Ever feel like you want to read something really good, but can’t find the motivation to do it? Maybe you’ve finished something that you absolutely love and no other books can compare to it. Or, you’re reading a book but not enjoying it and this discourages you to continue reading. You want to read, you just can’t get yourself to sit down and do it.

You’re in a slump!

Here are some tips on how to get out of a reading slump and get back to enjoying books again:

 

Re-read old favorites.

You know you love it, so why not read it again? This could reinvigorate your love for books and make you want to read more.

 

Try some samples.

If you’re a reader, you probably have a lot of books that you want to read. Which ones have caught your attention the most lately? Take a sample of a few different books by reading the first chapter and see which one holds your interest the most.

 

Read something totally different.

Push yourself out of your reading comfort zone and try something totally different. Switching it up will help keep things new and interesting. Always reading romance? Try a murder mystery. Always reading fantasy? Try a historical fiction novel. You might find a new genre that you love!

 

Push through it!

Been stuck on the same book for weeks and just want to be finished with it? You have to sit yourself down and push through those boring parts! Focus, keep reading, and you’ll have that book read in no time.

 

Take a break.

Sometimes it’s okay to just put that book down and take a reading break. Your brain might just want to be stimulated in a different way and needs a break from books. Whether that be a few days, weeks, or months, take that break. Once you go back, you’ll be more excited to read again.

 

Defeat the slumps. Happy reading!

 

 

 

Feel like you never have time to read for fun because of your busy schedule? Here are some tips to fit in more reading time!

 

• Always carry a book with you.
  • Whether you are going to class, have a doctor’s appointment, traveling, or just running errands, have a book with you! You never know what circumstances are going to come up. You might have some down time or might have to wait in a long line. Occupy your time by pulling out a book and enjoy a good story.

 

• Use an e-reader or download books onto your phone.
  • Don’t want to carry around that 800 page novel that you’ve been working your way through? Too embarrassed by that book cover of half-naked people kissing to carry it around in public? Don’t let that stop you from filling your time with what you love to do! Download books onto your e-reader so that they can go with you anywhere and you will be able to read whenever the opportunity arises. If you don’t have an e-reader, download them onto your phone. If you are anything like me, you probably scroll through your phone more than you would care to admit. Instead of mindlessly scrolling, read! You can download e-books on apps such as iBooks or Google Play Books.

 

• Try audiobooks. 
  • I haven’t tried audiobooks myself, but these have rapidly become more and more popular. If you have a long commute to work or have to walk across campus to class, you can plug in your earphones and listen to a book. This is an easy way to get through books more quickly.

 

• Read before bed.
  • Even if it’s ten minutes, you can fit it in! Most nights, I find myself on my phone until I’m tired enough to fall asleep anyway. This time can be used to read and stimulate my brain a little more. If you put your phone down, sit back and relax, you can get lost in the pages of a book until you fall asleep.

 

Now, get some reading done!