Reading slumps are tiresome. Period.
I have been through many book slumps – some only lasted days and some lasted a few months. I’m pretty sure I’m still feeling the aftermath of the latest slog. That being said, I still read around 70-75 books a year, but that doesn’t mean motivating myself to read isn’t always easy.
If you are like me, and love to keep track of how many books you read and find pride in the number, then you can understand that reading slumps are an outstanding way to make yourself feel guilty for not reading.
But, you have to remember (and I remind myself of this too,) that you can’t blame yourself for not being in the mood or having your focus centered on something else. My reading life ebbs and flows depending on what overall life is looking like. I tend to read more during the summer than I do when school is in session. And still I find myself disappointed that I can’t consistently pick up a book.
Essentially, reading slumps are a part of your book life. No one can escape them. But that’s okay, because this week’s post is about how to get you excited about reading again.
What is a reading slump?
A reading slump is simply a period of time in which you have a lack of interest in books. Sometimes you know you’re in one, and sometimes you panic and wonder if you’re falling out of love with reading. Most of the time, you can’t focus long enough to finish a book, or you finish a book, but it makes you reluctant to start another one.
There are many triggers, but I have noticed that they mostly find roots in the same feeling: intimidation.
What I mean is you are taking on a challenge or overestimating yourself. This can look like reading a book that is longer than what you usually read, starting a massive series, or forcing yourself to read something you don’t like. All of these things require some rallying on your part and can become testing.
A major cause of my longer reading slumps are usually born out of big life changes or redundancy. When I am in a thought consuming transition, I usually tend to put less time into reading, just because I am already preoccupied. I also find myself unenthusiastic about moving onto the next book when I read too much of one genre.
However, other times it is completely random. It could happen after you finish an amazing five-star read, or just when you are failing to find a book to hold your interest.
How to defeat a slump
So now we get to the important part: how to escape. It can be tough, I admit, and it may take multiple attempts, but it does end. Here I have compiled some tried and true methods to trick yourself out of your slumpy mindset and right back into your bookish self.
- Reread your favorite books: I do this a lot, even when I’m not in a slump. But it definitely does work for me. I pick up my latest five-star or one that lives on the top of my favorites list and crack it open to a scene that I know I enjoy. You don’t even have to read the whole book, but go through and find something that interests you. Some books I even mark the spots where I know I gravitate towards with colorful annotating tabs.
- Listen to an audiobook: Audiobooks only require that you listen, they don’t require you to have a paperback book in your hand, or for you to strain your eyes. What’s great is that you can be doing something else like cleaning your room, or doing a craft with your hands, instead of staring at the wall with all your focus on the narration. You can be productive while also getting back in the swing of your favorite hobby.
- DNFing: If you are not familiar with the acronym DNF, it means “did not finish.” It’s a bookish term that readers use to refer to a book that they abandoned without finishing. “DNFing” is the act of throwing it aside. It could be a conscious choice or just the fact that you drifted away from the story. I struggle with this, but it is absolutely okay to stop reading something just because you don’t like it. Why waste your time reading a book you hate when you could be reading a book you are going to love? Get rid of it and try something else. If you don’t, you might dig yourself into a further pit and have to work harder to get out.
- Read short books: And when I say short, I mean 150-200 pages long. The satisfaction of finishing a book quickly can motivate you to keep reading. This is a very effective method, so there are many videos and blogs as well as videos on YouTube dedicated to recommending shorter books. I have used this method recently and was able to build up to my previous book length.
- Do something bookish that doesn’t require reading: I enjoy doing this very much. It doesn’t require you to be actively engaging in a story, but still keeps you in the book mindset. I go to libraries and bookstores, just to browse and see if there is something that catches my attention. I indulge in making playlists that reflect an aspect of reading – vocal and instrumental alike. They can be centered around a certain book, genre, trope, or theme. I also make bookmarks or reorganize my shelves. There are many creative ways to keep yourself entertained and attached to your passion.
I hope this helps with any slumps you get caught in. You will find yourself excited to jump back into your stories again, don’t worry. It takes patience and some searching, but the results are worth it.
