We’ve all been there. Maybe you’ve just fished an amazing 7-book series and the book hangover is real. Maybe you’re forcing your way through some less-than-enjoyable titles on your backlist. Whatever the reason may be, you find yourself once again in the dreaded reading slump. Meanwhile, your Goodreads reading goal is going unmet and the tbr pile on your nightstand is threatening to bury you in your sleep.
Rest assured. You are not alone! I’m here to give you some foolproof tips to get you through.
1. Look Out of Genre
Reading slumps are the perfect time to read something completely out of the box. This tip might not work if you typically read a variety of different genres. However, those who find themselves consistently reaching for the same type of novels might benefit from a change up. Let’s say you usually read Fantasy. A reading slump might be the perfect time to try a Contemporary Romance or Thriller. Not willing to stray so far from normal? Look for a Sci-fi option. It might prove just different enough to jump start your reading.
2. Re-Read a Favorite
This is my go-to slump fix. I have yet to meet a slump that can’t be fixed by Harry Potter, Fever, or ACOTAR. Maybe for you that means it’s time for your yearly re-read of Pride and Prejudice. Or maybe it’s finally time to revisit Josh and Lucy in the Hating Game. Whatever your favorites are, take this time to reacquaint yourself with the books that made you fall in love with reading.
3. Short and Sweet
This one is pretty self-explanatory. Take a look at your tbr or head to your nearest bookstore and find a book that’s short and sweet. Make sure the summary is something that interests you. You’ll find that, even in the middle of a slump, the pace at which you fly toward that epilogue can be rewarding and encouraging.
4. Follow the Buzz
There’s a reason overhyped books are overhyped. To be fair, you are not guaranteed to love every book with a huge following. Rather than checking out the NYT Bestseller List, find someone who has similar taste in books. This can be a social media influencer (think Blogs, Bookstagram, BookTube), a librarian, or a friend or family member. I’ve had a lot of luck finding great reads in Facebook Groups dedicated to my favorite authors or genres. These are people who already share your interest and you’re much more likely to follow their hype than the mass hysteria. (Need I remind you of Fifty Shades? I mean there is so much better smut out there.)
When in doubt, check out http://www.whatshouldireadnext.com. This site gives you suggestions of books similar to other books or authors you like. Definitely a great way to discover those hidden gems.
5. Take a Break
When all else fails, take a break. Yes, I said it. Give yourself permission to step away from reading until you feel compelled to return. You might need a day off, a week, a month. The amount of time doesn’t matter. What’s important is that you rediscover the joy of reading. It might feel like giving up and it definitely feels like saying goodbye to an old friend, but books will always be there when you’re ready to return.
Do you have any time-tested tips to add to this list?