According to the 2023 Pew Research Center survey, nearly 23% of American adults did not read a book last year. This growing number isn’t just about shifting habits. It signals a common problem many readers quietly face: the reading slump. So, how to get out of a reading slump? Take the first step by acknowledging that this is a temporary state, and building your reading rhythm back up in little, enjoyable steps such as changing genres, easing off the pressure, and rereading cherished old favourites.
With the proper approach, you can slip back into the habit and remember how good it feels to read. You’re not even close to the only one if you’ve struggled with distraction, have reached for a book or two when you know you should be reading, and then have sat there, dazed and unable to focus on even a single page at a time. You might have been feeling down for a few days, weeks, or even a month.
So, how to get out of a reading slump? It starts by recognising that the slump isn’t permanent. With the right strategy, you can recover from a reading slump, rebuild your reading stamina, and enjoy books again, without pressure. This guide offers 12 practical, proven ways to help you restart your reading journey.
What Is A Reading Slump?
A reading slump is a period where your usual desire or motivation to read simply vanishes. It can be short-lived or last for extended periods in life, even for months. During this time, your brain resists what used to feel easy and rewarding: sitting down with a book.
This is not merely boredom. A reading slump is a mental block in which your usual love for books vanishes and your brain resists the idea of reading. You may have books, time, and interest, but something still feels off.
Here’s how you know you’re in a reading slump:
- You start books but don’t finish them
- You scroll endlessly but can’t snap out and commit to a chapter
- You have books, but nothing catches your fancy
- You feel mentally deflated when thinking about reading
- You say, “I’ll read tomorrow,” and repeat
Reading slumps are not about laziness. They’re usually a response to mental overload, stress, or lifestyle changes. The most important thing? Don’t judge yourself for it. It’s just a phase, and it’s completely normal. Understanding the cause behind the slump is the first step toward fixing it.
What Causes A Reading Slump?
Many factors contribute to falling into a reading slump, some obvious, others surprisingly subtle. It can be caused by emotional, mental, or even physical changes in life.
Common causes include:
- A recent voluminous reading spree that left you burnt out
- Going through stress reading, reading as a coping mechanism, which backfires
- Being mentally distracted or overwhelmed with tasks
- Experiencing a lack of interest in your current book stack
- Suffering from a lack of motivation due to a personal funk or changes in life
Other times, you’re simply not in the mood, and forcing yourself to read only worsens it. The key takeaway? A slump is not a failure. It’s feedback. Your mind needs a break, variety, or a new approach. That’s exactly what the following tips aim to help with.
How To Get Out Of A Reading Slump?
Getting out of a reading slump isn’t about waiting for motivation to return. It’s about taking small, deliberate actions that make reading feel doable again. The goal is to lower friction: fewer choices, less pressure, and simpler formats.
When I was stuck in a slump last winter, I set my rhythm straight by re-reading a short, comforting book like The Alchemist. One of my friends relies on graphic novels like Persepolis or memoirs such as Educated to ease back in. A new approach for how to pick books, when to read, and what you expect to come away with could be just what you need.
By reminding yourself of the myriad benefits of reading, both for mental clarity and emotional grounding, the rest can help you to snap out of the slump, rebuilding your reading stamina. Below are 12 actionable strategies designed to help you become a better reader in a way that feels natural, not forced.
1. Revisit an old favourite
When you’re in a reading rut, familiarity is comforting. Re-reading a book you once loved allows your brain to relax. There’s no pressure to focus or process new information, and the emotional memory of the story often triggers your original enthusiasm.
Choose a book you know you’ll finish. It could be a childhood novel, a comfort romance, or an inspiring memoir. Even revisiting just a few chapters can reset your mindset. This trick works because it short-circuits the internal resistance that new books often evoke during a slump.
The best part? You already know the characters and pacing, so your brain doesn’t feel overwhelmed. This helps you regain your focus and read without pressure. Think of it as reconnecting with an old friend to reignite your love for reading.
2. Read short stories or essays
Sometimes, the idea of reading an entire book feels too heavy. That’s where short formats help.
Try:
- Short story collections that offer instant gratification
- Essay compilations with standalone entries
- Flash fiction you can finish in under 10 minutes
- Daily devotionals or themed mini-anthologies
Short stories with morals are low-commitment, high-reward reads. Because they’re not voluminous, they ease you back in without triggering the stress of a full novel. This format also lets you explore different genres without feeling trapped, helping your brain stay stimulated. It’s a great way to train your brain to read again, in bite-sized, manageable doses.
3. Set a 10-minute timer
If your new book break contributes to mental exhaustion or a lack of motivation, don’t set a goal to read for hours. Instead, pledge to read for only 10 minutes. Set a timer. That’s it. Most people discover that once they start, they’ll continue beyond the timer, but even if you don’t, you’ve still read.
This method removes the “I have to read a whole chapter” pressure and replaces it with a tiny, achievable win. It rebuilds your consistency, which is the foundation of your reading appetite. Think of this like building up your stamina after not working out; short, structured sessions eventually lead to lasting habits.
4. Explore a new genre
What to read when in a slump? Reading slumps often creep in when your usual genres no longer excite you. If thrillers, romances, or fantasy start feeling formulaic, it may be time to refresh your reading landscape. Exploring unfamiliar genres stimulates your mind and reignites your interest in stories.
Try branching out with these genre books to end reading slumps:
- Cozy mysteries if you typically read dark crime or thrillers
- Graphic novels or illustrated memoirs for a visual change
- Nature writing or travelogues, if you’re a fiction-only reader
- Translated fiction to immerse oneself in different worldviews
- Experimental or postmodern literature for a structural shake-up
- Epistolary novels (told through letters/emails) for narrative variety
- YA books, or historical fiction with lesser-known settings or cultures
You give your brain something new to chew on by challenging your reading instincts. These shifts in tone, structure, or culture can be just what you need to develop the habit of reading again, with energy and genuine curiosity.
5. Read before bed
If your day feels too packed, try scheduling reading as part of your wind-down routine. This is where late-night reads can work magic. Reading at night signals your brain that it’s time to slow down. Replace phone scrolling with 15-20 minutes of a gentle, engaging read, preferably fiction.
This not only helps your reading progress, but it is also one of the helpful tips to sleep better at night. Your mind is more likely to retain information and associate reading with relaxation, not productivity. Just make sure you’re not reading something overly complex or emotionally intense, choose books that feel like a mental exhale. This habit also reduces distractions, helping you snap out of digital fatigue and re-establish calm focus.
6. Create a reading ritual
Your environment has a powerful influence on how easily you can focus. During chaotic or transitional periods, reading often takes a back seat, not because you don’t want to read, but because your mind is scattered.
When I moved houses last year, I couldn’t finish a single chapter until I created a small morning ritual: tea, no phone, and ten pages of something gentle. Books like The Little Prince or The Comfort Book worked well; they were short, had grounding, and were easy to return to. That’s why building a simple, consistent reading ritual can make all the difference.
To ease back into reading, try:
- Setting up a cozy reading nook with soft lighting and a comfortable chair
- Pairing reading time with a warm drink like tea or cocoa
- Choosing a regular time each day, after breakfast or before bed
- Playing soft background music, or enjoying silence if that suits you
- Creating clear “do not disturb” boundaries with family or roommates
These cues train your brain to expect focus and stillness. Over time, this habit helps you rebuild your reading stamina so you can dive deeper into books again, even when external life feels noisy. Ritual creates rhythm, and rhythm invites ease.
7. Use audiobooks strategically
Audiobooks are not “cheating”; they’re a brilliant way to stay engaged during a reading slump. Whether you’re commuting, walking, or doing chores, listening to a good narrator can pull you back into stories. They work because they bypass the visual fatigue that traditional reading requires. This is helpful when you feel too fatigued to sit with a book physically.
Start with well-reviewed fiction or memoirs. Great narration often makes even average stories feel rich. This approach allows you to stay in the reading mindset, and before long, you’ll find yourself ready to hold a book again.
8. Take a reading break
It may sound surprising, but one of the most effective ways to overcome a reading slump is to give yourself permission to stop reading altogether, temporarily. If you’re mentally fatigued or emotionally distracted, pushing through books can deepen the rut rather than fix it. Instead, consider taking a break from reading.
Here’s what that might look like:
- Set aside your books for a few days or even a week, guilt-free
- Listen to engaging podcasts or audiobooks if you miss narratives
- Try journaling or sketching to stay creatively stimulated
- Unplug from bookish content and online reading forums
This pause isn’t quitting, it’s a conscious reset. When reading stops feeling joyful, space is often the remedy. A short break can help you return with renewed focus, emotional clarity, and genuine excitement for books. Sometimes, stepping away lets you overcome a reading slump with lasting results.
9. Join a low-pressure book club
Book clubs can boost accountability, but the wrong kind can worsen a slump. Avoid competitive or high-volume groups. Instead, join a casual club that values discussion over deadlines. These clubs help make reading social, not solitary, and offer encouragement rather than pressure.
I once joined a small online group where we read one book a month at our own pace, titles like Eleanor Oliphant Is Completely Fine and The Midnight Library sparked thoughtful, low-pressure chats. Knowing someone else is reading the same book can add purpose. It also helps to hear different perspectives; they might rekindle your interest or lead you to books you’d never consider alone. This is also a great way to discover books to get back into reading.
10. Follow BookTubers or Bookstagrammers
Sometimes, all you need to rekindle your love of reading is to witness someone else enjoying a good book. Listening to fellow avid readers gush about their reads can be infectious, especially when you’re in a slump.
Platforms like BookTube and Bookstagram are filled with readers who share honest reviews, monthly wrap-ups, and themed recommendations that can help you discover new books to end reading slumps.
Try these low-pressure ways to engage:
- Follow 1–2 content creators with similar reading tastes
- Watch “What I Read This Month” or bookshelf tour videos
- Browse reading vlogs while you do chores or relax
- Join themed reading challenges, if they sound fun
- Save book lists for later, rather than impulse buying
Seeing genuine excitement in others reminds you of why you loved reading in the first place. Just be sure to enjoy their content as inspiration, not a competition. Let their joy guide you gently back into your reading rhythm.
11. Curate a TBR jar
One sneaky reason for a reading slump is decision fatigue. You have books, but nothing catches your fancy, simply because choosing feels like a chore. With too many titles competing for attention, you might end up reading none.
A TBR (To Be Read) jar makes choosing effortless. Write down 15–20 books you already own on slips of paper and pop them into a jar. When it’s time to read, pull one out at random. This eliminates overthinking, adds an element of surprise, and gently nudges you back into reading, no pressure, just play.
12. Use a reading tracker or journal
Tracking your reading progress offers tangible wins and keeps motivation alive. You can try:
- Using an app like Goodreads or StoryGraph
- Keeping a simple bullet journal
- Rating each book (or chapter) as you go
- Jotting down favourite quotes or moments
- Writing a one-sentence daily reflection
It reminds you that reading is your journey, not a race. This helps crystallize for you what you like and what you don’t. Eventually, you’ll begin to recognize patterns and preferences that will steer you toward better books during future slumps.
How Long Do Reading Slumps Last?
Reading slumps vary significantly in length depending on their cause, your mindset, and your daily activities. Here’s a breakdown of what to expect and why there’s no single timeline:
- Short-term slumps (a few days to a week): These often follow a particularly intense read or a period of distraction. You may simply need a quick mental reset before diving back in.
- Medium-term slumps (a few weeks): Common after finishing a long book series, a disappointing read, or during stressful periods (work, life changes). You still want to read, but nothing feels right.
- Long-term slumps (months or more): Often linked to burnout, mental health dips, grief, or life transitions. In these cases, reading may feel like a burden or completely unappealing. It’s important not to blame yourself for this.
- Everyone’s pace is different: Some readers bounce back in a few days. Others need months. Both are completely normal.
- Trying to force reading usually backfires: Instead of pushing through, focus on gentle reintroduction: short formats, audiobooks, re-reads, or breaks.
- Track your energy, not your page count: Pay attention to when reading feels enjoyable again, not when you finish a book.
- Slumps are not failures; they’re feedback: A slump indicates that something needs to shift, whether it is your routine, your reading list, or your mindset.
Remember: it’s not a race. Reading is a lifelong practice, and it’s fine to take a break, change it up, and return when ready.
Conclusion
If you’re struggling to recover from a reading slump, remember: it doesn’t define you. You’re not less of a reader. You’re simply in a season of rest, adjustment, or redirection. Use these 12 tips as a flexible roadmap, not a strict formula. Whether you choose to take a break from reading, binge a short story collection, or explore what to read when in a slump, the key is to honour where you are.
Reading should make you feel happy. It should not be a daily chore. And if you’ve lost that joy, it’s okay, it will return. Sometimes in the most unexpected ways. The act of reading is not just about finishing books. It’s about giving your mind time to grow, connect, and reflect. Trust that your personal journey and learning how to get out of a reading slump will lead you back. Until then, be patient, and when you’re ready, pick up a book.
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