Monday 27 April 2015

Fighting a Reading Slump

Okay, I'll admit it. I had absolutely no idea what I wanted to post this week. And it's not because there's not enough book-related stuff happening in my life right now. In fact, the growing pile of books beneath my bed (32 and counting) is testament to the fact that April has been a busy month in terms of adding to the TBR pile. So the loss of my blogging mojo cannot be blamed on lack of material. I'm afraid that it's more serious than that. Yes indeed fellow readers, I am sad to report that I am facing one of the great reading illnesses. I am suffering from a reading slump. 

Any avid reader will recognise a reading slump and I think we all dread them. For me, a slump is characterised by listlessness - a complete inability to engage with books, even ones that I've been looking forward to or know that I will like. Instead, I flit between many books; desperately seeking the one that will grab me. Reading slumps are a bit like being hungry but being completely unable to decide on what to eat. I know that I want to read. Indeed, I NEED to read. But, despite the vast selection of excellent reading material available to me, I just don't know what I want to read right now. It's extremely frustrating. 

I'm blaming the current slump on having finished two whopping 600 page novels (more on them in my April Wrap Up) in quick succession over the last couple of weeks. I enjoyed both books thoroughly but I think that, in my effort to finish them, I've exhausted my reading brain a little. So I've decided to give myself a couple of days off this week - maybe focus on doing some cross-stitching or catching up on some TV for a couple of evenings. A bit of breathing space usually breaks the slump for me I find. Hopefully, I'll be itching to pick up a book again after a couple of nights without one on the go. If that doesn't work, I may have to resort to re-reading an old favourite - a quick shot of a Jane Austen or an Agatha Christie usually does the trick I find. 

So, keep your fingers crossed for me folks. With any luck, I'll be back on the wagon again next week for my April Wrap Up. I'd also be interesting in knowing how you guys combat reading slumps? Any hints or tips for me? A tried and tested method that always gets you in the mood for another book? Please leave me a comment below or tweet me (@amyinstaffs) your suggestions.

Until then, Happy Reading!

x



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