2025 Reading Challenge discussion
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How my Reading Challenge is Affecting Me
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What if instead of trying to pressure yourself to reach your goal of 200 books, you lowered your goal? Sometimes when we get in a slump of something, we have to step back a little and clear our head and do something else for a while before we get back into the groove of things. This way you're not adding books to the challenge just to finish them, you may find you are getting back into connecting with the characters, and you won't be forcing yourself to just get through a book. That would be my suggestion.
Phill wrote: Reading Challenge: 200 The current count: #27. Post #1 Hi Phill! I was in a reading slump for many years. Last year I succeeded in getting out of it. I will try to relate my experiences, while reacting to what you have posted. Though we are all different, and so are our reading slumps, I hope it may help you.
First of all, I have to mention I never kept track of how much I read, so probably I've never read as much as you, but when I see you've already read 27 books, I can't help but wonder How? How did you manage that? When I was in my reading slump I read 0, nothing, nada to max 3 books a year....
I like participating in the challenge, and I'm out of my reading slump, yet I wonder if I wouldn't appreciate what I read more if I wasn't keeping count. So in that I agree with Annabel (and next year I might set my challenge at 1 book....).
I'm not sure how to be involved here - I've seen some that post the books they have read each month. But for me that is unappealing as I am already listing books for the challenge, and reviewing books. I will peruse more members' postings in the future to see what ya'll are doing.
There's no right or wrong way to be involved. It is YOUR page so you use it however you see fit! I for one loved reading your post!! Of course not happy that you are in a reading slump, but that you'd written something else than most of us. It piqued my interest, was watching a show on tv and actually paused it to read it with full interest and attention.
I am committed to this challenge and want to participate fully in this book club so today I have decided to post in a journal manner about how this challenge is affecting my reading. If that sounds like a high school English assignment - and apologies in case anyone actually does read this - t's probably because I am a retired high school teacher. (You can take the girl out of the classroom, but I'm not sure you can take the classroom out of the girl.)
lol
Before "How this Challenge has Affected Me" will make sense I have to explain that I have been in a reading slump. (I never knew such a thing existed until I ran across someone mentioning it in a review on goodreads. That person didn't describe theirs but the word seems to describe what has affected my reading lately. I thought it was bad choosing!). It seems I just can't find the engagement with the characters or their stories that since childhood I used to find easily with almost everything I read without much effort on my part.
This sounds soooo familiar! Even though I consider myself as out of my reading slump, really enjoy some reads, and even find myself reading faster sometimes because I'm so curious to find out what is going to happen next, it doesn't feel the same as in my childhood. I remember my mother being angry, having called for me like a thousand times, yet I didn't hear her. Honestly I didn't. I was "literally" (well, not literally literally of course but you understand what I mean) in the world I was reading about. I'm actually not sure if everybody experiences something like that, if it is about losing your childhood .... (fantasy, being carefree, ....) or if it is something that changed because of the (quite severe) reading slump....
But now reading is taking effort and for the first time I kinda understand why some people don't read.
I actually stopped reading altogether, just couldn't do it anymore. It just cost energy instead of giving energy...
Lately, it seems that I spend as much time trying to find a book to read as reading the book I finally choose.
Actually, that was my first engagement in getting back into reading. Reading summaries or reviews and thinking, that sounds interesting (cause I had lost that part too while in my reading slump). Reading the actual book still was too much, but I could feel at least some enthusiasm about what the book was about. That was my first big change. But I still had a long way to go.
Consequently my wish lists on goodreads, Amazon and Audible continue to outgrow my list of books in my library.
We all have that in common: everlasting and even growing wish lists. I do not see that as part of the reading slump. My TBR list keeps growing and growing even now lol
The books I add sound interesting enough that I don't want to forget about them but I can't seem to pull the trigger and buy them. Or find one that keeps me more engaged with the book than other things in my life. Additionally it's been a long while since I ran across a book and felt the once familiar excitement about the characters or the story and the need to know what happens next.
I recognise that too. It made me feel really sad, and I had a hard time letting it go. Had to lower my expectations, and be happy with small steps: just finding it interesting instead of want to feel the need to know what would happen next. Too much pressure isn't good but it is very hard to let it go, cause we so much want to experience what we did before we hit our reading slump....
Those books that I have bought lately rarely live up to their hype - and for the first time in my reading life I am reading multiple books at once hoping that when I return to a book I have set aside it will have more interest for me
I've actually learned that having to many books going at the same time prevents me feeling connected to the characters and the story.
or I've given up on the book completely. Something I haven't often done in the past.
Well it is actually something I want to learn: if a book isn't holding my attention just even a little bit, to just give up on it. With so many books out there, why should we "punish" ourselves by demanding we finish it? (still in a learning process though lol)
And I'm not just talking about books with slow starts. I've also tried all sorts of genres. This is what at first seemed like a really bad run of luck in choosing books and a just disagreement with the reviews. At this point you might be wondering if I'm just over-thinking it. And that has occurred to me too!
I must honestly say I do not always agree with the reviews either. We are all different people and what you like I might hate!
(what kind of genres do you generally like?)
Consequently, last summer I joined the reading challenge in order to help focus myself on actual reading.
That is how I started too, but although it seemed like it helped me get me out of my reading slump I wonder if that was really what did it. I think joining this group, some of the challenges and especially some of the monthly group and buddy reads (reading together, discussing what we did and did not like about a book, encouraging each other etc) was what actually helped me. Also I must mention that I set a modest reading goal (12 books), upped it to 24 during the year, left it at that and ended up reading 46 books which gave me a great feeling of accomplishment. I wouldn't have felt like that if I had set my goal at let's say 50 from the start. So in that regard, again, I agree with Annabel. Setting a goal relating to quantity might actually hinder your getting out of your reading slump...
I re-read favorites and that worked - I still enjoyed a connection with those books.
Cool!!!!! I didn't even have that!
But still I didn't read as much as I had in previous years
Maybe you have a good reason, but why should that be the goal. What would you prefer: reading 50 books and enjoying (most) of them of reading 200 books because "you have to", even skipping some parts only to reach that number?
and I failed the challenge.
Which probably made you feel disappointed, sad, frustrated etc right? Won't help you get of your reading slump.
Consequently this year I did three things. First I joined the challenge with the same goal of 200 books.
I would drastically lower your goal. This year's goal should maybe be about taking it slow, giving yourself time to build up a connection with the characters and story your reading about. And also, I think, dumb luck hitting that book that sparkles just a tiny tiny little flame. Because I believe that when you are in a reading slump books you might have found interesting had you not be in a reading slump, will probably not interest you at all. And only a book which would make you feel ecstatic about, will sparkle that tiny little flame. A subsequent great book will sustain that tiny little flame and hopefully make it a big bigger. Etc.
Second I found this reading club hoping to keep me focused.
Yes, this group (and it's great, supportive and friendly members) helped me a lot. It took some active participation though. That meant doing things related to reading (like checking out reviews of fellow group members, reacting to that, participating in group and buddy reads, checking out challenge pages and member corners of other group members, posting comments etc). And although that meant I was not reading myself, it was an introduction back into the world of reading, getting involved with the group which meant getting involved with reading, etc. I allowed myself enjoying that part even if I wasn't enjoying reading yet....
Thirdly I added the personal challenge of reviewing the books I read this year - at least with stars. At the time I did all these things I didn't act with the purpose of ending my reading slump.I think that's actually a good thing!
I'm not sure when I actually thought of myself in a slump. It seemed more like if I wasn't actually reading I was doing things associated with reading - when before I would just read! I am determined to succeed with my challenges this year and hopefully accomplish what I now realize is my real goal - get "de-slumped"!
Exactly! (although try not to pressure yourself on that goal either...).
So cancel the 200 books goal I would suggest.
Here is the list of things I've noticed so far.
1. I am reading more and watching TV less. Yeah!
Sounds great!! It will be an everlasting goal for me too lol
2. I am actually using goodreads more - the "currently reading" section in particular. Can't hurt! Maybe I will be able to connect with someone with similar issues or interests.
Sounds awesome as well!
Also I think posting here now and then won't hurt either. If you don't want to list your reads, than a journal-like post like this one will be great.
3. While reading, I actually find myself thinking about being able to add one more read to my challenge, perhaps as much as about the book itself. This is not "quality reading" and what really makes me think I'm in a slump. And this is frustrating. I'm not "losing myself" in the story - and I miss that.
Again, I second Annabel's suggestion: don't set such a high goal, focus on reading a minimum, allowing to think about and getting a connection with the characters and the story. To get out of a reading slump, it shouldn't be about numbers.
4. When choosing the next book - I pay attention to how long it will take me to read it! Previously, I might look for a long book to keep me engaged with the characters for a longer period of time or choose a series so I can immerse myself more in the story, - and with Audible books - get more book for my buck. But now, I find myself thinking - "It's fairly short - I can finish that quickly and stay on track with my challenge." I've even thought about skipping parts to just finish! This is not good! And possibly contributing to the slump. And very frustrating.
Yep. Wouldn't be a problem though if you would set a lower goal (or not a goal at all on how many books you would like to read)...
5. I have written some actual reviews - only of the books I liked though. And I have enjoyed it. The reflection required in the review process and the actual writing has been fruitful. I think it may help with the slump. And as previously stated if I'm not reading at least I am doing things associated with reading.
Sounds good!!
6. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly - I am finishing books I wouldn't have bothered finishing before - just so I can add them to the challenge. Pretty sure that's a bad thing. Positive it's a frustrating thing.
Indeed, feelings of frustration probably won't help you get out of your reading slump. On the other hand, when I first started reading again, I did continue reading as well thinking I wouldn't finish a single book otherwise seeing that nothing really grabbed my attention. So, I don't know if it's possible, but maybe you could distinguish between "mwa books" and "I really hate this one books"? Leaving the latter not finished?
Of course, I invite all comments - but I do hope if anyone reads this who has experienced a similar reading slump, they will reach out. Especially with how they got "de-slumped"!
We are all different people, our likes are different and so are our reading slumps. So I don't know if this will help you at all, but I hope it does. My reading slump hasn't been that long ago, so I remember so well all the sad, frustrating feelings, the longing of feeling really involved with the characters and story like I used to.
Currently reading: #28 - "What She Knew" by Gilly Macmillan. This book is a psychological thriller - a genre I don't often read. But I chose it because of its ratings, its sale price and I knew that it would be difficult to put down as those books are fraught with suspense and may help with the slump. This gamble may backfire as I may not be able to deal with the angst - it's about a missing child.
I hope the suspense will be stronger than the angst!
Keep me posted if you'd like.
Happy reading ya'll!
You too Phill! I really hope you will be able to rekindle your passion for reading! I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!
(and sorry for this long, long comment...I even had to use two separate comments....)
Annabel wrote: "What if instead of trying to pressure yourself to reach your goal of 200 books, you lowered your goal? Sometimes when we get in a slump of something, we have to step back a little and clear our hea..."Thank you - that seems so obvious - but never occurred to me!
Hi Phill, Annabel is right. Lower you goal to a number you know you can achieve without too much effort, and use the time to do something inspiring. Learn a new language, learn how to paint, or whatever you are interested in. Life is certainly not just reading. You'll get back in the saddle some day, for sure.
First thank you for taking the time to read my post and comment. This is the first time I have ever posted anything so personal and so publicly - I don't do facebook - and I am surprised and pleased anybody even read it! The comments certainly help me crystalize my thoughts. I never know how to say what I am about to say - so here goes. I have health issues that keep me bedridden or at home much of the time. Additionally I live 8 hours from family - so while what you say is very true - there is more to life than reading - reading for me is a lifeline. I spend much of my time alone - pretty happily when I am absorbed in a good book. From this experience I have to say that like with most of life's ups and downs - what goes down will go back up - and I am confident this reading slump of mine will be the same. Further more I am happy to discover that after today's participation I believe my reading challenge will further not only my reading, and hopefully "de-slump myself soon, but will ultimately help me to enjoy a deeper level of enjoyment of my lifeline. I can also report that since writing that post I have finished #27 and enjoyed it ! For now, I will keep my challenge at 200 books because when I am not in a slump that is a very attainable goal, but I will remember your kind advice as I read on - especially if the counting outweighs the absorption of the story as I proceed! Happy reading to you and again thank you for your comment. PS - In pursuing the reading challenges available I noticed your name somewhere - we may run across each other again!
Susy wrote: "Thirdly I added the personal challenge of reviewing the books I read this year - at least with stars. At the time I did all these things I didn't act with the purpose of ending my reading slump.I..."
Susy wrote: "Thirdly I added the personal challenge of reviewing the books I read this year - at least with stars. At the time I did all these things I didn't act with the purpose of ending my reading slump.
I..."
THANK YOU for your kind attention to my post! I read it the first time with a huge grin on my face! You really welcomed me to the Reading Challenge group with the time and attention you paid my post. Yours and other comments as noted helped me crystalize my thoughts even further. I have to admit that after I posted it I felt it was "whiny". It's funny how thinking in order to convey something in writing promotes more thinking and generates ideas and solutions all on it's own! I actually feel so much better than when I was inspired to write that post. I especially appreciate your response to my choice of responses to the reading challenge. I think for now I will continue with that approach. Also, it's funny to know that when you are not alone - that when someone has gone through what you are experiencing that feeling of connection (kinda like ya get from a good story!) diminishes it's impact somehow. Writing about it and hearing your experiences with a slump has significantly diminished my worries about mine. I especially appreciate the time you took to help me with this issue as reading truly is a lifeline for me.
To answer your question about how much I am able to read. First, I use audible books. It is a different experience than reading a "real book" and has its' pros and cons. First - you can multi-task. I can "read" while doing housework, cooking, driving, at the doctor's office etc. My husband falls asleep early, and I often go to bed at the same time, and listen to a book until l fall asleep without disturbing him with the tv or the noise of the pages turning. I am hardly ever without a set of headphones around my neck and my phone in my pocket. At the risk of sounding like a commercial for audible.com audiobooks are less expensive as well. They have a plan for avid readers that amounts to $11.50 or so per book- no matter how long it is. Some of the books are performed by really talented people which make s for a very enjoyable read - provided it's a good story well told. All that said - it takes a pretty good story to keep your brain engaged in an audible format no matter how fancy the performance is, especially if you are multi-tasking.
Second, I found audio books in 2010 when I experienced a surgery that went very wrong. It has left me with compromised health. For about a year I was unable to even hold a book and turn the pages. I was overjoyed when I discovered the ability to download a book on my phone and continue reading. I am still often confined to my home and unfortunately my bed - so you can see how valuable your help has been to me.
I heed your advice about the number of books in my goal, but I will probably keep my goal at 200 for now . The advice gotten here is common sense and logical and would keep me from feeling pressure to stick with a bad book - (is there really such a thing, though?) when I can lower my goal later on. I have to admit to being very competitive and something about that word "challenge" just gets me going. And after failing once already....
I have to report to you also that I finished book #27 today - and it was pretty engaging. No thoughts of how much time I had left to finish, or about the reading challenge at all! Additionally, I had time to peruse the other aspects of the Reading Challenge Group per your advice to become an active participant and found a few that interest me - and maybe that is what is needed - a new way to think about my reading. I have already found a book to read for the February buddy read - even though it may be too late in the month to fully participate. It doesn't really matter though - because I am excited about reading #28 - "Heartless".
Finally, I have to close by letting you know how grateful I am that I found this group (I don't do Facebook or other clubs) and don't really consider myself a club/group person. But, I can see myself participating in this group and not only getting "de-slumped" but adding a deeper level to my love of reading.
Thank you again for your kind consideration in your comments. I will never forget the experience of reading them and the delight I felt in being read! I am grinning just thinking about it!
Happy reading to you!
Phill wrote: "First thank you for taking the time to read my post and comment. This is the first time I have ever posted anything so personal and so publicly - I don't do facebook - and I am surprised and please..."So sorry to hear about your health issues, I’ve been there myself a couple of years ago (had a stroke and the right side of my body was paralyzed, pretty OK now). I really hope you will get better. A serious illness or injury can do strange things to your mind, and make you look at the world in a different way. At least it did so to me. Just to let the steam out and talk to someone about what is the problem, whether it is a reading slump or something else, can be part of the solution. All the best to you, take care of yourself, and happy reading!
Phill wrote: "THANK YOU for your kind attention to my post! I read it the first time with a huge grin on my face! You are very welcome Phill! There are a lot of great, supportive group members here. That's why I love this group :)
I must admit I read your response with a grin on my face as well :D
It's funny how thinking in order to convey something in writing promotes more thinking and generates ideas and solutions all on it's own! I actually feel so much better than when I was inspired to write that post.
So happy to hear that!
Also, it's funny to know that when you are not alone - that when someone has gone through what you are experiencing that feeling of connection (kinda like ya get from a good story!) diminishes it's impact somehow. Writing about it and hearing your experiences with a slump has significantly diminished my worries about mine.
Yes, it often works like that and I'm happy to hear your worries have diminished!
To answer your question about how much I am able to read. First, I use audible books. It is a different experience than reading a "real book" and has its' pros and cons.
I so wish I could do audiobooks. Tried them but because English is not my native language (as you must have suspected already lol) it's quite hard to concentrate and also I often don't understand what is being said, having to rewind them time and again. In Dutch however not many good audiobooks are available yet.
Second, I found audio books in 2010 when I experienced a surgery that went very wrong. It has left me with compromised health. For about a year I was unable to even hold a book and turn the pages. I was overjoyed when I discovered the ability to download a book on my phone and continue reading. I am still often confined to my home and unfortunately my bed - so you can see how valuable your help has been to me.
OMG, how horrible! Reading your story made me realise (again) how little we know about the persons we meet (online and irl) and the situations they're in. I sure understand how important reading is to you, being a way to "get out of your home", visiting other places, countries and even worlds. And also tv, although remember from the time I spend at home that binge watching made me feel having even less energy.
... keep me from feeling pressure to stick with a bad book - (is there really such a thing, though?)
Ehh, well, a book can be bad for a certain person, yes I believe that. Furthermore, I read to relieve stress, to enjoy myself, to immerse myself in a gripping story so if I don't feel that with a book, than for me that is a bad book and I should abondon it (still working on that though lol).
I have to report to you also that I finished book #27 today - and it was pretty engaging. No thoughts of how much time I had left to finish, or about the reading challenge at all!
Cool!!! That sounds awesome! So happy for you!
Additionally, I had time to peruse the other aspects of the Reading Challenge Group per your advice to become an active participant and found a few that interest me - and maybe that is what is needed - a new way to think about my reading. I have already found a book to read for the February buddy read - even though it may be too late in the month to fully participate. It doesn't really matter though - because I am excited about reading #28 - "Heartless".
Nope, it's still February, so you're not too late. Hope you enjoy it. I had some trouble with the start, slow pacing, but ended up liking it more than I had anticipated.
Finally, I have to close by letting you know how grateful I am that I found this group (I don't do Facebook or other clubs) and don't really consider myself a club/group person. But, I can see myself participating in this group and not only getting "de-slumped" but adding a deeper level to my love of reading.
Thank you again for your kind consideration in your comments. I will never forget the experience of reading them and the delight I felt in being read! I am grinning just thinking about it!
Happy reading to you! "
You are very welcome Phill. Very glad to have been of help! :))
Happy reading to you as well!!
Thanks - and your English is GREAT! -That teacher in me thing makes me applaud all your hard work. I would never have guessed that English was your second language. I was a Spanish teacher - so I know how hard it is in a second language - and while I have read some audio books in Spanish - it is much harder I agree. Although as a teacher I have to say it did help my language skills, and I totally get that. Thanks again for the support and great welcome to this group. I'm off to join something.
I might try treating both your goal and (ever-expanding, if it's anything like mine) reading list as purely aspirational. That way, if life happens or books that just don't work for you come around, the pressure's off.One of my techniques is to start with a lower goal, and if I finish well ahead of time, revising slightly upward. And repeating the process as necessary. To me, this provides a good source of satisfaction, and makes it more likely I'll keep reading.
Looking forward to reading your thoughts on Heartless; I'm one of the commenters in the February Buddy Read for that book and I'd be interested in your take on it.
Happy reading!
Funny that I was just thinking about my reading goal for this year
You are doing great! Hoping March is a smashing success for you.
April Showers bring May flowers I hope May brings lots of great reads and sunshine!
I'm not sure how to be involved here - I've seen some that post the books they have read each month. But for me that is unappealing as I am already listing books for the challenge, and reviewing books. I will peruse more members' postings in the future to see what ya'll are doing. I am committed to this challenge and want to participate fully in this book club so today I have decided to post in a journal manner about how this challenge is affecting my reading. If that sounds like a high school English assignment - and apologies in case anyone actually does read this - t's probably because I am a retired high school teacher. (You can take the girl out of the classroom, but I'm not sure you can take the classroom out of the girl.)
Before "How this Challenge has Affected Me" will make sense I have to explain that I have been in a reading slump. (I never knew such a thing existed until I ran across someone mentioning it in a review on goodreads. That person didn't describe theirs but the word seems to describe what has affected my reading lately. I thought it was bad choosing!). It seems I just can't find the engagement with the characters or their stories that since childhood I used to find easily with almost everything I read without much effort on my part. But now reading is taking effort and for the first time I kinda understand why some people don't read. Lately, it seems that I spend as much time trying to find a book to read as reading the book I finally choose. Consequently my wish lists on goodreads, Amazon and Audible continue to outgrow my list of books in my library. The books I add sound interesting enough that I don't want to forget about them but I can't seem to pull the trigger and buy them. Or find one that keeps me more engaged with the book than other things in my life. Additionally it's been a long while since I ran across a book and felt the once familiar excitement about the characters or the story and the need to know what happens next. Those books that I have bought lately rarely live up to their hype - and for the first time in my reading life I am reading multiple books at once hoping that when I return to a book I have set aside it will have more interest for me or I've given up on the book completely. Something I haven't often done in the past. And I'm not just talking about books with slow starts. I've also tried all sorts of genres. This is what at first seemed like a really bad run of luck in choosing books and a just disagreement with the reviews. At this point you might be wondering if I'm just over-thinking it. And that has occurred to me too!
Consequently, last summer I joined the reading challenge in order to help focus myself on actual reading. I re-read favorites and that worked - I still enjoyed a connection with those books. But still I didn't read as much as I had in previous years and I failed the challenge. Consequently this year I did three things. First I joined the challenge with the same goal of 200 books. Second I found this reading club hoping to keep me focused. Thirdly I added the personal challenge of reviewing the books I read this year - at least with stars. At the time I did all these things I didn't act with the purpose of ending my reading slump. I'm not sure when I actually thought of myself in a slump. It seemed more like if I wasn't actually reading I was doing things associated with reading - when before I would just read! I am determined to succeed with my challenges this year and hopefully accomplish what I now realize is my real goal - get "de-slumped"!
Here is the list of things I've noticed so far.
1. I am reading more and watching TV less. Yeah!
2. I am actually using goodreads more - the "currently reading" section in particular. Can't hurt! Maybe I will be able to connect with someone with similar issues or interests.
3. While reading, I actually find myself thinking about being able to add one more read to my challenge, perhaps as much as about the book itself. This is not "quality reading" and what really makes me think I'm in a slump. And this is frustrating. I'm not "losing myself" in the story - and I miss that.
4. When choosing the next book - I pay attention to how long it will take me to read it! Previously, I might look for a long book to keep me engaged with the characters for a longer period of time or choose a series so I can immerse myself more in the story, - and with Audible books - get more book for my buck. But now, I find myself thinking - "It's fairly short - I can finish that quickly and stay on track with my challenge." I've even thought about skipping parts to just finish! This is not good! And possibly contributing to the slump. And very frustrating.
5. I have written some actual reviews - only of the books I liked though. And I have enjoyed it. The reflection required in the review process and the actual writing has been fruitful. I think it may help with the slump. And as previously stated if I'm not reading at least I am doing things associated with reading.
6. Lastly, and perhaps most importantly - I am finishing books I wouldn't have bothered finishing before - just so I can add them to the challenge. Pretty sure that's a bad thing. Positive it's a frustrating thing.
Of course, I invite all comments - but I do hope if anyone reads this who has experienced a similar reading slump, they will reach out. Especially with how they got "de-slumped"!
Currently reading: #28 - "What She Knew" by Gilly Macmillan. This book is a psychological thriller - a genre I don't often read. But I chose it because of its ratings, its sale price and I knew that it would be difficult to put down as those books are fraught with suspense and may help with the slump. This gamble may backfire as I may not be able to deal with the angst - it's about a missing child.
Happy reading ya'll!