E.S. Raye

As a speculative fiction author, I believe strongly that in order to be a great writer, you must be a great reader. And not just of your preferred genre. You must read wide and often, casting your net as broadly as you can.

However, despite that belief, I find myself in something of a reading slump. In fact, in the name of transparency, I have not finished a book yet this year despite the end of February approaching quickly.

So, here are a few ways I’ve gotten out of slumps in the past. Here’s hoping sharing these with you will help me break out of this one.

Let it Go

If the cause of your slump is that the book you’re currently reading just isn’t bringing you back to the page, it’s okay to let it go.

This is something I struggle with in particular. I often refer to myself as a “completionist.” I like to finish video games, TV shows, and entire film franchises. Not to mention books. It can be difficult for me to put something down, even if it’s not may favorite.

However, taking that pressure off can be all the relief you (or I) need. So, give yourself permission to read something else if it’s just not doing it for you.

Make Special Time for Reading

If you’re like me, there already isn’t enough time in the day to get everything done you need to do. I sometimes struggle with the idea that I should be doing something else–something more important–with the time I have randomly chosen to sit down with a book.

So, don’t make it random.

Rather than take time out of the day, I like to set aside 30 to 60 minutes to read in bed before going to sleep. This routine, once started, becomes a positive and self feeding feedback loop for me. Unfortunately, it’s also a habit I have fallen out of recently. Time to redouble my efforts!

Re-read an Old Fave

The last time I found myself in a reading slump, I broke out one of my all-time favorite books: Jurassic Park. Returning to a favorite story helped me get back into that routine of reading every night before bed, and when I was done with it, I decided to read all the Michael Crichton book I have. It’s only three, but it successfully reset my habits and busted me out of my slump.

Skip The TBR Pile

They say reading books and buying books are different hobbies. That may be so, but for those of us with an ever-growing To-Be-Read pile, there’s often a certain amount of guilt associated with that shelf of unread books.

Still, picking up something new and exciting can often be the catalyst that breaks the slump and get you back to cruising through the books you’ve already got.

Read What You Want

Probably the best way to break through a reading slump is to simply read what you want to.

There can be a lot of pressure in the reading space. Should you read something new? But the classics are also important! Indie writers need support! But you’re favorite Big 5 author just put out something new and it’s getting rave reviews.

But reading is supposed to be fun, not a chore or a box to be checked.

Read what you want. Read what you enjoy. And don’t let anyone tell you you’re wrong.

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Now, wish me luck in following my own advice.