5 Ways To Get Out Of A Reading Slump And Reignite Your Love For Books

Bonisiwe Shabane

-Oct 31, 2025, 8:29 AM

5 ways to get out of a reading slump and reignite your love for books

If you’ve found yourself staring at a stack of unread books with zero motivation to crack one open, you’re not alone. Reading slumps happen to even the most devoted book lovers, but the good news is: they don’t have to last forever. Here are five practical, low-pressure ways to reconnect with your love of reading and get back into the rhythm of turning pages. Sometimes the best way forward is to go back. Pick up a book you’ve already read and adored—something comforting, familiar, and guaranteed to deliver. Reconnecting with characters and stories you love can reignite that emotional spark and remind you why you started reading in the first place.

When reading feels like a chore, giant reading goals can backfire. Instead, commit to something simple—like reading five pages a day or for just 10 minutes before bed. These tiny habits can quickly snowball into momentum, helping you ease back into the flow without pressure or guilt. Who says reading has to be traditional? If standard novels aren’t grabbing your attention, try an audiobook during your commute, a graphic novel with stunning visuals, or even a short story collection you can dip in and out of. A change in format can reset your brain and make reading feel fresh again.

Your space plays a huge role in your mindset. Create a cozy reading nook with a soft blanket, warm drink, and good lighting—or take your book outside for a fresh change of scenery. Turning reading into a ritual or experience helps transform it from obligation into enjoyment. Most of the time people do not realize that they are in a reading slump until a few weeks pass and they notice they have not finished a book awhile, or they get an... My favorite one is when your friends ask you if you’ve read anything good lately and you have no response. The reading slumps sneak up on you, it may take a book that is taking a long time to gain interest in or just a streak of mediocre books that has taken the reading...

Doom scrolling on social media, YouTube, video games, and binge-watching Netflix are always at the doorstep ready to take reading’s place in your life, but we must be strong! Rereading one of your favorite books that you haven’t jumped back to in a long time is a great way to get back into the reading zone, preferably try to make it a light... Just like any good habit, sometimes completing something gets the ball rolling again. When we get a good run or workout in, it gets us back on track and the same goes for reading. We may just need to get that next book “read” in order to get us back in the groove and nothing fills that void better than an easy short read we can knock out... A regular classic like “The Great Gatsby” can do the job where the reading is light and can be finished in 2-3 hours depending on your reading speed.

Nothing will put us in a reading slump faster than the obligation to finish a book we started, yet this is one of the biggest flaws we have as readers. I get it, reading is a big commitment and takes more time and effort than laying back and binging a tv show, but we still should not continue reading a book that we are... For most avid readers we will read a couple of thousand books in our lifetime and there are over 100 million different books in the world, with thousands more added every year. There is no time to be wasted on a book you are not enjoying. Ryan Holiday has a good rule to give a book 100 pages minus your age before you give up on it. This might be an expensive solution, but reading is the gift that never stops giving, and investing some money into it will go a long way.

If you only read physical books, changing it up to a Kindle or E-Reader can help your reading by switching it up, and sometimes the change of devices can open more locations where you... A Kindle can be easier to read while lying in bed or going to a different location. Another trick that has worked for me is starting a book as an audiobook while doing chores or driving. This can also help finish a book that got a bit boring but it’s more interesting than listening to nothing while driving or mowing the lawn. A change in format may be the solution that works for you. "Owning a great library doesn’t mean you’ve read them all.

It just means you have the right book waiting for you at the right time." — Unknown Picture this. It’s a lazy Sunday afternoon. You’re in bed, staring into space. Bored out of your mind, looking for fun things to do. Your gaze wanders to the pile of books gathering dust on the table.

None of those books seem inviting enough to read. If only you had a simple book at hand to get out of this hell, you wonder. Then your hand inevitably reaches out to your phone. You open Instagram for the 50th time that day. The reels button just gets pressed involuntarily. You end up wasting another hour mindlessly scrolling through content that's lessening your attention span, one reel at a time.

For my first post, I thought I'd share some ways to come out of that reading slump, because I recently was in one. Have you ever read a book that was so incredible (or maybe so awful) that it completely derailed your reading groove? That’s exactly where I found myself recently - I devoured some amazing books last month, only to hit a wall this month. Now, I’m struggling to finish even one. For an avid reader, a slump can feel frustrating, but it’s not forever. Here are five things that always help me get back into the rhythm of reading.

Sometimes, the book you’re forcing yourself through just isn’t the right fit in that moment. If it’s feeling like a chore, swap genres, pick up a lighter read, or try something totally outside your preferred genre. There’s no shame in DNF-ing a current read. It’s ok to set it aside for later (or forever). Reading solo is great, but sometimes, sharing the experience makes all the difference. Discussing plot twists, characters, and theories turns reading into a social experience, which might be exactly what you need to shake off the slump.

A word of advice. Buddy read with someone that matches your reading speed. Burnout can be caused easily by too much of one thing, but that doesn’t mean you are burnt out of all books, maybe you just need to try a new kind of book. If you have been nonstop reading fantasy, maybe try a contemporary romance, and if you have read all of those, try a thriller. By mixing up what you read you can help to avoid burnout. Similar to how reading a bunch of similar books or books from the same genre can become redundant, how you read can, too.

Sometimes, reading a short book with a quick plot will catapult you back into reading, or you can try an audiobook that you can listen to while relaxing or doing a puzzle. You can get back into reading by engaging other parts of your mind or having a guaranteed quick read. Sometimes to keep up with reading you need a little motivational boost. I have found that attending a book club is just the push I need to finish some books outside my comfort zone. It also keeps you reading so you can attend the book club and discuss things; even if you hate the book, it can make for a good conversation. A buddy read can do the same and you and your buddy can keep each other accountable for keeping up on your read.

An easy way to fall into a slump is to try and force yourself to read a book you're just not interested in. While it's hard to give up on reading goals or large TBR piles, sometimes you just need a little reset. By forgetting your TBR you can pick up a brand new book you're excited about, or you can reorganize and find an older book you have been wanting to read. While it's fun to pick out your next reads, don’t let yourself get stuck in what you “have to read” next. Sometimes you just have to take a break and focus on something else. This can be for just a few hours, or a few weeks.

It's easy to get bogged down and feel like you must keep reading, you bought all those books after all. But it's okay to take a break guilt-free and focus on a new or old hobby. It's also okay to skip reading to binge a TV show or listen to an album on repeat. Reading is supposed to bring you joy, and if you are miserable and forcing yourself to keep going, what's the point? Every book lover has been there—staring at a growing stack of unread novels, wanting to read, but not finding the motivation or focus to dive in. This frustrating state, often called a reading slump, can strike unexpectedly, even for the most passionate readers.

The good news? It’s temporary. And with a few intentional strategies, you can rediscover the joy that once made reading your favorite escape. Here’s how to break out of a reading slump and get back to turning pages with purpose. When nothing new seems to stick, returning to a beloved book can be the spark you need. Familiar characters, comforting storylines, and nostalgic vibes can reignite your emotional connection with reading.

It’s like revisiting an old friend—no pressure, just pure enjoyment. Sometimes, a reading slump isn’t about reading itself—it’s about what you’re reading. If you’ve been deep in fantasy, try a fast-paced thriller or a quirky rom-com. Switching genres can refresh your perspective and open up new reading experiences you didn’t realize you’d enjoy. Instead of pushing yourself to finish an entire book, set a goal to read 5-10 pages a day. Small wins build momentum.

Over time, those pages add up, and you may find yourself naturally reading more than planned—because you want to, not because you feel like you have to. Home » Bookish Lifestyle » 10 Tips On How To Get Out Of A Reading Slump Today Disclaimer: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from purchases made through the affiliate links included in this post. This means if you click on the link and make a purchase, I will receive an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. See the Privacy Policy for more information. Have you been wondering how to get out of a reading slump?

5 Ways To Get Out Of A Reading Slump And Reignite Your Love For Books

People Also Search

If You’ve Found Yourself Staring At A Stack Of Unread

When Reading Feels Like A Chore, Giant Reading Goals Can

Your Space Plays A Huge Role In Your Mindset. Create

Doom Scrolling On Social Media, YouTube, Video Games, And Binge-watching

Nothing Will Put Us In A Reading Slump Faster Than