Yes... 'Reading slump.' The words every blogger dreads. It's like a poison, slowly infiltrating you and preventing you from finishing books in good time and writing reviews. And I'm experiencing one right now!
I really do hate this feeling. I very much want to get through the books in my review pile but something just seems to be holding me back. Some sort of lack of motivation to read twenty or so pages. I'm quite busy with life right now and whenever I do get a little free time, I feel inclined to just lie on the sofa and watch TV or go on the Internet. Does this make me a bad blogger?
School has put me under a lot of pressure lately, with endless piles of homework and fast-approaching tests. And when I do pick up a book, I feel bad for not studying. Then there's the need for piano and violin practise which I have been neglecting - as much as I hate to admit. And don't even get me on to my social life - which is practically non-existent right now if you must know. All of this, LIFE, is getting in the way on top of this horrid reading slump and here I am now, desperate to claw my way out and be a better blogger.
Being busy seems to add fuel to the fire of reading-slumpiness :( You've probably all noticed that I haven't been around much lately (have ya missed me?) and I do wish I had more time to come round and visit your blogs and chat to you on Twitter everyday but it's just NOT doable.
Reading slumps are such awful things and I know most bloggers have been through it. So what did YOU do to get out of it? Any of you have magical cures to this disgusting blogger disease? Lemme know! All suggestions will be very much appreciated!
And I can't write this without lots of hugs and thank you's to Jen who has been the best co-blogger in every way. She has been absolutely wonderful and so, so patient with me in the past few weeks. Thanks a million, Jen, for bearing with me!!! I don't think this blog would be as good right now if it weren't for your amazingly steady presence!
Happy reading - hopefully none of you are going through reading slumps like me!
Beverley x
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Bev, I AM WITH YOU! I've been blogging, but my reviews have been sucking SO MUCH lately. I have exams in December, I had two thirty-page lab reports this weekend, I've had so many exams, not to mention music lessons, and...GAH! Life + Blogging = Disaster. So, I know EXACTLY what you mean. I can't get away from reading, since it keeps me sane, but I feel so guilty all the time too. *sigh*
ReplyDeleteAnyway, reading slumps. Well, I actually use reading slumps as an excuse to re-read all my favorite novels. Somewhere in the midst of my re-reading, I'll have the urge to read another book and I'll pick it up and be good to go. Other times, I try to have a bunch of Aussie Novels at my disposal since they're always SO good and sure to get me out of a reading slump. Most of the time though, it just takes time. I go through books, I hate them, I write snarky reviews, I bemoan my life, I read more books, hate them again, write more snarky reviews, curse my life, read more, and finally like them again. I don't think there's any solution to it but time. If you find one though, do let me know! ;)
Lovely post, Bev! I wish you the best of luck in getting out of your slump and managing all your school work and musical lessons too! :)
I go through these so much, but my advice? Reread your absolute favorite book or a book you KNOW you're going to like. That always helps when I'm in a slump. Personally, I look to whatever my friends are telling me I'd LOVE, I read it, I love it, and I'm suddenly excited to read again.
ReplyDeleteI've been in a slump as well-I just want to watch TV and/or dance Zumba-it's so difficult! I'm hoping that this Thanksgiving weekend will be helpful to me. I have no advice for you unfortunately!
ReplyDeleteOh, Beverly, thank you so so much for this post.
ReplyDelete"Does this make me a bad blogger?"
NO. It makes you a human being with a life, and responsibilities, and did I say HUMAN?
I've been going through a reading slump for what feels like MONTHS. Even though I've read wonderful books, I just... everything feels like a STRUGGLE. Thank you SO much for talking about this ♥
I know what you mean, Bev, about time anyways. I love reading but I work full time so squeezing in blogging can be a real challenge. I find that I can only sporadically comment on blogs during the week and then try and catch up on the weekend. But it's no always possible. Thankfully, you have a co-blogger, like I do and they help so much with the responsibilities. I know I couldn't do this without Jasprit, and I'm so happy to hear Jen is just as indispensable.
ReplyDeleteI would suggest you only read light and fun books. Ones that don't require a lot of thinking. Only brain candy, because lord knows you have enough serious reading to do with school! :)
I've missed seeing you around Beverley! But I totally agree Jen has been doing an amazing job on the blog, I love reading her enthusiastic reviews! I haven't been in a book slump for a while, I think I'm getting hit more with the case of a review slump as I have so many to write. But when I was going through one earlier this year, I found that re-reading some of my favourite rainy day comfort reads really helped! I hope you get out of your slump soon, I know how chaotic life can be on top too! *hugs*
ReplyDeleteTHAT IS EXACTLY HOW I'VE FELT THE PAST FEW MONTHS. I hadn't much time for reading/blogging, but when I DID, I just... could.not.be.bothered. I still feel like that and it takes me great effort to just sit down and write a review, but once I'm finished, I feel so ACCOMPLISHED. My problem is the motivation to start, because I love the feeling of having done something at the end.
ReplyDeleteAdvice? Uh, I have zero, sorry! If there is a magical cure, please direct me to it when you find it. It definitely does NOT make you a bad blogger. If it does, I'm just as awful and I don't want to be awful, therefore... no bad blogginess :P
I hope you can find a way out of your slump soon, but don't rush yourself, take as much time as you need otherwise you'll just resent it even more <3
I'm very sorry to hear that you are feeling this way! I hardly have reading slumps *knocks on some wood :p* This definitely doesn't make you a bad blogger! Reading is still supposed to be fun, not something you HAVE to do :)
ReplyDeleteWhat always helps me when I feel a bit stuck: grab an oldie. Most of the times, that is Harry Potter/The book thief/The Seven waters for me. It always calms me down when I feel stress out by the amount of books, or if I feel like I can't find THE book I want to read at that moment.
I hope that your slump is over soon, but don't force yourself into reading. The need to pick up a book will be back soon enough and in the mean time, just enjoy watching TV :)
Ah, Bev, we've missed you so much! <3 *hugs* I have reading slumps a lot, and my reading slump last year was SO BAD that I only read one novel in about four months! Crazy, I know. Maybe you can try reading popular YA books, with Goodreads rating 4.5+. :) I found out that when the book is actually interesting, I really could finish it in one sitting although I'm in reading slump. Remember that reading is supposed to be something that we enjoy, not something we have to do. ;)
ReplyDeleteI hope that you could get over the reading slump soon, hun! Good luck with your school and everything else in your life! <3 :)
I have been going through one as well, Bev. I haven't been in Blogger in ages! What finally got me on here and reading again? Earlier this week I went to my favorite bookstore and just roamed. Looking at all the new books to my favorite series, and old friends, sparked something in me! Also watching the teaser trailer for City of Bones helped a little, too, I think!
ReplyDeleteOh, Beverly I'm going through one right now. But a couple of months ago I had a reading slump so bad I only made 2 - 3 posts on my blog in like 2 months. It happens a lot but I found out reading some really good books helped me go through it. I absolutely understand you at the 'school' part. I also can't breathe with all this pressure let alone read.
ReplyDeleteI hope you manage to get over 'reading slump' soon! Good luck with everything! <3
-Dianna
:) I haven't so much been in a book slump, but I have been in a reviewing slump (haven't written one in 21 days- oh my) I find reading to go to sleep is the best way to become interested in reading again, especially when its reading a book you love. the time before bed, you have no requirements so its a good time to read, and maybe read till the early morning.
ReplyDeletegood luck with all your schoolwork and recovering from your slump! there is nothing wrong with wanting to do other stuff then blogging when you have free time, you are human after all.
Sadly I'm kinda in a slump at the moment too... it's really depressing!!! I'm doing so many extra activities at school this year so that, with homework, plus piano and violin practice (which I, too, have also been somewhat neglecting...) and I just seem to be SO busy ALL of the time; I hardly have any time to read, let alone blog! It's really depressing!!!
ReplyDeleteAnd even when I do have a bit of spare time, I am just so exhausted that I don't feel like doing anything but going to bed as early as I can...
I think a good cure for a reading slump is to just take some time out and curl up with one of your favourite books, one that you know you can rely on to sweep you away ad take your mind off all your stress...
Hope you and anyone else who is feeling slump-ish manages to get out of it soon! :) xxx
Oh Bev, recently, I've been falling into slumps every few books. I feel like I am in one now too! Work and study commitments aren't helping, and I suppose that contributes a lot to it. These things seem to sort themselves out eventually though, I find. It just takes a really good book and less pressure to meet deadlines and I find myself back on track. :)
ReplyDeleteI hope you are feeling better soon!
I am going through the exact same thing at the moment!!! I'm so busy with study and sport that I hardly have time to sleep and eat, never mind read or blog! Stay strong Beverley - we will get through this!
ReplyDeleteI've heard that the best way to get out of a slump is to read an old favourite. Personally though, I go for a book that I have been anxiously awaiting and just abandon my schedule. I hope you dig your way out soon!
ReplyDeleteI feel your pain, Beverley! <3 School is taking over our lives! D: Once I finish doing homework and revision and violin practice (which I have been neglecting too, to be honest) I only have the energy to slump in from of the TV. You're not alone! :P I am trying hard to not take a break from blogging but I might have to near the end of this month with lots of exams.
ReplyDeleteLast year I had a reading slump too and reading just didn't interest me and blogging and emailing was becoming a chore. *shudder* However, I pre-ordered the book Wonder by R.J Palacio and I completely forgot about it for months. When it arrived in the post I had a quick glance at the first page and I was hooked - I read it in one sitting :) After that, I began to get more and more excited about books and started to blog more again for the right reasons. My advice is to read a classic, one of your favourite or your most anticipated book on your wishlist...
I hope you manage to beat it soon, Beverley! Good luck with school <3
I go through reading/blogging slumps fairly often these days. I find that it is tied into my mental health issues (I've struggled with depression since I was a teenager!) so I know that whenever I feel a slump coming on, that it's time for me to start working on myself for a little while. So I say of course you're not a bad blogger for wanting to not read or blog. Relaxing is something everyone needs to do, if for you that means watching TV then go for it. But, if you're still feeling guilty about not reading, here are my top tips:
ReplyDeleteFirst, try not to feel so guilty. Some slumps for me come on when I'm feeling under pressure to read review books when I really I just want to read a book from the library or something I bought myself. Lose the guilt and read what you want!
Second, try something different. I've always found that slumps will come on when I'm reading a lot of the same sort of books. Because I read mostly YA in general, I'll try something different like an adult chick-lit book or something geared at younger than YA. Also, because I generally read actual physical books, sometimes a change in book format will help. Ebooks or audio books make a nice change.
Third, try something familiar. Sometimes when I don't feel like reading the hundreds of books that I own and haven't yet read, I like to go back and reread an old favourite. Something I know that I will enjoy and will make me feel happy but also gets me back into reading. Something like Pride and Prejudice or Jane Eyre, which I've read millions of times, or something like Anne of Green Gables which brings back memories of reading the book when I was younger.
Fourth, try something different. Occasionally none of my usual tricks work. I don't feel like reading something different or familiar or anything. But because I am addicted to the written word, I start reading something else entirely. Like magazines. Or cookbooks, or letters or cards that I've collected over the years from family or friends. And sometimes this can spur an interest in reading a particular book, sometimes it doesn't. It can still be fun to do.
Fifth, plan. This mostly works just for blogging slumps, but it could work for reading slumps too, I guess? Whenever I'm not in the mood for blogging, I start making lists of blog post ideas to write for when I AM in the mood for blogging. This works especially if I start planning blog post ideas about books. Writinga list of my favourite contemporary YA novels makes me remember what I love about YA books and can sometimes help me get back into the mood for reading or blogging again.
Lastly, wait it out. This one is frustrating for me, but sometimes it's the only method that works. Just stop forcing the reading or blogging and do other things that you enjoy doing. Watching films/tv, baking, listening to music, play board games, whatever. Just try not to think or worry about reading or blogging and just enjoy life. And eventually, things might balance out again and you'll be in the mood to read again.
Good luck!
Looking through all the comments and just had to say a big thank you for this amazing comment! I found that the first and second tips you gave me were particularly effective. I think the big problem was the guilt which then lead to pressure and it just wasn't a nice combination, so I tried telling myself that reading should be enjoyed and not treated as a chore. When I felt like reading again, I picked up Unspoken by Sarah Rees Brennan - a book under a genre I don't usually read - and that's what really got me out of the slump and motivated me.
DeleteThank you again so much for the tips though, Clover! Just thought I'd leave a reply in case you thought I didn't read it! If I'm ever in another reading slump, I know where to turn to :D