Getting Out of a Reading Rut
Hello Lovely Readers!
I hope you are all having a lovely holiday season! I had a wonderful Thanksgiving with my family and I am excited for a lovely Christmas with my in-laws. I apologize for my lack of posts this December. Besides being crazy busy, I have found myself in a bit of a reading/writing rut.
Can anyone relate?
I have a question for all of you: have any of the following happened to you:
-Can’t find the time to read?
-Tried to read but just not ‘feeling it’?
-Can’t find anything as good as your last read?
-Read something awful/boring and now you just feel unmotivated?
I am right there with you! This summer in particular I started multiple books that I DNF’d (did not finish) and my last couple books have been…not great.I find this discouraging because I want to read but nothing ‘scratches the itch’. It is perfectly normal to go through dry spells in your reading life. I am hoping these tips will help you when you find yourself stuck in a reading rut.
1. Go Short
Sometimes, books with large page numbers can be off putting. As a child, I was terrified to read Redwall because it was THICK (352 pages) with tiny print; I remember passing it often and wondering if I could stay focused on it long enough to finish. If you are feeling this, feel free to find a short book or a collection of short stories!
Recommendations: A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens (64 pages), Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury (119 pages), The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald (180 pages), The Cat who Saved Books by Sosuke Natsugawa (208 pages but fast paced and bigger type)
2.Reread a Favorite Book from Childhood
There is an amazing C.S. Lewis quote: “Someday you will be old enough to start reading fairy tales again”. I think adults sometimes put unnecessary pressure to read ‘adult’ or ‘intellectual’ books. I adore children’s books (especially classics) and find myself revisiting them. I reread Harry Potter series, Chronicles of Narnia, Samantha (of American Girl series), The Hobbit, and Pride and Prejudice because I know I will enjoy falling back into their worlds. So ask yourself: what was my favorite book to read as a child or teen? Oftentimes, these books have even more to teach us now than before and you KNOW you will enjoy them!
3.Read a Genre Outside of Your Norm
Most of the time, I am perfectly content to read classics, memoirs, romances, and historical fiction. But sometimes, I find myself either bored with their tropes or just can’t find the right one. When this happens, I go for nonfiction, fantasy, or sci-fi just to change it up a bit. Think of a genre you don’t normally go for, then go to your local library and check out that section. This way you can try something new and not lose money if you don’t enjoy it. Who knows, you might find a new favorite!
4.Ask a Friend or Family Member for a Recommendation
I am very blessed to have been raised around a reading family so I often have gone to my parents for recommendations. As an adult, I tend to ask friends or use social media (like bookstagram) to find new reads. So ask around. If you don’t feel you have anyone to ask, feel free to DM me @ladybookishblog on Instagram or ask our AWESOME Facebook community page, Lady Bookish. Others you can ask for recommendations include librarians, pastors, and teachers/mentors.
5.Shop Your Own Bookshelves
It has been said that buying books and reading books are two different hobbies. While this can be true, it is a good idea to look at the books you already own. I think of it as shopping my own shelves. It’s not uncommon for me to find books on the shelves that I have totally forgotten I own!
6.Judge by the Cover
Sometimes I am in awe of the artwork found on book covers. So next time you go to the library or bookstore, try this exercise: pick a book based on the cover and ONLY the cover. This can be a bit of a gamble but sometimes you gotta try something a bit ‘dangerous’ to get out of a reading rut. Even if you don’t love the book, you can enjoy looking at the art :)
7.Read a Book that has a Movie or Play
We all know that Hollywood is…not always a wealth of unique stories. As annoying as that can be, there are some awesome movies or even recorded plays/musicals based on books. I am actually thinking of writing a full post on this topic in 2025-comment below or on FB if you would enjoy that post. Some excellent adaptations to get you started include Jane Austen movie and mini series adaptation (especially BBC versions), Kenneth Branagh's adaptations of Hamlet, Much Ado about Nothing, and Hercule Poirot mysteries, and A Man Called Otto (with Tom Hanks). There are so many options!
8.Buddy Read with a Friend
One of the most fun things to do after reading a book is to talk about it with other readers. So if you have a book or series that you have been wanting to read, find someone who will read it alongside you! Meet up and talk about it after you finish or after so many chapters- make a date out of it! This both motivates you and, with the added discussions, allows you to understand the book in a more meaningful way. I am planning to do that with Don Quixote (more on that later). What book would you buddy read? Comment below!
9.Take a Break from Reading
Lastly, it is ok to take a break from reading. Reading is meant to be a fun experience- if you aren’t having fun then what’s the point? Focus on some other hobbies for a couple weeks and then pick up a book.
I sincerely hope these tips help get you out of that pesky reading rut! I only have maybe one more planned post for this year but I promise that more consistent posts will come in the new year! I wish you the happiest of holidays and hope you have find lots of cozy reading time.
Merry Christmas and Happy Reading!
Lady Bookish