I’ve been in kind of a slump lately. A reading slump to be more exact. I want to read, but not enough to actually do it. I know what’s causing this slump and the reason makes me a little sad.
I’ve been reading The Book Thief for nearly a month. I love it … but, it’s not a quick read. And because of that, I’m getting bored. I’m not one to keep doing the same thing for a long period of time. I like to change things up. Even when I crochet or knit, I work on several projects simultaneously so I feel like I’m doing something different.
I’ve thought about reading a little bit of The Book Thief each day (maybe a couple of chapters) and then reading something else for a longer period to give me a break. But, I foresee two problems with that. One, it’ll take even longer to finish reading The Book Thief. Two, I want to read Forever by Maggie Stiefvater, but I don’t feel like rereading Shiver and Linger.
Problem two seems easy to fix, right? Just don’t reread Shiver and Linger. … Anxiety! Panic attack forming! … I’m a chronic rereader of series. I like to be refreshed on the situations so I can catch and enjoy every detail. And, with Forever, I need to refresh my memory of everything that happened, especially in Linger.
What should I do? Should I put both The Book Thief and the Wolves of Mercy Falls aside and read something else to get my reading mojo back? Maybe start another series? Or, do I just muddle through the slump and keep on task? What would you do?
Have you ever had a reading slump? What did you do to remedy it?
About Jenni Elyse
yeah a 5 year reading slump!! then The Hunger Games came around! now i’m back in a slump.
Read Harry Potter!
I find when I’m in a slump I stop reading whatever I’m stuck on and come back to it. The Book Thief is a heavy- themed book. With how stressed you are w/work, school etc, maybe you need something a little lighter for right now.
Only teachers tell you when you HAVE to read something, girl! Maybe skim through a few chapters in the Mercy Falls series before starting the last one. Or read a summary online to refresh your memory. Break out of your mold!
I may try something lighter. I think that will help. And, I know I need to break out of my mold, but it’s so hard and causes me anxiety. But, I’ll do what you suggested and see if I can break out of my mold!
When this happens to me, I need a quick easy read that I know I’m going to enjoy. Do you have a guilty pleasure genre that you really enjoy? Pick up a short one and zoom through it. Should fix the problem.
valerie
StuckInBooks.com
I don’t really have a guilty pleasure genre, but there are genres that I tend towards. Great idea! I’ve been thinking about reading Paranormalcy. Maybe, I’ll do that.
Thanks for the suggestion.
I tend to read several books at once for this reason, BUT, the best thing I’ve found for getting out of reader’s slump is an audio book. You can’t jump ahead to the end or look ahead in the story. It’s going to keep moving forward through difficult parts even when you’re emotional. If you do nothing but let it play, you will eventually finish the book. I do a lot of books every year just 10 minutes at a time in the car.
I’ve never been a several-books-at-a-time reader. It kind of scares me. But, obviously, what I’m doing isn’t working so I think I’ll try it.
I do like audiobooks, but I can only listen to audiobooks of books I’ve already read. My mind wanders too much when I listen to audibooks, so if I didn’t know the story, I’d be completely lost.
Start by trying one on a long road trip, even one that’s just 30 minutes away. People who say their “mind wanders” generally aren’t in the car long enough to empty their head which takes about 15-20 minutes. I have so many voices (characters, talking to myself, rehashing conversations/arguments) that I like the option of turning them all off intentionally and focusing only on the story.
I’ll try that. Maybe I can enjoy audiobooks more regularly if I do it your way!
Thanks for the advice!
I go for a change of genre when in a reading slump.
I would say leave both books for now and go for a lighter read.
carol
I think I’m going to do that. I just need some time away from The Book Thief, even though it makes me sad, lol. Light, fluffy read coming on up!
I’m totally in a book slump myself right now! It’s completely frustrating, but normal for me. Usually they come from being stressed about other things so my mind can’t focus on the book. My best remedy? Throw stress to the curb, pull out an old standard favorite book, and binge on M&Ms and Cherry Coke (both gluten free I might add!) After that I’m usually able to get on with business as usual.
Ha ha! I’ll have to get me some M&Ms and Cherry Coke then.
A standard favorite would be good. I’ve wanted to reread Harry Potter for a long time. But, do I really want to reread all seven? … Uh oh! I’m starting to go back to my mold again, and Kimberly warned me about that, lol.
Hi, Jenni! I think that you should but both down and make a trip to the library. Hit the YA or MG section and randomly pick out a few SHORT novels. Grab things that you ordinarily would not read. Check out a bunch. Then head home and hit the stack. If the first book you open doesn’t tickle your fancy, pick up the next book. That is how I get my reading mojo back, and it has worked every time.
Good luck! I know that you will be back in the swing of things soon
That’s a great idea, Julie! Thanks for the advice! I think I’ll do that. I was just talking to my husband about using the library more often.
I am there all the time, even when I don’t really have time in the schedule to fit in more books. I just feel so inspired to read when I see all of the colorful spines on all of the neat bookshelves! Sometimes I stop on my way home, sit down in one of their plush chairs, and just read there for about a half hour. It’s very relaxing, and I don’t feel like I should put the book down and vacuum or do dishes.
That sounds heavenly! I should try reading at the library some time. I think I’d enjoy it!
I’m in a slump too! And for the same reason! I’m reading a book that is not keeping my interest… I think I just need to do what your other readers have suggested and put it away for awhile and read something else.
You and I can do it together! The ideas are really great. I just need to pick one and go with it.
I agree with the idea of going to the library — not just because I’m a librarian, but because you can pick up a few things that catch your eye, and you have no obligation. I find if I buy a book, I feel obligated to read it (and then, sometimes I get a little cranky about it), but if I get books from the library and don’t get around to all of them, I just return them.
Reading slumps happen to all of us, it seems. My trick is to pick up some paperback that is a comfort read, like a Maeve Binchy book, some Stephen King, maybe an Anne Perry mystery — something I have read before, know the outcome, and want to revisit. Once I’ve done that, I’m refreshed and ready for something new.
And I like the suggestion of M&Ms. Definitely helpful.
I like the idea of getting a book with no obligation. I always feel so bad about not getting to them all, but I need to stop looking at it that way.
Hi! I am a new follower via FF. I loved the Book Thief one of the best books I’ve read this year!
You can find me at The Howling Turtle:
howlingturtle-pdx.blogspot.com/
Hi Larissa! Thanks for stopping by and becoming a follower. I really do like The Book Thief so far. I think I’m just having a hard time because it’s taking so long. But, I will finish it and I know I’ll love it, lol.
This is a great topic because I’m sure it happens to all of us sometimes. When I hit a wall with a book or series, I start a new book in audio format. I listen to the audio book in my car and while exercising, and then read the original book when I have time to sit down with it. That way I’m not taking any time away from the original book, but I’m still throwing something new into the mix. Good luck!
That’s a good idea. I need to learn how to be better with audiobooks. I usually only listen to books I’ve already read. But, I’ll have to try it. Maybe, I’ll surprise myself.
Well, I read everyone’s comments and I have to say, I’m surprised! I thought I’d be giving you the same advice as everyone else. When I’m stuck in a book I find a time where I have several hours, which is hard sometimes, and sit down and just finish said book. It doesn’t take the joy out of it and 90% of the time I find myself getting enthralled reading it all at once rather than little bits at a time. Sometimes books like The Book Thief work better when you just immerse yourself in it. Plus it’s an awesome feeling to be finished with a book that was giving you trouble.
That being said, the first time I read The Book Thief, I struggled too. Good luck with what ever you choose.
Ha! Somehow, I knew you’d tell me to push threw it. Especially after reading your “vent” post, lol.
I may choose to push through it yet since I do enjoy the book. It’s just taking forever.
I’ve sort of been in a slump too! What I did was go for a book I was almost positive I would love. I ignored the silent cries of the other books that have been waiting patiently in my TBR and went for something I knew would make me really happy.
That’s my best advice! I hope you get out of your slump really soon!!
I think that’s fantastic advice! Thanks!
I get in reading slumps with slow books too. Sometimes it’s good to just move on to something else and then come back to it. I also get into slumps when I read a REALLY GREAT book, so every book after it for a while just kind of seems “eh”. Good luck getting the mojo back!
Yeah, I think I may move on to something else and come back to it. I may also read a chapter here and there. We’ll see, lol.
But the Book Thief is not an easy read. I had problem reading it, too!
New follower via FF
It’s not that it’s not easy for me; it’s just that it’s finer print and more pages so it’s taking longer to read. I’m not a fast reader so it’s taking me a while. But, I really like it. I just get bored doing the same thing for a very long time if that makes sense.
I’m starting to slump a little at the moment, ironically over the wolves of mercy falls books. I loved Shiver and Linger, and I reread obsessively, so when I got Forever I started back at the beginning. But life keeps getting in the way of reading so it’s taking forever (no pun intended lol). I am finally reading Forever though, and the reread was totally worth it to remember all the little things.
Everyone has great suggestions. I agree that you should maybe put the Book Thief down and read something totally random to get your buzz back
I’m glad to hear the reread is worth it.
I don’t think I can read Forever without rereading the others. I just can’t, lol. 