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| Le sigh |
I can’t remember the last time I felt so blah about books. I’m slumping you guys. Hard.
I’m reading two enjoyable books. In fact, I’m still enjoying them, but I just don’t care.
WHY IS THIS HAPPENING?
Theories? I have two.
- This is the first time that I’ve read more than one book at a time. My brain feels split in half.
- I’ve let my review pile get ahead of me and I’m feeling the pressure.
In other words? It’s my own damn fault.
This won’t last long. Right? Tell me I’m right!
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| Blah |
Do you have any tips? Tricks? Suggestions? How have you gotten over your own reading slumps?
The Relentless Reader 
Sorry to hear you are in a slump. I have found that I can't read two books at one time either. It does seem like my brain is split and I have a hard time keeping up with two different worlds. I also can experience a reading slump when I have been doing too much reading and need to take a bit of a reading break.
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Thanks Carol 🙂 A break might be in order? Oh how I detest the thought of that though!
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I usually get over my reading slumps by reading children books the books I enjoyed when I was young. These books are fun to read, do not cost a lot of energy or concentration, but you keep in the habit of reading. Then I start reading easier adult books like some well loved Agatha Christies and then I am usually back to being able to enjoy 'grown'-up books' again. Don't force it, relax and know it will not last forever! Take care & kind regards,
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Love the idea of reading children books. Ooh, maybe I should read a graphic novel. I've got Persepolis 2 on my shelf and have been meaning to get to it! Thanks for the advice Bettina 🙂
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I feel a little bit like this, too. I'd agree that part of it might be having more than one book going at once. It's hard to really fall into a book if you're not going to read right through it. But part of the reason I've got so many going at once is because there are so many books I want to read. Which is part of the reason I feel I'm in a bit of a slump – it's just so overwhelming!
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Yup. I'm pretty sure that reading more than one book at a time is not for me. After this I won't be trying that again! :)Overwhelming is the perfect word for it. I know I've done it to myself, but that won't stop me from complaining about it, lol.
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Oh, I'm not so sure more that one book at a time is what triggered it. Sometimes concentration or desire just goes away. Maybe it's spring/summer fever or too much daylight. Could be anything. Try a re-read… a book that's an old friend… something that's easy for you to get in to. I routinely read 2 or 3 books at a time… right now there are four. One print, one non-fiction and two audios. That second audio is the #domealong. Somehow the brain is managing to hold together, barely.
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I went through that about a week ago. In my case, it was due to over-committing to solicited reviews. Once I got caught up and decided to cut back on the number of review requests I selected, I snapped out of the slump.
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I've had that happen a time or two. It usually happens when my mind is pulled in all different directions either with family commitments, school, and reading. It's too much at times. I can't read more then one book. It's hard to focus. 🙂 Sometimes a little break will help and then I like to go to an old tried and true favorite book and just savor it. Then I feel ready to jump into things again.
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And, I love the Marie gif!
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It probably has something to do with the weather too. Just relax and you'll be fine.
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Pressure to write reviews is often a reason I get into a slump. I can't relax and enjoy the books I'm reading because I know there were umpteen reviews I MEANT to write first, and I'm not reading the digital ARCs I requested for review, so I feel guilty about that.
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How do you hold it all in your head?? I commend you 🙂 You might be onto something regarding the weather. The temps have warmed up and I'm feeling squirrelish 😉
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I think that has something to do with it Melinda. I keep thinking of everything that I *should* be reading. 😦
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I don't have any advice, but I'm sure you'll find your way — probably quicker than you imagine!Joy's Book Blog
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Sometime we forget that reading triggers our emotions–all types: happiness, anger, sadness, grief…and this can be taxing to our bodies when we read lots of books like bloggers do. Add to that the pressure of reviews and our minds want a break–time to slump. I think it's our body's way of saying: Give me time to digest all that!
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This has been happening to me for about a month and I'm only just getting out of it now. I just felt 'meh' about reading.I think your brain is telling you that it needs a break and requires you to watch trashy TV and eat lots of ice-cream 🙂
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There are too many things going on in my brain and life I think? I'm hoping it won't last long 🙂 I do like the idea of reading something beloved from my past.
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Thanks Kate! Thanks for stopping by and commenting as well 🙂
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I've always been a multi-book reader, but I'm definitely feeling the crunch of an over-review scheduled June and it's starting to weigh on me, too. It's hard to enjoy what you're reading when you are thinking about the other books you could or should be reading, too. I'm just trying to remind myself that this is meant to be fun and enjoyable…regardless of the books I might let slip by.
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Ahhh, relax. I like the sound of that! ::::Ommmm:::: <~~ me, meditating 😉
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Ah yes, I can see why that would put you in a slump. Knowing that you have a million things to do doesn't help the reading process at all does it?? And guilt only makes it worse. Blargh.
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I sure hope so Joy 🙂
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That is such a great point Laura. We do feel all of those things and now and then I think our minds shout ENOUGH!
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A month! Gah, that's so long 😦 I'm glad to hear you're coming out of it! Ice cream! LOL, yes. I think that's exactly what my brain is telling me!
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\”It's hard to enjoy what you're reading when you are thinking about the other books you could or should be reading, too.\” <~~ Yes, that! I let May get bonkers and I feel like I've been playing catch-up since then.
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This was me all over a month or so ago. It really sucks. I just kind of rolled with it in the end, didn't worry or try to force myself to read. That seemed to work. Eventually! I hope you come out of it soon! Being a reader yet unable to read is completely rubbish. I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you that is a quickie slump 🙂
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I get that way too when I have too many books at once. I can usually handle one nonfiction and one fiction at a time, but sometimes I start reading a few more and then I get all frustrated 😉 I like the ideas on here to grab a favorite book and take it easy again! Good luck!
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Yea, I've got a little case of that going on myself. I'm reading some books to review and they are mostly nonfiction. I'm craving some fiction, but am in the middle of two others. So I find myself just staring at the stack of books…blah as you said. I've decided to just get through these few review books and hope that's the cause.
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Clear the slate and start over. Also drop reviews. Read what you want. I know it's helped me. 🙂
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Maybe just a 1 or 2 day break will help. No book bloggy fun like Twitter and such included in the break!
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I meant included in the break would be \”no book bloggy fun\” (too much wine ha!)
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I've got no advice. I'm considering taking a social media break sometime this summer. It means I still plan to read/review/blog, but skipping the twitter/fb promotion and chatter. Give yourself time…it's all good. Read what you want, at your own pace..enjoy!
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Book slumps are the WORST!Read some YA – quick! (Flavia??) 🙂
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Thanks Ellie! I did a bit of reading last night (Under the Dome) and it felt good. I'm hoping that I'm snapping out of it!
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I won't be reading two books at a time anymore. I just don't like it, lol. Let's call it a failed experiment. 😉
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Ohhh yes. I love nonfiction but you can only read so many of them in a row before you need some fiction. Staring at the stacks, lol, I can relate 😉
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Bryan, you might be onto something there. I've been having some thoughts about that very subject. Thanks!
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LOL! It sounds like you had a fun Saturday evening Monika 😉
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That's not a bad idea Anita. I think we could all use a break like that now and then 🙂 Thanks!
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Aren't they? Blech! I really do want to read the next Flavia!! Hmmm 😉
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Though it has not happened to me in a while I think that everyone gets into a funk like you describe every once in a while. My suggestion is go with the flow.Maybe watch some movies or do other things that you like. Before you know it the reading bug will return.
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I fall into slumps when my review pile feels too big. I just get resentful and so in my head the best way to combat that is to watch a ton of television. No productive 🙂 The best way I know how to combat it is pick a book I'm excited about — regardless of whether it's a review book or my book or whatever — and just sit down and read it. That sometimes re-energizes me. Or, I just don't read for awhile 🙂
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I've started watching Glee on Netflix 🙂 I'm hoping that will help! What a darling show!
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Not productive, but fun! I blew through all of the Arrested Development seasons. I just mentioned above that I've started watching Glee on Netflix. Oh my word, what a show. It's adorable! I'm hoping that it will give my brain a little kick-start 😉
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Slumps SUCK. My advice is usually to let yourself veg out on some tv, and after a while pick up new books until one just grabs your attention completely.Oooo and buying new books! Whenever I buy a new book I get super excited and can't wait to read it. Also, shopping is always fun :)Good luck girl!
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I been in much the same situation lately. As much as I love reviewing books, I've gotten into a situation where I can't keep up (my own fault), and it's starting to feel onerous. To address this I've simply stopping requesting or agreeing to review books for the time being. My hope is that this will allow me to clear up my current backlog and then focus on my own books for a chance.
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That's exactly what I'm doing now. I've started watching Glee. Sing it kids, sing me right out of this stupid slump!! Ohhh buying new books 🙂 That's always a good idea, lol.Thanks Sarah!
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I'm in the same situation and I know it's my own fault as well. Sigh. Why do we do this to ourselves? I hear you Melissa! I'm not allowing myself to request library books for the time being. I'm not going to accept any more books for review unless the pitch KNOCKS MY SOCKS OFF.After I get through the current review books on my pile I'm going to do some serious thinking about my process. Perhaps I'll stop accepting review books? I don't know yet. Something has to change though.
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Too many review books is a mood killer, you feel under pressure. I have felt that too and its not worth it. I'd put down both books and just reread an old favourite. You'll get to the ARC's in time and better late than never.BookishTrish @ Between the Lines
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