13 Ways of Coping with a Book Hangover

Posted by Marie on June 24, 2018


Have you ever finished a book that was so good, you couldn't move on to another? If so, you've likely experienced a book hangover. A common affliction among avid readers, book hangovers can be emotionally distressing to say the least. Symptoms can vary between spontaneous fits of sobbing to repeatedly shouting the word "why." But don't worry: There are ways to recover.

We asked our followers on Facebook and Twitter for their best coping strategies and listed some of the most popular comments. Which ones have you tried?


1. "When the grief is overwhelming, I just turn back to the beginning and read it all over again," says Sanna.

2. "I try to switch genres or pick up a light read. If all else fails, I marathon a T.V. series and let the book hunger build up again," says Rebecca.

3. "Writing a review, telling my friends about it, or journaling can help process what made it so impactful. What's at the center of that emotional core, and how can I apply it to my life?" says Melissa.

4. "I actually take a break from reading. I won't pick up another book for a few days," says Jessica.

5. "Pick up a book of short stories, poetry, or essays so it's less of a commitment before finding the next great novel," says Jen.

6. "This might sound really bad, but in order to move on from a book I'm having a hard time letting go, I read a few bad reviews. It helps to put things in perspective," says Leslie.

7. "Read some fanfiction," says Charlotte.

8. "I like to reread my favorite parts and if there’s a good movie adaptation or a modern retelling, I go for it." says Erin.

9. "I listen to bookish podcasts," says Yanira.

10."As I get down to the last five chapters or so, I start the next book hunt," says Maureen.

11. "I immediately look for something else written by the author," says Edwin.

12. "Sometimes I’m not ready to give a new book a try, so I reread a well loved one," says Carol.

13. "I go and get a real hangover," says Steve.




Comments Showing 51-100 of 143 (143 new)


message 51: by Rebekah (new)

Rebekah Penny wrote: "I once wrote a poem about it. I called it 'The Novel Sonnet'. It still didn't fix the problem, but I agree with switching up the genres. I can't follow an emotionally heavy literary gem with one of..."

Would there be any chance for me to read 'The Novel Sonnet'? you've gotten me intrigued and I would love to take a look at it


message 52: by Kristin B. (new)

Kristin B. Bodreau #7 definitely helped me recover from His Majesty's Dragon series.


message 53: by Todd (new)

Todd Read something else. I mean there are lots of other books out there and they need readers like stray kittens need pet owners. I like Steve's idea, though.


message 54: by Fate (new)

Fate I honestly do not see how one could do anything other than #13.


message 55: by Theresa (new)

Theresa Marsala #2, #4, #5, #8 are all things I've done too! Sometimes when I get stuck I go down to my local library & dig through the childrens books to re-read some of my childhood faves and read some classics I never got a chance to read when I was a kid. It helps put things into perspective. I also take a break by picking up a couple of cookbooks & digging through them for recipes & stories.


message 56: by Vanessa (new)

Vanessa Mariah wrote: What bookish podcasts are good? This is a great idea!

Hi Mariah, I'm not the OP, but I do have a podcast addiction. Here are some I like:

• BookRiot has a lot of podcasts on different genres: romance, sff, mystery, non-fiction My favorite one of theirs for recommendations is "All the Books."
• New York Times Book Review
• MashReads
• Reading Envy
• Reading Glasses (this one I dip in and out of and I usually just fast forward through the “Bookish Problems” segment.)


message 57: by Nandita (last edited Jun 25, 2018 04:55PM) (new)

Nandita Damaraju #9, followed by more podcasts that have amazing book recommendations (Ezra Klein Show, Tim Ferris, Sam Harris) and repeat the cycle all over again ;)


message 58: by Pillsonista (new)

Pillsonista #13... and with that, we have a winner. Everybody else can get their coat.

But leaving that aside, for me personally it helps if I'm reading other books concurrently. That effectively assuages the loss.


message 59: by Fatin (new)

Fatin Raihana #2 Definitely the best choice!!


message 60: by Eve O. Spellman (new)

Eve O. Spellman #13 Why?! Wha...

*sarcasm* That's a great idea.


message 61: by Richenda (new)

Richenda Go and buy copies for all your best friends and eagerly await for them to finish so you can all swoon over it together!
PLUS - this supports the author that you loved the work of so much!


message 62: by Amber (new)

Amber So do any of you guys do buddy reads with others to try to read books off your TBR list you have never read before? Just curious. I hope to do ones with Odd Thomas and the Nightingale and stuff. Buddy reads are fun!


message 63: by Christina (new)

Christina I do alot of the above


message 64: by Jennifer (new)

Jennifer Smith #10 is one that I rely on a lot. I'll sit in my room and stare at the pile of library books I haven't read yet and the massive amount of unread books on my shelves and try to find what I want to read when I finish the book I'm currently on. I also like to find a series of books to read (currently reading "The Selection Series) so that I know I have multiple books with those particular characters for a while.


message 65: by Lauren (new)

Lauren I do number 2 & 4. Usually because I find that watching a marathon or playing a game instead of reading helps. That's taking a break and focusing on something else.


message 66: by Brooke (new)

Brooke -- 10. "As I get down to the last five chapters or so, I start the next book hunt," says Maureen. 

That's me! I tend to draw out those last pages, savor them, even when I'm not sure quite how the book will end. And I get myself into something else I know I'll enjoy. I'm doing it right now: Today I started the most recent Tana French book so I'll be well into it when I finish Erin Morgenstern. I have a new book ordered, and the third Jason Matthews book is coming out in paperback in August. Then there's a new Tana French book this fall . . . And I have five other new authors ready to go!


message 67: by Anne (new)

Anne #5 is my go-to, but I've done #s 1, 4, 7, and 12, too.


message 68: by Jade (new)

Jade #1 & #7 usually works for me.


εïз Melody Fairymeadow εïз #11 is what i do.

i go to the library all the time, so i am always book hunting for the next best read!


message 70: by Jami (new)

Jami Becker Get on Good Reads relive it through the reviews. It’s kind of like thumbing through an old photo album of you and an old lover... but your a nerdy loner here...with other nerdy loners. In a controlled environment #Perfect


message 71: by Jennifer (new)

Jennifer I take a break from books to read magazines.


daemyra, the realm's delight I have to sit with it and let its perfection wash over me!


message 73: by Harish (new)

Harish Yep, #11 is what I do.


message 74: by deborah eden (new)

deborah eden perfidio After every book I read I have to take a slight break idk why it’s just always been that way


message 75: by bernardita (new)

bernardita It's #4. I always do #4. And also #2 if i'm desperate to move on from the books (cause i mostly read series). It's just way too hard - this book hangover thing. It sucks yet it's the beauty of reading books.


message 76: by Meg (new)

Meg Booth I do exactly what I do with a real hangover...
I lie down on the floor.
I drink coffee.
I feel very sorry for myself and mope around for the whole day and complain to anyone and everyone about the situation I have put myself in.


message 77: by Joycrazy (last edited Jun 26, 2018 01:46AM) (new)

Joycrazy First #11, if there are no other books to find then #4 and I check my To-Read list if any of my other favorite authors have something coming. Sometimes I'm lucky and a bunch of my favorites will be released at once. Also I research authors/series I haven't checked in awhile to see if anything is coming soon or if I missed a release. If I can't find something new to read I'll #12. Especially if a new book is coming to a series I love. For example I just finished Karen Robards The Moscow Deception and hangover (I'm a total sucker for heists & capers). Thankfully two new entries are due in Ilona Andrews's Kate Daniels series within the next few months so I'm rereading that. I find that if it's been long time between readings I forget enough for it to be fresh again for me.


message 78: by Iqra (new)

Iqra I do 4. Stop reading for next few days.


message 79: by Sian (new)

Sian I do 4. My longest break was nearly a month. I also once immediately reread a book not once but twice.


message 80: by Biondatina (new)

Biondatina I usually do as #2, pick a book from a different genre. It is easy to change genres and to read something different till you feel ready again one from the original genre. My usually pick is comics or graphic novels.


message 81: by Sue (new)

Sue Bursztynski I’m with Sanna! In fact, sometimes, knowing it’s nearly finished, I can only finish it by promising myself an immediate reread. And, yes, another book by the same author. If it’s the last of a series, I binge reread the lot.


message 82: by Jorilyn (new)

Jorilyn What I usually do when I have a book hangover is to re-read the first book of my favorite series. It usually snaps me out of it.


message 83: by Laura (new)

Laura Points 2 and 12 are what I do. The exception is if the book is part of a series (except the last one) - then it's straight to the next one!


message 84: by Patricia (new)

Patricia Sullivan I take a few hours, maybe up to a day, to process the story, and then I usually do #5. Poetry is the best way for me to get through a book hangover...but essays work too.


message 85: by [deleted user] (new)

I usually read fan-fics and if there is a movie, watch it. If i am just so heartbroken and want to read it over and over again (in other words addicted), I try to avert my thoughts from the book and start to read another book. you can also try writing summaries or do something that you love that will distract you from this book! With love, H


message 86: by Annabel (new)

Annabel Frazer My worst book hangovers are where the ending is sad and I feel unhappy for the characters. When that happens and I can't move on, I sometimes go to the lengths of writing a new ending - have to use the author's tone of voice, which is straightforward for Georgette Heyer Penhallow by Georgette Heyer but was a tremendous headache for Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke . It works though.


message 87: by Jen (new)

Jen I will read a graphic novel.


message 88: by Yesica (new)

Yesica #10 is what works for me... you usually sense when a book is great so I prepare myself for the next one before getting to the end.


message 89: by Carly (new)

Carly Bearpaw Hair of the dog....I move straight on to the next!


message 90: by Jenny Baker (new)

Jenny Baker I like to read either a graphic novel or YA contemporary, something to cleanse my reading palate. Sometimes I'll binge a show on Amazon Prime before searching for my next book.


message 91: by Milagros (new)

Milagros Hahaha luckily it doesn't usually happen to me, but many seem like things i would do or just things i try when i'm hving areading slump


message 92: by Emily (new)

Emily When a book is really good, I do #4 (take a break from reading) and give myself time to think about it for a while and process it.


message 93: by Bivisyani (new)

Bivisyani Questibrilia OMG hahaha Steve's answer's the absolute best :')
I usually actually do what Jessica does, though. It's always good for me to soak in whatever feeling that come over me after I finish a book.


message 94: by Nancy (new)

Nancy I look for something to read that's light or fun. It's like mental sorbet, it refreshes my reading palate so that I can go on to the next heavy course.


message 95: by Pauline (last edited Jun 29, 2018 06:19AM) (new)

Pauline Mariah wrote: "What bookish podcasts are good? This is a great idea!" besides of course "what should I read next" I really liked "books on the nightstand"! :-)


message 96: by Mariah (new)

Mariah Pauline wrote: "Mariah wrote: "What bookish podcasts are good? This is a great idea!" besides of course "what should I read next" I really liked "books on the nightstand"! :-)"
Thanks!! I'll have to check those out :)


message 97: by Pauline (new)

Pauline Mariah wrote: "Pauline wrote: "Mariah wrote: "What bookish podcasts are good? This is a great idea!" besides of course "what should I read next" I really liked "books on the nightstand"! :-)"
Thanks!! I'll have ..."
p.s sadly, "books on the nightstand" has ended, but you can still
listen to all the episodes :-). "What should I read next" is running and running and sooo great!!!


message 98: by Meghan (new)

Meghan If anything my hangovers only last until the next day. That gives me enough time to process the book I finished before I add the next book into my memory. This is more the case if I like a book. Sometimes if I disliked a book or didn't finish it I'll start the next book right up. It also depends on how late I finish the book.


message 99: by Alyssa (new)

Alyssa Lee I have to pick up something else immediately to divert my attention, and once I'm well enough into that book, I allow myself enough time to process the last one.


message 100: by Anthoney (last edited Jul 01, 2018 09:43AM) (new)

Anthoney I like to reread an old favorite. Then it's easier for me to move on.


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