Many avid readers tend to get into a reading slump at one point or another. Being in college put me in to a reading slump for a while. The heavy coursework and lengthy textbook readings left no margin for leisurely reading. Now that I am in grad school, I have managed to carve out some time for leisurely reading. Here is how I got over my reading slump.
I started off by picking out books that were on the shorter and easier side but had gripping plots. I started out by reading a few middle grade level fiction books. They were quick. fast-paced, but had riveting plotlines. This helped me build momentum as I finished the books quickly. Being able to finish many books provides a sense of accomplishment and boosts motivation. I kept doing this as I eased back into longer and more complex books. I also set up a reading goal on my Goodreads account. This motivated me to further fill my quota until the end of 2021.
While you are getting over a reading slump. opt for books with fast paced stories. You may lose patience with slower books and fall back in to the reading slump. Also, try to get books from the library so you have a due date to hold yourself accountable to. This also allows you to try books for free. This way you can see if you even like the book before you dish out money for it or for its sequels. If not the library, try to thrift books for cheap. During a reading slump you can be indecisive over books and so acquiring them for as cheap as possible is the best way to try many books without breaking your bank.
Explore your options. Go online and read reviews on sites like Goodreads or on various other book blogs. Look into the book before you opt to give up time to read it. Sometimes, the popular books with the fancy covers totally miss the mark, while a more unknown book may hold a great tale. My first go to location is Goodreads. Readers are absolutely brutal with their book reviews on that site. So you will know the shortcomings and clichés of a particular book before reading it. Explore genres you enjoy and take your time finding books you genuinely feel drawn to reading.
Find people to talk about the books you read. This can be family, friends, online forums, or even through social media. Expressing your thoughts on a book can help you retain the story better and inspire further enthusiasm for reading. This makes a hobby like reading books a less isolating experience.
Finally, set aside some quality time for reading and make it an experience. I started this by reading before bed. I'd set aside an hour or half an hour before bed to read. I get cozy with my mug of tea and a good book. This helps calm the mind and put you into a meditative state before bed. Read at the time of day that works best for you and truly devote that time to yourself.
These are all the strategies I utilized to step out of my reading slump and they have really helped. I have been reading a book or two a week. This is a new pace for me as I did not have time for this in undergrad. I hope these tips help you get out of your reading slump. The hardest part is just starting.
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