I'm joining TGIF again today. This meme is hosted by GReads.
This week's question: What helps you overcome reading slumps?
My answer: For me, there are two causes of reading slumps. One is having to read a book that I really don't like. The other is feeling overwhelmed and behind in my reading. I avoid these problems by:
a) trying a wide variety of books
Just as I have my go-to outfit (jeans/t-shirt/ballet flats, if you're interested) I have my go-to YA book genres: contemporary, mystery/thriller, and a little paranormal and dystopian. But I've realized that when I throw on a skirt or heels or pick up books out of my comfort zone, I feel invigorated! I'm doing that more and more often! (The books, not the heels. Though I'm working on that.)
b) putting down books that aren't for me.
I have a huge pile of books, and if a book isn't grabbing me at all after about fifty pages, I usually put it aside. I'm talking about books I bought or borrowed from the library. If I've agreed to review a book I requested on NetGalley, I finish it.
There are so many great book bloggers out there that I don't have to read everything or review everything. Once I'm reading a book I like, I feel happy again.
I'm eager to hear what other readers have to suggest about breaking a reading slump. If you've had one, how did you push through it?
I don't know if I ever hit a reading slump. I will put a book down if I'm not into I. The last one I stopped reading was Anna and the French Kiss. I know people loved it but I couldn't get past st.clair. There's only one St. Clair for me and he's in the Wolves of Mercy Falls books
ReplyDeleteOh thanks goodness someone else didn't like that book! lol It drove me bonkers!!! I finished it but only because I was so stressed out by their back and forth that I needed closure!
DeleteI liked that book but it's a weird feeling to dislike a book that's really popular. Did you try Lola and BND???
DeleteNo, should I? I like contemporary books like If I Stay/where She Went and The Sky is Everywhere. I crave good drama.
DeleteI liked Lola better -- but I wouldn't say either book was as dramatic as If I Stay or Sky is Everywhere.
DeleteI also liked Lola waaaay better. I almost didn't read it after my horrible experience with Anna. But Cricket was adorable and way more honest than St. Clair. St. Clair just kept going on and on like I have a girlfriend! But you should have told me you had feelings for me! But I can't be with you cause I have a girlfriend! OMG I wanted to die!
DeleteI get into reading slumps for soo many reasons. Either because I've been reading too many depressing books or books I haven't enjoyed or because I read something so good nothing is comparing. Usually I try to mix up genres too. If I read something really sad I try to read something light and fun next. Although sometimes you can never tell and I tried to do that and my light fluffy read turned into depression as well! That's when I pick up Adrian Ivashkov. I re-read his lines and they make me happy! :-) Or any of my other favorite fun books. Sometimes a light re-read it what I need. Like a Sophie Kinsella book. So much fun!
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of a light book to break the slump. Or a re-read. Great idea!!
DeleteI had to take a break from Catcher in the Rye because Holden was making me depressed lol
DeletePoor Holden -- he is a gloomy guy. But I love him.
DeleteGiving myself permission to not finish or not read a book I bought/borrowed is huge for me in terms of relieving some of the pressure to read which can make me slide into a slump. If I let myself find something I enjoy and actually enjoy it, then reading is fun and I can't imagine stopping!
ReplyDeleteIt is hard to do at first, then it's extremely liberating!
DeleteI do the re-read and a light book (normally a happy chick-lit) quite a bit when I'm in a slump too. I used to always try to finish whatever I had borrowed or bought to read, but this year I've decided that if I don't like something or it doesn't interest me enough, especially when there are so many good books out there, that I will stop reading it or put it aside for when I'm out of books to read. There is only so much time in the day between my family and everything else, so I've decided it's better not to waste it on something I'm not enjoying. :)
ReplyDeleteI used to feel guilty not finishing a book. But I completely agree with you. I have so little free time that I really can't spend it on something that isn't for me.
DeleteI do that with non review books as well. I don't feel pressured to finish if it's not for review!
ReplyDeleteI'm a new follower!
In the Hammock Blog
You're totally right. Some of my favorite books of the last few years have been books I initially did not think were for me (Revolution, Ready Player One, The Night Circus). I love reading out of my comfort zone and I've started to create a new comfort zone in what I'm wearing, too.
ReplyDeleteI have been really stepping out of my comfort zone recently. I think my hardest thing is when I read a really amazing book or series (As the World Dies series by Rhiannon Frater) I am in a wicked funk right now because it was just so awesome, and everything else right now seems dull in comparison. I know that the books I am trying to read aren't bad, they just have a lot to live up to now. I can't get that series out of my head, and try as I may to not let it sway me, I can't help it. I think I might need a little reading break to get myself back together.
ReplyDeleteI have the same tips as you... Sometimes the things I read are for blog tours so I have no choice but to read it. So far I've been lucky, though, so I'm happy about that.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what I really do when I'm in a slump. I think I'm in a slump right now. I've been trying to read Bloodlines and you'd think I'd have finished it the first week I picked it up. I'll just keep using the excuse of being so busy because we are getting close to finals week.
I have so many great books I want to read. If the book I'm reading does not grab me, & quickly, I move on.
ReplyDelete