For this week's topic, I am talking about reading slumps. We have all been there. Every book you pick up seems boring. Every page read feels like a chore. Every time you try to read, your eyes just want to close.
I have been in a major reading slump all week. Every single book I picked up just bored me. Nothing was holding my interest. Maybe I have been really lucky because the last several books I have read were amazing. But ever since I finished I'll Meet You There, nothing has been sitting right with me. There were two books I was trying to read last week where every single page felt like a chore.
When I am in a reading slump, there are a couple of things I do. First I take a break from reading. Last month, I read a lot of books. Maybe my brain just needs a rest. Another thing I sometimes do is reread an old favorite. Or I start a book that I know will require almost no brainpower, something fun like a romance. This week though, nothing seems to be working. I have so many books on my Kindle waiting to be read, but none of them sound remotely interesting right now.
What do you do to get out of a reading slump?
I do basically the same things you mentioned! Usually, I try to read a short contemporary book that I know is going to be fun or reread something. Also, I find that switching genres can sometimes help, if I've been reading a lot of contemporary then I try a fantasy book, something like that!
ReplyDeleteHope you get out of your slump soon! =)
Thanks for your input Nobody!
DeleteGah my comment disappeared <.<
ReplyDeleteAnyway, like I was saying. When I reach a reading slump, I like to revisit my all time favourites because they get me really motivated I guess. And I also do like taking a break. And then soon I find myself book deprived and soon I want to read all da books heh.
Ha, Thanks Melanie! Yes nothing like a break to make you realize how much you want to read again!
DeleteTaking a break from reading is the best fix, because then you come back feeling 'fresh'. Everything you read seems 'new' because you won't have read it in a while.
ReplyDeleteThanks Allie!
DeleteSometimes, we all need a "bubble-gum" book.
ReplyDeleteFor me, those are tie-in novels from some of my favorite shows or movies.
Thanks nashvillebookworm! Yes my "bubble-gum" books are usually romances. :)
DeleteI've been living in one of those for several months now! With the exception of Bound by Flames, which I read a week ago, every book has been feeling like a chore, and I have had to force myself to finish it.
ReplyDeleteI've tried re-reading books as well, and while that works, it's just a temporary fix for me. Maybe I'll try reading something YA.
Listening to an audiobook helps me sometimes though, have you tried that to get out of your slump?
Here's my musing this week:
https://dravite.wordpress.com/
Thanks dravite, I haven't tried an audio book yet mainly because I have never been very fond of them. It's hard for me to focus on the story. I may try one again soon though. Thanks for the tips.
DeleteI do take a break but I also pick up a book that is very easy to read and is as someone said mind candy. That helps.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the input JC Jones! I appreciate it.
DeleteI usually read in my favorite genre. Or re-read a favorite. Or just take a break.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for stopping by! Jen @ YA Romantics
Thanks so much for your input Jen!
DeleteI usually take some time off from reading to get over my slumps.
ReplyDeleteThanks Breana. Yes sometimes a short break is in order.
DeleteReading slumps bum me out. But I just hang in there until it's over.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kwizgiver!
DeleteI don't think I could take a full break from reading because I can't fall asleep without reading!
ReplyDeleteI know Elizabeth, it's so hard to take a break. I read all the time!
DeleteYes, I like to grab something light and really different to break the pattern of the slump. Hope that works for you.
ReplyDeleteHere are my BLUE MONDAYS MUSINGS
Thanks so much!
DeleteI go for an old favourite, something I haven't read for a while but I know will engage me - hope you find something that works for you. Here is my MM https://cleopatralovesbooks.wordpress.com/2015/02/09/musing-mondays-february-9/
ReplyDeleteThanks Cleo. I appreciate the input.
DeleteI read a favourite, for sure. Sometimes, I find inspiration in other blogs. A review, a post, any thing that fires up the creativity.
ReplyDeleteJoyous Reads, thanks so much for the input. Great idea!
DeleteI often find that happens to me if I am reading on a deadline for reviews. Then I simply don't feel like reading anything. Either I write or I read one of my favorites. Hope you get out of your slump soon.
ReplyDeleteYou can find my MM at http://thebookconnectionccm.blogspot.com/2015/02/musing-mondays-february-9.html
Thanks Cheryl. I hope so too!
DeleteI'm so busy, my reading slumps barely register in my brain until they're over. If I don't feel like reading, I just excuse it to myself with a "I need to work on my blog," or "I'm behind on that English paper due next week," and I just kind of excuse myself away from books. It never lasts long, though, partly because of my blog. If I've done everything I possibly need to do in tidying up my blog, have run out of Doctor Who episodes to rewatch, and am caught up on my schoolwork (not necessarily in that order), then i just grab a book off of my TBR pile and force myself to read it, with the idea that even if I hate it I'm still gonna read it - I'll just write a lousy review of it when I'm done. This often works to get me back in the flow of things.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Jaina! Yeah I can kind of tell I am in a reading slump when I want to do just about anything else besides read. I hope it doesn't last long. :)
DeleteI find switching genres and formats really helps me. For instance I will read a heavy fantasy and then jump into a fuzzy HF or listen to a chick-lit audio. Sometimes just watching movies for a day will jump start me.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Kimba!
DeleteUgh, I hate reading slumps. :( I'm in a mini-one right now...I usually just keep reading through it and then I hit a good book and life is RAINBOW and JELLY BEANS. But in the mean time I end up rating all these books 2 and 3-stars and I wonder if I was in a better mood, would I like them more?? Or are they truly mediocre books? GAH! Confusing! Thanks for stopping by @ Paper Fury!
ReplyDeleteThanks Cait! Ahh, you are so right. I was reading two books last week. One was a DNF and the other was a 2 star book. I definitely started wondering if my mood had something to do with it. I think I have found a good book now to pull me out of it though!
DeleteI'm in a reading slump too! I've noticed that many book bloggers are actually. Do you think it has to do with the holidays and getting back into the swing of things? Like, the New Year was something exciting we all looked forward to, but now that we've arrived, it's like, "Okay, now what?" And so we try to dive into our routine, but find it's a bit redundant and boring :/
ReplyDeleteI just received my copy of Snow Like Ashes though, and received a tweet from the author! So this is what gave me a bit of a jump start to my senseless daze ha ha!
Claudia, you may be right! I was just thinking the same thing actually. I was so ready for all the new releases for 2015 and all the reading goals and challenges I wanted to meet. I read 22 novels in January. It's kind of like exercise. People swear they will make changes in the new year and be healthy. But I was reading an article the other day that said February is typically when some of those people will lose their momentum and give up. So this is probably like that.
DeleteThat is so exciting though about a tweet from the Snow Like Ashes author. That one is on my TBR. I can't wait to hear your thoughts on it. I hope it is sufficient motivation to get you out of your slump!
When I am in a reading slump taking a break often helps, don't force yourself to read, but only pick up a book when you feel like it. Do some other hobbies instead helps too. Or pick up a book for re-read, I don't do this often though, but I hear from everyone it helps. Or read a book by one of your favourite authors that you haven't read yet as you know with almost 100% certainity you will enjoy that book. If everything fails you just have to wait it out. I hate reading slumps and luckily haven't encountered one in a long time.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lola! I had to take a break to get out of it and it was tough. I love to read! But I took a break and went to a book that had been on my TBR for a while. Very happy to be out of my slump. :)
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