Help! Reading slump

Pompom · 02-23-2021, 05:34 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, 06:01 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, 11:45 AM

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, 02:38 PM

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

kyrilson · 02-23-2021, 05:55 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, 05:14 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, 08:40 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, 09:27 AM

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

ekbell · 02-24-2021, 11:20 AM

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.

4691mls · 03-01-2021, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catlady

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

This! Maybe you just need a break. Nothing wrong with that.

hobnail · 03-01-2021, 02:34 PM

If you abide by the rule to always finish a book, my first recommendation would be to jettison that. Nothing takes the fun out of reading like flogging yourself to finish a dud book. If you do that then you can use your local library and go through lots of books until you find authors you like, or Project Gutenberg, Faded Page, etc.

02-23-2021, 05:34 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?

Similar Threads
Thread	Thread Starter	Forum	Replies	Last Post
PC sales Suffer Biggest Slump in years	Anabran	News	478	07-29-2013 05:11 AM
How to get out of a reading slump?	BookCat	Reading Recommendations	33	01-29-2013 12:30 AM
Going through a book slump sigh...	GatorDeb	Reading Recommendations	10	07-30-2012 06:28 AM
HMV to close 60 stores as sales and shares slump	boxcorner	News	12	01-06-2011 09:55 AM
Worldwide PDA market slump continues	Colin Dunstan	Lounge	0	07-28-2004 02:58 AM

02-23-2021, 06:01 AM	#2
gunbad Zealot Posts: 101 Karma: 6968070 Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Oklahoma Device: Kindle Oasis 3, Kindle PW4	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, 11:45 AM	#3
Victoria Wizard Posts: 1,013 Karma: 19767610 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, 02:38 PM	#4
SeaBookGuy Can one read too much? Posts: 2,015 Karma: 2487799 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Naples, FL 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, 05:14 AM	#6
drofgnal Wizard Posts: 1,227 Karma: 7838248 Join Date: Dec 2009 Device: Ipad Pro/Kindle Oasis 3/iPhone 13 Pro Max	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, 08:40 AM	#7
JSWolf Resident Curmudgeon Posts: 73,897 Karma: 128597114 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Roslindale, Massachusetts Device: Kobo Libra 2, Kobo Aura H2O, PRS-650, PRS-T1, nook STR, 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, 09:27 AM	#8
Catlady Grand Sorcerer Posts: 7,345 Karma: 52398889 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, 11:20 AM	#9
ekbell Guru Posts: 603 Karma: 12345678 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.

03-01-2021, 02:34 PM	#11
hobnail Running with scissors Posts: 1,552 Karma: 14325282 Join Date: Nov 2019 Device: none	If you abide by the rule to always finish a book, my first recommendation would be to jettison that. Nothing takes the fun out of reading like flogging yourself to finish a dud book. If you do that then you can use your local library and go through lots of books until you find authors you like, or Project Gutenberg, Faded Page, etc.

Advert

Advert