Let’s Talk Bookish is a weekly meme, hosted by Rukky @ Eternity Books & Dani @ Literary Lion, where they discuss certain topics, share their opinions, and spread the love by visiting each others’ posts.
JULY 16: WHAT ARE THE BEST WAYS TO GET OVER READING SLUMPS? (RAFAELA @ THE PORTUGESE BIBLIOPHILE)
Prompts: Sometimes you just don’t want to read anymore, how do you get back into it? Do you give yourself a break? Watch booktube or read blogs? Read an old favourite book to reignite that spark? Do you just force yourself through it? Maybe you read a picture book or a graphic novel?
Welcome to the middle of July everyone! Today’s topic is a good one, one that I definitely struggle with sometimes for seemingly no reason. I always love readings books, and sometimes I just put down books and don’t pick them up. Other times I am reading and can never put it down. Let’s explore maybe why that is.
Sometimes you just don’t want to read anymore, how do you get back into it?
For me, I think sometimes all it takes is for someone else to be excited by a book. And once they talk about what they loved, or how much they liked reading a book (any book), it really ignites the passion in me again. Like yes, I also really love reading, why did I ever stop?! Although this may be a somewhat unreliable way of restarting a reading habit, I find that it isn’t hard to just casually talk to my bookish friends and ask for recommendations, or at least ask about what they’re reading. Most likely I’ll want to read again just by even talking about books again.
Do you give yourself a break? Watch booktube or read blogs? Read an old favourite book to reignite that spark?
For sure, sometimes a break is necessary. It’s not always the case where forward is the right answer. Sometimes it really is just a good time to sit and relax (without a book) if that is how you are so inclined. After all, books are meant to be enjoyed, not to be a chore (as much as it may feel like one sometimes with ever-looming deadlines). I don’t usually watch booktube, but I do occasionally read around blogs to look for inspiration or just to see what others are up to. Sometimes that will also trigger the urge to read again. I tend to shy away from reading old favourites over and over again. For me, something about the magic of how I remember a book being is better than reading it again to confirm it. Does anybody else understand this? Or am I just weird – let me know in the comments below.
Do you just force yourself through it? Maybe you read a picture book or a graphic novel?
Sometimes, I do just force myself. Is it bad? Maybe. But honestly, at other times if I just tip over the scales a tiny tiny bit, I already fall down the slippery slope of wanting to read for hours on end without any regard for the time. I do read webtoons daily on my phone, which is another type of reading consumption that I enjoy. These are very short little pieces that I can enjoy daily and easily on my phone before bed. I guess I do read every day, if I count the daily uploads.
How do you all get over those reading stumps? Or will you always read again after a break, so there’s no need to “get over it” per se? Please let me know below, I’d love to hear what it’s like for you all!
Down the Rabbit Hole 