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 101-143 of 143 (143 new)

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Olivia's Bookish Places & Spaces #13 made me snort out loud :)


message 102: by Chk_Chk_Books (new)

Chk_Chk_Books I like to switch over to podcasts after a fulfilling read, I seem to jump between book binges and then podcast binges! (My favorites or Lore, Ear Biscuits, Case Files and NoSleep Podcast)


message 103: by Tasha (new)

Tasha Milteer 2, 10 and 11. 13 got me weak tho...lol


message 104: by Karen Floyd (new)

Karen Floyd On occasion a book will have such an impact on me that I can't let it go and feel fidgety and restless for a few days afterward. Sometimes I go back to the beginning and start it all over again, or at least go back and read particualarly meaningful parts. Sometimes I will journal about it, especially if I've learned something psychologically important. I'll read gardening magazines or take a stab at a book whether or not it seems like the right next book. If it isn't I'll just put it away for another time. If it's non-fiction I usually find another book on the subject because it's the subject that has gripped me. Sometimes I'll talk to family or friends about it, or play solitaire for hours, or work in the garden and mull it over. The answer is never quite the same each time.


message 105: by [deleted user] (new)

I try to switch genres or pick up a light read, or read another book by the same author. In fact, when I discover an author that I really like, I try to get all of his/her boooks.
I have a database with the books I have read since 1993 and it's funny how I repeat the same authors in the same year. That happened with Patricia Highsmith and Stefan Zweig.
I got hangover with The book of illusions by Paul Auster and Middlemarch, by George Eliot.


Gwen - Chew & Digest Books - I dive right into the next one, though I will be either more selective or choose a palate cleanser like a middle-grade book or something light. I've got no time for book hangovers!


message 107: by Helen (new)

Helen This "book hangover" usually happens to me when a book is long, and you are starting to have a feeling like you practically live at the same time with the heroes, and met them, and know exactly how they look and what they are going to say. Lately, it happened to me with Dickens' novels. And now it happens to me with Irene Nemirovsky's novellas.


message 108: by Melissa (new)

Melissa Ramirez Good article!
Those who know me well, know that if I'm not reading a book, I'm watching a movie or a show, most likely; and vice versa. This isn't a hard and fast rule, but books and movies are my two main hobbies. :)
Generally if I'm in a bit of a reading rut, I'll turn to movies and lighter reading (magazine articles, online articles, etc.) until I come across a book that looks interesting. Eventually, I get back on the book train...I feel extra-bored or sometimes even lost, when I'm not in the middle of a book!


message 109: by amelie (new)

amelie I can't do #13, but it is hilarious! :) I'd say #6 or #4 would work best for me!


message 110: by twinvi3 (new)

twinvi3 I’ve just finished reading Harry Potter for the first time so this is perfectly what I need.


message 111: by Dani (new)

Dani Lately I've been reading too much fanfiction.


message 112: by Isis (new)

Isis #11 definitely!


message 113: by Nichole (new)

Nichole Helen wrote: "This "book hangover" usually happens to me when a book is long, and you are starting to have a feeling like you practically live at the same time with the heroes, and met them, and know exactly how..."

This is now happening to me with War and Peace.


message 114: by Dana (last edited Jul 01, 2018 04:01PM) (new)

Dana I loved this! What a great post.
I've totally felt the book hangover. I usually implement ideas 4, 10 & 11 - just depending on what feels right at the time.

Writing a review helps as well. It's like tipping my hat and paying homage to the author. That always makes me feel better.


message 115: by Julie (new)

Julie Akeman I clean, usually after spending a lot of time reading things pile up but if I want to muse about a book for awhile, doing some cleaning helps.


message 116: by Karen’s Library (new)

Karen’s Library #12 always works for me!


message 117: by My Lady (new)

My Lady Janey Just what I needed right now after reading Passion of Dolssa. PoD broke my heart T_T

I am planning to read a romcom after, however, I read a romcom that was soooo good any romcom I am trying to read after it does not want me to continue. I am still hungover also on that romcom.

Oh my heart....


message 118: by Reader (new)

Reader (Show me, don't tell me) Heck, I didn't even know that was a 'thing with a name'. I get them all the time. I get into a funk for a day or so then contact the author to ask if there's a sequel pending.

Usually I just browse around until I find something just as wonderful. I've discovered many new authors that way.

I recalled reading Daniel Peterson's Children of the Lion series one book after the next until I literally get a fever. What is that called?


message 119: by Larry (new)

Larry Cahoon Reading five books at a time there is never an issue of what is the next book. It it just a question of what book will be added to the currently reading list. And there is always plenty of time to find a new book. When one book gets dull or too tense to read then I just move to one of the other four. If one gets very interesting then the other four suffer.


message 120: by Misbah (new)

Misbah Finally a name for it! I had this after ending the Hunger Games series. (Stop killing off my favorite characters people)
I searched for "Hunger Games similar" and found the Divergent series....all I can say is that was a very traumatic couple of weeks.


message 121: by Naomi (new)

Naomi 8, 2 and mostly 12 for me, nothing like rereading one of my favorites, say hi to old friends! number 13 was hilarious tho.


message 122: by Lady Willpower (new)

Lady Willpower 2, 3, and 4 work for me. I also keep a guided reading journal where I reflect on why I loved the book. It gives me the pleasure of remembering. My last book hangover was The Hazel Wood by Melissa Albert. I can't wait for the sequel!


message 123: by Joy (new)

Joy I do all but #s 6, 7, 9, & 13.


message 124: by Lisa (new)

Lisa #2, especially if I have read something heavy and intense!


message 125: by Diana (new)

Diana I usually pick up a favorite book and give it a re-read, for extra help I pick a different genre.


message 126: by Jim (new)

Jim I rarely find another book by the same author, unless it is a series. I usually try to make my next read fairly different then my last, unless I really feel like more of the same. I also do read and write a lot of reviews if I just finished one of THOSE books, will stay with me forever.
Shadow Country, which wonderfully written. IT's kind of historic fiction (Not my usual genre) I find myself thinking I need to read some really interesting Fantasy next!

I am currently reading


message 127: by Priscilla (new)

Priscilla Asir I do point # 2 and if the impact is so intense then i do point #4


message 128: by Luana (new)

Luana Spinetti #4 is me :) I need my time to metabolize the story and come back to real life, since I'm highly sensitive and it affects reading, too. The good thing about taking a break for me is to cherish what I've read before moving on; not a consumerist approach to reading, so I appreciate that about myself.


message 129: by Joan (new)

Joan #4 if the hangover was to strong, i couldn't even think to start another book but currently i start #10 and try to find my next book before i even finish the first one. Mostly i prefer reading different books in order to preserve the memory of my previous beloved one.


message 130: by Gary (new)

Gary Do something physical for a few hours like gym or hiking or gardening and then go back to reading.


message 131: by Penny (new)

Penny Katy wrote: "I love your "better to have loved and lost" comment. To have read a book that really grabs you is a treasure."

Thanks - the interesting thing is that I wrote my thing about books and THEN realised I'd just used the 'better to have loved and lost' theme, so I just had to mention it!


message 132: by Penny (new)

Penny Rebekah wrote: "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 g..."

Hmmm...I haven't had it published yet and some day I'd like to, so sorry, I'd better not at present. Thanks for asking though!


message 133: by Olivia (new)

Olivia I kind of do all of these... well, except the last one, as I am only 13-going-on-14 years old. :)

But I always have a stack of books on the windowsill above my bed--yes, sometimes the stack is so tall that I worry about it collapsing on me when I am asleep--so I can just pick the next one up. I organize the stack by the books I think are going to be the best residing at the bottom, so that I can always be looking forward to the next book in my stack. A problem is presented when one of my top books--which I was expecting to be a "meh" book--just so happens to be one of the best books I've ever read. But, otherwise, this method seems to work for me. :)


message 134: by Sara (new)

Sara Goldenberg interesting!


message 135: by Dorthe (new)

Dorthe Hair of the dog, every time - usually another type, though, to avoid too narrow a comparison.
I don't go for another book by the same author straightaway for the same reason; I loved Still Alice, so Lisa Genova is put on hold for a while.
And literally 10 mins ago, I finished They Both Die at the End, so now I'm starting a book that is not about teens in trouble (no John Green for now).


message 136: by Ecke (new)

Ecke Brandt #13 is so me.


message 137: by Gina (new)

Gina Gray I lean into the hangover. I read reviews and articles about it, reread portions of the book and generally just sit around wallowing in the obsession for as long as I feel like I need to.


message 138: by Trinity (new)

Trinity I read a light contemporary romance novel, something that isn't so impacting that im left questioning my life desicions. But a book that will warm my heart and show me a happy ending that I may have been looking for.


message 139: by Aurora (new)

Aurora This may not make much sense but for me I usually have to immediately start something else


message 140: by Helen (new)

Helen I try to catch up with family, studies, housework, or whatever else might have been neglected while I immersed myself into another world (book world, that is).


message 141: by Jezzy (new)

Jezzy i do #4 & also watch DVDs, TV shows streamed on Netflix & Amazon Prime.


message 142: by Jennifer (new)

Jennifer Anderson #2 works for me, the funnier the book the better.


message 143: by Colette (new)

Colette Dempsey Number 4 for me. I spend a few days doing something else, usually a more physical hobby to get my head back in to the real world before diving in to a new one.


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