We don’t know one bookie in the world of books and worms that doesn’t hit a slump for one reason or another. When books are life and they are your rudder, it is the most jarring experience when you just… can’t….
We’re here to share our experiences of slumps, reasons why they happen to us as individuals, how we navigate the slump when it’s happening and what we would recommend as a book to get you out of a slump. That said, we are all different and we would love to hear your experiences of slumps and busting it.
Micky here. First, I’m going to define my version of what I think a book slump is and I have two alternatives on offer for you here. I think I have two kinds of slumps, the first is what I’d call a ‘true slump’ where I CAN’T read anything for a period of time, sometimes over a week. I cannot focus on the page in this kind of slump. I’ve had true slumps when I’ve been grieving for someone or in times of very high stress.
The second kind of slump I experience I call a ‘slumpy-slump’ (I know, I’m sorry, I’m ridiculous) where I might not read for a few days then pick up various books, I’m kind of reading but not enjoying. I might even finish a book in a slumpy-slump but I’m never going to like it beyond meh because the slumpy invades my mood. I go into slumpy-slumps because I’ve read an amazing book and nothing will compare, I’ve read a bunch of meh books and I’m sick of them or background work/home stress.
Like lots of people, I try lots of things to try and bust the slump and most consistently successful approach is to re-read a light, romantic favourite. Sometimes this turns into a re-read of a series…oops. I find that a challenging book, a new book, an ARC or audio just won’t work for me when I’m in slump town. I’ve added my recs below. Hollis, what says you?
For me, I feel like I only have two modes : on or off. When I’m on, I’m reading relentlessly, one book after another; I might not like everything I read, but it doesn’t stop me from keeping on. Same on the other side of the equation. I might find a book I absolutely love that would give someone else a hangover but.. I don’t really get those. I’ll write my review and keep on keepin’ on.
My off mode, however, is where.. I just have no drive to read. I might get a little time to pick up a book, might even finish one, but if I don’t immediately reach for another? Or if it’s days before I feel inclined to read again? Yup, I’m off. This is definitely exacerbated by my life-slumps which are generally a result of work kicking my ass and sucking the energy, and focus, out of me day in and day out. But I won’t get into that. This isn’t therapy. Wait, is it? Could blogchat posts on a book blog be a form of therapy? Stick a pin in that.
Either way, I have no tricks or tips for busting slumps. Because, sadly, there’s no tip or trick that works for me. It is or it isn’t and I just have to ride it out.
Books To Reread (or read for the first time) That Might Kill Your Slump :
THE HATING GAME by Sally Thorne
Grip series by Kennedy Ryan
RADIANCE by Grace Draven
ENTREAT ME by Grace Draven
MAYBE SOMEDAY by Colleen Hoover
PERSUASION by Jane Austen
Wild Aces series by Chanel Cleeton
The Wishes series by GJ Walker-Smith
A COURT OF MIST & FURY by Sarah J Maas
RULE by Jay Crownover
OBSIDIAN by Jennifer L Armentrout
REPEAT by Kylie Scott
Are you prone to slumps? Do you have any recommendations to beat them or favorite books/series you turn to? Let us know!
A Take from Two Cities 