The year was 2016. At the time, I was in high school. I joined a bunch of clubs and participated in whatever activities looked even remotely interesting to me. I remember coming home at the end of the school day, plopping myself face-down on the couch, and getting knocked out immediately.
For a while, it was just my schedule and, I guess, my stamina? that made it impossible for me to read. Then I went to university. Same situation, except add my mental and emotional capacity to the mix. My brain was overstimulated, and I needed to find hobbies that did not require any brain power. (That’s how I got into K-pop – but that’s a story for another time. 😂😭)
Fast forward to 2022, when I realized that I hadn’t even read a single book in 2021. I was genuinely so shocked that I ran straight to Goodreads to find myself a book to read.
I read 15 books in 2022, and 22 books in 2023. Not bad. But I managed to push myself way further out of my slump, and I’ve read 35 books so far in 2024 (and it’s only April)! 💪 Personally, I think it was rereading some of my favorite books that did that for me (I would like to thank Six of Crows and The Hunger Games for this).
Your experience might be different from mine, which is why I’ve come up witgh a few tips to help you get out of your reading slump, depending on the situation!
When your schedule doesn’t allow it…
Read some standalones!
Trust me, there’s this unkowing pressure about starting a new series. This is why I have been loving standalones. You get a complete story in just 400 or so pages. There’s usually a lot less crazy world-building or descriptions of things that you won’t even need until the next book. Here are some standalones I’ve loved recently to get you started:
- A Far Wilder Magic by Allison Saft – if you’re looking for something angsty with heavy character development, and a touch of magic
- I Hope This Doesn’t Find You by Ann Liang – if you’re looking for a no thoughts, head empty read that will make your toes curl
- A Crane Among Wolves by June Hur – if you’re looking for something dark, gritty, and real
Listen to an audiobook!
I can’t really give any suggestions since I’m not an audiobook listener myself… HOWEVER, I do love listening to podcasts. I just have these on in the background whenever I’m doing mindless tasks or chores. It’s a great way to get things done while also keeping up with a hobby!
Add reading time to your routine.
This helped me get out of my reading slump as well. Apple’s Books app has a feature where you can set a daily reading goal. I had mine set to 30 minutes a day, which really isn’t a lot of time, but it made reading a consistent part of my day.
When you make reading a part of your daily routine, you won’t even notice that you’re taking up time to do it! 30 minutes a day right before you go to bed? You’ll finish that book in no time.
When your brain can’t handle the stimulation…
Personally, this is the situation where I would choose not to force myself to read, because this could totally push you further into your reading slump. But if you think you can handle the challenge, why not!
Read books with short chapters.
I think most of us take reading breaks or stop reading for the day in between chapters. Sometimes, we could think that finishing a chapter should be rewarded… and it should be! Find a book with short chapters, and take breaks in between them. Stretch your limbs, grab some tea, or have a snack. When you feel relaxed again, get back to your read!
When you nothing you read hits the spot, or when you just don’t feel motivated…
Find someone to buddy read with!
I love being able to discuss certain books with friends. I (clearly) have a lot of thoughts when I read, and it really helps to let some of them out and to talk to people about them!
If you can’t keep up with their pace, no problem. Let your buddy know, so you guys can come up with a pace that works for you both. Find time to talk about everything you loved about what you read!
Reread an old favorite!
I am a creature of habit. I rewatch shows, I reread books. Heck, I’m in the middle of rereading a series I loved wayyy back in 2014. 😂 I find that this works for me, because I’m already familiar with the characters, and I know that I love them. It’s actually shocking to me how books I’ve loved decades ago can even get better with time (*ahem* Hunger Games *ahem*). I hope you get surprised, too!
Try reading something from a genre you normally wouldn’t read from.
MAYBE your tastes are changing and you just don’t know it. Maybe horror books used to scare you as a 13 year old, but now that you’re 20? Maybe you’ll find yourself intrigued by them. 👀 Maybe you’ve grown out of reading about girls who suddenly discover that they’re princesses and have fun makeovers. Walk around the bookstore or a library and see if there’s something that draws you in, even if it’s not something you normally would have picked up!
And that’s it!
I hope these tips can help you get out of your reading slump if you’re in one! If you are, how long have you been in it? If you aren’t, when was the last time you’ve been in one, and how did it go? Let’s discuss! 💖
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