If you’ve ever stared at your bookshelf with a feeling of existential dread instead of excitement, congratulations! You, my friend, are in the infamous reading slump. It’s the bookworm’s equivalent of a midlife crisis. You love reading—well, you used to—but now the thought of cracking open a novel makes you want to binge-watch yet another season of that show you’ve already seen five times. So how do you break out of this tragic cycle? How do you rediscover your love for books without forcing it?

Don’t worry—I’ve been there too. Whether you’re a casual reader or someone who can’t go a week without smelling the pages of a new book, a reading slump is bound to happen. But fear not! In this guide, I’ll share some tried-and-true strategies to break free from the dreaded slump and rekindle your relationship with the written word.

What Exactly Is a Reading Slump?

Let’s start with a quick diagnosis. A reading slump isn’t just about not reading; it’s about wanting to read but somehow not being able to. You pick up a book, read the same paragraph five times, and your brain still wanders off to what’s for dinner. Or worse, you scroll through Goodreads, see all the shiny new releases, and instead of excitement, you feel a sinking sense of apathy. Sound familiar?

It happens to the best of us. The reasons for a reading slump can be varied:

• Burnout: Maybe you’ve been binge-reading too many heavy tomes, and your brain is begging for a break.
• Life stress: Sometimes, life gets hectic, and reading takes a backseat to more urgent tasks.
• Wrong book at the wrong time: Not every book is for every moment. That critically-acclaimed literary masterpiece might just not be your vibe right now.

So, how do we fix it?

1. Revisit an Old Favorite

This is the literary equivalent of comfort food. Remember that book you adored when you were younger? The one that made you laugh, cry, or gasp out loud in public? Now’s the time to pull it off the shelf. Revisiting an old favorite can remind you why you loved reading in the first place. It’s a low-pressure way to get back into the habit because you already know what happens, and there’s no anxiety about whether you’ll like it or not.

For me, it’s Girl in Pieces every time. I know it by heart, but there’s something about time-traveling wizards and hippogriffs that never fails to pull me out of a reading slump. Find your equivalent, and let yourself fall back into a world you already love.

2. Change the Format

Maybe the problem isn’t the book itself, but the format. If your eyes feel strained from looking at pages (or a screen, for all you e-readers), try switching things up with an audiobook. Audiobooks are a great way to engage with a story while you’re doing something else—like driving, cleaning, or pretending to work during a Zoom meeting.

Some audiobooks are practically a performance, with full-cast recordings or dramatic narrations that make the book come alive in a way reading might not. Try a gripping thriller or a hilarious memoir narrated by the author (I’m looking at you, Mindy Kaling), and you might find that the reading slump melts away.

3. Set Achievable Reading Goals

Sometimes, you’re in a reading slump because you’re overwhelmed. Maybe your Goodreads “Currently Reading” list has ballooned to an embarrassing size, or you’ve promised yourself to finish War and Peace this year. Chill out. Give yourself permission to set smaller, more manageable goals. Instead of aiming to read 50 pages a day, start with 10.

You could also try reading short stories or novellas. A quick win—a book you can finish in a sitting or two—might give you that hit of accomplishment you need to break out of the slump.

4. Explore a Different Genre

If you’ve been stuck in the same genre for a while, your reading slump might be due to boredom. Sure, you loved fantasy novels with elaborate world-building, but after the seventh series featuring a reluctant hero destined to save the universe, you might need a palate cleanser.

Try something completely outside your comfort zone. If you normally read fiction, try non-fiction—maybe a quirky pop science book or an offbeat memoir. Or, if you’ve been reading a lot of contemporary romance, take a detour into historical fiction or even a graphic novel. Sometimes, a fresh perspective is all you need to get excited about reading again.

5. Join a Book Club (Or Just Stalk One Online)

Book clubs aren’t just for middle-aged women who meet in living rooms filled with wine and charcuterie (though, to be fair, that does sound amazing). They’re for anyone who enjoys reading—and sometimes, hearing other people’s perspectives can spark your own interest. Even if you’re not the type to join in on the discussions, following a book club can help you discover new reads you might not have found otherwise.

Can’t find a book club in your area? No problem. There are countless online book clubs that you can lurk in from the comfort of your couch. Goodreads has groups for just about every genre, or you can check out bookstagrammers on Instagram who run their own monthly challenges. Seeing other people get excited about books might just be the nudge you need to dive back into your reading groove.

6. DNF Without Guilt

One of the hardest things for book lovers to accept is the idea of a DNF (Did Not Finish). We’ve been conditioned to think that once we start a book, we have to finish it, no matter how much we’re struggling. But here’s a radical thought: you don’t owe the book anything. If it’s not working for you, it’s perfectly okay to put it down and move on.

Life’s too short to read books you’re not enjoying, especially when you’re in a reading slump. If you’re slogging through a 600-page fantasy novel and it’s starting to feel like a chore, give yourself permission to set it aside. You can always come back to it later—after all, it’s not going anywhere.

7. Create a Cozy Reading Space

Sometimes, you need to set the mood. Reading isn’t just about the book itself; it’s about the experience. If your reading spot is uncomfortable, cluttered, or poorly lit, it’s no wonder you’re in a reading slump. Take a little time to create a cozy reading environment that invites you to curl up with a book.

• Get a comfy chair or some plush pillows.
• Light a candle with a soothing scent (lavender is always a winner).
• Make yourself a cup of tea or coffee.
• Put on some soft background music or white noise.

By making your reading environment as inviting as possible, you’re more likely to associate it with relaxation and enjoyment—aka the perfect conditions to break out of a reading slump.

8. Limit Screen Time

I know, I know—this one hurts. But one of the biggest culprits behind a reading slump is the ever-present distraction of our phones, laptops, and TVs. How can you expect to immerse yourself in a book when your brain is conditioned to seek out a new dopamine hit every five minutes via Instagram?

Try setting some boundaries with your screen time. Use an app blocker to limit social media during designated reading hours, or leave your phone in another room when you’re reading. Even just 30 minutes of uninterrupted reading time can help you rebuild your focus and ease you out of that slump.

9. Go to a Bookstore or Library

There’s something magical about being surrounded by books. When you’re in a reading slump, sometimes the simple act of walking through the aisles of a bookstore or library can reignite your passion. The sight of so many stories waiting to be told can be inspiring, and you might stumble across something that immediately piques your interest.

You don’t even have to buy or borrow anything! Just spend some time browsing the shelves, flipping through pages, and soaking in the atmosphere. Sometimes, being around books is enough to remind you why you loved them in the first place.

10. Give Yourself Time and Grace

Above all, remember this: a reading slump isn’t a failure. It’s not a sign that you’ve lost your love of reading forever. Like any relationship, your connection to books will have its ups and downs. Sometimes, you need a break, and that’s okay.

Give yourself the space and grace to come out of the slump at your own pace. The strategies above can help, but forcing yourself to read when you’re not in the mood is counterproductive. Take it slow, try different things, and don’t be hard on yourself if it takes a little time to rediscover your bookish joy.

Conclusion

There you have it—ten strategies to break out of a reading slump and fall back in love with books. Whether you need a change of genre, a cozy reading nook, or just permission to DNF that boring novel, these tips should help ease you back into your reading routine.

Remember, reading is supposed to be enjoyable, not a chore. So if you’re in a slump, don’t stress. The perfect book is out there waiting for you, and when the time is right, you’ll be back to devouring stories like you never left.

Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have a half-read pile of books I should probably get back to…