Confessions of a Burned-Out Book Lover

From Booked & Busy to Burnt Out: The Reading Rut That’s Broken Me

In 2024, I read 93 books. Ninety-three. That’s nearly two books a week—devouring stories, escaping into new worlds, soaking up every word like oxygen.

And then… nothing.

It’s now halfway through 2025, and I’ve read only a handful of books (10 to be exact). Just barely enough to count on two hands. I never thought I’d say this, but I am in the worst reading rut of my life. And for the first time, EVER, I have not been able to shake it off (despite trying every trick up my sleeve).

And it’s not just that I’m not reading. It’s what the absence of reading has taken from me. My creativity? Gone quiet. My ideas? Stuck in molasses. My joy? Dimmed. I feel unfulfilled in a way that’s hard to articulate—like I’m missing a vital part of myself. Books have always been how I process the world, how I find inspiration, how I breathe. Without them, I feel adrift.

I know ruts are temporary, but this one seems like it has completely depleted my life. I know reading, like anything else, ebbs and flows. But I also know I’m not alone in this feeling—so I’m sharing my story. Not for advice or quick fixes (though I’m open to gentle nudges), but to say: if you’re in this space too, I see you. And maybe, just maybe, writing this will be the first spark in finding my way back.

Overcoming the Worst Reading Rut I’ve Ever Been In

There’s something magical about getting lost in a book—losing track of time, immersing yourself in a different world, and experiencing a wide range of emotions with each turn of the page. But what happens when that magic fades, and you find yourself staring at a bookshelf/pile filled with books, but feeling completely disconnected from them?

That’s when you know: you’re in a reading rut.

It’s a place where your love for reading seems to have been swallowed up, leaving you unable to focus on a book, and struggling to regain that joy you once had. I’ve been there in the past, and I am currently there now…but worst of all – I have been stuck in this same rut for close to a year.

It hurts me to admit that I am battling the worst reading rut of my life, and I have been for roughly the last ten-ish months. Admitting this is one thing, but seeing it play out in my day-to-day has been TOUGH. But just like anything else, I know (and believe) a rut can be overcome.

So here is what I’m doing to try to break out of this rut, and how I think you can too.

Pinpoint/Find the Cause of the Reading Rut

When you’re in a reading slump, it can be hard to pinpoint exactly what caused it. For me, the rut didn’t happen overnight. It was a gradual decline, where the act of reading, and the desire to read, slowly slipped away from being exciting hobby to something that felt like a chore.

Life Gets in the Way

I strongly believe the biggest cause of this rut has been how hectic my day-to-day life has been.

Sometimes life just throws a lot at you all at once—work, personal, and social commitments and/or pressures. As someone who works in the entertainment media industry (my 9-5), I’m often juggling multiple projects, deadlines, and creative tasks (all while trying to think of content on the side and finding a connection with whatever book I’m reading). With so much to handle, finding time to sit down and read has just been/felt increasingly difficult. It’s not that I don’t want to read—it is more that I just honestly don’t feel like thinking and making reading a priority, in the midst of everything else. << this leads me to my next point: BURNOUT.

Burnout from Over-Commitment

Another issue I have been facing is burnout. I love books, and I love sharing my thoughts on them, but at a certain point, the pressure of reading books for personal pleasure then my social media, add on reviewing said books, and constantly trying to stay on top of new releases started to take the fun out of it. What was once an escape slowly started becoming an obligation. I was forcing myself to read for the sake of it rather than for enjoyment.

Choice Paralysis

Finally, I found myself paralyzed by choice. I have a massive stack of books and an ever-growing “to-be-read” (TBR) plie and list, but instead of feeling excited by the endless options, I started to feel overwhelmed. The sheer number of books I want to read have made it harder to choose which one I want to dive into first, and that made the idea of starting a book feel more daunting, than ever, rather than exciting.

Steps I am Taking to Get Out of this Rut

Breaking out of a reading rut doesn’t happen by just wishing for it (TRUST). It takes some intentional steps to reignite the passion you once had for books. So, here is what I am doing to kick start the journey of getting back to reading:

Starting Small: A Commitment to Read for Just 10 Minutes

To start, I wanted to make sure that I did not pressure myself to read for hours. Instead, I wanted to set realistic goals, so I told myself that I was going to make it a point to “just read for 10 minutes today.” By doing this, I’m not worrying about the number of pages or the depth of the book that I am reading. I simply want to sit down with a book, for a short period of time, and READ.

And since it is Monday, I am making it a point to start this step TODAY. The key for this step is to remove the pressure and embrace small steps to recapture the joy in reading.

Revisiting Old Favorites

Another thing that usually helps me is revisiting old favorites. In the past, I have pulled out books I had read before, books that had been part of the fabric of my love for reading. Whether it was Harry Potter, Fifty Shades of Grey, or even an old classic Disney-inspired story, returning to something familiar and comforting always feels like a warm hug. Reading an old favorite provides a sense of nostalgia and comfort, that reminds you about why you fell in love with reading in the first place.

Letting Go of Bookish Guilt

This one is always a hard one for me, but it is an important one: you HAVE to let go of guilt.

I had to stop pressuring myself to finish a book that I might not be enjoying as much as I’d hope, just because the book was popular or on my TBR list. Not every book is going to be for everyone, and that’s okay.

I learned that it’s important to embrace the idea that it’s perfectly fine to put a book down and try something else. Forcing myself to finish something I wasn’t connecting with would only make my reading slump worse.

Finding Joy Again: Rediscovering My Love for Books

Once you began taking small steps to rebuild your reading habit, you will start to see progress. No rut will disappear overnight, but as I begin to feel the spark of joy I once had when it came to reading and books, the sooner I will overcome this dark hole I’ve dug myself into.

Creating a Comfortable Reading Ritual

Part of getting back into reading is creating a comfortable, relaxing reading schedule. I am in the middle of re-organizing my loft and in doing so, I am looking to create a space where I can curl up with a book (that is NOT my bed), complete with pillows, a blanket, and my Diet Coke. I used to love to curl up and read on my couch when I lived in Orlando, so I’m trying to re-create that space where I felt at ease and could really enjoy the reading experience once again. Also, having a designated reading time, even if it’s just before bed for 10-15 minutes, will help me re-establish reading as a part of my routine.

Reading What Makes Me Happy

I am also making a conscious decision to read books that genuinely make me happy, even if doesn’t align with my usual preferences or the latest bestsellers. The idea is to help me discover a love for lighter, more fun books—audiobooks, short rom-coms, quirky non-fiction picks, or even graphic novels are included in this. Sometimes, what you need when you’re in a rut is a break from serious or challenging reads and a chance to indulge in something fun and lighthearted.

Engaging with a Reading Community

Social media is important part of my life—both personally and now professionally. So, to help myself regain motivation, I made it a point to reconnect with the bookish community I have grown to love on Instagram, Threads, and TikTok. I am going to start sharing what I am reading again. Seeing others’ excitement about books always helps reignite my passion, so this is an important step for me to take. I also like to interact with fellow readers, join virtual book clubs and broadcast channels, and restart my participation in reading challenges (this always forces me to have a sense of accountability) that can help pull me out of this godforsaken slump.

In Conclusion

Actionable Takeaways to Break Your Own Reading Rut

So, if you like me, are currently stuck in a reading rut or want to avoid one in the future, here are a few actionable takeaways based on what I am going through:

• START SMALL—Commit to reading for just 10-15 minutes a day.
  • Don’t pressure yourself to read for hours—small steps will reignite your love for books.
    
• RE-READ FAVORITES—Return to books you loved in the past.
  • Sometimes the comfort of familiar stories can reignite your reading spark.
• DON’T GIVE INTO GUILT—Don’t force yourself to finish books you’re not enjoying.
  • It’s okay to put a book down and move on to something else.
• GET COZY—Make your reading time a relaxing and enjoyable experience.
  • Set up a cozy reading area and make time for reading, even if it’s just a few minutes a day.
• READ FOR FUN—If you’re not enjoying the latest bestseller, read something lighthearted and fun.
  • Your reading journey should make you happy, not stressed.
• ENGAGE, ENGAGE, ENGAGE—Turn to social media, join book clubs, or Facebook, Instagram, Threads, or TikTok groups to get inspiration and motivation.
  • Sharing your reading experiences with others can help you get back on track.

It is really important to remind yourself that breaking out of a reading rut takes time, patience, and a bit of self-compassion. By implementing these strategies, you can rediscover your joy in reading and fall back in love with books all over again.

These are all small, but realistic and relatable steps, I am taking to help climb my way out of this rut and back into the safe haven that reading and my love of books provides me.

Let’s Talk About It — Are You in a Reading Rut Too?

If you’ve ever found yourself staring at your bookshelf (or pile of books, in my case), feeling disconnected from the stories that once brought you joy—you’re not alone. Whether you’re knee-deep in a reading rut or just starting to feel the spark fade, I’d love to hear from you.

✨ Drop a comment below and tell me: what’s helped you get back into reading when you’ve felt stuck? Or—if you’re still in the thick of it—what’s been the hardest part for you?

📚 Let’s support each other in finding our way back to the books we love. One page, one chapter, one cozy corner at a time.

And if this post resonated with you, share it with a friend who might need the reminder that they’re not alone either.

Here’s to rediscovering joy—one book at a time. 💛