At the end of 2021, I was pleased to see that I’d managed to surpass my Goodreads goal of 200 books by about 10 (maybe even a few more than that.) Reading has always been my escape–my place to hang out with friends who accept me as I am and who, unlike me, always triumph over their hard circumstances.
Reading has always given me hope.
In 2021, I needed a lot of that. When I looked over the books I read last year, it was more re-reading than anything. Re-reading is comfort. It’s familiar. It’s a guarantee that I’m going to get the ending that I need rather than the one that the author liked (and maybe that author preferred ending is fine, but it isn’t always what I want.)
So I happily set another 200 book Goodreads goal for 2022…and then couldn’t read.
I pushed through several books that I needed to read for the StoryChats podcast. And I enjoyed them, but they weren’t giving me that thing I needed.
And for the first time, in a long time, I realized I was in a reading slump, and not even my favorite re-reads were getting me out of it.
So when my family packed up the car at the end of January and headed down to visit some friends in Florida and then pay a visit to Mickey Mouse, I tossed my Kindle into my bag…but I never even took it out. I also didn’t take out my laptop, despite being woefully behind on my wordcount for my next book.
It was, I think, exactly what the doctor ordered.
In the evening, after the kids were tucked in and hubby and I were settled in for a few minutes of adult winding down time, where usually I would be reading or writing and hubby would be playing a game on his computer, we watched TV and scrolled memes and laughed.
I unpacked my Kindle Saturday night and frowned at the cover of the book showing. The one everyone tells me is A. Maz. Ing. The one people are appalled I haven’t read before. And I set it aside and went to my bookshelves to grab an old friend. Because the slump isn’t dead, but maybe it’s on the ropes. Rereading is enjoyable again. And maybe (hopefully!) in time I’ll be excited about taking a chance on something new again.
In thinking about the “why” of the slump (because I can’t help myself and like to try and figure out causes when I can), I think ultimately it’s probably the stress and overwhelm of the last couple of years catching up with me. And where reading had been the thing that got me through most days, I guess it makes sense that at some point even that needs to take a moment to breathe.
I had to give myself time to not write over the summer, and I guess I’m reaching a point where, for now at least, I need to give myself permission not to read. Even if it’s frustrating.
Have you taken a vacation from reading? Was there anything that helped you get out of the slump? Do you have a go-to book you reread when you need that comforting, satisfying friend?
Elizabeth Maddrey is a semi-reformed computer geek and homeschooling mother of two who lives in the suburbs of Washington D.C. When she isn’t writing, Elizabeth is a voracious consumer of books. She loves to write about Christians who struggle through their lives, dealing with sin and receiving God’s grace on their way to their own romantic happily ever after.
I can’t recall a time I did not read.
Yeeeees I was in a slump on and off for a while. If stress can do it that must be it. My go to is Anne of Green Gables. :)
I’m glad to hear you had a refreshing and restful time in Florida.
I, too, return to old favourites when I want to read a good book but don’t want the stress or stimulation of the unknown. I find myself returning multiple times to the works of Charles Dickens, Jane Austen, J.R.R Tolkien, Frank Peretti, and Grace Livingstone Hill.
My reading vacations happen when I read not what I “should” but what I want to, if that makes sense. So, instead of reading something in my own genre, I might jump into a mystery, thriller, or true crime book.
probably been in one for a few years. I still read occasionally but last year it was about 13 books. this year I am at about 9 or 10 although nothing for a few days. Sometimes I find having to read is a problem like having to read for someone so now I only request when I know I will have time to read and need at least a few weeks. I am also finding I don’t want long books 250 – 300 is about my limit at present the exception is a couple of cosy mysteries but they were not much over. I was going to start one end of last week like the blurb but I look at the cover and just cant get into it. I also find if I have a break I sometimes struggle to get back into reading.
When I am tired is when I struggle the most or when the pain is up but I am trying to read more this year.
I actually read to take my mind off the daily stress. Music helps too.
Hi Elizabeth! Glad you were able to have an enjoyable time away in Florida. After yearly rereading the classics to teach my high school American Lit class, when I first retired in 2012 I didn’t want to reread anything. Not sure what has suddenly changed – the gloomy wintery Michigan weather or because of 2 years of the pandemic, but nothing catches my interest, especially CCR. Usually when I am in a reading slump changing genre helped – contemporary romance to historical romance or mysteries to nonfiction. So this week I reread some stories with a Valentine’s Day setting. Today after reading a Mighty Girls post I may read some YA fiction. Also reading some non-fiction. According to Goodreads I am 7 books ahead in my 2022 Reading Challenge of 150 books, so a week’s break is ok. No pressure. I enjoyed your book Postcards because it was unique and different. Best wishes. Looking forward to the responses.
If reading becomes just one more thing on my already busy To Do list I feel myself rebelling. I’m in several book clubs with monthly required reading, , I read for new authors occasionally, a guest appearance on Storychats. Those can start to feel like “I have to.” When I throw that all aside and read what “I want to” it starts flowing again.
When I’m in a reading (or writing) rut I’ll return to my favorite author Pat Conroy. His words make my heart sing. Or I’ll go back to the Harry Potter series. There’s something about that nerdy little boy that just makes me happy!
I hope that continues for you! It’s kind of sad over here 😃
Anne is always a lift! I did try her a bit ago, but maybe I need to try again. (Maybe I’ll skip to Avonlea or Windy Poplars as they’re favorites.)
I am an unrepentant genre hopper when I read. I need that variety.
I love A Tale of Two Cities. Maybe I should try reading it. I haven’t read it in ages.
Aw, hugs. It’s such a hard place to be.
Normally I read for that too! It just hasn’t been working lately — maybe because aspects of my reading has started to feel like a job not a relaxation hobby.
I haven’t read YA in a while. Hmm. Maybe that’s the change I need. I went through a HUGE YA phase a while ago and kind of burned out on it. But it’s been a long time.
Nonfiction is a good idea as well. Thanks!
I love Harry. I did reread book one of that recently, maybe I need to keep on with the series .
You nailed it, I think, it’s starting to feel like a whole bunch of “have to” and not very much “want to.”
Thanks. I use to get so annoyed with mum she kept saying she was going to start reading again but like many things it never happened. Then I have had times I have gone months hardly reading. I find after reading a book I struggle with I tend to have a bit of a slump to get back. It’s then I need a novella. I am struggling with the Kindle as I have covers but no blurbs. but right now reading a Narelle Atkins novella (I need to review it and have read it before but couldn’t find my review so rereading and loving it).
I honestly can’t think of a time when I haven’t been able to read! I usually have no problem finding a book I like and that draws me in.
Yay! I miss those days :)
I have been in something of a slump over the last several months. When I pick up the book I’m working on I enjoy it well enough but I have a hard time making myself pick it up. Even when re-reading my favorites, Jan Karon’s Mitford series, it’s taken a little time to get into them.
Yes! I feel that — there are definitely times lately when I’ve had to convince myself to start and then I’m happy I did.
I’ve been an avid reader the majority of my life. That being said reading “slumps” have been a normal part of my life as well as one of my best friend’s who is also an avid reader. We both have had times in our lives where we simply have not felt like picking up a book and if we did, ended up putting it back down pretty quickly.
We also have gone through phases where we only read contemporary then only historical. Now I’m going way back with that last comment since I can’t remember the last time I picked up a historical novel.
Back to slumps again, my husband is the same way. He’s the kind of person who is ALWAYS in the process of reading a book. He will literally walk and read. In the old days it was with a paperback, now it’s his phone or kindle. I’ve noticed he’s not reading as much as he used to over these past couple of weeks. For me and the people in my life, taking a break from reading to focus on other things is a normal part of our lives.
On the one hand, it’s really nice to know I’m not alone. On the other hand, this is such a hard place for me to be that I’m not happy others go through it too! :)
My problem recently has been to stop reading and do the things I need to do! It does help that I’m retired, so not much schedule. When I need a break between things on my list, I read… and forget to take a break from my break. I do have times when nothing seems to attract me, but I’ve got enough books (both “real” and Kindle) that I can usually come up with something that will pull me out of my funk. Sometimes an old Carol Moncado will do it. Other times I go for a really old favorite from junior high days :-)
Ha. I’ve had many days when I’ve forgotten to stop my reading break. Carol’s books are so good. Maybe I should dig out one of hers.
Catch up on movies, tv shows you have always meant to see..sometimes it takes too much energy to read. Do not beat yourself up over a reading slump. In a few months the urge to read will come back.Maybe, when you’re ready to read, read novellas or children’s chapter books.
Children’s books is a good idea! And yes, there’s been a good deal of TV watching.
I read just about every day, I sometimes take a day or 2 before I start reading another book after I finish one. Have a great week and stay safe. I enjoyed reading your post.
I do…sometimes…I don’t know if I can call it a vacation though – more like NO time at all for reading.
Or…I take time-off between the books if the story was so influential that I need time to think.
A good book hangover is a beautiful thing! I love when I need a day or two between books :)
Oh, definitely no fun when it’s because life is crazy that you can’t read!
I’m glad you had a lovely holiday! Regarding reading slumps, I read when I feel like it if I ‘m not in the mood, I do something different, like craft, music, or even watch a movie!! Since I got sick last year and didn’t touch a book for weeks, I now find I don’t read as much as I did before, and I also enjoy my rereads. It’s ok to not want to read. There are seasons in life, so keep attuned to what direction God is pointing you, and don’t stress about your non reading.
Love this, Margaret, thank you!
I’m in a slump right now. Nothing interests me not books, tv, crafts, etc. I just want to go outside.
Aw. I’m kind of there (in the nothing interests me sense) – so I feel you.
I’ve never really had a reading slump, if periods of time where I focus on something else or don’t have much time.
Jane Austen is my comfort reading, the calm life, the serious situations where nobody dies or nothing horrible happens…it just calms me down.
Yes. I had a hard time reading last year. Prior to last year, I would read out loud to my Mom and husband. It would be our nightly entertainment. When my Mom became ill and ultimately moved into a nursing home, I struggled to read. I felt like I was cheating on her. I was in a book club so I struggled to read those books. As the time wore on, I was finally able to pick up books that I wanted to read. It just took time. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you.
I stop reading every once in a while but then will get back on my newer book but then would not stop reading.
I often have breaks from reading but when I decide to come back to read I like to start off with a hockey book first.
Jane is always a good idea.
Oh big hugs. A change like that makes a slump understandable.
:)
I’m glad there are people in the world who like hockey and hockey books so I don’t have to be one.
When everything shut down in 2020, I lost my joy of reading (gasp!) for quite a long time. I had never, ever experienced that before and it was disconcerting because I am an avid reader. I tried every genre, author & troupe that I liked and even a few I had not read and nothing worked. So finally I had to give myself grace to go through it without stressing about it. I figured that it wouldn’t last forever. I had heard from other readers that they went through the same thing due to the pandemic & life being thrown upside down.
Well, I can say that my joy of reading is back in full force! I don’t know what triggered it again or what book helped, all I know is I started loving books again. It helped to read upbeat stories & a few Rom-com’s for good measure. Those got me to laughing again :-)
I feel this!!! I’ve been in a reading slump since the beginning of the year. Even the books I’ve most looked forward to I just can’t seem to find the desire to read. I’ve read a few that I have enjoyed, but I also have little desire to pick up any book lately. I’m just letting it ride because my focus is on other things right now, which is okay. My love for reading will come back when the time is right.