The year is coming to a close, and with that, so is the time we have left to meet our yearly reading goal.
Most of us set our reading goals optimistically at the beginning of the year. Whether it was a New Year’s resolution to read more this year or a set number of books we put on Goodreads’ reading goal, most of us promised ourselves in January that this would be the year we would read the most we ever had. Now, we’re more than halfway through October, and we’re behind on our reading goals.
Sometimes we don’t meet our reading goals because real-life obligations get in our way. But other times, no matter how much we try, we can’t finish a book. Reading slumps are no joke, and while they may feel like a mountain that’s impossible to climb, there are ways to overcome them.
Here are some of my favorite tips and tricks for getting over a reading slump.
1. Use different formats
When people picture reading, they picture paperback books with a cracking spine, but that is not the only way to read.
There are e-books, which can be read on e-readers or any electronic device. Sometimes, reading a book electronically can help because it’s more convenient. If the mood strikes you to read while it’s nighttime or you’re somewhere outside your home, you can easily read on your phone. Nowadays, we are also more used to looking at electronic devices than reading physical books, so it might make reading easier since it’s in a format we are already accustomed to.
There are also audiobooks, which a lot of people—myself included at first—don’t want to try out due to the lack of physical reading, but they can be a great tool. At times, we may find it hard to focus on the words on the page, so listening to them can be a way to help us focus instead. Additionally, you can listen to them while doing tasks like cleaning or organizing. They can be a replacement for podcasts or music when doing chores, and they’re a convenient way to meet your reading goal.
Sometimes, I read multiple books in these different formats at once. Instead of worrying about juggling two different reads and finding time for each, I have a physical book I read at home and an audiobook that carries me through the day. I have found that doing this helps me get through more books.
2. Allot time each day
Whether it is an hour a day or ten minutes a day, allotting time each day to read can help you meet your reading goals. With this, you are building a habit, so even if you’re only reading a little bit every day, it adds up, and you can ensure you’ll finish a book, even if it’s later rather than sooner. Also, once you start reading, even if your intended time is only ten minutes a day, it is hard to stop and easy to get carried away, so you may actually wind up reading way more than you’d expect.
3. Utilize your local library
Reading isn’t exactly the cheapest of hobbies. Physical books are more expensive than ever, and e-books and audiobooks aren’t cheap either. A lot of people stop reading because they can’t afford to keep it up, which happened to me when I was in middle school. However, the most important tool to utilize if you love reading is your local library.
Of course, as we all know, you can go to your library and find a myriad of physical books, but they have electronic resources, too. With the library, you can use apps such as Libby and Hoopla to find digital books and audiobooks—you can even make a digital library card if you don’t have a physical one and still utilize these services. Libraries are there to support your reading journey, and they’ll show up for you if you let them.
4. Don’t be afraid to try something new
Reading the same genre over and over can get tiring; there is only so much that can be done with the same themes and tropes. A good way to spice things up and reawaken love for reading is by picking up a book you normally wouldn’t. If you usually only read classics, maybe read some science fiction, or if you only read romance, maybe read some mystery! You never know what you might end up liking, and I have found so many unexpected books I’ve liked in genres that aren’t usually for me by trying something different. Reading things that excite and challenge you will only make you want to read more.
5. Have fun!
This may sound cheesy, but the most important part of reading is to have fun! Don’t force yourself to read something you don’t like because it’s trendy or critically acclaimed, just read things you want to. If you don’t like a book, for whatever reason, even if it is minuscule, then stop reading it. You are only going to slow yourself down. The more books you read that you enjoy, the more you’ll want to keep reading. Reading is supposed to be a fun hobby; don’t let it turn into a chore.
At the end of the day, you shouldn’t be worried about meeting goals. Reading anything at all is good and should be celebrated. Be proud of any effort you’ve made this year to read, and remember that if you love it and have fun doing it, then that is all that matters.