Let’s Talk Bookish is a weekly meme that was originally created and hosted by Rukky @ Eternity Books starting in August 2019, and was then cohosted with Dani @ Literary Lion from May 2020 to March 2022. Book Nook Bits has hosted since April 2022.
Another Freebie for this week! How exciting! So I’ve gone right back to the beginning of Let’s Talk Bookish, and picked a prompt from August 2019
March 31st: Freebie!
Prompts: For the fifth Friday of March, use this week to revisit an old LTB topic, or write about something you’re interested in! You can also check out the LTB archives on my blog and on Rukky’s for more topic ideas.
Reading Slumps and Ways to Overcome Them
Reading slumps, when they hit, can be really difficult. There are so many different reasons they can happen, too, that not all advice is going to suit every single situation. But I know from past experiences, sometimes there are little things you can do to get through a slump.
Try a Different Genre
I find that I’m most likely to fall into a slump when I’ve been reading in one particular genre for more than a handful of books. At this point, I’ll try to read something different, though it varies on whether I go for something totally different (from Romance to Horror, for example) or go to something that maybe has similar elements or vibes but slight differences enough – Horror to Paranormal Romance, maybe, or a Dark Fantasy, etc.
Try a Different Format
This is something I find myself doing often, and usually why I have so many books on my ‘currently reading’ pretty much constantly. I tend to have an audiobook, kindle and physical book on the go at the same time, as well as a graphic novel. It helps, as if I’m struggling to read one of them, I can try a different format as it feels like it helps me refocus, especially if I’m struggling with one particular book.
Write!
I don’t mean write a blog post or work on something on screen – grab a notebook (or some paper) and a pen, and jot down whatever comes to mind. Thoughts about the book you’re reading, the book you read before – sometimes just having these things written down helps me pinpoint why I’m in a slump, and I can adjust accordingly.
Take a Break
I think this the most important one, personally. Sometimes other things impact our ability to read, and make every book feel frustrating and pointless. It might be anything – starting a new job, education, break-ups, moving in with someone…or even just general frustration! It might be easier to put reading to the side for now – whether that’s for an hour, a day or two, or even months! – and pick something up further down the line, when things have (hopefully!) eased up or you’ve adjusted to whatever’s been going on. And remember, if you do need to take a break – don’t feel guilty. We all need to step back sometimes, and the books will still be there when you’re ready.
These are the things that work for me, but everyone is different and it’s worth trying a few different things if the slump is persistent. And if you have any other tips, let me know, as I’m always interested in hearing about the different things people do when it comes to reading.
Unwrapping Words 