How to get out of a Reading Slump
How to get out of a Reading Slump
We’ve all been there, the dreaded reading slump, and when it strikes it can easily feel like it’s the end of the world. It’s a nightmare, especially if you HAVE to read for some reason, whether it be research, for an assignment, a book club or you’re a reviewer. I don’t have a magical solution but I do have some pretty awesome ones that’ve helped me in a pinch.
This post is part of my Blogtober series, if you’re looking for inspiration, I wrote a handy list of post ideas!
A page a day keeps the… slump away?
Okay so a few years ago, when I was struggling to read a whole lot, I read this really interesting article. It was aimed at the busy/working person who simply doesn’t have time to read. At the time, that felt like me. I was commuting four hours a day and just didn’t have the energy or time to pick up a book. When I tried this tip it changed everything.
The tip said that if you read a single page a day before bed (or when you wake up) you’d finish more books a year than before. Sounds obvious right? “But one book a year is hardly getting me out of my slump!” I hear you cry, and I agree, but that’s not the beauty of this trick.
By setting yourself the simple goal of reading one page before bed, you’re taking away any excuses, even a slow reader can read one page relatively quickly, what’s the harm in one page? Then the magic happens. When you’ve read the one page, it often (most of the time) turns into more pages, even chapters! One page is never enough, but for the days that you simply don’t have time, you’re still reading something. It changed my life. It got rid of all my ideas of being too busy, of being in a slump, of not feeling in the mood.
Honestly this is the best tip I can give you, it really worked wonders for me. However, here are some other little tips that could also help!
DNF that slump inducer!
If you’re struggling reading a particular book, get rid. Life is waaaay too short to read something you’re not enjoying. Unless it’s for an assignment, then sorry buddy I can’t help you there.
There’s no shame in not finishing a book, none what so ever. You may not even be hating the book, but picking something else up for a while could help.
Re-read an old fave
If you’re really struggling to read, why not try picking up Harry Potter/ your favourite book? It could jump start your excitement for books again.
Read a different genre
We know what we like… but sometimes that isn’t always a good thing. There is such a thing as Too Much of a Good Thing! So why not try picking up a completely different genre? I’ve heard so many people say it helps them.
Ultimately, you just need to take the pressure off of yourself. Pressure can kill enjoyment in a lot of things, and reading is no exception.
I hope these tips helped you! What are your go to methods to get out of a reading slump?
24 Comments
Great tips!!!! I think I’m going to finally dnf a book
I’m not sure if I should be happy about this haha
Haha i hate having to do it but my time is valuable
It definitely is!
I almost got into another book slump after DNFinishing Children of Blood and Bone but I reread to get out of it and now I am in the contemporary romance mood.
Rereading is such a good way to get back into it!
Rereading old faves is a favorite method of mine 🙂
I’m going to have to try the page tip! Often I just overwhelm myself, thinking I have to set aside a chunk of time to read – but if you take it gradually, I suppose you get the reading done 🙂 Great post, Jenn!
This is such good advice! I’ll have to try a few of these during my next slump 🙂
I hope it works! (not that I hope you have another slump though!)
I definitely need to try the one page a day tip! I’ve been in a terrible slump lately, though I’ve been working a lot on my writing. But I haven’t read a physical book in almost a month. Definitely implementing this ASAP! Thanks!
Re-reading my old favourites always helps me! But I really love your tip of a page a day! I will definitely be giving that one a go! 🙂
These are definitely good tips! My husband actually just suggested the one-page thing to me for our holiday, because with the toddler, and with our itinerary, I was worried I wouldn’t get any reading done and he knows how much I have missed reading. So I’m excited to try it!
These are some really helpful tips! I find having a good reading space helps me get out of a slump too, so sometimes I’ll go out for a coffee and read in my favourite coffee shop. Re-reading old faves is a great idea too, may or may not be the reason I’ve read the Hunger Games trilogy like 5 times hahah
Thanks for these tips! 😊
https://jendbibliophile.wordpress.com
OOH that first tip is super helpful! I wish I’d known that during exam season haha!
I reread an old faithful or binge watch a tv show but I’m certainly going to try the 1 page a day thing, thanks for posting this!
never heard the read one page one before but it definitelyt sounds like something that would work
Fab tips 🙂
I found that lowering my Goodreads challenge target helped, it really took the pressure off.
I always pick up an old favourite if I feel a slump coming on. I don’t even read them from the start, I just flick straight to my favourite part and read it. Reminds me why I love reading so much.
Cora | http://www.teapartyprincess.co.uk/
I love the ‘read one page a day’ tip. I finally got out of a pretty bad reading slump and it all started because I said “I’m going to read for 10 minutes before bed every night” and it worked! I started reading for a few minutes every night and then before I knew it, I was reading regularly again!
https://tayepperson.com/
It really helps! It’s what I try whenever I get into a slump!
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Loved this post! I sent it to a friend who’s going through a reading slump, I’m hoping it’ll hel them! 🙂
Oh I hope so!