So, what do YOU do when you find yourself in a reading slump? How do you get out of it? Do you keep trying different books until you find one that draws you in? Do you just give in to the slump until it passes, and do something other than reading for a time? Do you ask for help? And, if you ask for help, what great (or, not so great) advice have you been given on how to get out of the slump?
To avoid getting myself in a reading slump, I find not reading the same genre in a row helps unless it is part of a series and I just cannot wait to jump into the next book. I always try to find something to read from my TBR pile even though if I have a reading slump because I treasure my reading time and it is not everyday I can get a chance to read (especially after work and during weekends since my time will be spent on my family).
I find reading other book bloggers' recommendations is another great option because there are just too many books out there waiting for our explorations! I have found a lot of new authors (and good books as well) through reading their reviews and some of them have became my favourites. Well I do not have any great advice to offer, but I think as long as you do not stop reading, I am sure there are bound to be some books that will catch your attention along the way!
Posts
Hi Melody, I don't think I've found myself to be in a reading slump. Not yet... There's too many wonderful books out there and I can't seem to stop buying, and then there are all the wonderful recommendations by friends and further readings recommended by books... I also find that the busier I get, the more I read because reading seems to destress me and make me happy. So I read more. LOL.
I do agree that we do not stop reading, and so long that we continue to read, the shortage of reading materials or reading slump is not likely to happen.
Have a good day!
Ah yes, reading does play a role in relieving those stress, isn't it?! ;)
I hope you've a great day too, Alice!
I've just responded to Monday Musings and have now read your post and we seem to be pretty much in agreement!
I've kind of been in a reading slump all year. I think the most I read one month was 13 or 15 books and it's gone downhill since then. I've only read two books this month but I'm not too worried about it. I can usually get out of a slump quickly by reading non-fiction. Don't ask me how though!
I know what you mean about sometimes not reading too many books from the same genre in a row. Sometimes I reignite my reading by reading a favourite book from when I was a kid. Something light, easy and fun like Enid Blyton or Lois Lowry's Anastasia series.
I try to not let myself get into a slump, because if I don't have something to read I'm climbing the walls within a day or two. If I really can't find anything on my own shelves to read, I'll head to the store and see what jumps off the shelf at me. I did that last week and ended up coming home with The Pink Forest in my hot little hands. It's interactive fiction, and not only was it something I'd never read before, it was also exactly what I needed to get me going again.
I am much the same way, Melody, in regards to mixing up the types of books I read to avoid burn out on any one genre. Sometimes I am in the mood to read several series books in a row, but I have to be careful not to overdo it.
There are times too when the best option for me is to move on to another hobby or interest for awhile. I will eventually find my way back to reading when the time is right.
Sometimes I get in a reading slump because I can't find a type of book that fits my frame of mind. So I do something else for a while- take walks, crossword puzzles, work in the garden, watch movies, whatever- until I have a sure feeling of what I want to read- fantasy? memoir? science? YA fiction? then it's always easy to find a new book.
loopyloo - Thanks for visiting! I enjoy doing these memes (especially when they're books related) because they're so much fun!
Jen - 15 books in a month is a lot! I wish I'm able to do that. ;)
Rhinoa - Ah yes, that's another good option! It reminds me I need to get back to my Nancy Drew's books. I've a few in my stack which I've not read. :P
Ruth - Heading to the stores is definitely a GREAT option to me! LOL. Not only will I find something new to read but will also end up bringing home a few other books as well. ;P
Wendy - It's good to move on to another hobby so we don't feel as if we've neglected our other interests. :)
Jeane - Exactly! Not to mention that our reading moods play a part in it too.
I agree that random recommendations from others (especially bloggers) is a great way to find interesting new books that I might not otherwise explore - and break me out of a pattern I might not have realised I'd fallen into with my reading material.
Hmmmm....I think I get in the slump because I get tired of reading. I've never been one to do the same routine night after night after night. I've forced myself to because of the 200 in 2008 goal. I don't know if I will make it. If I don't, one thing is for sure. I won't be doing this in 2009!
Melody that's a great idea - switching up the genres. For me, if I'm ever going through a big book slump, which luckily hasn't happened in a long while, I turn to magazines. After reading so many pages about fashion, you just gotta get back to a good book! ha,ha....
Paula - Indeed! No wonder our TBR pile is always piling, hehe.
J Kaye - I'm hoping you'll reach your goal! I've great faith in you because you read a lot of books and write lots of reviews! I always enjoy reading them and adding some to my wishlist. :)
Iliana - The switching of genres works well for me most of the time. Turning to magazines is another great idea too. I've a few which I have yet to read, and I think it's time I should devote some of my reading time for them. ;)