Reading Slump.
So I have a short discussion post for you today! And by short, I really do mean short – for which I really do apologise for but my motivation has just been shot in half lately, but that’s a post for a different day! Today I want to talk about reading slumps.
Supposedly everyone has a period of time where they just don’t feel like reading. Maybe they just want to do something else instead. But what happens when a long period of time passes and you realise you haven’t really been reading for a few weeks now? How do you finally get yourself out of that slump?
I am asking this to all of you because I have found myself currently in a reading slump.
The problem I am having is that I’m struggling to finish books. I keep picking a book up, reading to about 10% and then finding myself bored of reading and putting the book down. Then, the thought of reading that same book just makes me not want to read at all, but then I get behind or get entised by something else so start reading that instead and then.. yeah… a loop ensues. So I want to know if YOU have some tried and tested theories to help get out of these horrible reading slumps.
I want to read, I just don’t feel like reading. So tell me, how would you/do you solve this?
14 Comments
Ciska
When I do not feel like reading I usually watch a few series I love or still need to catch up with and allow myself not to read for a few days. (this builds up some book craving) After that I pick up a book I know for sure I will love and not a must book. I usually re-read an old love (or two) which results in me being happy with the books again.
Good luck with your slump :)
Faye (Daydreaming_Star)
I think re-reading a book you know you’ll love is advice everyone gives so I may have to try it! That and just not reading for a few days without making yourself feel guilty about it. Thanks for commenting and letting me know how you deal with it. In a way, it’s all personal but it’s nice to get ideas :)
Anya
I re-read old favourites :) Or maybe read something you’ve had on your shelf for ages, a non-review book that you actually want to read. Hope that helps :)
Faye (Daydreaming_Star)
Some good advice there Anya! I picked up a non-review book I’ve been meaning to read and it has been helping – slightly – I think I need to just stop berrating myself when I don’t read as well. I’m sure I’ll be out of this weird phase soon! Thanks so much for commenting :)
Tanya Patrice
I try different things, but sometimes I switch to a book I really enjoy, and then make sure that I read at least a few pages (say 50) each day of the one that’s taking forever to get through. That way it’ll eventually get done.
Faye (Daydreaming_Star)
Oooh, good idea! I’m currently reading a book I’ve been meaning to read for a while and it’s a good one so it is helping, but I still have moments where I just don’t even want to pick it up. I just need to stop seeing this as a bad thing and beating myself up for it!
Thanks for the advice and for commenting Tanya :)
Sam @ The Little Munchkin Reader
Recently, I’ve been in both a reading and a blogging slump. For the month of June, I’ve pulled away from my blog entirely.
As for reading, I switch it up and try other activities.
Faye (Daydreaming_Star)
Yeah, I’ve been on and off out of a blogging slump for a while now, I think my issue with the blog is work. I’ve been working longer hours and when I come home the last thing my brain can do is function enough to write a review. But I have a few weeks with days off coming up so hoping that will help with that!
Good idea for the reading, will try it out myself. Thanks for commenting and giving your advice and ideas Sam! :)
Nikki @ Foil the Plot
No worries, Faye! We’ve all been there/experienced that before, and not just with reading, but with blogging too. I think that when you’re lacking in motivation and when you’ve pushed yourself too hard, it’s easy to get burnt out.
For me, it all boils down to finding new inspiration and sometimes that means taking a step back from reading/blogging. The last thing you wanna do is stress yourself out so much so that you don’t enjoy doing these things anymore.
Usually a change of scenery works, whether that be taking a walk in the park or going out with friends — just taking a step back and taking a breather always manages to freshen things up a bot. Even writing (outside of blogging) tends to boost my passion and creativity again. And once I start to feel inspired again, I try to pick up an old favourite and read purely for the fun of it before it’s back to the business of blogging. Whatever you decide to do, we’re here for you! And good luck getting out of that slump! It sucks, I know!
Faye (Daydreaming_Star)
Thank you so much for your advice Nikki! I definitely am trying not to get burnt out! I’ve got some personal things going on in the background which isn’t helping things at the moment but I just need to remember that my blog is always only ever a hobby and that everything else comes first.
I am currently reading a book that’s been on my shelf for too long which I keep meaning to read and I’m nearly halfway through it. It’s taken me a few days but that’s okay because I’m certain it’s going to be one I finish which will be nice!
Once I’ve got my reading sorted, then I’ll deal with the blog things!
Thank you for commenting! It was a lovely comment. :)
Sarah @ A Geek's Bookshelf
I’m there just now! I went to the library. It sounds daft but being surrounded but hundreds of books I could potentially read helped me find one I really wanted to read.
Faye (Daydreaming_Star)
Some good advice and glad to hear it works for you! Normally it would for me but I now work in a library so I’m constantly surrounded by lots of books and work is the one place I’m struggling to read at the most! lol. Irony at it’s best ;)
Thanks for the advice and for commenting Sarah! :)
Clover
I go through reading slumps ALL the time and I usually have to go through my entire list of tricks before I can find something that will work. Here’s the quick version:
*re-read an old favourite (everyone says this! it usually works for me)
*mix up the type of book you’re reading (if you usually read YA like me than maybe an adult book will help? or non-fiction, a book aimed at a younger audience or whatever)
*change the format of book (I usually read physical books but sometimes an e-book or audio book will get me back into enjoying stories because of the different ways in which I read (listen) to them?)
*Watch a film adaptation/tv programme for awhile. (You could watch any film/TV programme really, but I find adaptations the best as then I start to think of the book)
I have other tricks, but I guess those are my top ones! Good luck!
Sarah @ Girl!Reporter
I definitely think reading a familiar book is the way to go. I often return to the Harry Potter series, or The Devil Wears Prada, when I’m in a reading slump. I know those books so well that I don’t have to start at the beginning, I can just open them and start reading, which takes away the obligation of starting a book at the beginning and going through to the end. It works for me!