Being either a reader or book blogger or both we all come across that dreaded reading slump from time to time, it happens! Sometimes we just burn ourselves out with reading and need a break but sometimes we WANT to get back to reading but just can’t muster our “reading strength”. So I’ve put together a little how to/tip post about things that can help you break out of that reading slump!
Before I get started though I’d just like to say that if you’re in a reading slump it’s OKAY! We all just need a break sometimes! So this post is in no way stating that you need to read all the time and if you want to take a break then take a break. This post is to help those seeking to break their slump and that is all.
Let’s get into it!
1.) Organizing Your Books
This may sound odd but when I’m in a reading slump just touching books can get me out of it, sometimes I just like to go pick them up and re-organize my bookshelves. Staring at the gorgeous covers, the feeling of a book in your hands, smelling the books, or finding all of those books you’ve been meaning to read while re-organizing can definitely help you defeat that slump! Or maybe the accusing glares of your TBR books can be enough to guilt trip you back into reading….you never know.
2.) Read Some Book Reviews
Remember all those new release, upcoming books, or books on your TBR that you desperately wanted to read at one point? Go read some glowing book reviews and get yourself re-hyped to read them!
3.) Take A Trip To The Bookstore or Library
What’s a better cure for a reading slump than perusing shelves filled with hundreds upon hundreds of books? The atmosphere in a place filled with books and other book lovers can definitely make you more excited to get back into reading!
4.) Read A Graphic Novel, Comic, Novella, or Short Book
You know what they say: baby steps. I great way to ease yourself back into your reading game is by getting through a quick, easy to read book! You’ll feel more accomplished by finishing one and then move back into your usual books as well.
5.) Get Comfy and Cozy
Sometimes it’s all about your atmosphere, if you’re in a space filled with constant noise and busyness you won’t really feel like concentrating on reading while in a slump will you? So a simple solution for that is to find a quiet, comfy place to sit down and get to reading! I highly recommend putting on some PJs or comfy clothes, brewing yourself a cup of tea or coffee, and snuggling in with your favorite blanket! This definitely will put you in the mood for reading……..or napping which is also great!
6.) Read Something By A Well Loved Author
Have a favorite author that you absolutely adore to bits and pieces then what better way to get back into reading than with a book by that author? This one’s pretty straight forward but let’s say you loved the Percy Jackson series but haven’t read Rick Riordan’s other books, there you go!
7.) The Good ‘Ol Re-Read
Have an all time favorite book that you haven’t read in years? Pull that sucker out and get to re-reading, there’s no better way to get out of that slump than by re-reading an old favorite and getting to re-experience it!
8.) Pick Out A Book You 100% Know You’ll Love
Are you a picky reader or a mood reader like me? One of the best ways to get out of that slump is to select a book that you’ve been dying to read and haven’t yet, pick one that you are certain you will enjoy and won’t be able to put down. Nothing gets you back into the swing of things than a hella good book after all!
9.) Argue With Yourself (My Personal Favorite)
Sometimes you need to just sit yourself down and tell yourself:
“You need to read. You need to read something now, you KNOW you’ll be unhappy if you continue this reading slump of yours. So go over to that shelf and pick out that book you just bought that you HAD to have and sit your butt down and READ!”
Believe it or not this is the way I get out of most of my personal reading slumps.
10.) Check Out Book Recommendations
Whether it’s from someone at your local bookstore or library, a family member or friend, or just browsing the internet; book recommendations are a good way to help you out. I mean when people recommend a book to you it’s usually a good one and if it sounds up your alley you’ll probably be excited enough to want to go read it right away!
11.) Check Out New or Upcoming Releases
Remember earlier when I said to read some reviews to get hyped? That kind of goes hand in hand with this. Go check out what’s coming up and maybe you’ll find a book you didn’t know you’re dying to read, getting excited for books is always the best way to get out of a slump.
12.) Watch BookTube or Read Book Blogs
Watching or reading about other book lovers getting excited for books whether they’re old favorites or upcoming releases can always get you hyped up and back into reading. This also kind of goes hand in hand with checking out new books or reading reviews.
13.) Watch Some Book-To-Movie Adaptations
This also applies to Book -To-TV as well of course! Personally I just watched the Miss Peregrine’s adaptation and afterwards it had me jumping in excitement to finish the series, since I only read book one. Nothing quite gets you excited to read a book or series than watching it’s adaptation because you know what they say; the book is ALWAYS better than the movie!
Do you try any of these things when in a reading slump?
Did you find any of my tips helpful?
What do you try and do to get out of a reading slump?
Let me know in the comments!
Hopefully some of you found this helpful!
Ha! I think my favourite is yelling at yourself! 😛 I have to agree I’ve had a sitdown with myself in order to finish/or start something I know I should, so you are not alone haha!
Watching an adaptation is actually a good idea! I never really thought of that! I’ve been in the mood to watch a lot of tv recently! Great post! 😀
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Glad it isn’t just me, I find it the most efficient way to get myself reading again!
I usually wouldn’t have thought of watching an adaptation either until I watched “Miss Peregrine’s” and found myself REALLY wanting to finish that trilogy or re-read the first book!
Thanks Meghan! 🙂
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Oh haha, definitely not just you! It really is efficient.
At least it got you to read it! You’re welcome! 🙂
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Great tips!! Even if you’re not reading you can always keep yourself interested by watching adaptations, you tube videos, going to the bookstore and library – then one day it will all be over lol
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Thank you! Those are exactly my thoughts, there definitely isn’t a lack of things to do when in a reading slump! 🙂
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These are some great tips! I think I’ll use some of them the next time I get into a reading slump. Loved this post! ❤
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Thank you Jessica, glad you found them helpful! Slumps are really difficult sometimes! 🙂
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I just go on a netflix binge if I have a slump coming.It works almost everytime to get me out of the dreaded slump.
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That’s great that it helps you out of a slump, sometimes a Netflix binge helps me as well but mostly I get hooked on tv and forget about reading even more haha 🙂
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These are some great tips! Thanks for sharing!
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Thank you, hope they can help you out! 🙂
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these are great tips thanks! 🙂
a couple of month ago i got into a big reading slump. i didn’t know what i was in the mood for! in that situation i just waited it out. i watched “friends” on netflix and let the “i want to read”-feeling slowly come back. because forcing myself to read didn’t work at all
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Thank you, glad you found them helpful!
Sometimes I just have to wait out my slump as well like that and sometimes we just need that break! 🙂
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yes that’s true!
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Great tips! I love browsing through book shops. For me, it cures my reading slump right away 🙂
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Thank you! Same here, bookstores are pretty much my 100% slump cure! 🙂
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Re-reading is my favorite method of getting over a slump. Back in 2015 I was having an awful year (senior year in high school, prepping for universirty, moving to a new place) and I ended up spending the latter half of that year re-reading all my favorite books. Definitely a nice way to beat the slump
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Glad the re-reading trick works for you! Those good old favorites always work! 🙂
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What a great post! These are some helpful tips!
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Thank you! Glad you found some of the tips helpful! 🙂
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Rereading an old favorite is my cure. It works for me every single time. It’s like hitting refresh on my brain. 🙂
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Glad that trick works for you! Rereading is rare for me but all of those old favorites are always sure to work! 🙂
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*taking notes* haha I find myself in one of these slumps usually right after I read a book that took me by surprise. usually a book that I loved a lot. Thanks for sharing the tips!
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Same here because you’re left feeling like you won’t read a book as good as that one again! And thank you for reading them, hopefully they’ll help you out next time you’re in a slump! 🙂
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Great tips, Heather 🌸
My personal favourite is rereading an old favourite; usually Harry Potter! But I also love watching series, booktube videos and getting comfy! I also think checking out new releases and reading books by a loved author is a great idea 😊
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Thank you Michelle!
I rarely do a re-read but I know if I ever get into a really bad slump I would do it in a heartbeat. I find getting comfy to be a great one for me personally because then I don’t get distracted, haha! 🙂
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This may sound crazy, but I recommend reading children’s books! It puts you back in the shoes of a youngin’ and helps your imagination lift off.
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That’s a great tip, thank you! I find reading Middle Grade helps for me so I suppose that goes hand in hand with children’s book! 🙂
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Great tips. And comforting to know I am not the only one who gets into a slump. I tend to hit up fave author because I know that will be like a comfy sweater. Next time I will definitely hit up some book blogs!!
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Thank you! It really is good to know we aren’t alone in reading slumps!
Hope the tips help you out next time! 🙂
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