How To Get Out Of A Reading Slump

2017 hasn’t been the best reading year for me thus far. I’ve found myself in a few slumps in the first half of the year which is not quite like me at all. I would read a few books and then stop for a month just to start back up again.

Luckily I think I’m finally past that now as I’ve had a few consistent months (and reads). Each time I found myself in the slump, I had to make a conscious effort not to stay in it for too long out of fear that I’d never be able to get out of it.

Here are a few things that I’ve done that I think will help you all as well if you ever find yourself in a reading slump.

Re-read an old favorite

It always helps to go back to the familiar. Rereading about your favorite characters can help reinvigorate your love for reading and help you tackle newer reads.

Read a book under 200 pages

Sometimes you just need to do something quickly that makes you feel accomplished. When I’m unproductive, I always scan my to-do list to see the quickest and easiest thing I can accomplish so I can cross it off my list. The same thinking can apply when you’re in a reading slump. Reading a quick book on a flight or within an hour or two after work will have you feeling great, and spark the willingness to conquer myour TBR pile.

Join a Book Club

I recently joined a book club and this was one of the better decisions I’ve made. Even when you’re feeling lazy, knowing you have a book to read that month that will be open to a discussion will put the battery in your back to read (and pay attention) to the author’s work.

Try a different genre

My go-to genre is romance, as you all are aware. Because I read so many books in that genre, the storyline can become predictable to me despite the change in characters or scenarios. I can find myself skimming or drifting away if I’m not fully committed to the book as yet because I know what’s going to happen. When I find myself doing this, I know it’s time to switch to a different genre, if only temporarily.

Reading a different genre that you’re accustomed to will force you to pay more attention to the details and immerse you in a different world that you may be otherwise unfamiliar.

Lastly, don’t force it. Don’t be afraid to put a book down midway and start a new one. If you’re not into it, you’re simply not into it. No use in forcing yourself to like something that you obviously don’t.

Image via CreateHERstock

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Natalya

Natalya is an Account Manager by day and an editor and author's assistant to passionate creatives by night. When she is not adding to her enormous book collection or stationery supply, she is catching up on her favorite television shows.

Natalya is the author of All The Things I Never Said, a soul-stirring collection of short stories, prose and love letters for the soulful wanderers, the brokenhearted and the hopeless romantics.

You can follow her rantings and occasional sparks of brilliance on Twitter @NatalyaMuncuff.