Normally, Fridays are reserved for Friday Reads. This isn't going to be a Friday Reads post. Why? Because I'm afraid I might be in that dreaded zone we readers hate: The Reading Slump. But...I'm not sure.
Anyone ever go through that? Where you can't tell if you're truly in a slump or it's just that you've picking books that don't grab you?
I've read some non-fiction lately, and that's been fine. But I've been uninspired when it comes to picking up the fiction book I'm about 100 pages into. There's nothing bad about the book. And I LOVED the author's previous book. But I find myself putting it down and not going back. And I haven't moved onto another book because I feel like I'm still "reading" this one and I don't jump around with fiction books. I read one then move on (or decide it's not for me and move on.) A serial monogamist. ;)
But I think I've been reluctant to move on with this one because I can't tell if it's the book or if it's just that I'm in some sort of reading slump. The last book I read and loved (Land of the Beautiful Dead) was back in November. That's a long time for me not to find a book that I'm excited about (especially when I'm on a writing break and have the time to read more.) So that's what makes me wonder if I'm in a reading slump.
Signs of a reading slump
1. You keep putting down the book you're reading.
2. You browse through your TBR pile and nothing really grabs you.
3. You're not thinking about getting back to a book when you get a minute to yourself.
Ugh. Reading slumps are no good, right? It's depressing. Reading is one of my favorite things to do and I don't want to feel meh about it. So I've come up with a plan to get myself out of the slump.
Getting Out of The Slump
1. Move on to another book, even if you think there may be nothing particularly wrong with the one you're reading.
Maybe it really is the book. Put the book you're reading aside. You may go back to it one day, but right now it's back on the shelf in limbo mode. Life is too short to force yourself to read a book that isn't working for you (no matter the reason). <--This is something I have to tell myself constantly. I have a hard time walking away from a book unless I outright HATE it.
2. Pick something in a different genre or subgenre than what your current read is.
Maybe it's the wrong genre for you at the moment--like it's a sweet contemporary and you really need something darker right now or something with explosions! Or maybe life is chaotic and you need something quieter to read than the thriller or whatever it is you're reading.
3. Get a recommendation from someone who has book tastes you trust.
Find that friend or book blogger that is your reading twin. They usually love what you love. Get suggestions from them on the last book that blew them away.
4. Reread an old favorite.
Sometimes you need a sure thing. Pick up that book that you know is going to make you happy. (This one doesn't work as well for me because I'm not a re-reader, no matter how much I love a book. Weird, I know.)
5. Pick an author who usually doesn't let you down.
This is when favorite authors can come in and save the day. Your odds for liking the book are higher if you've read and loved their other stuff.
6. Commit to picking up another book.
Sometimes I find that when I'm in a reading slump, it takes a lot of energy to go and pick out a new book to read. It's like I'm reluctant to get into another disappointing relationship. But just like in life, you've got to put yourself back out there, lol. So make yourself pick up something else and something else until you find that book that grabs you, woos you, and takes you to bed. Wait, we're still talking about books, right? Maybe I took that metaphor too far. ;)
Okay, those are some tactics to help. For me, I'm going to take my own advice and put down this current book and move on. Maybe it's me and not the book, but it's clearly not the right book for me right now. We shall see if the next one fixes this. :)
So, have you ever been in a reading slump? What did you do to get out of it? Any tips to add? And what book have you read lately that was amazing and is sure to get someone out of a slump?