You know those days – When every book you pick up is not what you’re looking for. Or you’re excited about a book but once you crack it open, it’s only “meh.”
What’s a reader to do about Reading Slumps?
I rarely had reading slumps pre-baby. But now a days, I can’t help it.
With such limited reading time, I want the book I’m reading to be ah-maze-ing. I want it to be something I look forward to picking up and spending time on. I only have an hour or so of free time after baby goes to sleep so it has got to be good.
So why is it that recently, when I’ve picked up a book to read, most of the time I’m left unsatisfied.
First, let’s start off with the awesome.
Here is a sample of the books I’ve read this year that have helped me get out of my reading slump.
Nothing says Goodbye Reading Slump more than an amazing book. They were all well written, unique and I found myself fully invested in the characters.
On the other hand, there have been numerous books and series that I’ve put down this year, never to return.
Some I didn’t like the main plot or characters. Others were because I wasn’t invested in the story, didn’t like the writing. Some I felt like were too similar to ones I’ve read before.
Mostly, it had to do with me and my socks.
These days, if a book isn’t knocking my socks off, then I more inclined to put it down. In the past, I’ve powered through, reading until the end of the book or more likely the end of the series. Even if it was a two star book, I had hopes that it would pick up in the subsequent stories.
Not anymore.
With such limited reading time, I choose what I spend my reading time on much more carefully. There are some authors that I know I will always read (Bardugo, Stiefvater, Maas, White, etc.). But the ones on the fringes that are usually hit or miss for me, I’m more hesitant to take a chance on.
I used to give a book 100 pages before putting it down.
The other day I put one book down after 34 pages.
And didn’t feel guilty about it at all.
Sometimes it has to do with the previous book.
After I’ve read a FABULOUS book it’s hard to follow up with a mediocre book. I may have normally enjoyed the next book but my mind and heart is still reeling from the last one, the last thing I want to do is read something that isn’t as fabulous.
Nothing is worse than coming off the high of a five star book and realizing that the next one you’ve picked up is only one star.
Sometimes it is all about me.
For whatever reason, I’m not in the right frame of mind to read that kind of book. Sure, when I opened it, I wanted to lose myself in the light summer beach read. Or the magical journey of a young witch. But as I continued reading, I found myself more interested in when I was going to have ice cream and less interested in finding out what happens.
In the past, I would have persevered. I would have powered through. Not anymore.
Now, I put it in a nice box that I’ll giveaway or donate to the library. If it’s under three stars for me, I stop reading and move on.
To get out of a reading slump, I
- Read a favorite book (Do you know how many times I’ve read Jurassic Park?)
- Read a book from a favorite author
- Take a break from reading for a while (Write, Knit, Play)
- Read something in a different genre (Graphic Novels, Non-Fiction, Adult Literature, etc)
- Listen to an audiobook
There are only so many hours in the day. Make sure they count!
Have you had reading slumps? What do you do to get out of them?
Kimberly majored in Songwriting and currently works full time in the music industry. When she's not listening to music, knitting or writing, you can find her outside reading her favorite genres: Young Adult, Adult Fiction, Mystery, and Romance.
What a good topic and I think also really well explained. I have definitely gone through reading slumps and sometimes it’s just me, and sometimes it’s the book. I think the thing I need to get rid of is the guilt I feel when I don’t finish a book. I power on because I don’t want to have wasted the time I already spent reading it. I also don’t want to get behind on my overall reading goals. But I have learned (or am trying) to let that go. Sometimes you just have to read what you want and take your losses with the things that you don’t. Life is too short to read what you don’t like.
it’s so hard to get out of them! It usually takes a while. I think so too. I’m trying to remember that life is too short. Read good books.