Help! Reading slump

Pompom · 02-23-2021, 06:34 AM

Hi!
I have a reading slump. I used to read like five-six books a month or even more if time allowed me but recently I hit the wall. I got totally stuck on one of Kristin Hannah's books (sorry!), I finished it but it was a struggle and I hit a slump since then. What can I do? Can you recommend something else, something to break the terrible slump? Should I get out of my comfort zone and try to read something totally different than I used to? How do you deal with the reading slump?

gunbad · 02-23-2021, 07:01 AM

I feel your pain! I know the feeling well. The way I get past that wall is switching to short stories. There's something about nice quick reads that helps me get over my slump.

Victoria · 02-23-2021, 12:45 PM

I can relate too. We probably each have to find our own path out, but rereading an old favourite has worked for me. It’s pleasant but not very demanding. I also try to give myself some space, rather than force it.

You mention making yourself finish a book you didn’t enjoy. I used to do that too, but I’ve decided that it’s better to move on. If you’re reading for pleasure, there’s no sin in giving up on a book that’s become a grind.

Good luck!

SeaBookGuy · 02-23-2021, 03:38 PM

Is there a new(er) book out by an author you know you enjoy?

kyrilson · 02-23-2021, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pompom

Hi!
I have a reading slump. I used to read like five-six books a month or even more if time allowed me but recently I hit the wall. I got totally stuck on one of Kristin Hannah's books (sorry!), I finished it but it was a struggle and I hit a slump since then. What can I do? Can you recommend something else, something to break the terrible slump? Should I get out of my comfort zone and try to read something totally different than I used to? How do you deal with the reading slump?

I will often read a few short stories, or reread a couple of old favorite books. That usually gets me going again. Or pick up a couple of magazines in a topic you're interested in, and read those for a few days. It's not a race, man. Just relax and enjoy things. You'll get back around to reading again at your own pace. I mean, it's not like there's a rule that you must read 6 books every month, right?

drofgnal · 02-24-2021, 06:14 AM

I can relate to that too but in a different way. I can get so enthralled with a book that nothing else seems to strike my fancy. It takes a bit to get interested in something else as I don't believe anything else will suffice.

Which Kristin Hannah book? Nightingale was one of her books I found enthralling. It was hard to put down. I didn't have to slog through it.

JSWolf · 02-24-2021, 09:40 AM

When in a reading slump, I find it helps to find a book you want to read that's an easy read and not too long.

Another possible solution is to try an audiobook.

Catlady · 02-24-2021, 10:27 AM

Why do you need to get out of it? If you don't feel like reading, don't read.

ekbell · 02-24-2021, 12:20 PM

When I feel like reading but can't settle down to anything in particular, I'll use search to narrow the available books to a subset that I might want to read and then use the Find Random Book option on the main menu of my Calibre Companion app and read a chapter of whatever book pops up. If I don't feel like continuing that book I'll pick another random book until I settle on a book I do want to read. On particularly restless days where I want to feel like I've finished something, I'll stick to anthologies.

This can also be done with the Pick a random book option in the Calibre Library menu.

02-23-2021, 06:34 AM	#1
Pompom Junior Member Posts: 1 Karma: 10 Join Date: Feb 2021 Device: Onyx	Help! Reading slump Hi! I have a reading slump. I used to read like five-six books a month or even more if time allowed me but recently I hit the wall. I got totally stuck on one of Kristin Hannah's books (sorry!), I finished it but it was a struggle and I hit a slump since then. What can I do? Can you recommend something else, something to break the terrible slump? Should I get out of my comfort zone and try to read something totally different than I used to? How do you deal with the reading slump?

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02-23-2021, 07:01 AM	#2
gunbad Connoisseur Posts: 86 Karma: 4535674 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Oklahoma Device: Kindle Oasis 2, Kindle Voyage	I feel your pain! I know the feeling well. The way I get past that wall is switching to short stories. There's something about nice quick reads that helps me get over my slump.

02-23-2021, 12:45 PM	#3
Victoria Guru Posts: 942 Karma: 15095444 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Nova Scotia Canada Device: ipad, Kindle PW, Kobo Clara; iphone 7	I can relate too. We probably each have to find our own path out, but rereading an old favourite has worked for me. It’s pleasant but not very demanding. I also try to give myself some space, rather than force it. You mention making yourself finish a book you didn’t enjoy. I used to do that too, but I’ve decided that it’s better to move on. If you’re reading for pleasure, there’s no sin in giving up on a book that’s become a grind. Good luck!

02-23-2021, 03:38 PM	#4
SeaBookGuy Can one read too much? Posts: 1,960 Karma: 2487799 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Seattle, USA Device: Kindle PW 3, Sony 350 and 650	Is there a new(er) book out by an author you know you enjoy?

02-24-2021, 06:14 AM	#6
drofgnal Guru Posts: 842 Karma: 4718438 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Kindle4NT/iphone/ipad/ipad mini	I can relate to that too but in a different way. I can get so enthralled with a book that nothing else seems to strike my fancy. It takes a bit to get interested in something else as I don't believe anything else will suffice. Which Kristin Hannah book? Nightingale was one of her books I found enthralling. It was hard to put down. I didn't have to slog through it.

02-24-2021, 09:40 AM	#7
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 61,867 Karma: 88645836 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, iPad 4, iPhone SE 2020, PW3	When in a reading slump, I find it helps to find a book you want to read that's an easy read and not too long. Another possible solution is to try an audiobook.

02-24-2021, 10:27 AM	#8
Catlady Grand Sorcerer Posts: 6,825 Karma: 37226384 Join Date: Oct 2010 Device: Kindle Fire, Kindle Paperwhite, AGPTek Bluetooth Clip	Why do you need to get out of it? If you don't feel like reading, don't read.

02-24-2021, 12:20 PM	#9
ekbell Fanatic Posts: 521 Karma: 10500000 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Canada Device: none	When I feel like reading but can't settle down to anything in particular, I'll use search to narrow the available books to a subset that I might want to read and then use the Find Random Book option on the main menu of my Calibre Companion app and read a chapter of whatever book pops up. If I don't feel like continuing that book I'll pick another random book until I settle on a book I do want to read. On particularly restless days where I want to feel like I've finished something, I'll stick to anthologies. This can also be done with the Pick a random book option in the Calibre Library menu.