Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl
When I’m in a book slump, I immediately take a break from this hobby as even the slightest expectation of reading only prolongs and deepens those feelings for me.
What I need to do instead is get out of the house and exercise, attend non-bookish events like festivals or parades, spend a lot of time in nature, visit museums, socialize in person, try a new food, get a new hairstyle, go on a day trip or full vacation, or whatever else it is I have the money, time, and energy to do to shake up my routines.
In no way do I expect this to be the solution for everyone, but I wanted to mention it as a possible option for anyone who is currently in a terrible book slump. You can be a voracious and enthusiastic reader and still take breaks of any duration when necessary. Hobbies are supposed to be fun and relaxing, after all!
Okay, now I will buckle down and try to answer this question without going off on a tangent.
If someone is in a book slump and finds that reading is actually helpful in that moment, I’d suggest ideas like:
1) Rereading your all-time favourites
2) Poetry
3) Children’s picture books
4) Exploring genres you rarely or never visit
5) Watching film or TV adaptations of books you’ve read
6) Listening to audiobooks (say, while you’re taking a walk in the park if that’s a safe thing to do in your community!)
7) Stories that are much longer or much shorter than what you typically read
8) Books from cultures or places in the world you do not know much about
Why do I suggest these things?
Well, it’s about getting exposed to tropes, methods of storytelling, and styles that you are not used to. All of these things vary widely from one corner of the library or bookstore to the next.
As much as I love science fiction and fantasy, I’ve read so much of them that sometimes it’s really nice to pick up a mystery or piece of historical fiction instead and enjoy something that has a different flow to it.
In my experience, sometimes a book slump is actually about feeling deeply tired of reading the same types of plots over and over again. If you can shake things up and try something new, reading can be become a joy again.
Fun post! I like how you set it up and all of the things you shared. Sometimes a new idea or doing something different can be helpful. 🙂
Thank you, Rissi!
When I think about taking a complete break from reading…What?! Completely stopping reading?!…I think about how long I can hold my breath. That’s how long I’d last.
Ha! Fair enough. 😀
Genre-switching is a good idea! I tried general fiction last year and really enjoyed it.
Good for you!
When I’m in a book slump, I would usually read a favorite book or series. These are helpful tips, too. Sometimes walking away and doing something else could be refreshing.
Thank you, Lux.
Fab list! I definitely do something other reading when I hit a slump!
Cool!
Great list of recommendations! A lot of these are also ones that I would give to someone slumping, but I think for me it also depends on the level of slump. If it’s a “baby slump” then maybe reading a different genre works. However, if it’s a major slump, then taking a step away and doing other things like gaming or watching a show/movie for as long as I need, is what helps best. Great post!
Thank you. That makes sense.
Great post.
Thanks, Steph!
I completely agree with everything you’ve said here! I don’t usually find myself in book slumps, but on the rare occasion that I do, I take it as a sign that I need to be doing something else. A nice long walk, visits with friends, or time spent on one of my other hobbies is a perfect fix.
But I also agree that mixing up genres and formats and lengths is a good way to avoid slumps in the first place!
Thanks. I thought you might agree. 🙂
I don’t often get reading slump, but switching up genres is a really good strategy.
Thank you. 🙂
Great post! I so agree with your last paragraph. I do believe book slumps can be because of boredom of the same old thing.
Thank you. I’m glad you get it.
I think all of these are great, especially taking care of yourself, with walks, or hair appointments or whatever! Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
Thank you. 🙂
Poetry and re-reads work for me, too. Great list. I also agree about getting away from books and libraries helps, too. Do something else!
I’m glad you understand.
Poetry and re-reads work for me, too. Great list. I also agree about getting away from books and libraries helps, too. Do something else!
Hmm. It says I’ve already said this? In another life?
How odd!
The last three books I’ve read have all had heavy, dark themes, and I was craving something lighter. Thankfully, my library came through with an Abby Jimenez book. Just what my brain was needing and wanting!
Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/the-os-have-it-ten-titles-starting-with-o/
Awesome. 🙂
So true, reading the same plots over and over again can get me in a slump too. I’m so blessed to have a great public library and access to lots of different kinds of books!
That’s wonderful!
Yes!! Doing anything but reading is really great. Sometimes we get ruled by schedules and ARC’s that it becomes … not as fun. Taking a complete break and doing other fun things can help a lot! Re-reading favorites is a great tip too.
I’m glad you get it. Still trying to comment on your post every week!
This would also actually have been a good approach for me. But I take part in Let’s Talk Bookish and although I missed last week’s topic about reading slumps, I decided to go rogue.
Cool. 🙂
Your thoughts on the causes of a book slump is really insightful, as are your suggestions for getting out of a slump—including allowing yourself to do other things instead of forcing yourself to read (which I agree is counterproductive.) I haven’t seen the “go explore other activities” as a suggestion on anyone else’s blog today.
For me, though, the best way out is usually rereading (the first in your numbered list of suggestions.) Anything I have enjoyed before will do, although there are certain authors I tend to turn to in those circumstances. (A fair number of authors, to be honest, and pretty much across the spectrum of my favorite genres.) Audiobooks, particularly as a means of rereading a book I have read in print before, have also been effective.
Thank you, Lark.
Your strategies sound super helpful.
There are so many great suggestions here! Thanks for sharing your thought, this is a wonderful list of ideas.
And I agree. I can sometimes read my way out of a slump, but if it’s something deeper (life’s suddenly gotten busy, emotional fatigue, stress, just reading too many books to close together, or other such triggers) I sometimes find that a reading slump is more than just a ‘slump’ and reaches closer to burn-out, I have to walk away and take a break from reading. Sometimes it’s just for a day, other times it’s longer. But your suggestions about other activities to try are just as helpful as the list about books to read. I’ve tried several of your suggestions from both lists, and they really do help.
You’re welcome, Stephanie. That’s awesome.
All excellent suggestions!
Thank you!
I love the idea of rereading an old favorite to break out of a slump. It’s such a great way to reconnect with something that makes us feel joy and feel good about reading!
Thank you. I’m glad you think so.
So many wonderful ideas, Lydia. Like you, I often wander away from reading and do something else for a while. Thanks for sharing and for visiting my blog.
You’re quite welcome!
Great tips, Lydia. I think one of the reasons that I don’t remember ever having a book slump, is because I do a lot of those things on a regular basis.
That makes sense!
Some great tips here!
Thank you. 🙂
I love your suggestions of things to do other than reading. I also have enjoyed browsing in the library in sections that I wouldn’t normally go to and picking up something different. https://rosieamber.wordpress.com/
That’s a great tip!
I’m currently in a reading slump and rereading The Hunger Games because it’s a favorite. I hope it cures the slump.
Fingers crossed for you. 🙂
Yup, sometimes just taking a break is the best thing. Often your brain is just trying to let you know what you need, after all!
For sure!
These are some great tips. I do agree that sometimes when a slump hits (whether a book or blogging slump), the best thing to do is to step away from the hobby for a bit.
🙂
Excellent point! I don’t really have reading slumps, but I do sometimes get into a reading rut where I’m reading lots of the same kinds of books and they all kind of blend together. Reading something different can definitely break that cycle and add variety and excitement to my reading life. Great advice.
Happy TTT (on a Wednesday)!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
Thank you!
Those are some really, really great suggestions, Lydia. Thanks so much for that.
And thanks for visiting my post:
https://momobookblog.blogspot.com/2025/08/top-ten-tuesday-cheer-you-up.html
You’re welcome!
Lydia, you’ve come up with yet another awesome and unique post. I love the fact that you chose to focus on non-reading ways to get out of a reading slump. If I get that feeling come on, sometimes reading a different genre, format, or out of the ordinary for me. But I also agree that sometimes we can’t just read our way out of a slump, and switching it up from books to real-life activities makes me more ready to go back to reading. This is especially true when you live where being able to go out and about is only possible some of the year.
Thank you very much. 🙂