because you know you rushed the last couple of chapters cos you couldnt wait to see what happened!

Answer 10

I have the same problem, when i read a reallly good absorbing book i feel like something's missing from me at the end. when i finally sit down at the end of the day i find myself reaching for the book only to realise i finished it. to me a book is like a friend, you feel the same way about finishing a book as you do about a friend leaving.
i'm not sure if that's normal but it's good to feel so passionate about something.