Even the most committed reader can get into a slump...
And sadly, that has happened to me recently. I love reading! That hasn't changed one bit. But sometimes it feels more like a chore than a pleasure. And that's when the slump sets in.
During a slump my motivation is lacking and often, if I do find the energy to read, I end up not liking anything.
After almost 25 years as a reader, I have - luckily - found some tricks that get me back in the right mood and out of the slump. In this article I want to share those tricks with you, so you can get back to the love of reading yourself.
1. Get to the root of the problem
Sometimes, there's actually a reason why a slump sets in. Perhaps it's because you've been stressed at work or school. Perhaps you're suffering from a book hangover after finishing a series, you've been dedicated to. Or perhaps you're feeling a touch of depression. Whatever the reason, it's always a good idea to be cognizant of it. So dive into the slump and find the cause of it. Once you have the cause, finding the solution is going to be so much easier.
2. Re-read a favourite book
We all have that one book (or perhaps even more) that never fails to cheer us up. That book, that feels a bit like a security blanket and might even have been replaced once or twice because of wear and tear. Re-reading that book might just kick the slump out of your life. Love has a way of doing that, after all.
3. Give yourself a break
If you're anything like me, you're sometime a bit hard on yourself when you can't live up to your own standarts. Beating yourself over the head during a slump is definitely not going to do you a lick of good. So perhaps the best thing for you to do is just to forgive yourself for not wanting to read and give yourself some time off. Be kind to yourself, and the slump might just dissipate.
4. Read a short story or a novella
Trying to get our of a slump with a book like Moby Dick or Pillars of the Earth is maybe not the best idea. Sure, they are great books, but the sheer length of them can seem very daunting and disheartening. Instead, try going with a short story or a novella, perhaps even a poem collection if you are thus inclined. Knowing that the ending is just around the corner makes it a bit easier to get through.
5. Speed read 10 pages of 10 books
This trick is a perfect way to kick-start your reading. Pick out a stack of 10 books from your TBR list - the 10 books, you've been most excited for before your slump. Speed read the first 5-10 pages of each book until one of them catches your attention to such a degree, that you cannot put it down.
6. Browse the shelves of your local library/bookstore
Give yourself an hour at your favourite library or bookstore. Allow yourself time to revel in all of the books around you. Browse your favourite shelves, rund your hands over the spines of the books. Take out a book and bury your nose in it if you're so inclined. Sooner or later, a book is bound to catch your attention. You might even start reading right there in the store!
7. Read something easy/light/funny
Some books are just too heavy to get into when you're in a slump. They might be perfectly fine books, just not for you right now. Instead, turn to something that's easier to get into. A comedy, a fluffy romance or a cozy mystery. Me myself, I always turn to historical romance. Often times, I don't need to do a whole lot of thinking and they keep me pleasantly entertained while still being fast. So find your 'guilty pleasure' genre and let it lift you out of the slump!
8. Try a new genre
Perhaps what you need is to get out of your comfort zone. Sometimes we get so comfortable in our favourite genre, that it can start to feel like you're reading the same book over and over. So try something completely different. Try Science Fiction, Fantasy, Thrillers or something completely different.
9. Schedule reading time
Sometimes a slump sets into not because we don't want to read but because we simply don't have the time. So take out your day planner and circle an hour each day dedicated to reading. Then turn off your phone, TV and other electronics during that hour (except your your e-reader, of course) and enjoy the company of your chosen book.
10. Try an audiobook
If you're unable to find an hour of free time, perhaps you need to change tactics. An audiobook could be just for thing for you. You can listen to it while you drive to work, do the dishes or take a walk. It might just be the thing that gets you back to reading somewhere down the line.
11. Ask for recommendations
Sometimes it's just a matter of finding the right book. So enlist your family, friends and favourite librarian in the search for the perfect book to take your out of the slump. Perhaps they'll even help you become more aware of what is actually is you're searching for in a book right now.