If you’re an avid reader and you suddenly don’t feel like reading, you’re probably broadcasting to the world that you’ve hit a reading slump and begging everyone for advice on how to bust out of it.
Okay, you’re probably not as obnoxious as that, but you’re likely quietly wondering how to get back into the swing of reading voraciously.
I never used to care about reading slumps until I joined Bookstagram. I read for pleasure, and if it’s not my pleasure to read for some time, I just don’t read.
Then again, I never used to count the number of books I read in a month or a year. What I used to take note of was the number of bookcases I needed more for my books because there were always piles and stacks on the floor, getting in people’s way.
No, I didn’t exactly know how many books I owned either, but I know my collection qualifies as a library if the common belief that 1000+ books make one is to be upheld. My Kindle alone has more than 3k books in its library (most of them I got for free too!).
Being active on Instagram makes me pay attention. It makes me more “bookish.” From being a simple book lover and avid reader, I started to become more aware of various bookish things like upcoming releases, book mails, ARCs, etc. I still don’t rate and review the usual way as my style has always been to recommend to individual persons I know a book I’m pretty sure they’ll love. I also usually don’t give star ratings. As a writer, I find them to be a double-edged sword.
Undoubtedly, I’m also more aware of my personal reading habits. For sure, my current ones are a far cry from what they used to be pre-children or pre-social media. I had more time then, and books were my main form of escape. My attention span was longer and I had no trouble sticking to a story, no matter how dull, and seeing it through to the end.
I guess you could say that I’m more prone to reading slumps these days. What triggers it? Stating one book after another that didn’t suit my mood mostly. More often that not though, I can put it down to being too exhausted to read past a paragraph before zonking out, which is directly related to the choice not to read at all. I can’t afford to sleep while my boys are awake (they’re on the spectrum), so I dare not read. I’m so sleep-deprived that it’s guaranteed to send me off to slumber.
That’s kind of the reason why reading slumps come to mind. I read five books in July. Our days were upside down again and I was just too sleepy to read. I actually read one more than my goal, but still a lower number compared to those of the previous months since I was averaging at six books.
I know the reasons behind my reading slumps, so I also know how to effectively shake myself out of them. Tactics differ per person though, and according to my community, these are what they do to end their reading slump:
- Lean into the break. If the urge to read isn’t there, explore or give time to other interests. Look at it as an opportunity to enjoy other things.
- Reread a favorite book. This is like giving a stalled vehicle a push. You’re already reading, so it should be easier to just keep on going to the next book.
- Read a graphic novel or listen to an audiobook. Changing it up in this way gives books a chance to still engage you, but using your other senses. Despite the obvious use of your eyes, they say that reading is actually an auditory experience since it really mostly involves oral language skills.
- Just push through. It sounds decidedly difficult and rather depressing, but you just might have the willpower to simply keep on reading until the spark is reignited. Or you can just keep on DNF-ing until you pick a book that finally engages you, which brings us to the next strategy.
- Read a thriller. This is what usually works for me if I’m in a non-sleep-related slump. A good thriller will always hook me.
- Read a light, short book. This is the opposite of my usual strategy, but one that I sometimes use as well. If you typically read full-length novels or books with heavier themes, you could turn to something that’s easier to finish. In my case, I read a middle-grade book, which I have a penchant for anyway.
- Switch genres. This is kind of a jumpstart. If your usual genres aren’t appealing, try something new. Shake things up. If you usually like romantasy, try true crime. Maybe you’ll find a whole new genre to explore, or maybe you’ll hate it and rush back to immerse yourself in the familiar.
- Just wait it out. There’s no need to fret. This slump, too, shall pass.
How do you deal with a reading slump? Do you have a Bookstagram account? Let’s connect!
This Small Life 