How To Break Reader's Block

[Justin]

We have How to Break Writer's Block but how about Reader's Block? Anyone? I am beyond guilty of starting a book and then for some reason or another whether it be I became busy, can't get into the book or just simply don't wanna read I get Reader's Block and stop reading it altogether. To be fair, I've never been a big reader but since I became an author myself I've felt more obligated and found an appreciation for my fellow authors and the joyus world of books, but my early book reading instincts still have an effect on me.

Anyone else suffer from this and how can I improve this?

[Lily]

Well, no, for myself. When I enjoy reading a book, no matter the size, I keep reading, because I enjoy it. I've never been able to, and never wanted to, force myself to read a book I don't enjoy.

If I don't enjoy the book, I lose interest and stop reading, but it's very rare for me to give up completely. Usually, at worse, I'll put the book away for a little while, then pick it up again with fresh eyes.

That probably wasn't helpful at all...

[G.G.]

How to break reader's block? From what I read between the lines, your problem is that you are not reading something you like but rather something you feel obliged to read. My recommendation? Find free books/ebooks, either library, kindle lending thingy, or anywhere, with NO ATTACHED to it. Don't get books that are free in exchange for a review. As much as it's nice to help other writers, if you are having problems getting into books, don't give yourself pressure. (I NEED TO READ CAUS I NEED TO REVIEW!)

So back to the free reads... If you start something and you can't get into it after a few chapters, leave it be and try something else. Stick to a genre you love already or as close to it as possible. Sure, it's nice to widen your horizon, but not when you have a 'block'. Slowly, you will discover why you like the genre, the book, the story, and find something similar enough yet, different.
An example would be you love detective, straight and pure detective books. Yet, you see a paranormal book with a detective who is a shape shifter. Everything is similar to your favorite genre except the protagonist. Unless you can't stand paranormal/fantasy at all, you might find yourself trying out this new genre and maybe like it.

Take baby steps and don't be afraid to put the book down if you can't get into it. No one needs to know. No pressure.

[Shari-amor]

I get that. What I do for books that I lose interest with or can't focus and absorb on what I'm reading is I'll read it in increments. A few pages or maybe a chapter here or there. I'm doing that now with a book. So I definitely say it's okay to put the book down and come back to it later instead of trying to force yourself to read several chapters in one sitting

[Andrew]

I don't have reader's block, but I do occasionally find my reading time being squeezed by other commitments, to the point where I get out of the habit of reading regularly, so I do sort of get where you're coming from.

I find, like writer's block, overcoming it is usually just a case of putting the bottom in the chair and getting on with it. Yesterday morning I kicked off my first proper reading session since early December by setting my alarm for 7:30 and reading for a couple of hours until I got lost and hooked again.