What Causes a Reading Slump?
Every year I keep a running total of the number of books I read over on Goodreads. Unfortunately, the number of books I read this year is slightly lower than the past few years. I’ve still read 42 and have time to squeeze in a couple more. But that number is eighteen less than the 60 of the previous year.
Why didn’t I read as many books in 2019? As I thought about that question, it occurred to me that I’m probably not the only one in the world to ever have a drop in the number of books I’m reading.
As much as we love reading (and love promoting reading!), at times stuff happens that may prohibit us from reading as much as we’d like to. What are some of the reasons why an avid reader may experience a slump?
Here are just a few that I considered (make sure you chime in on the comments with your thoughts!):
Less time for reading: Although I firmly believe we all can make time for the things that are most important to us, I also realize that some seasons of life will be busier or more emotionally taxing than others. Life sometimes throws things at us that we weren’t expecting and leaves us with little energy or resources for doing even the things we love.
Too many choices: While more books are available than ever before, the abundance of choices can sometimes be paralyzing. Even when reading reviews, we’re left confused about whether to plunk down hard-earned money on a book we’re not sure we’ll like. Overwhelmed, we become more selective.
Fewer books catch our interest: After reading for so long, we know what we like and don’t like. We have our favorite authors and tend to gravitate toward those books while overlooking debut or newer authors that don’t really stand out.
Plots begin to feel repetitive or unoriginal: Again, after reading widely, we may feel a sense of déjà vu, where the plots and stories begin to blur together. We peruse the book blurb and because it sounds similar to a story we recently read, we push the book aside (even if the reviews are stellar).
Our tastes change: For a while, we may read everything ever written by a favorite author. But then for some reason, the author no longer holds our interest. Perhaps our tastes change or perhaps that author’s style changes. Whatever the case, we find that what once interested us no longer does.
More diversity means fewer standout books: With the enormous diversity of books and genres now being published, it has become harder for books to truly stand out (like we saw happen with blockbuster hits like The Hunger Games). Readers are buzzing quietly about a hundred books instead of clamoring loudly about one or two. The low buzz (rather than a lot of noise) can make it difficult to know where to focus.
So what were the reasons I read fewer books this past year? For me, it was a combination of fewer books catching my interest as well as plots beginning to feel repetitive. I’m always on the lookout for another author I can add to my favorites list. So I’ll always keep trying new authors, but I have to admit, I’m growing more selective!
How about YOU? Have you ever been in a reading slump? What contributed to it?
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All valid points. I do love finding new authors. My tastes change and sometimes an author changes and I’m ready for someone/something new and different.
Hi Jody,
All great points.
For me, it is setting priorities. I tend to be on social media or checking emails when I should be reading.
I also think that I have too many choices. There are lots of good Christian fiction books out there. It’s hard for me to choose sometimes. But I won’t hesitate to read YOUR books!
I’ll always be behind.
My reading slumps, mostly caused by lack of pleasure reading time, have really been helped by audiobooks. Audiobooks used to be too expensive and bulky (8 or 9 or more CDs in a box and as much as $50+). But with the digital and smartphone age, my reading life has been made easier and more affordable. I listen while I get dressed in the morning and when I’m in the car, etc. So far I’ve read 64 books in 2019 and will add three more (all in progress) to that total before year’s end. Of those 67 books, 49 (73%) are audiobooks. I’ve only been tracking my reading for seven years, thanks to Goodreads.
All sound reasons for a reading slump! I’ve been slumping the last couple of months because of a long book with a slow start combined with a book launch and then Christmas. Only listening to audiobooks has kept me adding books to my “read” shelf!
When my favorite authors don’t have anything new for me to read. This summer we had a lot happen in the family, so I didn’t read much at all. Also, when nothing catches my interest. I do try new authors from time to time.
I’ve been in a reading slump for the past year. I’ve read 6 books this whole year. Three of them were for authors I’m an Influenster for.
My life got in the way. Too much pain in my body and I don’t feel motivated to read or do anything else.
Oh, I have another reason..the phone…games, FB.
Hi Jody!
I’ve been in a reading slump too!
I’ve just finish a real good book called The Tea Chest. I’m having a hard time finding another book after that one!
I’m finding that all the books I like are tending to have the same plot or the author that I really like has changed her writing style.
I’ve read almost 200 books this year
Yes. I’ve had a BIG slump this year. I’ve read 48 novels this year. I expect I’ll manage to squeeze in two-three books before 2019 runs out because my reading slump just got a break. We’ll see how long it lasts. But last year I read 108 books. So that’s a big drop.
Reasons? Spring was awful. Autumn was spent on writing my thesis. Plus interest in books waned, so that resulted in months long reading slump. My reading-buddy who I often discuss books with is SUPER busy with med school and is just getting busier. So I have no one to discuss books with. Plus I also have newer interests like drawing. I want more time out in the real world than hiding behind books.
So with all these things in mind I find 48 books isn’t too bad. It’s more than many people I know.
Totally amazed that you have read 42 books. I can’t even imagine doing that and writing also. Cheers!
I’m never in a reading slump. There are so many books I want to read, but not enough time to read them. Goodreads has really helped me keep track of my reading, and I love it. The number of books does not always tell the story, so I like that Goodreads keeps track of the number of pages.
Happy reading!
3 times I been where I could not read. My sisters’s son was killed when he was 8 years old.
When my granddaughter was stillborn at 38 weeks gestation. Then another time I won’t talk about. But it took me a while to get to reading again. I couldn’t keep my mind on the books. I’m reading my 68 and 69nth book. If I didn’t miscount or forget to put one down
I’ve been an avid reader all my life. I loved reading because it took me away from my own problems and troubles, and I loved meeting so many new people from the comfort of my armchair.
My reading slacked off during the years I worked as a home health nurse. I read only one or two books a year since I had little time left for a normal life. As much as I loved the job and the people, I resented always being called out and the paper work.
After I retired I took up writing so my reading did not pick up as much as I expected. I read about five or six books a year. I know reading is important for authors as it is for anyone else. I doubt that I will ever get back to reading two or three books a month like I used to.
I went through a huge reading slump after my dad died. I was just so distracted during my quiet times, and my brain just didn’t turn off. Even when I tried to read my only favorites, they couldn’t hold my attention, so I simply gave up. That went on for three years. Interestingly enough, it was makIng virtual connections to authors who write within the Christian romance genre that pulled my attention back and gave me a good reason to make time for reading again. I’m so glad that it did, too…quitting reading isn’t a thing I want to do again anytime soon!
You have very valid reasons! I’m also one of those readers who discovers an author and then has to read everything they’ve written. But sometimes an author’s works can become stale. A prime example, in my experience, has been extended small-town contemporary series that must mention every single shop owner and their backstories with each succeeding story, the writing vocabulary never varies, the tropes begin to repeat, and bingo. Boredom sets in. Trilogies, I find, are usually sufficient. I also end up reading less fiction during those times when I am researching my own stories!