This Week's Topic
My Hot Take on Reading Slumps
What is a reading slump? When I think of a general slump, I think of something negative, a decline or the absence of something. A reading slump is obviously a negative thing, at least for us bookworms, where one simply loses interest in books. No interest in bookstagram, reading blogs, watching booktubers, or perusing Netgalley for upcoming releases. Books just seem to have lost their allure. Maybe this is the most extreme view of a reading slump, but it's one I have seen explained in multiple articles pertaining to the topic. You may subscribe to it being applicable only to the act of reading which is a bit less drastic, but just as unsettling for a book lover.
I have read an endless number of posts related to reading slumps. All offer suggestions for breaking slump - read a different genre, change up formats, re-read a comfort book. Essentially, do something different from what you have been doing. That makes sense to me. If what you are doing doesn't work, do something else, right? Right.
Over and over again, I hear people lamenting the dreaded slump, but as someone who has never experienced it, I struggle with the concept. I have been distracted, and my reading slowed down, but I was never unable to find a book that hooked me, enjoy a story, or not be able to finish any books.
At times, I feel like people aren't actually in slumps, but rather, they think they are due to the power of suggestion. It will begin with one blogger talking about slumping, and then I will see others declaring they are in a slump, but I also see them posting about books in some capacity. So, either I do not know what it means to be in a reading slump, or they aren't slumping. I am not saying that slumps never happen, but I do question the frequency I see people talking about them.
Regardless of if it's real or not, I hope no one is ever afflicted by this phenomenon, and that your reading life is filled with a plethora of amazing books!
Now it's your turn!
What are your thoughts on reading slumps?
Let us know in the comments!
Let us know in the comments!
You're lucky you have never gone through a slump. I go through them off and on. Each slump can be different, but there's this feeling of wanting to do anything other than read. For me, it's usually because I can't find a book I enjoy reading. Everything seems to be bad, and I can't tell if it is my mood or the book. Sometimes it happens after reading a really amazing book or an emotional one that is hard to move on from. I can usually get out of them within a day or two by not reading for a day and then picking up a different genre. I went through that a week ago.
ReplyDeleteNever experienced that (thank goodness!). I can understand your mood affecting your reading. I have had that happen, but I was always able to find something I wanted to read quickly. So, you have book hangovers? I find after a really emotional book, I need a cleanse of something light and fluffy
DeleteI've had hangovers, but slumps are almost different. It doesn't seem to matter what you pick up in a slump. You just can't read them.
DeleteWell Sam I have never been in a slump either so I don't have much to offer on the topic ;-)
ReplyDeleteI finally met someone else who has never had the slumps
DeleteI blog ahead, read as many books as I can and write the reviews for those times that I do fall into a bit of a reading slump and don't feel like reading at all for a month. It happens. But I suffer from depression and sometimes it gets really bad so I think that has a lot to do with it.
ReplyDeleteI admire you blogging ahead. I usually have a bunch of reviews out on GR because I like writing them close to when I finish, but I never have any of my posts done until the weekend before they are scheduled. I can totally buy into mood/life situations affecting reading more than just some arbitrary slump as the reason, and many with depression suffer from bouts of anhedonia which would make reading less pleasurable.
DeleteI've been in reading slumps before - for me, it feels like nothing sounds appealing to read, I can't decide on my next book. Rereading sometimes helps, but more often it's just waiting it out. Thankfully it doesn't happen too often!
ReplyDeleteSeems so common, but it's never happened to me even when my mental health was not great. Books are my true escape
DeleteReading slumps are really the worst. And I think it affects everyone differently. I suffered from them for years. I am glad I figured out what was causing mine and found a method to treat it so I wouldn't have to experience it again. Its why I do a flexible TBR now instead of just randomly reading whatever.
ReplyDeleteThat is good that you were able to stop it at the source. My job is not blogging, so I have no qualms about reading with my mood. That's why I only do weekly TBRs, and I have changed them at times.
DeleteI haven't had a bad reading slump, more that I pick up book after book that I'm not connecting to until I find one that grabs my attention. Sometimes I have to put aside review books and read something that I just want to read without thinking about reviewing it. Or I have to watch TV shows or movies and then try reading again. I agree with Mary above, that being depressed can impact your reading enjoyment, but reading can also help me get out of a depression. Great topic, Sam!
ReplyDeleteFor me, not "feeling" a book is just a matter of not-a-good-fit. It's bound to happen (I hate it though), but I don't waste time and hope it gets better. I move on quickly and maybe that's why it's not an issue for me? For me, books are the one thing my black moods cannot ruin. They help me get out of my head. Always a balm for me
DeleteI have definitely been in reading slumps, but as someone who *must* do whatever she said she'd do by whatever time, I just force myself to read anyway? So for me personally, it is more like "well crap guess I have to read again!" even if I don't actually want to? Essentially, this is why I review books at this point, because when left to my own devices, I would just feel "slumpy" forever and probably never read again. Also though, I haven't had a slump in ages (knock on wood) because I hate all the other stuff I have to do so much that books seem extra appealing by comparison 😂
ReplyDeleteOh, no! That is so sad. I cut back on review books because this was starting to feel like a job (something I HAD to do). Maybe that's why I have never slumped. And right there! Your last sentence is why I know I have not slumped. Reading is my escape from all the obligations and ugliness of the world. You know I read the light and fluffy, heartwarming, HEA type stuff. There is a good reason for the desire to ingest such content
DeleteI've had a few reading slumps here and there - most of them are ones that I tend to slow down on or just have a slump with particular genre so I just switch books around. I think this year is DEFINITELY one that I would put as a reading slump, at least for a good part of this year (and I tend to blog ahead a little so I have some backup at least for a month or two).
ReplyDeleteMost of the time it's tied to my mood - if I'm overly stressed, anxious (depressed maybe?), then I lose complete interest in reading (and other things as well).
But is it a reading slump or just a slump? I get when your life may be chaotic or your mood is just not right. I have been there where all I would do are the things I had to do. To me that's a slump, not specific to reading.
DeleteThis is timely. I'm in a slump right now to the point that I don't even want to mix it up. I can usually pick up a non-fiction or find a different genre or a really fantastic narrator, but I'm just not feeling it and not having it right now. Maybe I just need to lean into the break, but that's depressing. I love books!
ReplyDeleteMaybe absence will make the heart grow fonder? Good luck!
DeleteI have been through a few reading slumps but the thing I learned is that - despite all the recommendations that people give - I just have to let it ride. Trying to force myself to read only makes it worse. If I'm not feeling it, I absolutely will not force it. I just distract/entertain myself in other ways until it passes. Before long I'm anxious to pick up another book again and all is well.
ReplyDeleteI don't think you should force yourself to do anything that is supposed to bring you pleasure. That's why we have jobs.
DeleteI honestly don't think I've ever been in a reading slump either. I always chalk it up to the fact that I read such a variety of genres that I just stop feeling it when it comes to one, I just jump over and try another genre for a while.
ReplyDeleteI guess it helps mixing it up. That's one of the suggestions to unslump, so very plausible
DeleteInteresting! I think my lifestyle and mood are what cause reading slumps. I don't think it has anything to do with the books. I tend to do so much non-bookish stuff that I exhaust myself. Then I'm too tired to concentrate, and reading feels like a chore. Reading slumps are usually a sign that I need more sleep.
ReplyDeleteThat is exactly what I think. I don't think it's specific to books, but life in general. At least you know when you need more sleep
DeleteI have never had a reading slump, at least not something I would call that. I might go a few days where I watch a lot of TV and troll facebook. I have times I play games on my phone a lot, but it is just for a change of pace, not a slump.
ReplyDeleteI agree that what you're describing just sounds like filling the time another way. I liked to read every day, especially at night to get me quiet
DeleteNever been in a reading slump either. I'm always up for reading, and always in the mood for any book I have on hand, whatever the genre (of course they have to be my preferred genres LOL). But I've been experiencing review slumps more and more often...though that is mainly due to the fact that my reviews are very structured, and they take a lot to write.
ReplyDeleteReviews are hard. I feel you there. I had a few weeks where they were piling up, and it gets to this point where it's so overwhelming. If you like the way you review, you should stick with it, but I did find more success getting it done when I changed stuff up
DeleteFor me, a reading slump tends to signal the start of a bad depression. I don't follow a lot of book bloggers or booktubers, and I don't subscribe to bookstagram/booktok, so for me when it hits, it's either:
ReplyDeleteI've read too many mediocre books in a row, and my dopamine-seeking brain links "this isn't fun" with the act of reading, rather than specific books, OR
I'm losing interest or pleasure in everything in my life, and I notice it first with books because I read every day.
I've tried all the things, and for me the best option is to read something either super engaging or very short, so I get a sense of engagement or accomplishment. That doesn't always work, since I don't know what I'll find engaging when I'm in that mood, but usually it helps me bridge. That said, I average 4-6 books/month regardless of if I'm slumping or on a streak, which seems to be a lot fewer books than most.
I agree with doing something that gives you a sense of accomplishment. When I feel a funk coming on, I try to chunk things in a way that I can quickly see results. Definitely a mood booster for me.
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