Around the Year in 52 Books discussion

What do you guys do to get yourself out of a reading slump? I need some inspiration!

I try to read something easy and compelling (like a good YA or an author I really enjoy usually), my reading slumps come half the time because of tedious or very long books. Otherwise, a break can be nice, as a mood read :)

I sometimes find a thriller or mystery is good for a reading slump as if it’s a good story I want to read quickly to find out what happened, and that in turn helps me get back into the habit of reading. I found The Cuckoo's Calling worked like that for me, it’s easy to read but with a plot that makes you want to keep reading just one more page so you can see what happens next.

Re-reading books I loved as a child sometimes helps too. I read a couple of Roald Dahl books earlier this year and they were the perfect reading slump cure. Full of funny characters, great plays on words and lots of nostalgia.

Ya know sometimes a short break or a Netflix binge usually get me refreshed and in the mood for my next read. Or I listen to my favorite book podcast for new ideas. Its called "What should I read next" I get a lot of good ideas there plus just love hearing people talk about books and their love of reading. That gets me excited to read/ audio my next book.

If you are stuck in the middle of a book, put it down and start something else. I don't like doing that, but sometimes sticking with a dud just to get through it can be a real bummer. I love the idea of some quick Roald Dahl books. They are so funny. Or maybe you need to research an author or book to get the reading juices flowing again.

I have been in one since summer, too. I do find if I get something different than I have been reading-something light, fun, or something that keeps me on the edge of my seat-I can read it easily.

Katie, I just faced this problem a few weeks ago.
I picked a book that I knew I would love that had absolutely nothing to do with a challenge. It took a few books that I put back on mangy TBR after a few pages. but I found that one magical read.
You know your favourite genre and authors best. The ones that can always make the world disappear and you read like candy. Pick one of those.
HTH

It's ok to take a break from reading! I suggest thinking of it in different terms like a "break" rather than a "slump". Give your brain a little vacation! I like to go for a hike and get some fresh air and exercise or focus on another hobby, like playing the guitar. Find some light reading or some short stories to squeeze in 15 minutes here and there.

I have been having a reading slump this year myself, but I contribute that to reader fatigue from being on a national award committee these last two years for my profession.

Usually, what I find most helpful is re-reading a favorite book, listening to audiobooks so I am not going through a complete dry spell, or when desperation hits, I will read a magazine just to get me in the right frame of mind.

Good luck and best wishes for getting out of your reading slump!

I’ve had a couple this year, the most recent being earlier this month. If usually happens for me after a run of either bad or more difficult books, or sometimes just a bit of challenge burnout.

I either take a break entirely, pick up a new non-fiction (that may not work for you though since you already read so many!), or read something fun, as I can tend to take reading too seriously sometimes and get so focused on ticking off lists that I forget that it’s fine to read a bit of fluff. I also found planning out my options for next year helped get me excited again too. I also find Agatha Christie books to be great slump busters - they’ve worked three times for me now!

I've been in a huge reading slump this year and get super disappointed in myself knowing I won't finish my challenges. Ive picked up my reading again this month and hopefully will succeed with my challenge next year.

It's normal I find to go through one or two slumps in a year, but this year it's been off and on since spring and the summer crucified it. Here's to more reading this year. I liked some of the tips left here though. An Agatha sounds like a great plan.

I will have to give an Agatha Christie book a try too. Thanks for the suggestion!

Let me know how you go with her! There's definitely a reason she's the world's highest selling author - her books are just bloody good. I might have to squeeze another one in before the end of the year ...

sometimes i need to get a book in the physical mail to start reading books again

this whole year has been one big reading slump for me. I spent Jan/Feb planning challenges then read like crazy in March. Didn't touch a book until June-ish , then read a few in row, then stopped again completely until October. I spent so much time just binge watching Netflix this year I feel like there should be a challenge for that lol.

Once the 2018 list came out though, I went into planning mode again and then started flying through books to make up for lost time. Hopefully for next year my pacing is better.

I think the fact that I'm reading in order is what's giving me pause right now. I'm on the best book of the 21st century topic, and all year I knew I was going to read (and by read I mean listen to, because I'm probably 95% audiobooks) Atonement. Well it turns out that of the 10 libraries I have, none have the unabridged audiobook. All have the abridged copy. And I really just can't get behind the idea of abridging books. I've tried to actually read Atonement twice & I just can't make it past page 30.

I've taken some of your advice & gotten a thriller & a nonfiction book out from the library, so hopefully those will get my straight & then I won't feel so overwhelmed by the ATY topic.

Katie, if you're not already subscribed to Audible, Audiobooks.com, Scribd or other audiobooks providers, you could have Atonement for free with your first subscription month!

Katie wrote: "I think the fact that I'm reading in order is what's giving me pause right now. I'm on the best book of the 21st century topic, and all year I knew I was going to read (and by read I mean listen to..."

I used Atonement for that category on audiobook too! Not sure if you already checked, but do any of them have physical copies of the unabridged version? That's what I had to do. It's a bit of a PITA, but you can always rip the CDs to have it electronically. I've run into this with a few other books - I'm not sure if there's some legal behind-the-scenes reason CDs is the only way to get the full book - so frustrating!