Overcoming the Dreaded Reading Slump

Sooner or later we all find ourselves in the inevitable and very dreaded reader's slump. You can't pick up another book even though you try to get back into it, nothing peaks your interest. Maybe you have a book hangover and nothing else will ever compare to the magic woven by said book's author or maybe you just haven't felt like reading for a while now. No fear, I have a few ideas that will hopefully get you back on track for your Goodreads reading goal, or simply resuming a loved hobby. 

In the short-term I suggest not fighting it. It might seem counter-intuitive, but perhaps all you really need is a break. Don't try getting into a book, leave the shelves alone for a while and go do something else. Hang out with friends, clean your room (reorganize your overflowing bookshelves), do some gardening, or baking. Invest more time into another hobby and you might find that after a couple of days you feel refreshed and ready to delve into another world.

But what if it's been a few weeks, maybe months and you can't seem to find that spark of love for reading anymore? You're sitting in a wasteland of unfinished books and finally admit that you are in the most terrible reader's slump humankind had ever seen. Well don't give up just yet! We still have everything as long as we have hope.

Pick up something short.
If I can't get into any books or even if I'm simply slogging through a hard read that I'm hell-bent on finishing, it really helps to pick up something short. Go back to the books you loved as kid, even one with pictures on every page (you might find inspiration on what you feel like reading). Even comics are good, you want to read and this is the least-commitment-minimal-work-for-a-story you can get. It'll give you a sense of accomplishment, get you off whatever device you may have turned to in the absence of books and rekindle that spark.

Reread old favorites.
Like I just mentioned, this could be childhood favorite but it doesn't have to be. I often end up in a slump when I want to read but don't feel I have the energy to get to know a whole new cast of characters trotting through a new story line with all its plots, settings, and twists and turns. Will I like it? What if I don't? I fear the unknown. The remedy to this is to read beloved books you are already familiar with. You already have connections with the characters, the setting feels like home, and the plot is like watching a well-known movie. Finishing a book will give you a sense of accomplishment and it may just rekindle that spark you are seeking.

Go to a bookstore.
Even if you don't buy anything (though let's be honest, even in a slump we can't resist). Whenever I visit a bookstore I always feel the urge to go home and read, (maybe that's just me). Surrounding yourself with the smell of fresh-off-the-press adventures may get you back to your own collection gathering dust at home.

Work on your book list.
I have a huge book-wish-list on powerpoint slides (you can use google if you prefer). On the slides put pictures of the books I want (I send the list to relatives and such who want to know what to get me for birthdays and Christmases) so this way they know which edition. Underneath the book I write down the title, author, and if I prefer hardcover or paperback. This list also contains funko pops and any other bookish items I like (candles, bookmarks, mugs, etc). I sort it by series and am constantly updating it. My point isn't that I am a huge nerd (though I probably am) but that books are my biggest hobby and working on your list and maybe going through books on Amazon or other bookseller's websites will rekindle your love for reading.

Go with an audio book.
I used to think of it as 'cheating' because technically you aren't 'reading' but I have since come to enjoy audio books, especially for classics where I constantly find my mind wandering. At the heart of it I want the story, and this keeps me focused. Personally I love playing Minecraft (in peaceful or creative mode) while listening to an audio book, I have a world just for it and its actually very relaxing. But you can sew, craft, exercise, clean, draw, etc and you might find that you want to pick up the actual book and continue with the story.

Watch a movie.
Last year I was re-watching the Narnia movies with a close friend and we both felt inspired to reread the Chronicles of Narnia that summer (which we did).  It doesn't have to be a reread though, it could be a movie on a book you haven't read yet. (I know how most of us feel about that, but it may be worth a shot if you're stuck anyways), or maybe it's just a movie with no book connection. After all we read because we love stories, and books are just one (arguably the best) way of getting them.  Maybe you'll feel like picking up a book after rekindling the love for characters and plots with the screen version. 

And that's all my tips so far, I hope this helped or was perhaps interesting for you! Happy reading:)

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I started this blog in part because I found myself posting long book reviews and massive comments on a writers/readers group that I'm a part of on Goodreads. One in particular was a thread discussion on how to overcome a reading slump and writer's block. Being both a reader and a writer and having much to say on both topics I decided to make two separate posts, one for the reading slumps and another for writer's block.