The Sword and Laser discussion
I've lost the reading bug and that scares me
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The more you feel like its a chore it will be. Read when you want to unless you have to like for a class or something . I also started to try different genres and that helped me. One year I only one book a week from a certain genre example: 1 YA book , 1 hf,1 SCIFI, 1 Mystery book a month etc. .This year I also started reading comics. You like anime ? a lot of Anime also has Manga nothing wrong with reading Manga. Hope this makes sense I just woke up. :)
I'm a school librarian and read all the time but I get the reading lulls too. What is that sailing term when there's no wind? The doldrums! I think I get the reading doldrums now and then. I usually just go with it, plunge into TV/movies/internet and probably still listen to kids audiobooks (because I feel that's kinda part of my job) and just wait for reading inspiration to strike again. I've never had it last too long. So I say don't worry about it and if it's still bugging you in a few weeks, then try a different format (audio if you haven't or graphic novels or something) or different genres. A library or bookstore at that point (like I said, a few weeks) might throw something your way.
Enjoy your break.
I think we all take breaks from reading from time to time, so I wouldn't worry about it too much. For me it's because I get tired of reading in the same genre. Maybe if you switch things up a bit your interest will be rekindled, some history or biography perhaps.You might just need to set aside a designated reading time. That used to be your lunch break. Maybe selecting a new time as reading time will help.
Brian wrote: "tl;dr - I used to read a lot, now I don't. Is there a way to get interested in books again?I guess the title pretty much says it all. I have always been an avid reader, but my reading has had h..."
Even reading - which for me, too, is pretty much a need on the level of breathing - does have ebbs; these days I sometimes find myself doing only 'comfort reading' of old, old friends; or suffering startitis, starting lots, finishing nothing.
You said you had a new job; that always has new issues, good and bad. Have you tried audiobooks? That might fit in to your commute, give you a new interest. It's wonderful that so many audiobook downloads are now available from most libraries. Maybe try one of the Great Courses or some other type of non-fiction to stimulate your interest.
I go through phases. I'll read a lot for a while and then not want to read at all so then I'll play a lot of Mass Effect or Skyrim. When I don't want to do that, I watch Netflix (currently in a Netflix mood since Gilmore Girls arrived). I usually stick with what's working for me until I get bored.
So I read quite a bit. And I play computer games. And that means I don't really have time to watch things on my watchlist. And I'm OK with that right now. Books are wonderful, but they aren't the only artistic medium out there. For many stories, they aren't the best medium. I wouldn't worry too much about it. It's impossible to read all the possible "good books", even if you read nonstop. Maybe just read the S&L picks if staying connected to this community is valuable to you? Other than that, go ahead and enjoy your anime! When you want books again, they'll still be there.
I've had one of these periods. Mine lasted for YEARS. I just hardly read anything except what school forced me to read. And beyond that, I just spend many years feeling that reading was unimportant or boring. And then one day it just clicked back in, and I've read more books since then than I thought I ever could.
Try reading something so off the charts of what you would ever have picked up and see what happens?
Change genres. I bounce from SF/F to history to maritime to political science to... there's enough to keep things fresh.I also am into anime, and what I do there is just marathon a series/season in a day or few days, then take a break before hitting another title. Meanwhile, I always am reading.
Dara wrote: "I go through phases. I'll read a lot for a while and then not want to read at all so then I'll play a lot of Mass Effect or Skyrim. When I don't want to do that, I watch Netflix (currently in a Net..."Are... Are you me?
I'm actually just coming off one of those. I started grad school and had some bad real life stuff in close succession. I didn't read (except work things) for close to three years. Then one day I woke up craving it again, and now I'm trying to catch up on everything I missed at once. My advice is to try (it's difficult I know) not to obsess too much about things on your to-read list, or things you've told your friends you'll get to. Rest, participate in another hobby you like, go out, get things done, do whatever it is you feel like doing instead of reading. Then, when you have a moment where you do feel like reading, give yourself permission to choose whatever book you're craving at the moment. Even if it means buying a new one when you've got a big unread stack. Even if its outside your usual genres or a weird difficulty level (I came back in craving a primary source document from 1148 of all things).
I was afraid mine would last forever too, and I'm glad it didn't.
I'm agree with try switching it up in some way.The general thing I tell people is do not in your free time do something you dislike. There are many things I enjoy Eve Online and League of Legends for instance that I basically gave up because I had more fun doing other things it's not that I feel either of them are bad they are both quite fun but I have more fun when doing IIDX/SDVX/Popn/JRPG of the month/Anime/Reading are my maximum alone fun time activities. When I'm with friends we tend to stick to playing fighting/board/card games and occasionally get in a heated argument over the optimal cheese ratio's in mac and cheese. I guess what I'm saying is if your tired of something drop it and try it again sometime later when the fancy takes you. I have seen too many friends fall into a vortex of continuing to do things after it's clear they do not enjoy it anymore then slowly growing to hate it. What they should do is just drop it and come back later.
But to me it sounds like your problem is you havn't found the right book. Because I find when I'm reading books I'm okay on aka giving like 2-3 stars on I don't really have the reading bug, other times I find a book where I'm like WHY DO I HAVE TO GO TO WORK I WANT TO FINISH THIS SOOOO BAD, which get 4-5 stars. So it might just be the quality try shifting up authors or group of authors.
It comes and goes for me and has for a long time. I used to read non stop and then one day I just stopped feeling like I had to be reading. I had so many other things to do! I think reading an old favourite, or a page turner that you might normally overlook are good ways to get back into it. But don't feel bad about it. If you don't feel like reading, then don't. I agree with the previous poster who said books are but one artistic medium... Gaming, watching Netflix, reading blogs, they're all good too. Like others I found it difficult to read for fun while I was studying. I'm slowly getting back into it now that I don't feel weird not having to take notes as I read!
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I have gone years reading only a handful of books. But it does come back. Life gets less hectic, children grow up, partying isn't as important as it once was. I find the less stressed I am the more I read. Video games are my stress buster. An hour of a FPS will calm me more than reading.
Joining this book club helped get me back to reading regularly. I've gone from 1 book a month to about 5 a month. Almost all are books I hear about here or on the podcast.
Your love of books will come back.
I appreciate everyone's suggestions. I think the best course of action for me is to try a different genre for awhile I have been wanting to read Unbroken for awhile so I may try that. Also, some of the Mary Roach books (FEaB) sound really interesting so that may be a good way to try something else as well as some of the Cormac McCarthy books. In answer to some of the comments, I dont really read the S&L book picks, the only one I did read while the hosts were was Promise of Blood. I basically just listen to learn about new authors/books/etc. Also, I actually have been listening to Audible, just finished The Final Empire by Sanderson. Dope book, dope narrator.
So yeah, a genre change may be in order. Something new, something fresh. Or maybe if my Hearthstone addiction wasn't so great.....
I'm like many other people here, I go through phases. I do find that switching it up helps. Lately, I've had to read the right SFF, but I've found that light books (like the Veronica Mars book or the magical cats mystery books I'm reading now) help get me through it. Right now, I'm in a weird state where I want to read but I also want to play more video games. It's difficult finding the balance but I kind of just go with the flow. Plus, I'm finding that my TV time is working out as a good time to play with my 3DS. :)
I actually went through a 6 year period like that during undergrad and law school. I was to the point where I was reading so much for school that the last thing I wanted to do for leisure was read especially when I could mindlessly watch TV or play video games so I was reading 1-2 books a year. It wasn't until I joined S&L last year that that changed.
Whenever I lose the urge to read (generally after reading something really good or something really bad) I pick up an old favourite book or series - one that I know is a page-turner - to get me back into the swing of things. Usually works. That said, I've never lost it for longer than a few weeks.
You sound a lot like me, Brian. I have fickle tastes and loving a certain activity one day doesn't guarantee that I will forever. I was an avid reader in high school and college, but my interest started to taper off after that. I spent the next 12 years or so after college reading maybe a couple of books a year. Then a few years ago in my late 30s, I got a new job with a long train commute and a kindle, and I've been on a 40+ books per year kick since then. This was also around the time Game of Thrones premiered on HBO, which reignited my interest in sci fi/fantasy.
If you're like me, you get burnt out on things that you love, but if you really did love them then you'll rediscover the urge. Usually a life change like a new job or new kid can prompt these changes.
If you're like me, you get burnt out on things that you love, but if you really did love them then you'll rediscover the urge. Usually a life change like a new job or new kid can prompt these changes.
Ever since undergrad, I have been holding myself to read 10 pages each day to fight off slumps & class work distractions. It can be a short story, a good New Yorker article, 10 pages of a novel, or 10 minutes of an audiobook on my way to class - it's flexible. But the point has been to keep me moving through something so I eventually find a book or text that keeps me wanting to read longer (most days I do). Now that I'm in law school, it means I carve out time for something I really enjoy every day.
Tommy wrote: "Dara wrote: "I go through phases. I'll read a lot for a while and then not want to read at all so then I'll play a lot of Mass Effect or Skyrim. When I don't want to do that, I watch Netflix (currently in a Net..."Are... Are you me? "
Maybe....??
I think this mirrors what others have said above, but I certainly go through waves in everything I enjoy. I'll go through a time where I want to write every day, another where I want to read, another create animation, another play video games, and so on. I find what happens with me is that something bites me and then I get hooked into that for a while. So, this year I happened to read a few good books early in the year and that reminded me how much I loved reading. When I was a kid I'd easily read >100 books every summer. 2012 I didn't even complete my reading challenge and last year I only read 7 books. This year I've ready 49 and hope to get to about 55 by year's end.
One other thing that helps is that I've been getting a lot of cheap books via online bundles (Humble Bundle and StoryBundle) and those get me focused on a theme or genre and that can help focus my desire to read.
By contrast last year (or the year before) was a huge year for me and video games.
It seems fairly common and normal as Ive gone through ebbs and flows too. Don't force it just do what your in the mood for and eventually a book will catch your attention that you'll have to read and/or will spark the passion again. Life has many joys reading is one of them branch out do some other things come back when you please they will still be there.I get the urge to spend time watching things, getting caught up on shows/anime. Will spend some time clearing some video games, or will even just feel like binging on some comic/graphic novel reading instead of regular novels and then go back when a book sparks the desire again.
I went through a long drought a few years ago and just couldn't bring my self to pick up a book until my best friend sent me a copy of Ready Player One which sparked my reading love again.
It'll happen when your brain is ready.
All of the suggestions have seen me through past lulls.I'm in a lull right now where I pick up a book or comic and stare at it trying to read for a bit, usually not getting very far. I am spending some of the freed time to work on various projects and learnings until this passes. Fortunately, my book groups are reading books I've already read (AtU) or that don't look interesting (possibly a side effect of the lull).
The reading bug is like a bed bug: It can go years without feeding and can even alter its chromosomes to survive.Relax. Have fun. Once the human mind has really tasted the innards of a good book, it'll be back for more.
I guess the title pretty much says it all. I have always been an avid reader, but my reading has had hot and heavy periods and long lulls where i didnt read. Early in 2013, I discovered Goodreads and got a Kindle and smartphone shortly thereafter. Between the convenience of a Kindle, the organization of Goodreads, and the bathroom reading sessions at work on my phone, I have been tearing up books since last year. Then I read Promise of Blood a few months ago and then, that was pretty much it. I guess the big change is that I switched jobs. I used to read every lunch break, but now I have the internet so I end up watching anime. I used to read before bed too, but that seems to have tapered off too. I don't know what the deal is. Maybe it is just one of those lulls that I have had before. My fear is that my reading bug is gone forever, which makes me sick to think about since I have so many books I want to read. Reading these last couple years has been almost a compulsion, I HAD to READ! Now its just like, meh. Has anyone experienced this before? What was your experience, and did that meh feeling go away?