Tips & Tricks to Overcome a Reading Slump
By Elizabeth Dubos
A reading slump can be a bookworm’s worst nightmare. A reading slump is when you have the desire to read but cannot choose or enjoy a book. One of the biggest signs you’re in a reading slump is when your favorite or most anticipated books don’t excite you. There are numerous reasons to what can cause a book slump. This includes feeling overworked, stressed, distractions, and finishing a beloved book and nothing competes with it. Here are my tips and tricks to overcome a reading slump.
1. Don’t force it. If you force yourself to read, then you’re going to prolong your reading slump. Plus, it might ruin a book if you’re not fully invested. Instead, try to watch a movie, TV show, listening to music, gaming, or crafting.
2. Switch genres. Maybe you’ve outgrown a particular genre without noticing it. Maybe you’ve been reading too much of the same genre and you’re bored. Explore various genres and sees which ones pique your interest. Then, you can download e-book samples to see if you like it before purchasing it. As a reader, your taste in books is allowed to change and evolve.
3. DON’T REREAD AN ALL TIME FAVORITE! I know this an unpopular opinion, but hear me out. Rereading your favorite book or series can be damaging because nothing compares to its greatness afterwards. Plus, if you already know the ending, then there’s nothing stopping you from putting the book down.
4. Browse Goodreads. If you’re unsure about authors or genres, explore the browse tab on the Goodreads home screen. The browse tab offers recommendations, the Goodreads Choice Award Winners, new releases, and lists. If you’re looking for a general recommendation, I suggest checking out the ‘Most Popular Book Lists’ because it offers numerous genres, age groups, and authors to choose from. For example, Best Young Adult Books, Books That Everyone Should Read, or Best Books of the 20th Century.
5. Reorganize your bookshelves. Do you toss books onto your bookshelves and over time they’ve accumulated into looking messy? Try reorganizing your bookshelves by author, height, color, genre or series. You might discover books that you thought were gone or decide to read a book based on its cover design.
6. A reading routine. Does it feel like there’s never enough time in the world to read? Try to schedule a minimal time to read whether it’s in the morning, afternoon, or evening. You can set an alarm on your phone to ring to remind you, so you don’t forget. Plus, if you have an issue of people interrupting you during reading, they will notice you reading at particular times, therefore, they will not bother you.
7. Watch BookTube videos. BookTube is a special corner within YouTube that houses an online bookish community. They create all kinds of bookish themed content from book recommendations, challenges, read-a-thons, vlogs, and more! BookTubers discuss various genres and age groups, so everyone can join in on the fun. My favorite BookTubers are ArielBissett, jessethereader, PeruseProject, abookuptopia, BooksandLala, readbyzoe, and a ClockworkReader. Even if watching bookish content doesn’t inspire you to pick up a book, you can still be a part of the literary community. Maybe this might inspire you to start your own BookTube channel!
8. A reading nook. A reading nook is a special area in your home where you can sit and enjoy reading. You might put your favorite book quotes, candles, a comfy chair, or a stack of your favorite books. A reading nook can help motivate you to read because you’re surrounded by all your literary favorites. A reading nook can be a cubby in your closet, a corner in your living room, a wall in your home office.
9. Join a book club. Book clubs are great for reading slumps because you only have to read one book a month and then you get to be surrounded by other literary lovers. If you’re having trouble finding a book club, then I would highly recommend checking out the Barnes & Noble book club. Barnes & Noble has one for teens and adults. Plus, they offer virtual book club meetings! If you’re interested in learning more about the Barnes & Noble book clubs, I’ve attached a link below. https://www.barnesandnoble.com/h/book-club
10. Audiobooks. Yes, I’m part of the club that believes audiobooks count as reading. I think audiobooks are great because it allows bookworms to enjoy the content in a different format. What happens if your eyes are tired after working hard all day, but you still want to enjoy a book? You can easily listen to the book, so you can enjoy your literary hobby. Plus, depending on the narrators, they might improve the story because it allows you to further visualize the setting, characters, and plot. There are numerous ways to access audiobooks via subscriptions, online libraries, or purchasing it through a major retailer.
Edited by Emily Chance
By Elizabeth Dubos
A reading slump can be a bookworm’s worst nightmare. A reading slump is when you have the desire to read but cannot choose or enjoy a book. One of the biggest signs you’re in a reading slump is when your favorite or most anticipated books don’t excite you. There are numerous reasons to what can cause a book slump. This includes feeling overworked, stressed, distractions, and finishing a beloved book and nothing competes with it. Here are my tips and tricks to overcome a reading slump.
1. Don’t force it. If you force yourself to read, then you’re going to prolong your reading slump. Plus, it might ruin a book if you’re not fully invested. Instead, try to watch a movie, TV show, listening to music, gaming, or crafting.
2. Switch genres. Maybe you’ve outgrown a particular genre without noticing it. Maybe you’ve been reading too much of the same genre and you’re bored. Explore various genres and sees which ones pique your interest. Then, you can download e-book samples to see if you like it before purchasing it. As a reader, your taste in books is allowed to change and evolve.
3. DON’T REREAD AN ALL TIME FAVORITE! I know this an unpopular opinion, but hear me out. Rereading your favorite book or series can be damaging because nothing compares to its greatness afterwards. Plus, if you already know the ending, then there’s nothing stopping you from putting the book down.
4. Browse Goodreads. If you’re unsure about authors or genres, explore the browse tab on the Goodreads home screen. The browse tab offers recommendations, the Goodreads Choice Award Winners, new releases, and lists. If you’re looking for a general recommendation, I suggest checking out the ‘Most Popular Book Lists’ because it offers numerous genres, age groups, and authors to choose from. For example, Best Young Adult Books, Books That Everyone Should Read, or Best Books of the 20th Century.
5. Reorganize your bookshelves. Do you toss books onto your bookshelves and over time they’ve accumulated into looking messy? Try reorganizing your bookshelves by author, height, color, genre or series. You might discover books that you thought were gone or decide to read a book based on its cover design.
6. A reading routine. Does it feel like there’s never enough time in the world to read? Try to schedule a minimal time to read whether it’s in the morning, afternoon, or evening. You can set an alarm on your phone to ring to remind you, so you don’t forget. Plus, if you have an issue of people interrupting you during reading, they will notice you reading at particular times, therefore, they will not bother you.
7. Watch BookTube videos. BookTube is a special corner within YouTube that houses an online bookish community. They create all kinds of bookish themed content from book recommendations, challenges, read-a-thons, vlogs, and more! BookTubers discuss various genres and age groups, so everyone can join in on the fun. My favorite BookTubers are ArielBissett, jessethereader, PeruseProject, abookuptopia, BooksandLala, readbyzoe, and a ClockworkReader. Even if watching bookish content doesn’t inspire you to pick up a book, you can still be a part of the literary community. Maybe this might inspire you to start your own BookTube channel!
8. A reading nook. A reading nook is a special area in your home where you can sit and enjoy reading. You might put your favorite book quotes, candles, a comfy chair, or a stack of your favorite books. A reading nook can help motivate you to read because you’re surrounded by all your literary favorites. A reading nook can be a cubby in your closet, a corner in your living room, a wall in your home office.
9. Join a book club. Book clubs are great for reading slumps because you only have to read one book a month and then you get to be surrounded by other literary lovers. If you’re having trouble finding a book club, then I would highly recommend checking out the Barnes & Noble book club. Barnes & Noble has one for teens and adults. Plus, they offer virtual book club meetings! If you’re interested in learning more about the Barnes & Noble book clubs, I’ve attached a link below. https://www.barnesandnoble.com/h/book-club
10. Audiobooks. Yes, I’m part of the club that believes audiobooks count as reading. I think audiobooks are great because it allows bookworms to enjoy the content in a different format. What happens if your eyes are tired after working hard all day, but you still want to enjoy a book? You can easily listen to the book, so you can enjoy your literary hobby. Plus, depending on the narrators, they might improve the story because it allows you to further visualize the setting, characters, and plot. There are numerous ways to access audiobooks via subscriptions, online libraries, or purchasing it through a major retailer.
Edited by Emily Chance
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