Overcoming a Reading Slump: Ways to Fall in Love with Books Again

Worst reading slump…EVER

Since early July I have been in what feels like a perpetual reading slump. Don’t get me wrong, July wasn’t a horrible reading month for me, but it was not my best either. That would have been June. Granted. I had spent a week at the beach and indulged in five books while I was there, so it’s almost like cheating…but still, it’s been hard to get back into that framework.

What is a reading slump?

To put it simply, a reading slump is when you have lost interest in reading for an extended period of time. Basically, every book you pick makes you feel like you’re pulling teeth while you try to read it. The characters and stories fall flat, the writing style is insufferable, and the plot feels disinteresting. Nothing holds your interest, and you begin to question whether you actually like to read in the first place.

Causes of reading slumps:

In my personal opinion, reading slumps are hard to predict and tricky to manage. You never know when you’re going to encounter the dreaded slump or how long it will take to get yourself out of said slump.

Book hangovers, DNFing a book, and just all-around losing interest in a topic or book are some of the causes of these reading slumps. A book hangover is the feeling you get after you finish a book that is SO GOOD you convince yourself you won’t be able to find something that tops it. DNFing a book, which is the hardest for me, is when you just cannot get through the book you’re reading and end up having to put it down and never look back. I struggle with doing this, which makes the reading slump last longer because I’ll keep trying to get through the book. Another cause is when the book or genre just does not appeal to you after X number of pages.

Reading slumps are extremely frustrating and disheartening, but there are some tips and tricks that can help you claw your way out of a slump.

Tips and Tricks: Fighting a Reading Slump

#1 – Admit you have a problem

#2 – Try and audiobook

#3 – Mix it up! Try a new genre or author

#4 – Re-read your favorite books

#5 – Try reading a shorter book

#6 – Change your reading location

#7 – Visit the professionals: check out a Library or your favorite bookstore

#8 – Read a kids or YA book

#9 – Join a book club

#10 – Do not be afraid to DNF a book

Books, genres, and places to find your next book

There are a few places that you can turn to when you are in a reading slump to help you crawl your way out of this “dark period”, the first being #BookTok. To be honest, I have so many books on my TBR list from #BookTok that it’s almost impossible NOT to turn to it for suggestions on what I should read next. There is a reason that there are so many books trending or popular in the infamous #BookTok realm. 

For example, a book I read to break myself out of a reading rut was the Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. Another was, Daisy Jones and the Six (I ended up completely devouring this book and reading it in like 12 hours). Colleen Hoover books, for me, are also great options because I know I like her writing style and books. The same thing can be said about Lucy Score, Meghan Quinn, and so on. 

To break up a particularly bad reading slump, I also like to use audiobooks. Typically, for my audiobooks, I will turn to audible originals or nonfiction books or memoirs. I just find that these are easiest to listen to, especially when I’m driving to and from work or working from the office. Consider it my version of white noise. I find that it’s easier to listen to the book, during these dark periods, than it is to read the physical book. You don’t even really have to pay as much attention, and you can multitask while you’re listening (which is what I do when I’m at work).

Another place I turn to to pick my next read during a reading slump is my “Already Read Pile.” I have a handful of books that I have read SO MANY TIMES it should be illegal, but I absolutely love the story and can read it over and over again. An example of this would be the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy (sometimes I’ll skip the first and go straight into Darker and Freed) or the Mindf*ck Series. Another option is to reread a book you loved as a kid or teen. Books like this will help restart your mindset and can push you out of a really bad slump rather quickly.

Shorter books are also really great options for reading slumps. Lately, I’ll look for short stories or novellas to read when I’m starting to fall into a slump. This way, I don’t fall behind on my reading challenge, but I am also changing up the pace, therefore preventing the slump.

Lastly, not being afraid to DNF a book is super important during a slump. Embrace the inevitable and just let go. This for me is extremely difficult, and I constantly struggle with guilt, when I even consider DNFing a book. But to crawl out of the hole, you’re going to need to just accept that maybe that book isn’t for you and there’s so many more options out there that will be. 

In Conclusion

At the end of the day, a reading slump sucks but the main this is that you cannot beat yourself up for falling into one. Like I said, they are seriously unpredictable, and they will happen. The sooner you admit this and find a solution to the problem, the sooner you’ll be back to being happy when you read. 

Reading is supposed to be fun, rewarding, and enjoyable. If you are struggling while you read or procrastinating starting your next book, then you need to re-evaluate your situation and in the famous words of Ross, from friends, PIVOT. 

You can’t force yourself out of reading ruts, but there are steps you can take to pivot the situation and quickly overcome the speed bump in the road.

If you’re not in a reading slump right now, make sure to save this article for future reference. Hopefully, some of these tricks will help you climb your way out of any future or potential ruts or slumps! Don’t forget to follow me on Goodreads, Instagram, and TikTok. You can also check out the posts about the books I successfully read in July, June, May, and so forth.