Crib Notes #2: unputdownable books to get you out of that reading rut

Welcome to Crib Notes: Succinct book reviews for new and busy mothers.

The beginning of the year is a time for setting intentions. I’m fairly cynical about New Year’s resolutions; but, I do believe in the benefits of carving out time and space for the things that replenish one. Recently, a number of friends have mentioned that they want to read more this year. Often, in guilty tones, they will confess to books left unread for months.
   Personally, I think that abandoning books is a positive thing. Before I became a bookseller, I would slavishly commit to reading each book I picked up from cover to cover -- a truly terrible habit I had picked up through academic study. Unsurprisingly, this could somtimes make reading a joyless pursuit. Either, I would force myself to continue, making grindingly slow progess; otherwise, I stopped reading completely.  Occasionally, I would cast a longing eye over the shelves in bookshops and, with leaden-hearted disappointment, remember the novel which la…