A Cure for Reading Slumps - Happy World Book Day!

 Happy World Book Day! (late, sorry!)

Hey, Aurora here. I want to celebrate one of the best days possible - World Book Day. (I know! I know it's the not the 23rd of April, but still!) I'll be honest - it didn't even occur to me that this day existed till yesterday (I know! I'm sorry! As a bibliophile, it's embarrassing that I didn't even hear about this). Now that I know about it, I'm definitely advocating for this to be a real holiday. A real holiday where everyone huddles up in their own little nook, snuggling under the covers with a cup of hot cocoa and their favorite book in their hand. I swear! There's nothing like it. However, this little paradise is such a distant dream for anyone with a busy life. I've found myself plagued with the age-old problem of the "reading slump." Ugh! Got a good case of it.

Let's define this ailment - reading slump. What is it? It's a period in a book lover's life where they lose interest in reading due to a number of factors (e.g. loss of motivation, feelings of fatigue, burnout, etc.)

When I had all the time in the world as an idle child, I'd re-read my favourite books over and over again. I can't tell you how worn out my copy of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or my copy of Hardy Boys. Man, I really miss those days when I used to worry about which book to read again. I didn't have a large book supply - imported books were far too expensive in my country. So, I used to resort to re-reading books. Once I had become older, The Shining was my next favourite - it was a masterpiece for a thriller fanatic such as I. Anyways, that's besides the point, I just don't have any time for the new books I have in supply now. I can't tell you how frustrating it is to see a bookshelf full of new books and having no time or motivation to read it. 

So, let's play a game. Is this you or not? You've realised that you haven't been reading for quite while, opting to doom scroll on your phone than pick up a book. One day, you pick up that book that you've been wanting to read. After five pages, you abandon the book. Never picking it up the day after. Is this you? Because that's definitely me! I've been struggling with the same problem. If this is you, then you should stick around with me as I delve into cures for the reading slump.

Time Management

My main problem that is well-known amongst many is the lack of time. I've been struggling with this ever since I started high school. Now, I'm in university and it's still a problem. So, I've decided that every evening at 6 pm, I would block out an hour dedicated to reading. There's also an hour of reading just before bed. I make sure that I've kept a book on the pillow to push me to dedicate some time to my lifelong companion - the book. It's definitely working. I'm slowly getting back into reading - slowly but surely. 

There is also another way of pushing yourself to read books, and that is by joining a reading challenge. I found myself quite intrigued by the act of pushing and motivating yourself to complete new tasks. The gratification that you earn from ticking off a task as complete is unlike anything else. The act of completing tasks and ticking them off our to-do list results in a dopamine release that is rewarding and gives you a sense of accomplishment.

Check out our very own reading challenge for 2025!

No Motivation

Another reason that there would be a lack of will to read. Maybe you picked up the most enlightening and mind-bending book that cannot compare to other books. I read A Little Life and I was too harrowed (don't ask me why!) to pick up another book. I needed a light-hearted mystery like the The Marlow Murder Club to reel me back in. Whenever a book does that to you, shift genres or pick up a light-hearted comedic piece. I always go back to my favorites. I can't tell you how many times I've read Matilda after a reading slump. It's just that Roald Dahl has always been a comfort author. I love his macabre take on seemingly innocent stories. 

Don't Force Yourself 

Don't force yourself to read a book you don't like. Abandon your reading list for a moment. Ask a family member, friend, or colleague to pick out a book for you in a certain genre and read it. I remember I did this with a friend. A sort of book exchange. I remembered in middle school that my friend and I challenged ourselves to read one of our favourite books from the library. I suggested Enid Blyton's Fantastic Five, and she told me to read Chris Colfer's The Land of Stories. I borrowed the book and I have to tell you - best decision ever. I was glued to that book. It never left my hand. I finished it in a week while travelling to visit my grandparents. Getting recommendations or swapping books will definitely rekindle your love for books and allow you to explore new authors and different genres. Before that little activity, I'd barely ever pick up Fantasy books. However, it was just way too good! I got into a little Fantasy phase.

Well, these are few of the ideas I have at the moment. Maybe, I'll have a part two of how to take care of reading slumps as there a variety of solutions to this problem. You can create time blocks for your reading and attempt reading challenges. Apart from that, you can switch genres or return to your favourites. Lastly, you can always swap books or ask for recommendations from family members, friends, or colleagues. Remember, the slump doesn't last forever. If these solutions don't work, don't worry! A bibliophile is never really separated from their books. We always find our way back to them!

Written by 

Aurora

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