Comments on: How Do You Break A Reading Slump?

By: Martine Strohmeyer

Martine Strohmeyer — Fri, 04 May 2012 14:54:48 +0000

When I originally commented I clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now each time a comment is added I get 4 emails with the same comment. Is there any manner you’ll be able to take away me from that service? Thanks!

By: Barb Riley

Barb Riley — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 02:10:50 +0000

I think you can just let it ride out. It’s probably a well-needed break. They say writers need to step away from material every so often, and do something different. For us, it may be reading something different, or working on a hobby for a while to give a break. I don’t think it’s any different for constant readers. I suggest you give yourself some time. I think it will be interesting to see what grabs your attention again after a reading break.

By: ryan field

ryan field — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 01:09:10 +0000

Read a genre you normally wouldn’t read. There are some great YA crossovers, like Trapped, by Michael Northrope.

By: Kristin Laughtin

Kristin Laughtin — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 17:43:58 +0000

Writing slumps are a little more common for writer-types, I believe (since they require active creativity and skill and dedication), but reading slumps happen, too. Usually I will work through a backlog of short articles and stories, since those don’t require as much time, or read something ridiculous and completely un-“literary”. It keeps me reading while letting my brain rest a bit between 500+ page novels.

By: Rachael

Rachael — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 13:32:22 +0000

Oh goodness, yes! I went through a terrible slump earlier this year. I was way overloaded with work and all my creative pursuits took a backseat. It was quite a depressing time. Time opened up this fall and now I’ve been reading on average a book a week. I’ve returned to my creative writing projects as well, so all seems right with the world. I will not make this mistake again!

I’m not a huge fan of audiobooks, but it is a nice way to slowly move through a book while I walk my dog in the mornings. I got an e-reader this summer and I give it a lot of credit for breaking my slump. It’s so portable, and I like how it syncs with my phone so if I find myself with a couple of extra minutes, I can read a few pages on my phone.

By: RamseyH

RamseyH — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 21:27:25 +0000

Hang in there with Embassytown – it was a slow starter for me but became more and more rewarding as I continued. Not that it’s going to suddenly take off on you – it’s not that sort of book. More like a slow burn.

My reading slump is called “writing.” And my writing slump is called “reading.” Handy, that.

By: Stephanie Scott

Stephanie Scott — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 20:24:43 +0000

If I do, I switch books. Or I use the free time for video games. When I get to a point where I’m either so frustrated at a level I can’t beat etc, then I know it’s time to put the controller down and get back to reading.

By: Thomas Wolf

Thomas Wolf — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 15:25:05 +0000

I think you’ll like THE ART OF FIELDING, so I’m guessing you’re going to break the slump–and what better way to break a slump than to read a book about baseball?

When I’m in a reading slump, I ususally go back to old favorites–Alice Munro, Ward Just, Stuart Dybek, Tobias Wolff, or David Halberstam–or I’ll reread a favorite short story, like Denis Johnson’s “Train Dreams” or anything by Edward P. Jones. Or I’ll read a section of a favorite book–a chapter from SEABISCUIT or THE PROFESSOR AND THE MADMAN.

Right now I’m reading HEMINGWAY’S BOAT by Paul Hendrickson. If THE ART OF FIELDING doesn’t grab you, I’d recommend Hendrickson’s book, even if you don’t like Hemingway, and even if you don’t like boats.

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 14:58:51 +0000

Sure. Happens to me sometimes. When it does, I do one of two things. First, I read something outside of my comfort zone. Something I wouldn’t normally pick up. I’ve discovered a lot of new (well, new to me) authors that way.

If that doesn’t work, I stop reading for a couple of days. I figure my brain is telling me it needs a break. During that down time, I do something else creative. For me, that’s baking or drawing. Sometimes it’s as simple as playing with my kids. When I return to reading, it’s just as magical as it always was.

Bottom line, don’t worry. You’ll get out of your slump. After all, your a book lover. That’s not something that just goes away.

By: C.

C. — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 14:19:28 +0000

I plow through a few really trashy books, calling it ‘research’.

It’s such a pain when a book is really, genuinely good, but you just can’t make a personal connection with it. (I guess that’s the story of an agent’s life.) I actually feel that way about Mieville in general, which pains me. I want to love those books.