TGIF: Getting Out of the Evil Reading Rut
Lalala. It’s Friday! Lalala!
That’s my Friday song. In case you were confused.
This week, Ginger at GReads! asks:
Reading Blues: We all get them from time to time. What helps you overcome those reading slumps when nothing seems to grab your attention?
I’m sure a lot of people want to hear things like, “Push through it!” and “Keep with it, it’ll get better!” But not from me. If you don’t feel like reading, then don’t do it. There’s no reason to force yourself to read a book because, more likely than not, you’ll end up not enjoying it because you’ll be thinking, “Geez, I wish I was doing ANYTHING other than this.” So, I prescribe doing whatever it is you feel like doing. Marathon a TV show on Netflix. Bake. Go outside. See a movie. Whatever it is that you want to do, DO IT. Eventually you’ll come back to reading. I promise.
And, you know, it’s possible that your reading rut lasts . . . awhile. I’ve had them last, like, a month before. But eventually you’ll be really bored one night and the episode of Supernatural you’re watching just isn’t keeping your attention, but you don’t really want to watch anything else and then you’ll look at your bookshelf and think, “Ah, yes. Hello, there old friend.” And you and reading will be back together. And you will be happy for the time away, because it will make you appreciate the reading more.
My other advice is this: perhaps it’s not reading so much as it is genre. Maybe you’ve read read seven dystopians in a row. Mix it up a little. Throw in a contemporary or a fairy tale or sci fi, just to change it up and keep everything fresh.
And also know this: it’s perfectly normal to go through a slump. Don’t compare yourself to other readers or bloggers. You need to do what’s best for you and if that’s taking a break, by all means take it. Don’t beat yourself up over it. Eventually you’ll come back to the bookshelf and you’ll be energized and excited and ready to read and review.
So that is my advice to you! I hope it is helpful and uplifting. But, if not, that’s okay too.
I hope y’all’ve all had a wonderful week and that you have whatever sort of weekend you want to have ahead of you!
Happy Friday!
TGIF is a weekly meme hosted by Ginger at GReads!
Bethany Larson 
THANK YOU. If you don’t want to read, DON’T READ. That’s the best way to get through a slump. Just give yourself some effing time ❤ It definitely shouldn't be a chore. Something that has worked for me? AUDIOBOOK. Your eyes don't have to do anything. And that is awesome.
Oooh audiobooks. I haven’t really tried these out (mostly because they are expensive. I am le poor. And I’ve been bureaucratically cockblocked from the library but that is another story for another time.) but I’ve heard great things.
Reading is supposed to be fun and entertaining, so if it isn’t I have to take a break; but sometimes I might read something light & fun. Like you said, what works for 1 person might not work for another, and sometimes what works once might not work the next time.
Such great advice! I remember when I first started blogging/reviewing I felt I had to be up to the levels of all these already established bloggers. It took a long time for me to realize that it’s okay to go a day, a week, or a month (or more) without reading a book. Not forcing it is probably the best thing for it!
Good advice about switching up genres. That helps me.
Okay, I’d better go link my post up.