How To Get Out of A Book Slump

Have you ever found yourself actually bored from books? I have and am slowing emerging out of this slump I’ve been in for the past few weeks. After starting a book and reading through the first chapter, I’d find myself just not engaged in the storyline. I’d then start another book, and the same thing would happen. I just couldn’t seem to find anything remotely interesting. Free books, review books, recommended books, even audible books, and still nothing. No spark, no joy, just pure boredom.

What was going on??? So after I have spent time analyzing this situation, I have to come to realize that possible reasons.

Reason #1: Not enough down time between books- I do need some time to grieve my characters and let the ending stew a bit in mind. Yes, I do miss the characters (not just the ones that die), but I generally get to liking a character then the story ends. So, I need time to just miss them and simply process the storyline before moving on to another book. It’s kinda like seeing an amazing movie and then seeing another movie back to back. The second movie doesn’t stand a chance because I am still thinking about what happened in the first one, I am tired, need a bathroom break, and maybe some more popcorn. Regardless,I do just need to pause for a moment.

Reason #2: Same subject, different story- Have you noticed that there are times when you will gravitate towards books and realize there is a theme? I have. I went from reading Historical fiction, chick-lit, sister stories, and suicide books. Okay, I am not suicidal. However, I did read The Paris Wife about Ernest Hemingway and his first wife. In it, it includes Ernest’s suicide. So, then I read a blog and saw another memoir about suicide and decided to read it. So, without realizing it, I was reading books with a certain theme to it. I have also found that I need a break from the same kind of books and this includes those that are not necessarily sad.

Reason #3: Feeling pressured- Since starting a blog, I have felt the pressure to keep my blog up to date with book reviews. I am not getting paid for any of it, this is not a volunteer or full-time position for me, but I still feel responsible to readers, authors, and publishers. So, there have been times when I just feel overwhelmed with not only reading a book, but also writing about it, too. I also hate to admit, but if I receive a book for review and it is not something I can even manage to read a little bit, I just don’t read it. I am not a paid reviewer and realize this isn’t probably the best way to handle this, however I just can’t muster the attention skills I need to read a seriously burnt cupcake or cupcake without the icing.

Ways To Survive a Book Slump:

1. Simply take a break from reading or hearing novels- If you have to read, read a magazine, do a crossword puzzle, read your Bible, and journal write.

2. Read from a genre you typically don’t select from- If you don’t normally read crime novels, try it. Perhaps you only read mystery novels, try a chick-lit novel or memoir.

3. Return to the classics!- Why not? Going back to the great literary writers as Charles Dickens, Agatha Christie, and Jane Austen are just a few of my favorites!

4. Do the opposite- If you have a reader, then read a hardback/paperback novel. If you normally read from hardback/paperback novels, then try an audible book. Be creative.

Whatever the reason for a book slump, trying something different is always a great way to meet new authors. For those of you like me, reading is very important. It has helped me with my insomnia and so each night I read. Whether it be a few pages or a few chapters, reading has been my sleeping aid.

Currently, I am reading a paperback novel and on my Nook, I am reading Persuasion by Jane Austen. Sounds rather fitting, doesn’t it?