Do You Ever Get In A Reading Rut? (5/9/21)

[Marc]

Does your reading enthusiasm or pace ever hit a rut? What's it like? Does it feel like nobody what you pick up, it's not the "right" book for you at that time? What do you do? How long does it last? Is there such a thing as "reader's block?"

[Nadine in California]

Since I read fiction almost exclusively these days, a nonfiction book often gets me out of a reading rut. Outside of that, my non-fiction reading these days is long-form journalism rather than books.

I hate that 'petulant kid' feeling when no book can make me happy, especially since I know that it's my foul mood and not the book that's the problem.

[Luke]

I've practiced an excessive number of methods of avoiding reading ruts for some time now, but considering how I haven't been in one in more than a decade, something has to be working.

Methods include:
Daily set reading pace (no overdoing it, no neglect)
Multiple books at once (can take a break on a work while still reading)
Variety of topics (prevents boredom, gives more options)
Variety of page counts (avoid finishing too slowly/quickly)
Focused plans with a clear sense of progress (reading challenges, works that have spent the longest time on the TBR, monthly themes (women in translation, 21st c.) etc)
Reviewing (grants closure and allows easy moving onto the next read)

[Stacia]

I definitely go through periods where I feel "off" with my reading and just can't concentrate, where I abandon many books or stop reading for a bit. It definitely feels like reader's block. The 2020 Covid year was one for me. I did read, but less than usual and, to a large extent, I felt a vague dissatisfaction with much of my reading. There have been other times for me too, especially during some trying personal times during the last five years. To a large extent, I think it's just my current mood or circumstance, rather than the books themselves. However, sometimes a book I finish will have such an impact on me -- positively or negatively -- that I need at least a few days to process or decompress or something before starting another book.

During reader's block times, I do other things (including spending too much time online, ha), crossword or jigsaw puzzles, and random other things. I still try to pick up books but also don't force myself to go that route if it's not working for me right then.

If I am really in a reading hole and want to get back, I will read decluttering type books (non-fiction brain candy for me) and/or I will read Kurt Vonnegut (because I am a huge fan and he can be both pithy and profound in very few words). They're an odd combo, but it works for me, lol. Submerging in those a bit often helps get me back into my reading groove.

Side question for others: Do you remember the environment where you read particular books? I tend to very much associate books with the location and circumstances of when and where I read them, for better or worse. And I sometimes try to pick books accordingly, knowing I will correlate them in my mind that way. I ask because situations like that do relate to reading blocks sometimes (for me).

[Stacia]

Also, reader's block and a reading rut feel like different things to me.

Reader's block would be when I don't feel like reading (for whatever reason).

Reading rut would be when I am reading regularly but sticking to only one style or type of book (and perhaps wishing to break out of the routine to something different but not doing so for whatever reason).

[Robert]

My reading ruts usually happen during January and June. My method of dealing with it is to soldier on until I find the right book. During my January slumps I can 'put away' between 12/15 books but I will always find something.

The June slump is different - as soon as The Booker longlist is announced, the slump generally disappears.

Although I advocate second chances, lately I've just been giving my DNFs away. I lack space and I need to free up as much as possible.

[Robert]

Stacia wrote: "I definitely go through periods where I feel "off" with my reading and just can't concentrate, where I abandon many books or stop reading for a bit. It definitely feels like reader's block. The 202..."

Regarding your question about the environment and reading - ALL THE TIME. Luckily this with the books I've enjoyed. But I do remember my reading ruts well - the worst one being January 2015 - 20 books were put aside. They have all been reread though.

[Bill]

Stacia wrote: "The 2020 Covid year was one for me. I did read, but less than usual and, to a large extent, I felt a vague dissatisfaction with much of my reading."

I read a lot in 2020, but also felt that there was less that excited me. It's quite likely that the general environment was a factor. But when I looked over my favorite books from the last 5 years or so, I really felt that there wasn't much in 2020 that compared with my earlier favorites. To name a few,

Mariana Enriquez, Things We Lost in the Fire
Maryse Meijer, Rag: Stories
Deborah Levy, The Man Who Saw Everything
Shelley Jackson, Riddance: Or the Sybil Joines Vocational School for Ghost Speakers & Hearing-Mouth Children
Andrea Lawlor, Paul Takes the Form of a Mortal Girl

[Bretnie]

Aubrey I like those methods!

I have a really hard time putting books down. Compulsive finisher. But I find when I get in a rut, it helps me to put the rut books down. I tell myself I can come back to them when it's the right time, and sometimes I do, and that helps.

[Hugh]

I am very stubborn about finishing books I have started, quite disciplined about how much I read in a day, and always have a few unread books available, and for me reading rarely feels like a chore.

[Jennifer]

I have been in a reading rut since November. It has been due to extreme stress. I have made some life adjustments and hopefully I will get out of my rut. I have only completed 3 books since November and stopped 1/2 through one.

[Nadine in California]

Jennifer wrote: "I have been in a reading rut since November. It has been due to extreme stress. I have made some life adjustments and hopefully I will get out of my rut. I have only completed 3 books since Novembe..."

Jennifer, I'm so sorry to hear that, and I can relate to the stress, although my brain reacts to it with insomnia - which increases my reading time but turns everything else to s*it. Do you think the hive mind here could come up with some titles for the kinds of books that might nudge you out a little? Or maybe you're awash in titles already? Trying to think of something to help!

[Bretnie]

My suggestion for someone in a reading rut would be to read Martha Wells' Murderbot series. :) It's too fun to stay in a rut!

[Jennifer]

I love Murderbot!
I am reading a little noir novel, Dread Journey by Dorothy Hughes. I can't link the book , as I am using the lame app. But so far it's just...delightful. Like the writing is delightful and delicious.

[Bretnie]

Jennifer wrote: "I love Murderbot!
I am reading a little noir novel, Dread Journey by Dorothy Hughes. I can't link the book , as I am using the lame app. But so far it's just...delightful. Like the writing is deli..."

She just came out with a new one! I'm hoping it's better than #5, which was my least favorite. :)

I hope the noir novel gets you out of the rut!

[Nadine in California]

I love sci fi novellas for rut-repair! Along with dear Murderbot, P Djeli Clark's books hit and spot for me, and I discovered a new one at the library yesterday by a debut author, Sisters of the Vast Black.

[Franky]

Interesting question about this and some great suggestions and thoughts here. I would say that I get in a reading rut when I pick up a book and within one third of it get that feeling like this one isn't just isn't going to be very good. I like Aubrey's suggestions about choosing multiple books with various themes or genres (I never used to be a more than one book at a time reader, but have changed in the last few years).

I honestly feel the same way about writing book reviews as I feel like right now I'm in a book review writing rut and can't get the inspiration or energy or whatever.

Jennifer, I really like Dorothy B. Hughes' writing style. She has some great noir gems.

[Jennifer]

Franky wrote: "Interesting question about this and some great suggestions and thoughts here. I would say that I get in a reading rut when I pick up a book and within one third of it get that feeling like this one..."

I am enjoying Dread Journey. Its just so...well written.

[Marc]

Franky wrote: "Interesting question about this and some great suggestions and thoughts here. I would say that I get in a reading rut when I pick up a book and within one third of it get that feeling like this one..."

Same here, Franky. I’ve finished 3 books and am procrastinating on writing reviews. Usually, it’s kind of an enjoyable closure to the reading process, and these are even books I really enjoyed, but it feels like such a big mental lift (which usually means I’m expecting myself to somehow “honor” the book with a long and brilliant review; long, I can sometimes do... I’m better at mildly amusing than brilliant reviews).

Usually, when I get in a reading rut, my dislike or frustration with the book is about timing and not the book itself and I find I’ve started too many books to try to remedy the situation instead of just stopping with the ones that aren’t working at the time.