We’ve all been there, haven’t we? We want to read. We need to read. But nothing catches our attention. We start one book and put it aside and then start a different book, thinking maybe a genre change might help, and put it aside. Repeat as necessary until there is a stack of books, each with maybe 25 pages read. The TBR mountain mocks us with its stacks of unread books. The bookstores sing their siren songs of new-book-fabulousness but we try to resist because of that stupid mocking mountain of books that has been unsatisfactory…and then we break down and buy something new, only to read another 25 pages before putting that book aside, too.
You know what I’m talking about, faithful reader…The Slump. *screams echo in the distance* When nothing seems to catch our attention enough to make us finish a book. Everyone has a different method for dealing with slumpage. Sometimes a re-read of an old fave will snap it. Or maybe reading something entirely different might work. Maybe an audio book will break through the wall of slump. Maybe taking a break entirely from reading (oh the horror!!) is necessary – as in, not even trying to find something good amidst all the stacks of books we all have. Perhaps watching a bunch of movies will be the answer.
I’ve been in a slump since early November. I tried my usual slump breakers – reading Bet Me usually works for me, for example – and I enjoyed the re-read, of course, but the slump continued. I tried reading some other old faves, sometimes successfully and sometimes not. Still, every time I picked up something new, I ended up putting it aside after a chapter or two. I hate it when that happens! There are books waiting for me that I know I will enjoy. Eventually.
For now, I’ve decided to blame the holidays for my slump. The busyness and travel and weird schedules must be to blame. I’ve decided! So now that the holidays are wrapping up and things will be getting back to normal, my slump will end. Right?? Please? Pretty please?? With sugar and a cherry on top??? *sniffle*
So tell me, faithful readers, what do you do when the slump strikes? And if you have suggestions of fabulous slump-snapping books, I welcome them.
When I’m in a slump, I’ll either reread past favorites or try to read something that’s completely different from what I usually read.
All of 2009 was a slump for me 🙁 If you haz cure, plz to share. :X
I’m thinking sometimes a slump just has to run its course. 🙁 I’m clawing my way out…slowly.
Also, to whoever put the pics in – I love Brain so much! Yay! 😀
I have also been in a slump since before Thanksgiving. I’ve been bad though. Since I get the bulk of my reading material from the library, I’ll begin a book, get bored quickly and then skip to the last few chapters and ‘finish’ it. Shame on me. I guess since there is no financial investment on my part, I feel I can get away with it. Occassionally, I will really like those last few chapters and then I will go back and re-read the entire book.
How to cure a slump? I don’t know. I have a big home-organizing project that I’m about to start. Hopefully when that is done, my reading slump will be no more!
*hugs Limecello*
Slumpville? Been a citizen for too long now. I read 17 books last year. I think my ‘reader’ card needs to be revoked. My best bud got me a shirt for Christmas – Too Many Books, Not Enough Time. If only it were that simple.
CindyS
Hmmm…17 books, you say? Eeep! You’ll read more this year, I bet. (((CindyS))) 😉
Tempted All Night by Liz Carlyle (if you haven’t read it already)
Very familiar with Slumpville. In fact, sometimes I think I’ve been appointed mayor of that town.
I don’t have any special secrets for breaking a slump. Sometimes I re-read old favorites. Sometimes I move to strictly e-books (small press) and/or audiobooks and take a break from paper for a week or two. I’ve broken several slumps with fluffy category romances. Right now I’m reading a fabulous estrogen-soaked SuperRomance.
I think my slumps occur mostly when I’m feeling overwhelmed and hate the idea of committing to a full-length novel. That’s probably why the categories and small-press e-books help. They don’t require much time or effort, and finishing a couple of them in a row gives me a sense of accomplishment.
Then again, sometimes everything just sucks. I get lots of manuscripts edited during those times, and I stream a lot of Netflix movies. 😀
Liv – Yup, I’ve already read Tempted All Night. I enjoyed it!
Jen – So you’re the mayor? I wondered who was in charge of Slumpville. Hmm… 😉 Usually my slumps aren’t as bad as this one. A couple of favorite re-reads and I’m good to go. This one has been stubborn but I can see the light at the end, I think. I think I’m going to have to stick with contemporaries for a while, though. And what is this estrogen-soaked SuperRomance of which you speak??
Have no idea why, but I never have a reading slump. Can’t remember one anyway. Maybe it’s because my job is so stressful and I do get very little time that I read, read, read when I can. If I come across a book that’s not working for me, I just drop it and move on. But that happens very rarely. Sounds like all of you try all the right alternatives to cure your slumps. Wish there was a pat answer!
Oh…major slump with the stress of the holidays and nonstop visitors and house guests since two days before Thanksgiving. Now that everyone is gone, my server has gone haywire and I feel like tearing my hair out. Yes…I currently dwell in Slump City. I think it happens to everyone – too many things going on at once. I have no solution, but when in a slump I tend to read nonfiction and food magazines for a time. I stay away from fiction altogether. I just finished The Jew in the Lotus, a book I’d been wanting to read for the longest time and it helped. Good luck!
*ignoring Sandy and her non-slumpy-ness* 😉
Georganna – good luck with your big project!
Julia – maybe that’s what I need…a long coveted book might be just the ticket. I’ll have to check my Desperately Wanted list. 🙂
Sandy might remember that I was in a serious slump about this time last year–it’s so frustrating. My slumpbuster is Susan Elizabeth Phillips–mostly the first four Chicago Stars books but just about anything by her will do. My other is Julie Garwood’s medievals. Sometimes reading out of genre helps me, too. I recently re-read most of Nelson DeMille’s books and when I came back to romance it felt new again. Hope you break out of it soon. 🙂
Great information on this site. I love reading your posts. Thanks a lot!
Monica – in fact, during my slump I re-read some SEP stuff. I blame the Book Binge ladies for taunting me with SEP goodness. 🙂 Usually she’s a slump-breaker for me, too. It didn’t work this time but her books are always fun. And I started re-reading The Wedding but I didn’t finish. I haven’t tried Nelson DeMille, though. Hmm, there’s an idea. Thanks!
this information is great to me!! thank you guys for your awesome posts As Nick says, iA?ll re-read it again, and again …
Oops…forgot to check back. The book I just finished was A Natural Father by Sarah Mayberry. Soooo cute. 🙂
You must REALLY be in a slump if SEP didn’t work, LOL. Try changing up genres and let me know if it works!
I know! *cries* It’s horrible! I’m trying really short books at the moment…maybe that will help? 🙁
Glad your slump didn’t last too much longer, Monica! And that you got back to romance. I’m not sure why I never go into a reading slump. If I could lie in bed all day with my books, I would! LOL. Well, I’d get downstairs to eat every so often. But I truly can’t remember the last time I couldn’t find a book when prowling through all my stacks. I feel for those of you who can’t find something. I consider myself mighty lucky.
When I hit a slump I trade out my evening reading time for another hobby, usually knitting/crocheting for me. By the time I’ve finished whatever project I’m working on, something in my tbr pile will be calling to me…and then you have a nice new cozy blanket to snuggle under while reading 😉
L – isn’t it amazing all the ways we try to de-slump? And I so want to learn to knit! It’s on my list for the year. 🙂
You know, I’m trying my first SEP right now. Heaven, Texas . . . so far I’m not impressed, especially given the way people talk about her.
Aww really, Liv? 🙁 I love Heaven Texas! Lady Be Good is another fave SEP (golf instead of football). I hope it gets better for you.
With SEP you should really start with the Chicago football series. I started with This Heart of Mine basically because a friend had mentioned it to me in the past saying “did you know women can rape men?”.