As a kid, I was a huge reader. Every day after the bell rang in middle school, I would rush home as fast as I possibly could. I had very important business to attend to– my Hunger Games books. I would read for hours on end after school and late into the night with a flashlight under my blankets.
Somewhere along the way, my reading hobby fell off. Around the time I went to high school, I replaced my YA books with instagram posts and lipgloss. This was a switch that wasn’t even conscious– I simply stopped reaching for books. Soon enough, the only reading I did was for school. It became a time-consuming chore rather than a pastime I looked forward to. I think I went almost three years without ever reading a book for pleasure.
It wasn’t until COVID hit that I picked up a book and read it cover to cover for pure enjoyment again. The book was Normal People by Sally Rooney. I remember thinking the day I finished it: This is what I’ve been missing.
Now, I’m not going to say that I sit around and read all day. I certainly still spend hours on my phone (my TikTok screen time is not something I’m proud of). However, having a leisurely pastime that is not right in front of a screen has been hugely beneficial to my mental health. Reading makes me feel connected to my inner Hunger Games geek.
I’ve compiled a list of five great books that are guaranteed to get you out of a reading slump, according to my personal experience. If you read any of them, be sure to add me on Goodreads to share your review!
- Normal People by Sally Rooney
Like I said, this is the OG book that got me into reading again. This book is super relatable– it is essentially the inner workings of the main character’s head. Some complain that this style of writing makes it a slow read, but I feel as though it adds to the book’s charm.
- Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins-Reid
This is my current read, and I am speeding through it like no other. This book takes the form of interviews which chronologically piece together the rise and fall of rock band Daisy Jones & The Six. The interview style makes this a quick and snappy read. (P.S. this is coming out as a show on Amazon Prime this week!)
- Verity by Colleen Hoover
Colleen Hoover gets a lot of love, but she also gets a lot of hate. I would say that this book is definitely a quick read– it keeps you in suspense and gets the pages turning. I am admittedly not the biggest Colleen Hoover fan, but this book effectively pulled me out of a mini reading slump this past semester.
- Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding
Similar to Normal People, this book is sort of a stream-of-consciousness that is relatable and that keeps you engaged throughout the whole book. Bridget Jones’s Diary reads as if you are actually reading the diary of the protagonist and reliving her experiences with her. This style of writing breaks the book up into smaller chapters, which makes it a pretty easy read.
- One of Us is Lying by Karen McManus
I may have spoken too soon earlier, as I read this book on a one-off summer day during the 3-year period where I was not a reader. This is a murder mystery– the best way I can explain it is Agatha Christie x Lemonade Mouth– seriously the best of both worlds. This book will get those pages turning for sure.
Happy reading :)