𝑮𝒊𝒓𝒍'𝒔 𝒃𝒐𝒐𝒌 𝒄𝒍𝒖𝒃 ☕︎

✨✨HOW TO GET OUT OF A READING SLUMP✨✨

Do you feel like you are reading less than you should, or less than you used to? Nowadays, some books just don't have the same appeal they had to you, and you're wondering whether your friends and family were right for calling you a bookworm.

You think, do  I really love reading?

Well, for starters, the fact that you are reading this right now shows that you want to change, and proves that you love reading. Every reader goes through this phase. Multiple times. What matters is that you see that something is wrong, and genuinely want to become a better reader. 

Have you noticed that a high level of stress makes you lack concentration while reading, or doing other activities? Most often, this makes you stop altogether. Reading slumps usually happen as a result of challenges or stressors in your life. Sometimes, even using reading as a coping strategy does not work.

So, if you want to get out of your reading rut, you've come to the right place.

BRAINDUMP

If you've never heard of this word, braindumping is the process whereby a person records their thoughts, as they come to mind. While braindumping, don't hold anything back because seeing things on paper rather than jumbled up in your mind makes you see your thoughts through a different perspective and helps you make sense of those thoughts. Braindumping helps you understand the reason you stopped reading, and sometimes, even makes you see the best way to get past the slump.

Some questions to ask yourself are:

When did I stop reading? (if you remember when).

Why did I stop? (it could be a relocation that caught you off guard, or just not seeing a book that appeals to you. That's a real struggle.)

HAVE A READING LIST

Having a reading list not only helps you see what you want to read, but also makes you excited to read them. If you're like me, you feel giddy inside at the mere sight of an image on Pinterest with a list of books to read. I am currently writing a reading list for myself, and if you need some help finding the right books to read this coming year, just hit me up at 'debziequeen' and I'll be glad to help!

However, it is one thing to feel excited to do something and a whole other thing to actually do it. That's why it's important to not procrastinate. The human mind is an expert at telling you not to do specific things you know you should do at the time you know you should do them. But that doesn't mean you should listen to that voice.

READER'S BLOCK

I was gobsmacked when I discovered that this is a real thing.

Have you ever picked up a book and just not felt intrigued to continue reading? You look at the author and title, and the amount of good reviews on Goodreads. You feel like you should like the book, but you just don't. Now, forcing yourself to read that book does not make you any more interested in reading the book. This is just because people have individual tastes, and just because a book is a Classic or has been read by Stephen King doesn't mean that you're going to like it also.

I'm not stopping you from reading Classics, but please, don't force yourself to like a book you know does not resonate with you.

REREAD AN OLD FAVOURITE

There's no rule that prohibits you from reading the same book twice or more times, right?

So if you find the Harry Potter series to be your best book series, don't stop yourself from rereading it. I've found that rereading books helps you understand the story better- the characterisation, plot, and everything else that makes the story what it is. It also helps you analyse particular instances in the story. For instance, why Harry Potter didn't die (apart from the fact that he is the main character and it would be devastating if he did not survive). It also helps you remember some things you might have forgotten.

Plus, you get to read your favourite book a second time! What's there to lose?

TRY A DIFFERENT GENRE!

This is something I need to practice doing more often. Fantasy is my favourite genre, and so I tend to lean more towards that genre. But reading other genres, like comedy, YA fiction and thrillers helps in making you well versed in different perspectives. And who knows?

You just might be writing your own book someday!

Thank you for reading this, and I hope it was helpful. Remember to send a message to debziequeen if you have any questions, or need help with book recommendations, your 2022 reading list- whatever you need!

Stay awesome!