13 Ways of Coping with a Book Hangover

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?
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.
How do you cope with a book hangover? Let us know in the comments!
Check out more recent blogs:
To Quit Or Not Quit a Book? Our Readers Weigh In...
Monogamous vs. Polygamous Reading: Which 'Type' Do You Prefer?
Hot Reading Challenge Tips from Pros Who Read More Than 100 Books a Year
Check out more recent blogs:
To Quit Or Not Quit a Book? Our Readers Weigh In...
Monogamous vs. Polygamous Reading: Which 'Type' Do You Prefer?
Hot Reading Challenge Tips from Pros Who Read More Than 100 Books a Year
Comments Showing 101-143 of 143 (143 new)
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Olivia's Bookish Places & Spaces
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Jul 01, 2018 09:55AM

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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.
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.



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!

This is now happening to me with War and Peace.

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.


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....

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?


I searched for "Hunger Games similar" and found the Divergent series....all I can say is that was a very traumatic couple of weeks.



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



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!

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!

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. :)

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).


