Conflicts between brain and emotion

So I'm reading this book, The Subtle Knife, and in my mind I know that this part is really good, well written and the plot is very captive of my attention and yet at the same time, I don't feel excited. Have you ever been in a situation where you think it's supposed to be one way and then not feel it emotionally?

I think I'm just too stressed out. mmm how stress can alter a state of mind.