Week 28 - Reading Slumps

[Joanna]

As this month continues to roll along, let's talk about reading slumps. Reading slumps can take on all kinds of forms. It can be just not wanting to read period. It can be not being able to settle down with a book. It can be constant book jumping. What do you do when you're in one? How do you reignite the joy of reading?

The answers are of course different for all of us. For me, I find that when I'm in a full on reading slump, where I don't want to read at all, binge watching a tv show or watching movies helps me. A couple days of television viewing and my desire to read returns with a vengeance.

The book jumping can actually be a bit harder. A couple weeks ago, I wanted to read but couldn't find a book to settle with. I literally started five different books, a different book each day. When I managed to get the ARC for The Silvered Serpents, I finally found what I had apparently been looking for in a book. But it's usually not that easy. Generally, rereading an old favorite helps but not always.

So how do you deal with reading slumps in all their varied forms?

[Ann]

Sometimes I'll reread a favorite series, and sometimes I'll see if any of my auto-buy authors have any new books coming out soon. I also binge watch, either mystery series or movie series. The marvel series is a good one to binge watch.
I've also been reorganizing and rearranging my apartment, which oddly enough makes me more likely to read in the evening than to watch tv.

[[deleted user]]

I usually try to stick with a variety of different books so that is not a problem.

[Chama]

Due to unstable health I am often in reading slumps! If a book doesn't grab me in the first three chapters I put it down without guilt. But what helps me the most when I can't seem to stay focused on a read I know I would usually be enjoying is to set a 5 minute timer (VERY short!) and read through it. Often, by the time it rings I'm immersed. Giving myself permission to stop usually seems to trick me into settling in to the story!

[Ingrid]

I also switch to watching a series on tv or listen to an audiobook if I am in a reading slump. Or read magazines since it feels like a success to finish one still, but has shorter reading material. Also sometimes I’ll switch to reading a cookbook.
How do you like reading ARC books?