How to get out of a reading slump

I hate being in a reading slump. I’ve been going through one this week because I finished the most incredible book, and then immediately jumped into my next which I ended up DNF’ing (a rarity for me) after about 20%. After that, I couldn’t settle into anything. I kept picking a new book up, getting a few pages in, and putting it back down again.

When this happens, I’ve learned over 20 years of being a bookworm to stop fighting it. I let my brain sulk for however long it wants to, although it breaks my heart because I’m desperate to read again!

Luckily, I’ve a tried and tested method of getting myself out of reading slumps, which inspired me to write this post as part of The Sunday Post meme by Caffeinated Reviewer and The Sunday Salon by Readerbuzz.

I hope it helps you!

1. Stop trying to fix the reading slump by force

Your instinct is probably to keep grabbing new books in the hopes one will just click. There’s actually a scientific reason why that might make your slump worse!

When you’re really into a story, your brain can’t tell reality from fiction, and it releases dopamine and oxytocin like it would during real life experiences. You form genuine parasocial bonds with characters and stories, and when the book ends, your brain grieves this loss as though you’ve lost a friend. Your dopamine levels crash and your brain goes into a mini grief state. No wonder books, even potentially great ones, feels shit for a while!

I close everything for a while and give myself a proper break. Because I usually read two or three books in a week, even taking a couple of days off feels like a lot, but it resets my brain. If you normally read less, you’ll potentially need a bit longer. The point is, do NOT force yourself to read, because when you feel like you have to, you’ll never enjoy it.

2. Figure out where the slump began

I always take a moment to figure out what sent me into the slump. In my current case it was going from a five star read straight into a DNF. Sometimes it can be because of a book hangover from finishing a favourite series, sometimes it is reading three average/bad books in a row, sometimes it is that you’ve read so much of the same genre recently you’re starting to get bored of similar tropes/plots/characters.

For example, I finished the ACOTAR series last summer and I felt like I was going through withdrawal. To try and keep that high going I immediately dove into Throne of Glass, but I felt like I hated it because I just constantly compared the characters, world, and plot to ACOTAR. I had to take a huge break from SJM and fantasy in general because I just could not get over ACOTAR!

Then, after six months, I came back to Throne of Glass, finished it, and fell in love with the rest of the series, completing it within 6 weeks!

Knowing why you are off reading can help you narrow down what to pick up next, instead of randomly plucking from your TBR and hoping for the best.

3. Pick a complete palate cleanser

When your brain gets out of its mini grief state, try a palate cleanser.

My way back in is always something completely different from what I normally read. If I’ve been living inside a slow plot of a character driven literary fiction based in the real world for a while, I will reach for lighthearted romantasy OR a high stakes, plot driven fantasy novel.

If I’ve been been alternating between fantasy and literary (which I tend to do), that makes my slump a little more complicated, because I clearly need space from both genres. So, I go completely rogue. I pick up something that has simple, straight forward prose, a plot that moves quickly, and a book that is more about twists and turns than high emotional stakes and deep character exploration.

For me, that is the plot twisty thriller genre! Over the last two days I read, finished, and thoroughly enjoyed two Freida McFadden books (Never Lie and Ward D), even though I’m still technically in a slump and I’m not ready to dive back into my usuals yet.

Luckily, my friends are all huge fans of the genre and came through with the best recs!:

If your usual genre is thrillers, then think of the opposite of that! Although still make it something you enjoy. What is your ‘nonnegotiable’ in a book? Aside from interesting characters, my nonnegotiable is a sense of intrigue. I have to be seeking answers to questions that can only be gained through finishing the book. Thats why I know thriller/mystery is perfect for me as a not-fave-genre pick. So, for example, if you love thrillers because of the action packed plot, why not try a low stakes adventure or heist novel?

My fallback genre is thriller, but it might not be yours. You just need something to sink your teeth into without having to think too much or emotionally commit on page one, but still features all your nonnegotiables.

4. Lower the stakes as much as you can

Tell yourself that your palate cleansers do not need to be your new all time favourite books. Did I enjoy reading Never Lie and Ward D by Freida McFadden? Absolutely. Will I suddenly become a super fan of the thriller genre and read it all the time, like I do literary? No.

It just needs to be fun enough and gripping enough to keep me turning pages. I will often pick up something described as “addictive”, and I go in with the mindset that is fine for it to be outside my usual taste. The goal is to get reading to feel fun again, not to find The One.

5. Let your momentum build gently

Once I have finished that first book and felt that little click of “oh, I actually want to read again”, I do not immediately dive into the most complicated, slow burn novel on my shelf. After I finished Never Lie, do you think I wasn’t desperate to pick up my new copy of Disgrace by J.M. Coetzee?? I absolutely was. BUT I also knew in my heart I wasn’t ready. So I picked another Freida McFadden book, Ward D.

I usually line up one or two more fairly easy, engaging read to keep the momentum going. Then, I take stock of how I feel. Do I feel ready to go back to my usual stuff? No? Keep reading more palette cleansers. Yes? Brill, I’m out of my slump!

Think of it like the couch to 5k for your brain! You do not go from couch to running a 5k overnight.

Final thoughts on how to get out of a reading slump

That’s my tried and tested formula, perfected over 20 years of being a bookworm. It might not work the same for you, so keep figuring out what works! Tweak my formula (proper break, figure out what threw you off, low effort palate cleansers unlike your usual reads, gentle ramp back up) to fit you better. You’ll be out of your reading slump in no time!