I DO want to get as excited about books again, as much as Winston loves puzzling.
I DON'T want to feel the way R did.
.gif)
Lately, every single time I have the opportunity to read I just can't seem to go through with it. I get as far as picking up the book and holding it in my hands before I put it back down...FAIL
.gif)
I'm not struggling because I've read a lot of bad books or anything. The last couple of books I read were really good. I mean I loved Half Bad. I'm also not struggling because of any arc/review pressure, and I don't think I'm struggling due to any personal life issues or anything like that.
So what the heck is my problem?
.gif)
I usually cure a reading slump before it even fully hits me. Which is why this reading funk I am currently in is starting to freak me out. My reading has been so touch and go lately.
This is how I normally avoid reading slumps...the minute it feels like it is happening I do the following:
- I force myself to read, because every time I do I don't regret it. If I can't accomplish this by myself my husband helps me. Usually he does so by playing video games and limiting my choice of recreational activities.
- If my problem is picking a book, my husband either picks one at random, or reads all of the synopsis of the books I am choosing from and decides what he thinks I will like best. Almost every time he chooses a book this way he ends up being 100% right about me loving it. Shhh...don't tell him I said that.
BUT
This reading slump/funk is holding on tight and not letting go this time. NOTHING on my bookcase sounds good to me, but I MISS reading. I used to read at least a little bit just about every day, but for the last three weeks I have gone several days in a row without reading at all. A couple of times it took me a whole week to struggle through one book, which is rare for me. Then even if I enjoyed the book I had no desire to start a new one. WTF is up with that? I never seem to be in the mood to read.
Side Note: I have been in a weird "I don't want to write any reviews" funk lately as well. I've always made a point to post two reviews a week, but last week and this week I only posted one. Sigh.
Side Note: I have been in a weird "I don't want to write any reviews" funk lately as well. I've always made a point to post two reviews a week, but last week and this week I only posted one. Sigh.
This is where your help comes in.
.gif)
I'm sure most of you reading this has had some sort of reading funk/slump happen to you at some point (and if not I'm totally jealous) so please share any ideas below on how I can fight this. Perhaps the best solution may even be just to roll with it and not fight it? I just don't know what else to try. I would love any and all advice you can give me.
Thanks for listening to me ramble on about my problems and for the advice!
Thanks for listening to me ramble on about my problems and for the advice!
First of all, the solution where your husband picks a book for you from a bunch of choices is AWESOME! I'm going to try that the next time I am plagued with indecision, and that happens quite a lot, I must admit.
ReplyDeleteTaking a week to read a book is normal for me, so I can't quite relate to that aspect of your problem, but I have definitely had times where I wasn't feeling like reading, and they are never fun. My best suggestion is to not fight it. If you try to force it, I think you'll feel this way for longer and start to resent what is usually one of your favorite hobbies. Or maybe try taking advantage of the slump and doing something totally un-book-related that you've been wanting to do and haven't had time for. I think if you're away from it long enough, without the pressure to re-start, you'll get your mojo back -- or at least I really hope so! I am currently having the opposite problem -- there are SO many things I want to read right NOW that I just can't decide -- I'm not sure which is worse!
Btw, I just realized I clearly need to enlist my husband's help sooner rather than later, lol
DeleteI'm so glad I wrote this post...so many great responses!
DeleteI think for the next few days I just won't think about reading, and won't force myself, and then hopefully the urge will just come. Thanks for your great advice!
Oh and it always sucks when you want to read all the books right that second but it's not physical possible. :(
Enlisting my husbands help as always worked, this time I just didnt do it quick enough or something. :/
Ha, I'm getting ready to post about the same thing (it will be up tomorrow). For me, what helped is I went through my TBR list (on Goodreads) and deleted over 100 books from it. I had sooo many books with repetitive plots, it was ridiculous! Seriously-5 romance books with the world 'billionaire' in the title :p It felt great to do this and my TBR list is fresh and exciting again :)
ReplyDeleteI will have to read your post!
DeleteThanks for the great advice! I will take some time tonight or tomorrow to go through my TBR pile on goodreads. It may very well help me not feel so overwhelmed with the idea of reading, and I'm sure it can use a good cleaning. :)
I tend to pick up a book from a genre or author I adore. Sometimes just taking a day or two off and vegging in front of the tv works too.
ReplyDeleteI think taking a couple of days is a great idea. I'm so glad I wrote this post, all the advice has been great. Thanks so much!
DeleteI really like your idea of having your hubby grab a book from your shelf that he thinks you might enjoy. I love to read from all age groups and lots of genres - so if I'm getting bored, I pick something up I haven't read in a while. Kids books are easy, small and fun to escape to. Or maybe a craft book ect. I love going to the book store, not really paying attention to what section I'm in, and just start randomly pulling books. Then I sit and have a cup of coffee and browse through them. Often, I'm surprised by what's in my pile - sometimes those are my favorite reads! Good luck :)
ReplyDeleteThanks! :)
DeleteI think I may try a new genre, something to spice things up a bit, but my favorite piece of advice you gave me is to go to a bookstore and just grab a few things, sit down with a coffee, and browse. I think I will do just that in a couple of days, after my short no reading pressure break. Thanks so much!
Ahhhh that is such a bummer! I hate reading slumps. Usually mine are because I'm really not reading the things I want to be reading -- forcing myself to read review copies, too many books in the same genre -- that kind of thing. I try to pick out something totally different or the contrary, fall back into a series I loved with either a re-read or a the next book in a series.
ReplyDeleteHope that helps! :)
I think part of it was reading books I felt like I needed to read, whether it was an ARC or a TBR pile book. Thanks for your advice! I ended up picking up the last book in the Monument 14 trilogy and that greatly helping my reading funk.:)
DeleteAwwww sorry to hear that you're in a slump! I've been there too, and it majorly stinks. Sometimes, when I'm in a reading slump, I'll just pick up something I don't usually read, like a new genre or maybe some poetry because I haven't read it in awhile. Or I'll make it a point to read for so much time daily. Hope this helps! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Courtney! Just reading everyone's ideas and responses to this post is helping a lot. :)
DeleteIts as if you read my mind! You seem to know a great deal about this, just like you wrote the novel in it or something. I think that one could do by incorporating pics they are driving the message home somewhat, but instead of the, this is great blog.....Cccam Server
ReplyDeleteI usually do what you do and force myself to read. It seems your problem lies in the fact you don't find anything interesting on your bookshelf. I'd recommend going to a bookstore or library. That always gets me excited to read (:
ReplyDeleteI think browsing at the library or a bookstore is a great next step! :)
DeleteHmmmm so I can't say I've ever really been in a reading sump, or defined it as such. Occasionally there will be a day, or a few days, where I don't pick up a book because I don't feel like it. I think these little mental breaks are healthy and normal. Like if you just binged watched a series you might want to take a break from the TV for a little bit. Maybe it's the pressure? Like you feel like you SHOULD be reading and that you should WANT to be reading that's kind of working against you? Or not wanting to write reviews will do that too. Have you tried rereading a favorite book? Something you know you love and know you won't have to write a review for? Maybe try an audiobook as something different? Maybe fly to NYC for BEA and come hang out with me and get all the books? :) I am not being very helpful, am I? I have no idea how to cure a reading slump to be honest but I want to help.
ReplyDeleteSpeaking of BEA though - let me know if there is a book or two I can try to snag for you. I don't know how well that will work in all the craziness (and sometimes you are only allowed one book) but I can try!
oh and that Winston reference made me laugh out loud. too funny.
DeleteNicole....you always put a smile on my face. :D Therefore you helped! I am so sad I won't be going to BEA this year (I swear I will go one year in the near future and you and I will fangirl so hard together. lol) Thank you for the offer of getting me a book from BEA, but I just want you to have so much fun and just let me live vicariously through you. You are the best book blogging friend ever!!
DeleteGood News: I think have my reading mojo back. I think you were right...I felt liked I needed to read even if I wasn't in the mood, but by giving it a couple of days I was able to start back up again.
P.S. It makes me happy to hear you haven't had a bad reading slump. I hope you never do my friend! (Although if you do ever have one I encourage you to use the Winston gif when writing a blog post about it.)
hahah :D :D
DeleteI am glad to hear you are out of your slump (and A Mad Wicked Folly is a good book to be reading to stay that way)!
AND I look forward to that future BEA meet up. It will be epic. :)
Ugh I'm in a bit of a reading slump too. I think it happened because I read so many AMAZING books in a row, a lot of my new reads just seem okay. I get out of it by picking up a sure thing like a book in a series I love.
ReplyDeleteI'm sad to hear that you are in a bit of a slump as well. :( I hope you get out of it soon. It's always hard when you want all the books to be the best ever, but they can't be. Thank you so much for sharing!
DeleteI regularly have reading slumps, which makes me the world's worst book blogger. I find it really difficult to read when I don't completely feel like it, and I think that is okay, because it is something you should do to enjoy and not just because you feel you should. Slumps can come on for so many different reasons, so it is pretty hard for me to avoid them.
ReplyDelete