Reading Slumps!

[B∞k]

How do you get out if one? Books you suggest for those who are in one?

[Mei]

My advice is don't force yourself to reading or liking a book. It would be very unfair to the book and it wouldn't help you either. Your slump will wear out eventually. Try rereading some of your favorite books, as well. :)

[B∞k]

Mei wrote: "My advice is don't force yourself to reading or liking a book. It would be very unfair to the book and it wouldn't help you either. Your slump will wear out eventually. Try rereading some of your f..."

thanks :)

[Jenny, Always smiling! :-D]

I agree with Mei! Rereading favorites is always good, and maybe just taking a break from reading. If I don't feel like reading, I normally don't read! Its counterproductive.

[Taja]

I'm on the same page here, when I get into a book slump, forcing myself to read will only push me further in. I usually just wait it out, or read my favourite excerpts from Harry Potter :)

[David, Mr. Blue Eyes; He's the Best--Ain't no lie!! ;)]

I'm in a bit of one now. I completely agree with reading an old favorite. Put aside anything that's not interesting you, even if you think you'll enjoy it eventually. It's not fair to the author or you if you're not in the right mindset to enjoy their book. You can always come back to it later and you might really love it the second time!

[Jenny, Always smiling! :-D]

Actually, I am a little, too, which was why I was okay with doing some rereads for our buddy reads :) The holidays really screwed me all up! I just want my life to get back to normal already! But I'm going to keep trying to find a book that will stick...a few authors are waiting on my reviews!

[Karen’s Library]

I get into a bit of a slump when I read really good books... It's hard to get my head out of them and on to something new. I just came out of three of those!! Deciding on what's next is a bit of a challenge. Thank goodness I let Jenny decide my last book with . AMAZING!!

Actually, that seems to help me. When I'm not sure what to read next, I just get into a buddy read and poof, next book is chosen for me and if all of us are reading it, it's normally going to be pretty good!

[Jenny, Always smiling! :-D]

We hadn't done a buddy read with everyone in a while, so we were due! I figured we should start the reading year off right! I'm so happy you loved it!! I'm not surprised, though, I knew you would!

I seem to be picking out books for people lately, don't know how that happened! lol

I think you will LOVE in Heidi's group--its so different, gripping, and hard to put down!

[Joanne Farley]

Mei wrote: "My advice is don't force yourself to reading or liking a book. It would be very unfair to the book and it wouldn't help you either. Your slump will wear out eventually. Try rereading some of your f..."
I agree also. No point in forcing yourself to read I tired that and it didn't work. I don't reread, but joining the buddy reads is a great idea, or read one of the books of the month from the groups you are in.

[Linda]

I find if I am not enjoying the book or just can't get into it I might start another book or two.that might spark my interest!I often have around 5 books on the go and read according to the mood I am in :-)!

[Cindee]

I've been in a slump for a bit....however if a book is good it still grabs me to keep going, but then when I'm done it I feel the slump again. I love dystopian genre, but before that I loved, still do, authors like Jodi Picoult,Kristen Hannah a totally different genre. so I'm about do to switch over to that side for a couple novels. usually something will spark in me to go back to ya dystopian.
and sometimes buddy reads help but if your in a slump joining can be annoying when they are going on about how great the book is when your like.....am I even reading the same book???
so what I will do is jump back and go on a search for something that isn't being read, or Google books that were my favorite, or go to amazon and type in my favorite book to give ideas that are similar, I've found some great books that way too.

[Tana]

I get into reading slumps and find the only way for me to get out is by reading something I really enjoyed before. I reread a couple favorites and then usually I can start something new.

[Chris]

Work and, well, life usually get me in a slump. One of the things I learned about myself this year was that I need to read books that grab me and interest me from the start. I write YA so this past year I tried to read recommendations and what is "popular" in YA. Even before I would start a book I would say to myself (most of the time) "I'm not very excited about this book" and low and behold I wouldn't get through it.

So for 2014 I've decided that I need to read books that I am interested in and go from there. It has helped. After having always wanting to read steampunk, but never taking the time, I'm starting 2014 reading . It got good recs, but I also am excited to read it.

One mans experience.

[Chiqui]

I've been in that slump last year too, and I agree with everyone to move to another book until you find something that clicks. What clicked with me now is , and I've been reading it almost non-stop. It helps that I'm extremely interested in the French Revolution too, so a book with a topic that greatly interests you helps a huge deal.

Alternately, when I'm in a slump I've also found that picking up books with a topic I haven't read a lot about works wonders! For example, I don't usually read zombie books, so when I picked up I read it in one day! It works for me because it's completely new, and something completely new captures my attention pretty easily.

Hope these suggestions work, and that you can hurdle over your slump soon! :3

[B∞k]

Yeah, you have all good ideas :) Thanks all, and for the ones who are in a reading slump like me, hope you get out of it ;)

[Gabby]

I've been in a reading slump since about 2012. It's not that I'm not enjoying the books i'm reading- I really am, it's just that I can't bring myself to go "Hey, lets read a book now!!" I don't like re-reading books and I'm already behind on my reading challenge so haha, I hope I get out of this book slump soon!!

[Elif]

I always read different books at the same time period. If I don't get in a book, I continue reading another book and then come back to the one I dropped. I'm doing that since I learned reading. Doctors said the reason of this is a focusing problem, but I find it very effective when it comes to reading :D Some people ask how I can remember every book I dropped after so much other readings, but I can. I thinks it's because I started that when I was very little and I train my brain to manage that.

Sorry for my poor English :)

[Cindee]

I'm still not into reading, even my own suggestions didn't work lol. I started reading a book they made a sequel too, Love That Boy, the Bridget Jones series, and either I out grew Bridget Jones in my 20's, or its that badly written or or or....I just am in such a slump I should just put the books down for a bit. I read a preview of Outlander, I usually never read reviews of books because often I have a different opinion, but the reviews on Outlander, makes it sound like those naughty Grey books, which I have no interest. I'm doomed I tell ya, DOOMED! lol

[Elif]

Cindee wrote: "I'm still not into reading, even my own suggestions didn't work lol. I started reading a book they made a sequel too, Love That Boy, the Bridget Jones series, and either I out grew Bridget Jones i..."

Do you know any other language? Maybe you can try a light book in another language. It can help to improve your foreign language skills too :)
Or you can try to read from authors of different nations. Because of the cultural differences their writing types they differ from eachother too.

[Cindee]

oh how I wish I could speak another language, but I do not. I started reading After the End, about a girl that lives in Alaska thinking her clan is the last to survive worlds war 3, only to discover that there was never a war...it's actually not to bad.

[Nancy]

Oh, gosh. I'm having such a slump right now. I've barely read much of anything the past couple months, and when I do, it's just been re-reading some fluffy short stuff from my childhood. I can't seem to want to read anything that takes brain power at all. Trouble focusing, I guess. I think I'm just in a bit of a general slump. Maybe when it's not so freezing cold, I'll feel better and be able to get back into the swing of things.

[Stormy]

Hey everyone I was hoping you could help me try remember The name of a book that I had read along time ago I was hoping to read to the Second one I can remembered that it was like a supernatural angel book the angel had 3 or 2 older brothers he was sent by his dad to live on and go to college I think where he fell in love with girl who had a boyfriend that would beat her I think one night right at the end of the book the angel beats up her boyfriend when he finds out what he does to her right at the end of the book the police come to the angel door and take him away but for the life of me cannot remember the name of this book pls help

[Toni]

Does anybody else go into a slump when they read part of a series and cant finish it for reasons such as the last book isn't out ? I keep doing this I have so many books on my list that I know I'l love but just cant get through them because I want to close the last chapter on the series I have just read :(

[Mara]

I have no specific method for getting out of reading slumps - other than do something else other than reading. Just let it run its course. Reading slumps is usually when I work on writing projects - or get caught up in television series. ;) Of course, I can't just flatout not read, because I have a blog to maintain. ;) Not I don't push myself.

[Daniel]

Was in a reading slump recently, but I shook it off with The Lost Code. Went into it with low expectations and was pleasantly surprised.

[Karen’s Library]

Daniel wrote: "Was in a reading slump recently, but I shook it off with The Lost Code. Went into it with low expectations and was pleasantly surprised."

Ooohhhh, love the cover colors!

[Red]

Ugh, I need help. I've fallen into a really bad reading slump and I'm struggling to pull out of it. I've tried not forcing myself on books I"m not quickly getting into, I've tried trying to reread one of my top favorites, and haven't really been able to complete anything. I'm just so blah right now when it comes to reading, that I'm getting through everything at a very slow pace. I want to read, but I feel like when I sit down to read, I just can't focus or get into anything.

[Dre]

Red, have you read Unteachable?

[Red]

Nope, the synopsis sounds interesting though.

[Dre]

What kind of book are you looking for? Like from what genre?

[Red]

I like a lot of different genres, contemporary, drama, paranormal, horror, mystery, fantasy. Normally I know what I'm in the mood for and go for it, except I feel like even when I try picking up different books from different genres, I can't get through them.

[Dre]

This is hard. Usually on my reading slumps, I pick up contemporaries because I usually read science fiction. I really do hope you find the best book to beat this slump!

[Red]

I hope so! I hate feeling like my brain doesn't want to cooperate with my reading.

[Toni]

Red wrote: "I hope so! I hate feeling like my brain doesn't want to cooperate with my reading."

I usually pick something that I wouldnt have normally read to get me out of a book slump :) hope you find a book soon book slumps suck !!

[Brigid ✩]

Usually when I'm in a reading slump it's because I'm reading something that doesn't interest me enough. I'll be stuck on one book for ages because I don't feel compelled to finish it, but I don't like giving up on things either. But I think it's better to set aside a book if it's just not holding your attention; otherwise you'll feel like finishing the book is just a chore and you won't feel like reading.

It also helps me to get out of a slump if I read a few shorter books/novellas. They go by quickly and then I feel like I'm reading more books--and then that makes me feel more inspired to pick up longer books again.

[Red]

I finally pulled out of the reading slump with , which for some reason, that book surprised me that it was the one to work. I think part of my slump was caused by not finishing several series that I really wanted to finish for the sake of saving money. I sucked it up and bought the remaining books I needed, so I think that's going to help a lot too.

[Red]

Brigid *Flying Kick-a-pow!* wrote: "Usually when I'm in a reading slump it's because I'm reading something that doesn't interest me enough. I'll be stuck on one book for ages because I don't feel compelled to finish it, but I don't l..."

I didn't even think of trying novellas. I'm going to remember that one for next time.

[Caitlin]

I would actually say writing! I know it sounds completely unrelated but when I get a really good writing idea, I write it down then I just want to read more and more. Easy reads as well, page-turners, books that you've already read... And I agree, short stories are really good as well.

[[deleted user]]

I agree with what others have said, dont force it, and rereading old fave is a good idea.
as for new book tips, I say read something fastpaced, and funny.often this means middle grade, books they tend to be actionfilled,fast reads.
also you could try reading novellas ,fanfiction or short stories.
Zombies vs unicorns is a great novella selection.

[Brigid ✩]

Oda wrote: "I agree with what others have said, dont force it, and rereading old fave is a good idea.
as for new book tips, I say read something fastpaced, and funny.often this means middle grade, books they t..."

Ah yes, I really liked Zombies vs. Unicorns. :D

[Kaylani]

I have been finding having a few middle grade series helps. Because sometimes I don't want a book I have to think a lot with, but I tend to over think everything.

I know that I will be looking for a bunch of middle grade series at thrift stores to pick up. Also reading graphic novels or comics can help.

[Katherine]

My suggestion would be to not try and force yourself to read if you just aren't in the mood for it. Also, try reading something based on your mood. If you are feeling happy and want a light, happy read, read it! Also try reading one of your favorite novels!

[Jen]

Red? You, in a slump? Say it ain't so! How can this be? I know you've been under the weather lately - plus the weather in general - but I've sure missed you on BookTube and have been glad to see you there.

I wonder if anyone has talked about the difference between a slump and a hangover. I had a hangover last week after finishing up . Then I read a couple of big books after, and although they were good, I feel like I need something lighter.

Unfortunately, I also am feeling the pressure to read some high fantasy and some adult fiction, both of which are big big big books. I'm fighting with myself - I generally just dip in and out of several books until I find something I like. But that can lead to a slump faster than just not wanting to read at all. What's with all this self-induced pressure? I feel like I want to be able to relate to my friends on BookTube, but in order to do that I need to read the same kinds of books they like. All the while I just want some light, fluffy romance with no real substance. That's not going to fix it at all.

But back to the slump - you know what I'd do? Watch some BookTube and read some discussions here. It's funny - every time I watch HGTV I want to redecorate my house. I think the same idea applies. Plus go book shopping, but at Goodwill and Thrift stores. That way you can buy something but not spend much. Look and see if you have an Ollie's Bargain Outlet near you. Or Books-a-Million. They're both great for cheap books to give yourself as a treat once in awhile.

And then there's Harry Potter, or so I've heard. The peanut-butter-and-jelly of YA. Just what you want when you don't know what you want. : )

[Karen’s Library]

Peanut-butter-and-jelly of YA! Hahaaa! I love your sayings!

My slumps usually come on due to book hangovers.

[Jenny, Always smiling! :-D]

Usually mine too. Harry Potter is my PB & J, my strawberry milkshake, and my gooey chocolate covered brownies of YA :D

[Divya]

What^Jenny^said.

[Karen’s Library]

Jenny wrote: "Usually mine too. Harry Potter is my PB & J, my strawberry milkshake, and my gooey chocolate covered brownies of YA :D"

Hilarious! :D

[Jan]

I know I was in a reading slump this winter. Usually I love curling up with a book when the snow is coming down hard. This winter just seemed to drag. It has helped now that the buds are coming out on the trees. A change of scene like a walk or drive somewhere pretty is helping me rejuvenate my mind with a burst of spring energy. I hope everyone else finds something that works to shake off the reading blues.

[Karen’s Library]

I always seem to come out pretty easily. I get mine mostly from book or book series hangovers. ;)