Insider Info: Getting Over A Reading Block

It is truly horrifying to find yourself surrounded by a towering pile of your books and your shattered motivation to read them. Yup, that’s a reading block. Most people seem to think it’s a hoax. Well, unless hundreds of seasoned readers online are lying, this is still a real thing. Readers all over the world face this difficulty, the insatiable thirst to read, unable to turn a single page. Are you feeling the water rise up too? Don’t worry! There are numerous surefire ways and multiple books that you can devour to get over your reader’s block.

Reread an old favourite.

Often, we get stuck with a new book that is starting off slow. To get back into the groove, reread some of your old favourites and build that speed back. Since you already know what’s about to happen and are aware of the ins and outs of the book, it will keep you hooked and speed along the reading process.

Try a new genre.

You don’t have to limit yourself to the same old books. Try something you have been meaning to look at but never got around to it because it felt too out of the way. It is a new space that may take a little getting used to, but it will keep you interested. Been reading too much romance? Try reading a little mythology. Sick of that too? Get into the science fiction genre. The best genre shift is when the book brings a few elements from the old one but explores completely new avenues. 

Step away from streaming.

Yeah, we know. We’re the latest in line to villainise Netflix. We are now more inclined to stream than to read (it helps that there is no limit to the scope of OTT), and though one doesn’t necessarily have to exist at the cost of the other, streaming often gets in the way of our other habits. Step away from it, look for something that can engage you similarly (books specifically, because we’re prejudiced like that). Restart your watching schedule once the reading becomes regular, but be cautious of not falling into the procrastination trap again. 

Drop it if it isn’t working.

A book is supposed to immerse you; if it isn’t doing that, drop it. Do not feel obliged to finish it just because you picked it up. For all you know, it is this exact reason that the reader’s block is there. If you feel like a particular book may be your thing, but is not working right now, set it aside. Find something else to read and get back to the one you were struggling with; maybe you can start it up again.

Start with something easy. 

It can be challenging to get back after a slump. Despite all the tips mentioned above, the process may seem a little dire. The best approach is to start reading something simple so you don’t have to overthink while reading. Some of my favourite books are extremely easy to read. They may cover complex topics but are highly engaging. Find some of them below!