How to get out of a reading slump?

BookCat · 01-25-2013, 02:14 PM

Hi,
Does anyone have ideas as to how to get out of a reading slump? I've been in one for a few months and would like to get back into the habit of reading. I just can't finish a book, sometimes I'm finding it impossible to get into one.

The only idea I've had is to read children's authors, such as Blyton and some classic children's authors, in the hope that the plot orientated easy-reads will somehow help. I loved Blyton's "Mystery" series as a child - these were the first books I read independently, and loved. Currently plodding through "The Mystery of the Spiteful Letters" but can only read a couple of chapters at a sitting.

I'm endlessly watching youtube book vids, but not reading books!

Any ideas would be gratefully received.
Has anyone else ever had this problem? How have you dealt with it?

I hope I've put this in the right part of the forum.

poohbear_nc · 01-25-2013, 02:25 PM

This kind of slump happens to all avid readers now & then. My cures, in no implied order:

1. Watch lots of trashy TV (re-runs) if available - until you're so sick of empty entertainment, books look good again.

2. Read an old favorite that you almost know by heart - I usually turn to Sherlock Holmes, All Creatures Great & Small, or H2G2.

3. Try reading something totally new to you - a new genre or author.

4. Annoy your cats/dogs/spouse(fill in appropriate critter) until they suggest you go read a book.

5. Treat yourself to a book that you've been wanting for a long time - but putting off b/c of price, size of TBR list, etc.

Hope these help!

HomeInMyShoes · 01-25-2013, 02:31 PM

Try to find the worst book possible and have a MysteryScienceTheatre3000-esque reading.

AnemicOak · 01-25-2013, 02:34 PM

When I hit that situation I find re-reading an old favorite book/series, something I've enjoyed time and time again, helps.

JoelArnold · 01-25-2013, 03:16 PM

My entire last year was one big reading slump, it seemed. I made a goal at the end of 2012 to read at least 4 books a month this year, and since I sort of forced myself to do this, I'm getting back in the habit and enjoying it again.

jgaiser · 01-25-2013, 03:48 PM

I hit reading slumps every once in a while.

For me, I read something that doesn't take much thought. Pratchett, almost any mystery, reread of books I love.

Mostly I don't worry too much about it. I've got a lot of books on my Kindle and if something doesn't strike my fancy, I try something else and then something else and then something else until it clicks.

Reading should be fun. If you're forcing yourself to read, that ain't fun.

Apache · 01-25-2013, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by poohbear_nc

This kind of slump happens to all avid readers now & then.

They do????????????

NightBird · 01-25-2013, 06:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BookCat

Hi,
Does anyone have ideas as to how to get out of a reading slump? I've been in one for a few months and would like to get back into the habit of reading. I just can't finish a book, sometimes I'm finding it impossible to get into one.

The only idea I've had is to read children's authors, such as Blyton and some classic children's authors, in the hope that the plot orientated easy-reads will somehow help. I loved Blyton's "Mystery" series as a child - these were the first books I read independently, and loved. Currently plodding through "The Mystery of the Spiteful Letters" but can only read a couple of chapters at a sitting.

I'm endlessly watching youtube book vids, but not reading books!

Any ideas would be gratefully received.
Has anyone else ever had this problem? How have you dealt with it?

I hope I've put this in the right part of the forum.

I don't think it's really a slump but just hitting a string of bad books in a row. This happens to me all the time. I agree with the idea of rereading something you liked before.

If you care to say what your preferred genres and favorite authors are, maybe we can recommend something. You just need to find a new book to get excited about.

xg4bx · 01-25-2013, 08:32 PM

I just do other things for awhile until I get bored of them.

I also look into new authors and genres. I was reading nothing but horror and fantasy for ages and would go into slumps quite often. I expanded my tastes into science fiction and a whole new world of possibilities opened up to me.

jbcohen · 01-25-2013, 08:42 PM

Here is what I do, I have a opy of my favorite novel on my kindle library standing by and any time I get into one of these things I go read it again and it has never failed me.

Dr. Drib · 01-26-2013, 08:12 AM

I'm going to throw this out there:

I have thousands of Old Time Radio (OTR) programs. Most are either 1/2 hour or one hour. They predate television, of course, and they also reflect an earlier more innocent period in the U.S. For me, they are wonderful entertainment.

So, why not try one or two, to move you away from the idea of reading, and to move you toward listening.

Then (and if you enjoy these), you can perhaps use them not only as entertainment, but something that may help you to refresh your 'reading batteries'.

Don

elemenoP · 01-26-2013, 11:12 AM

I have a different recommendation. You need to stop reading *about* books (that means taking a break from here!), stop downloading new books, stop watching videos about books. If you are always looking for the latest and greatest, it's hard to appreciate what's in front of you. The worst reading slump for me happened when I started working at a bookstore. We were allowed to borrow any book we wanted, and (of course) we were always discussing new books. Suddenly no book I was reading was ever good enough.

eP

issybird · 01-26-2013, 11:42 AM

I have two remedies:

The first, to borrow from Dr. Malfi, is to act as if. Make yourself read something, every day. Things start to click again eventually. It's like exercising when you don't feel like it; you have to have the ingrained habit to get you through.

Read trash. Late last summer I was tired of everything, it all seemed such a slog. So for a couple of weeks I read absolute junk and it was fabulous. Like eating a pint of ice cream every night. Eventually you want vegetables again.

I realize my exercise metaphor is fighting with my ice cream one; oh, well.

Geralt · 01-26-2013, 11:43 AM

If you don't feel like reading then don't. Why would you make yourself do something you obviously don't want to, and especially when its matter of entertainment.
Granted, for work people often have to do things they don't want. I have no idea why you'd willingly put yourself through the same for your own pleasure.

Simply, just do what you want, and forget books for the moment. When you feel like reading you will.

And yes I had the problem as well. So when I feel like doing something, I do it. No forcing myself, no mind games, no tricks.That the simplest it can get.

BookCat · 01-26-2013, 05:08 PM

Thank you for the suggestions.
To answer those saying "why bother? Go and do something else if reading isn't fun,". I know that reading IS fun, from my previous experience and I feel lost without it in my life, as though I've been deserted by a much-loved spouse.

To the peeps suggesting that I should read something I've loved before: the Blyton seems to be helping a little, though I think I've lost my "reading stamina" so can't read for long before needing to do something else. Hopefully, this will be overcome by practise.

elemenOP: I think you may have hit the nail on the head as to the cause of this slump. I have far too many books on my ereader, which seems to devalue each one and make it hard to choose between them. I thought that watching vids about books kept reading as part of my life and might rekindle my desire to read. Maybe it's providing a poor substitute.

Dr. Drib: yesterday, I felt a little dizzy, so listened to a badly abridged audiobook of "Pride and Prejudice" lasting all of two hours! And read by Joanna Lumely. It was a Christmas present from a friend who was unaware that I don't like Austen. The abridgement improved Austen's prose imho - I think reading Austen is like wading through glue - so I enjoyed the story, even though hugh chunks were left out. Your OTR progs sound intriguing.

issybird: I suppose Blyton is my ice-cream. You can keep the exercise!

My personal genre preferences are: historical fiction; humour; light romance; classics, but not Austen; classic children's fiction.
I sometimes, though rarely read horror or paranormal novels, and I've tried, but not been able to get into, sci fi.

Thanks.

01-25-2013, 02:14 PM	#1
BookCat C L J Posts: 2,912 Karma: 21115458 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Birmingham UK Device: Sony e-reader 505, Kindle PW2, Kindle PW3, Kobo Libra2	How to get out of a reading slump? Hi, Does anyone have ideas as to how to get out of a reading slump? I've been in one for a few months and would like to get back into the habit of reading. I just can't finish a book, sometimes I'm finding it impossible to get into one. The only idea I've had is to read children's authors, such as Blyton and some classic children's authors, in the hope that the plot orientated easy-reads will somehow help. I loved Blyton's "Mystery" series as a child - these were the first books I read independently, and loved. Currently plodding through "The Mystery of the Spiteful Letters" but can only read a couple of chapters at a sitting. I'm endlessly watching youtube book vids, but not reading books! Any ideas would be gratefully received. Has anyone else ever had this problem? How have you dealt with it? I hope I've put this in the right part of the forum.

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01-25-2013, 02:25 PM	#2
poohbear_nc Now what? Posts: 58,795 Karma: 135181808 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Durham, NC Device: Every Kindle Ever Made & To Be Made!	This kind of slump happens to all avid readers now & then. My cures, in no implied order: 1. Watch lots of trashy TV (re-runs) if available - until you're so sick of empty entertainment, books look good again. 2. Read an old favorite that you almost know by heart - I usually turn to Sherlock Holmes, All Creatures Great & Small, or H2G2. 3. Try reading something totally new to you - a new genre or author. 4. Annoy your cats/dogs/spouse(fill in appropriate critter) until they suggest you go read a book. 5. Treat yourself to a book that you've been wanting for a long time - but putting off b/c of price, size of TBR list, etc. Hope these help!

01-25-2013, 02:31 PM	#3
HomeInMyShoes Grand Sorcerer Posts: 19,226 Karma: 67780237 Join Date: Jul 2011 Device: none	Try to find the worst book possible and have a MysteryScienceTheatre3000-esque reading.

01-25-2013, 02:34 PM	#4
AnemicOak Bookaholic Posts: 14,391 Karma: 54969924 Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Minnesota Device: iPad Mini 4, AuraHD, iPhone XR +	When I hit that situation I find re-reading an old favorite book/series, something I've enjoyed time and time again, helps.

01-25-2013, 03:16 PM	#5
JoelArnold Fanatic Posts: 544 Karma: 1036914 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Savage, MN Device: Kindle 3	My entire last year was one big reading slump, it seemed. I made a goal at the end of 2012 to read at least 4 books a month this year, and since I sort of forced myself to do this, I'm getting back in the habit and enjoying it again.

01-25-2013, 03:48 PM	#6
jgaiser Omnivorous Posts: 3,281 Karma: 27978909 Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Rural NW Oregon Device: Kindle Voyage, Kindle Fire HD, Kindle 3, KPW1	I hit reading slumps every once in a while. For me, I read something that doesn't take much thought. Pratchett, almost any mystery, reread of books I love. Mostly I don't worry too much about it. I've got a lot of books on my Kindle and if something doesn't strike my fancy, I try something else and then something else and then something else until it clicks. Reading should be fun. If you're forcing yourself to read, that ain't fun.

01-25-2013, 08:32 PM	#9
xg4bx Are you gonna eat that? Posts: 1,633 Karma: 23215128 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Phillipsburg, NJ Device: Kindle 3, Nook STG	I just do other things for awhile until I get bored of them. I also look into new authors and genres. I was reading nothing but horror and fantasy for ages and would go into slumps quite often. I expanded my tastes into science fiction and a whole new world of possibilities opened up to me.

01-25-2013, 08:42 PM	#10
jbcohen Wizard Posts: 3,025 Karma: 11196738 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Piper College Device: Samsung A21	Here is what I do, I have a opy of my favorite novel on my kindle library standing by and any time I get into one of these things I go read it again and it has never failed me.

01-26-2013, 08:12 AM	#11
Dr. Drib Grand Sorcerer Posts: 44,736 Karma: 55645321 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Peru Device: Kindle: Oasis 3, Voyage WiFi; Kobo: Libra 2, Aura One	I'm going to throw this out there: I have thousands of Old Time Radio (OTR) programs. Most are either 1/2 hour or one hour. They predate television, of course, and they also reflect an earlier more innocent period in the U.S. For me, they are wonderful entertainment. So, why not try one or two, to move you away from the idea of reading, and to move you toward listening. Then (and if you enjoy these), you can perhaps use them not only as entertainment, but something that may help you to refresh your 'reading batteries'. Don

01-26-2013, 11:12 AM	#12
elemenoP Wizard Posts: 1,717 Karma: 3790058 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: NYC Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Sony 650	I have a different recommendation. You need to stop reading about books (that means taking a break from here!), stop downloading new books, stop watching videos about books. If you are always looking for the latest and greatest, it's hard to appreciate what's in front of you. The worst reading slump for me happened when I started working at a bookstore. We were allowed to borrow any book we wanted, and (of course) we were always discussing new books. Suddenly no book I was reading was ever good enough. eP

01-26-2013, 11:42 AM	#13
issybird o saeclum infacetum Posts: 20,209 Karma: 222235366 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: New England Device: H2O, Aura One, PW5	I have two remedies: The first, to borrow from Dr. Malfi, is to act as if. Make yourself read something, every day. Things start to click again eventually. It's like exercising when you don't feel like it; you have to have the ingrained habit to get you through. Read trash. Late last summer I was tired of everything, it all seemed such a slog. So for a couple of weeks I read absolute junk and it was fabulous. Like eating a pint of ice cream every night. Eventually you want vegetables again. I realize my exercise metaphor is fighting with my ice cream one; oh, well.

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01-26-2013, 11:43 AM	#14
Geralt Witcher Posts: 933 Karma: 7321117 Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Swamp. Slaying Drowners. Device: Kindle PW2	If you don't feel like reading then don't. Why would you make yourself do something you obviously don't want to, and especially when its matter of entertainment. Granted, for work people often have to do things they don't want. I have no idea why you'd willingly put yourself through the same for your own pleasure. Simply, just do what you want, and forget books for the moment. When you feel like reading you will. And yes I had the problem as well. So when I feel like doing something, I do it. No forcing myself, no mind games, no tricks.That the simplest it can get.

01-26-2013, 05:08 PM	#15
BookCat C L J Posts: 2,912 Karma: 21115458 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Birmingham UK Device: Sony e-reader 505, Kindle PW2, Kindle PW3, Kobo Libra2	Thank you for the suggestions. To answer those saying "why bother? Go and do something else if reading isn't fun,". I know that reading IS fun, from my previous experience and I feel lost without it in my life, as though I've been deserted by a much-loved spouse. To the peeps suggesting that I should read something I've loved before: the Blyton seems to be helping a little, though I think I've lost my "reading stamina" so can't read for long before needing to do something else. Hopefully, this will be overcome by practise. elemenOP: I think you may have hit the nail on the head as to the cause of this slump. I have far too many books on my ereader, which seems to devalue each one and make it hard to choose between them. I thought that watching vids about books kept reading as part of my life and might rekindle my desire to read. Maybe it's providing a poor substitute. Dr. Drib: yesterday, I felt a little dizzy, so listened to a badly abridged audiobook of "Pride and Prejudice" lasting all of two hours! And read by Joanna Lumely. It was a Christmas present from a friend who was unaware that I don't like Austen. The abridgement improved Austen's prose imho - I think reading Austen is like wading through glue - so I enjoyed the story, even though hugh chunks were left out. Your OTR progs sound intriguing. issybird: I suppose Blyton is my ice-cream. You can keep the exercise! My personal genre preferences are: historical fiction; humour; light romance; classics, but not Austen; classic children's fiction. I sometimes, though rarely read horror or paranormal novels, and I've tried, but not been able to get into, sci fi. Thanks.