We’ve all fallen victim to the dreaded reading slump at one point or another. One moment, you’re devouring a book a week, and the next, you haven’t even looked at your bookshelf in months. It happens to everyone, but don’t worry, there is still hope. Here are some tips to hopefully help you out of your reading slump and get you back to the stories you love.
Start with something you know you enjoy
Pick up a genre that you know you like. When you’re in a reading slump, diving into something unfamiliar can feel intimidating and make it easy to lose interest. Start with a book from an author you already know you like. Maybe even the next book in a series you enjoy. Picking up something you are genuinely excited to read and you’re confident will hold your interest is key when easing your way back into reading.
Keep it simple
When you’re in a reading slump, don’t reach for the thickest book on your shelf. Pick something simple, like a shorter book with quick chapters. Short chapters can be incredibly motivating by giving you a sense of progress and making the reading experience feel more rewarding. It could even be helpful to pick something with easy, straightforward writing, based on your preferences.
Set up your environment
Either changing your environment or setting up a space for reading can make a huge difference. Choose a spot that makes you feel relaxed, whether that’s your bed, your living room or even your favorite coffee shop. Try changing up your background noise, for example, I personally love listening to movie scores when reading. Don’t forget to grab a snack and a drink. Anything that will make you feel comfortable and make you want to settle in for a while.
Set goals for yourself
Setting obtainable goals for yourself can be super helpful. Try writing down how many pages or chapters you want to read for the day or week. I like using an app like GoodReads to track my progress. You can even turn it into a fun challenge, like reading a page for every notification you get (I’ve tried it, and trust me, it adds up faster than you’d expect)!
Join a book club
Being a part of a community like a book club can really help hold you accountable to your goals. Plus, it’s super fun to be around people who share the same interests as you. Joining a book club can be an intimidating idea, but trust me, it’s worth it. If you can’t find one that interests you, make one! It doesn’t have to be anything huge; it could be you and a friend or two.
Be kind to yourself!
Don’t be too hard on yourself. Reading slumps happen to everyone, especially busy college students. It’s OK to not read as much as you want to. Reading should be something you enjoy, not something that brings you stress. The most important thing is to go at your own pace, take it one page at a time, and celebrate the small victories along the way.