Ren Reads (and More) | The Reading Slump

Today, we are going to be talking about something that all readers dread—a reading slump. Ren, what even is a reading slump and how do I know when I am in one? I am so glad you asked. A reading slump is something that I am well acquainted with. My current battle with a reading slump served as inspiration for this Ren Reads (and more) update.

So, what exactly is a reading slump? You know when you get in those slumps in life where you find yourself having little to no energy or motivation for certain stuff? It can be work, dieting, or simple household chores. A reading slump is exactly like that—just centered around reading and all it comes with. Basically, you lose the desire to read. In my case, you can also lose the desire to consume any content related to books and reading. That does not really go over well when you are supposed to make reading based content like I am. 

How does a reading slump happen? There are several things that can trigger this slump, and I will be highlighting the causes that I have personal experiences with. The most common reason for entering a reading slump is finishing a really good or bad read. If you read an absolutely amazing, five-star book, you can sometimes feel like no other book will live up to what you just read, leading you to lose the desire to read another. This can also happen if you finish reading a series of any kind. You can feel like you have been stuck in this fiction world for so long and you do not want to leave it. On the other hand, finishing a book that you did not quite care for can render the same result. A bad read can lead to you feeling burned out and frustrated, causing you to need a break from reading. 

In my current case, this reading slump was caused by a life event. Sometimes, things happen in life that cause you to lose the passion and/or time for reading and reading related content. For me, it was getting COVID and pneumonia at the same time and winding up in the hospital for several days. Since then, I have had no energy and little strength. This means that reading has unfortunately been the last thing on my mind. 

So, how do we get out of this awful slump we are in? There are three things that I have been trying that seem to be successful. Remember, every reader is different, so you may have some different tips and tricks which is totally okay! My most common solution is to try and read novellas or short stories. This assures me that I will not be dedicating too much time or energy to a book when I am not ready to do so. Another popular solution is to reread one of your favorite books. In some cases, rereading a book you really enjoyed can reignite your love for reading and get you right out of that slump. Of course, if all else fails, you can always try out a new genre to see of that sparks anything. 

Here’s to hoping that you are not in a reading slump -- and that I get out of mine as soon as possible.