Welcome back, dear reader!

I think I speak for most readers when I say that reading slumps suck. A reading slump, for anyone lucky enough to have not experienced one, is when reading any book loses all appeal. This can happen for a multitude of reasons. Most commonly, reading slumps happen after you finish an amazing book, and all books seem to pale in comparison afterward. But it can also happen if the book that you’re currently reading just is not hitting the way that you want it to hit. Or it could also stem from a lack of excitement — there aren’t any books that are grabbing your attention at the moment. Or maybe, just maybe, you’ve burnt-out and have no time or energy to read.  

Don’t lose hope quite yet! There are a few ways to combat a reading slump.

1. Switch up the books you’re reading. Maybe you love to read long, intricate novels and that’s what you focus on most of the time. But when the reading slump hits, sometimes it’s best to change up what book you pick up. You could try a new genre! A thriller or a short story, perhaps? Or maybe a comic? It honestly doesn’t matter what is it, as long as it re-sparks your drive to read!
   1. This isn’t another new suggestion, but switching the target audience might also help! Books intended for older audiences can be a bit heavy or too complex for what the moment calls for, so reaching for a YA book with a lighter story might be your fix.
2. Re-read a favourite/comfort book. Sometimes, all you need is something you already love. That way, you don’t have to risk testing something new, only to fall deeper into a slump. I especially like to revisit my shorter comfort books!
3. Audiobooks! I know that some people in the book community don’t think that audiobooks are “real” books, whatever that means. But audiobooks are really helpful for getting out of a slump. Instead of knowing that you have to focus on a book for a period of time, you’re free to take a walk, clean the house, or just do something else with your hands while you’re reading. Pretty cool, right?

And well, if none of this works, I do have one more suggestion: Just take a break from reading. I know that when I don’t have the time or energy to read, none of the above works. So what I do, is I just accept my fate and embrace the slump. Maybe you could focus on picking up a new hobby, or just taking the time to replenish your energy. And when the right book comes along, you’ll be excited and ready to go!

Now, as unfortunate as it sounds, it’s possible that nothing I’ve suggested will work for you. But that’s okay! I’ve had my fair share of them, and yet my heart always comes back to books. It’s important to remember that reading slumps are completely normal, and not reading for a little while does not invalidate you as a reader.