Reading slumps are one of the several problems known to bookworms. And especially if you’re excited about new releases, making your way down your physical TBR, or have lots of ARCs to review, not having the interest to read can be really frustrating! Here’s what helps me personally avoid reading slumps, as long as some other tips that could be helpful to you!

Re-read a Favorite Book.

Sometimes when you’re just not feeling other books, one of the best things you can do is re-read an old favorite. All of the things you loved about that book may remind you of what you love about reading in general!

Read a Shorter Book.

Sometimes after reading much longer or heavier books, I like to balance it out with a shorter one. Of course, shorter books can be just as difficult to read if the subject matter calls for it. Opt for something quick and light, and you may find that once you feel accomplished after reading a lighter book that you’ll be ready to delve back into your regular TBR.

Read something off your TBR.

Sometimes when a reading slump hits me, it’s because nothing on my current TBR is piquing my interest at that moment (cons of a small-ish TBR, I guess?). And in those moments, changing things up and going for something new usually helps out. For me, that could be a new book, but it could also be browsing at the library or for e-books online. Even though we may have neverending TBRs, a list of books on our radar, and anticipated releases, sometimes it helps to break the cycle (especially if you’re a reviewer).

Return to your favorite genre.

I recommend this for similar reasons to re-reading something – what you love about that genre may help you get out of that reading slump!

Alternatively, try a different genre.

Sometimes reading too much of the same genre in a row will put me in a reading slump. Reading another genre or trying something out of my comfort zone, even if I don’t like it, usually helps me break the cycle.

Watch Reading Vlogs.

In general, engaging with bookish content and feeling the book community’s passion for reading may help you. But for me personally, reading vlogs always get me in the mood to read. Seeing cozy B-roll footage of fellow bookworms making a cup of coffee and reading often encourage me to pick up a book too.

Change up your reading routine.

Is there anything that you can do to make your reading routine more enjoyable, such as crafting a fancy drink or snack, or reading in a different location? Changing things up can make things a little more interesting.

With the change of seasons in New York, I always have new reasons to be excited about how I read. Now that it’s warm again, it means I get to read outside. But when it’s cold out, I’m excited to read with a mug of tea or hot chocolate. I’m always changing up how I like to read, and I think that makes things interesting!

Engage with content regarding a book you just read.

Sometimes, you’re just not over a book you just read and you’re not ready to start another one. That’s okay! Sometimes I take a couple of days after reading a book to engage with other readers about that book. I also like to read reviews, look at fanart, and see what else the community has to say. To me, this kind of reading slump means that I’m just not ready to move on to the next story yet – and that’s perfectly okay! I like these kinds of slumps because it means that I found a truly amazing story.

I think it’s also good to take breaks between books in general. For me personally, I’m trying not to start new books the second after I finish one. This helps me reflect more on what I’ve just read, and especially as a reviewer, it helps make reading feel less like a grind.

Consider whether you’re reading too much, or if you like what you’re reading.

When I first started reviewing, I definitely felt the need to constantly be on top of certain releases, as well as read a large quantity in general. And while I still read many books in one month, I find not putting that pressure on myself not only allows me to read more, but also makes reading feel less like a chore and more like a hobby. In my early days of reviewing, feeling like I was falling behind on books made for more reading slumps, and I was picking up books I didn’t enjoy as much solely because I saw them everywhere. But now I feel like I have a good grasp on what I like, and I don’t pressure myself in the same ways I did before.

I used to listen to audiobooks way more than I do now. The problem is, is that I was listening to audiobooks practically every second of my day, which was way too much reading for me. Sometimes I just need that stillness, and to be able to take walks, for example, with a clear mind.

Now that I think about it, blogger pressures would make for a really interesting discussion post! But early on, this was the main reason for my reading slumps. And now, finding that balance between reading what I want but also seriously maintaining the blog has been really helpful in preventing reading slumps.

And if all else fails…take a break!

Sometimes the best thing to do is to take a few days away from reading and spend your free time in other ways. Avid bookworms take breaks too, and as reviewers and content creators this can be a difficult thing to do as we’re living and breathing bookish everything 24/7. But we spend so much time on our hobby, and with all that time spent sometimes a break is warranted! Balance is key, so feel free to try something new or return to an old hobby until you’re feeling up to it again. And if you’re a content creator, consider non-review content – or maybe take a short break from that too! I can’t stress enough the importance of finding the right balance for you.

Do you commonly end up in reading slumps? What do you do to get out of them? Let me know!