Why slumps happen
A slump often starts with a book that drags. You put it down, feel guilty about picking up something else, and read nothing for weeks. Other common causes are a busy or stressful period, poor sleep, too much screen time in the evening, or simply having read a lot of one kind of book in a row.
Knowing the cause helps you pick the fix. A dull book needs replacing. A stressful month may call for lighter reading, or for accepting that you will read less for a while.
Give yourself permission to stop
If one book is blocking you, set it aside. Put a bookmark in it if you want to return later, and start something else today. Many readers find that the stalled book reads better months later, or that they never miss it.
Read something short
Finishing a book quickly brings back the pleasure of finishing. Try a short novel, a collection of short stories you can read one at a time, a book of essays, or a play. Several classics are short enough for a weekend; the short classics list has some.
Switch the format
A change of format can make reading feel new again:
- Try an audiobook on walks, drives or while cooking. Your library probably lends them for free through an app; see how libraries work.
- Move from print to an e-reader, or the other way round. Larger text on an e-reader can make reading in bed easier.
- Read a graphic novel or an illustrated edition.
Reread an old favorite
Rereading a book you loved takes the risk out of the choice. You already know you like it, and noticing how differently it reads now is part of the fun. Many people come out of a slump by rereading something from their teens or twenties.
Change where and when you read
If your reading spot has become the place where you scroll your phone, move. Try a different chair, a park bench, a café, or the library itself. A new time slot can also help: ten minutes at lunch may work when evenings are full.
Read with other people
A deadline and a group to talk to can carry you through a slump. Join or start a book club, read the same book as a friend and compare notes, or follow a library reading challenge. Many public libraries run seasonal reading programs for adults as well as children.
| If the slump feels like | Try |
|---|---|
| Nothing appeals to me | A reread, or a genre you have never tried |
| I am too tired to concentrate | Audiobooks, short stories, or ten minutes earlier in the day |
| I keep picking up my phone | Phone in another room, or an e-reader |
| This book is a chore | Set it aside and start something short |
| I have no one to talk to about books | A book club or library reading group |
Restarting the habit
Once a book catches hold, go back to the basics in the reading habit guide: a small daily floor, a fixed slot, and the next book ready before you finish the current one.