Even the most avid of readers has suffered at least once from the dreaded reading slump. Essentially, a reading slump is defined as a period of inability to focus on or get pulled into a story, when book after book just isn’t hitting, and the reader may even start to wonder if they like reading anymore. Sometimes the cause can be related to outside factors, such as big life changes, challenges, and stressors. It’s a very frustrating feeling, trying book after book and failing to get invested in the story. So how exactly do you get out of a reading slump? Good news: it’s possible, and here are six tips for shaking off even the nastiest ones.
Change the format. If you usually read physical books, switch to an e-reader or tablet (or vice versa). The Kindle app is available on most app stores, so pretty much any device works. Audiobooks are also a great suggestion to try, because you can listen to them while doing other household work, like chores, showers or exercise.
Re-read a favorite book/series. According to EpicReads, “this is the simplest and usually the most efficient cure for a reading slump.” Re-reading may not be the solution for everyone, because some find themselves bored with knowing where the story is going already. However, many readers find the familiar rhythm comforting, and it helps remind them why they love reading.
Pick up a shorter book or novella. Sometimes shorter books help the commitment seem less scary, and it’s easier to get into the story. In addition, novellas often have much simpler/lower stakes plots, which are great for the nasty short attention spans that reading slumps often bring on.
Try a book you don’t think you’ll love. This may sound like a strange suggestion, but it actually removes the pressure of feeling like you have to give the book a fair chance. If you don’t like it, you probably won’t feel guilty for not finishing it. But chances are, it might surprise you and turn out to be just what you need at the moment!
Switch genres. If you’ve been reading high fantasy for a while, pick up a contemporary fiction novel. If you’ve been on a romance kick and it’s getting old, try a murder mystery. Tired of the repetitiveness of fiction? Give a biography of your favorite celebrity, a poetry collection, or memoir a chance. This is my personal favorite tip, and you’ll be surprised at how effective it is.
Read a graphic novel. Let’s be honest, we’re all children at heart, and sometimes a book with lots of pictures is just what we need to cure a slump. In addition, graphic novels often seem more fast-paced due to the large amount of dialogue, and the new format stimulates a different part of the brain.
No matter what you try, the most important thing to remember is to be patient with yourself. If one trick doesn’t work, experiment with other ones. If there’s one thing that will make a reading slump worse, it’s beating yourself up for not reading. And don’t be afraid to take a break, too. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, and you never know, that could be true for books as well. Let yourself be okay with putting reading on hold for a little while. The books aren’t going anywhere!
Did you find this post helpful? What are your favorite tricks for curing a reading slump that I missed?
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