Have you gone without reading for.days? Or Weeks? Or Months? Or year or more?
As of now, does reading looks more like an effort to you rather than a fun activity?
If your answers to the above questions is Yes.then my friend you are going through a reading slump or a reader's block.
Reader's Block is a terrible monster that makes your reading spell so dry that you will shy away from calling yourself a reader.
I am sad to accept but currently I am going through a reading slump right now and as many readers would know, it is highly frustrating.
So, what is a reading slump or reader's block? Let's analyze it!
Reading Slump
Definition:
A readers worst nightmare.
Not being able to pick up a book and read because you just can't, you just can't read.
Symptoms:
You want to read but no matter what you pick up; you end up not liking it. You start a book and you read through few pages or more but you just don't enjoy it. No matter how good the book is - you will find it either slow or boring. Then you try another book and you find it boring too. And hence, you are just not able to read! And before you know your TV watching increases. Or you are just aimlessly browsing the internet. Or you are just sitting idle and worrying about not reading!
Causes:
There is not really any specific reason or a cause that leads to experiencing a reading slump. But some of the causes that can trigger this unfortunate phenomenon are:
- When one has not read any thing good lately
Since you have not read any good book; you tend to loose interest in reading in general for a while
- When one has read any thing that is way too good
Yes, this can be a reason too that can cause a reader's block! If you have read back to back very good books then your expectations are set way high and whatever book you pick - it just does not meet your expectations(this is the reason behind my reading slump right now)
- Stress
When you are worrying over something way too much and you are not able to concentrate on any thing, you tend to not enjoy a book too. This happens because you are not keeping your worries aside and your mind is already occupied with your personal problems.
Treatment:
When you suffer from a reader's block, all you think is, " If only I could find that one book that could get me out of this terrible phase."
Being a reader, I go through reading slump many a times and after doing thorough research(:P), I have found few ideas that can help you cure your reading slump.
So, worry not! Here are few suggestions that can get you out of your reading slump:
- Reading your old favorite
This is called the best cure for a reader's block! Revisiting your old favorite does the trick as you read about your favorite characters; you read your favorite quotes and you remember why you love to read. No matter how bleak the situation looks, your old favorite book makes you fall in love with reading all again. I like to read any Sophie Kinsella book or Harry Potter or Jane Eyre or any classic.
- Try a different genre
If you have been reading one genre for long, you might get bored of it even without realizing it. May be you have had too much of contemporary, YA, non-fiction or mystery. So, try something else - switch! So, next time you go to a book store and you see yourself heading straight to the same section; just go to a different shelf this time and pick up something else.
- Read short stories
Since your attention span is less and you are just not able to go beyond few pages; short stories are of great help. Reading short stories is less intimidating than reading an entire novel. Picking up stories from different authors also makes reading more interesting due to the variety it offers.
- Reading something light
When one is going through a reading slump, reading becomes a laborious exercise and picking up something heavy and tough will make you dislike reading even more. Hence, you will drift away from reading.So, picking up a light book that need not be a literary masterpiece but will make reading easy for you.
- Watch a movie adaption
Watching a movie that's been made out of your favorite book will make you remember the beautiful story that you have read. Watching your favorite characters and going through your loved story on TV/movie will get you back in your special fictional world.
- Visit a book store or a library
A place filled with amazing and different kind of books is the best place to fall in love with reading again. You will be surrounded by different options, new arrivals, old favorites and what not. So, just roam around or sit for a while and just explore.
- Take a break from reading
I know its disheartening but I think this is a safe option. If you are a reader then books will always hold a special place in your heart. Take a break for a while and do things that you have been planning to do. Like, currently I am watching all the movies that I have been wanting to see. And the list is huge!You may even decide how long you want to stay away from books and then you can try reading again!
Reading is a hobby and not a competition. It is something you love and enjoy. If you stop loving it you will lose the passion and there will be no fun in reading. So, take a break for a while!
I hope these tips will help you and if you have any more suggestions, then please share in comments.
Happy reading!
