Sunday, May 5, 2013

That's What Chey Said: Reading Slumps

Although we all read for fun, we still work very hard to keep our blogs up to date.  What happens when we've burned ourselves out, and how do we you get over that seemingly everlasting reading slump?


Reading isn't something we have to do, it's just something that we share a love for.  Sometimes blogging becomes stressful and it's easy to forget that reading shouldn't be an obligation.  I frequently burn myself out because I'm trying to keep up with my peers.  I admit that I'm jealous of those who read 15 or more books a month, because I know that no matter how much time I have, I probably never will.  Everyone can make time to read at least a chapter a day, but sometimes I just don't want to.  This usually results in me pushing my books to the side for far too long and realizing that I'm trying to find excuses not to read.  Honestly, I don't think that there's just one thing that brings me back to my books, so I've come up with a list below!

Have a go-to genre...
Some people enjoy all genres the same, and some prefer one over all of the others.  My go-to genre would be contemporary (and a little romance never hurts).  If anything can put me back in the mood to read, it's that.  If the first book you pick up doesn't hold your interest, try re-reading a favorite!  I've read The Perks of Being a Wallflower at least 4 times over the past 5 years.

Browse your local library or bookstore...
Even your favorite blogs or Goodreads should have great recommendations similar to the books you enjoy.  You never know, maybe all you need is something new!  No matter how long I've wanted the book, once I get my hands on it, I tend to let it sit on my shelf...this is when I begin lose interest, so when I received Eleanor & Park, I knew that I had to start it immediately.  Guess what?  It's working!

Let the desire to read come back to you...
If you’re an avid reader, that will to devour books is never very far away.  Sometimes we just need to get out, have a movie marathon or make time for friends.  I used to feel guilty when I was behind on my blogging, like I needed a good excuse if I didn’t review at least two books a week.  Now I realize that most people don’t care if I post on a certain day; it just adds unnecessary pressure.

Try your hand at writing... 
I realize that for some of you, writing fiction can be a little out of your comfort zone, but you do have a little experience from writing reviews.  Writing is what got me through most of high school.  I feel like it could help me get through a lot of things, and what’s great about it is that when I write, I’m always in the mood to read in order to get more inspiration.

Everyone has their own way of conquering their reading slumps, and sometimes all it takes is some time. 

How long do your reading slumps last, and how do you manage to leave them behind?

6 comments:

  1. I think having too many choices of unread books on my bookshelf contributes to my reading slumps because I feel overwhelmed by what to read after I finish a book. Sometimes it takes me forever to choose what to read next. I also have the problem of anticipating and waiting so impatiently for a book, pre-ordering it, and then having it sit on my shelf for months once I receive it. I want to stop this bad habit and impose a new limit on myself to only buy a book if I'm going to read it immediately... but that sounds too difficult!

    Usually I end up finding my next read by stalking my Goodreads friends (in a non-creepy way!) and then picking something up that sounds intriguing based on their status updates.

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  2. I agree with Sarah. A big problem is the huge amount of choices we have to pick what to read. There is just so many, and all different genres too.
    This is also the reason why I don't sign up for review books in tours anymore. I get too much pressure to read a certain book, which just puts me off reading altogether, and that just makes me not happy. It has helped a lot actually.
    The other problem is just not having the time to read at all. I went like a week without reading even a chapter cause it was exams week and I just really didn't have the time. Made me cranky and then I couldn't even pick what to read when I did get the time and didn't even have the energy to actually read. But I just made myself read one that I was anticipating and it broke me out of my slump.

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  3. I agree with Sarah and Nyx.. having 500+ unread books available can be overwhelming. Sometimes when I'm reading a book I "have" to read for a blog tour or an author that I think is wondering, "when the hell is she going to review my book," I am distracted thinking, "Ooh, I could be reading this one or that one." I also have a knack for signing up for too many blog tours! I'm slightly relieved by the fact that I only have one book to review for a blog tour this month. I do have spotlight posts and cover reveals on the schedule, but those are simple. lol.

    Oh, and I'm jealous of people that read a ton of books every month too. I just can't read that fast! hah!

    Toni @ My Book Addiction

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  4. Geat tips! And yep, I also think "to-read" list can drive you crazy sometimes. Sometimes I just stare at all those books and I can't remember how I could feel so much excitement about them in the past. What usually works for me is either staying away from books at all for a week or two or - and this is what I do since I started blogging - picking a book I've always really wanted to read and taking all the time I need. Then, I make a huge spectacle like lighting a candle and making tea and all that jazz to remind me why I love reading so much :)

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  5. I overcome my reading slumps by re-reading (what I'm doing right now actually). Sometimes I slump because there are so many books I haven't gotten to in my TBR pile, and sometimes I just don't feel like reading something new! It's weird, but it happens.

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  6. I (fortunately) rarely having reading slumps. When I do, it's usually because I have other stuff (exams, work, etc.) and I feel as though I should be doing something productive instead of reading for pleasure. During exam weeks, I usually allow myself to put aside my book without feeling guilty (as I'm prone to do, since I want to get my review done and whatnot). So I definitely agree with "Let the desire to read come back to you." The go-to genre is a great idea, as well. When I feel this way, it's sometimes fixed just by stepping away from heavy duty, intense books and picking up a lighthearted contemporary novel.

    Great post!

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