The dreaded reading slump, a sudden feeling that stops you from picking up a book and really feeling into it. Sometimes it can come after reading a book so spectacular nothing else can compare, sometimes you just keep picking up books you don’t enjoy. But how can we fight this cursed slump?
Don’t force yourself to read a book you’re not enjoying
Alright first off, that book you’ve been struggling to get through that you just don’t want to pick up? Put it down, shelf it, take the bookmark out. You’re not DNFing it, you’re just recognising you and that book may not be right for each other right at this time. If you’re not obsessed with your current read, it isn’t going to be the one to pull you out of a slump! Alternatively, if you really aren’t enjoying it, it is okay to DNF the book!
Pick up small books
Sometimes picking up shorter books can be the answer. If you’re not daunted by the size of the book, you’re more likely to pick it up and get through it quicker, reminding you you can finish a book, it is possible and you’ve got the power! With this knowledge, you can read anything, anything at all!
Let your heart do the picking
So your brain may be whispering to you pick the up the next book on the TBR you set for yourself for this month. But your heart might not feel the flutter of excitement right now when looking at the blurb of that book. Instead, perhaps your heart is jumping towards a very different book, but one that it really wants to read. Pick up the book you fancy the most, you’ll thank yourself for it later, otherwise, you’ll spend the whole time wishing you were reading it.
Try and sit down and read for a bulk amount of time
I get most of my reading done in bulk, I much prefer sitting down for a few hours and reading as opposed to reading in small chunks of time. If I can’t get into my book properly I find myself less inclined to pick it up. And I can only really get into it fully if I sit down and enter its world for a good few hours.
Get involved with the book community online
If all of this isn’t working, I always find watching BookTube videos of other people reading and enjoying their books makes me feel more motivated to read. I see how many books they can get through and I realise I can do the same!
And lastly… put down your phone
The final point on my list of tips, PUT DOWN YOUR PHONE. I know we’re all guilty of doing it, but our phones can suck us into a web of social media platforms, conversations and funny cat photos. The take the time away from us that we would otherwise be using to read. So if you really want to enjoy your book, put your phone on do not disturb and bury it somewhere far away.
I couldn’t agree more with the booktube point! I was feeling very slump-ish earlier this year, but after watching people on booktube having such a great time with books, I was inspired and motivated to get back into reading.
Your point on booktube reminds me of authortube & how I always come away from writing vlogs feeling SO inspired to start creating with my words :’) I feel like it might have been you that mentioned reading at least 50 pages of a book when struggling to read or get into a particular book??? Maybe I’m wrong, but after seeing that tip, I’ve started to employ it, and it’s been so helpful for the mild reading slumps I get into from time to time :’)
Your point on booktube reminds me of authortube & how I always come away from writing vlogs feeling SO inspired to start creating with my words :’) Also, I feel like it might have been you that mentioned reading at least 50 pages of a book when struggling to read or get into a particular book??? Maybe I’m wrong, but after seeing that tip, I’ve started to employ it, and it’s been so helpful for the mild reading slumps I get into from time to time :’)