Reading slumps are a fairly rare occurrence for me, but they do indeed occasionally happen. It is possible to have too much of a good thing, and although it does take A LOT for me to not feel like picking up a book, I do have a few ‘triggers’ that I try to avoid at all costs. Tackling too many similar stories at once is a no-no whether it be reading several installments in a series back-to-back (the odd binge-read is ok), or a string of titles in the same genre, either can push me into red alert territory. Paranormal is my go-to guilty pleasure; however it comes in a variety of flavours such as Urban Fantasy, Young Adult, Steampunk, Paranormal Romance, New Adult, etc so I try to jump around as much as possible to keep things fresh. Audiobooks are also another way that I switch things up because sometimes the last thing I want to do is stare at yet another screen—I love my eReader, but sometimes my eyes need a break.
I read mainly to unwind, and to escape the stress of real life, however every now and then my daily responsibilities take their toll on my energy levels, and I’m one of those girls that needs a solid eight hours AND coffee in order to function. Meaning, when my ‘me time’ rolls around, and I find my eyelids drooping, I’m not a trooper. I don’t push through no matter how good the story is, dreamland always wins out for me no matter what. How can I call myself a bookworm, eh? All of those Pinterest posts that I re-share about sleep being for the weak are total bullshit. LOL And, sometimes when I’m feeling under the weather all I want to do is eat chicken noodle soup, and watch chick flicks.
Blogger burnout is a biggie as well; I’ve since learned my lesson, but when I was still a noob I went a little ARC request crazy, and ended up reading because I HAD to, not because I WANTED to. Nothing kills a book quite like a looming deadline. It’s hard to say no to free titles, especially when you’re first starting out, and review copies are difficult to come by, however when your hobby begins to feel like a chore it’s only a matter of time before you fall victim to the dreaded reading slump. Trust me, it happens to the best of us, and as pretty as those galleys are you MUST learn restraint otherwise you risk not lasting long as a blogger. I try to keep a post buffer so that way if ever I feel like I need to take a few days off I can without falling behind. My last break was in May of 2012 when I went on a 3 weeks hiatus, and it was at that point that I decided to add associate reviewers to the mix. Rabid Reads has been full steam ahead ever since, so obviously there’s method in my madness!
Owner, designer and main blogger behind Rabid Reads. Avid book reader, snowboard bunny, video gamer and Supernatural fan. I love all things paranormal, werewolves especially. Oh, and I’m Canadian, eh!
I rarely don’t want to read but I often don’t want to write reviews :))) and I definitely know what you are talking about, Carmel! Audiobooks are a saver for me because while I still want to know what happens in the book, sometimes I don’t want to spend precious time reading it, and if I listen to it I can do whatever needs to be done on the farm. So no, I don’t lose my desire to read but I do change how I deal with it from time and necessity.
kara-karina recently posted…Steampunk YA Fantasy Review: Second Daughter by Susan Kaye Quinn
Oh, gosh! Some days review writing is like pulling teeth. Audiobooks are great because they allow you to be productive AND read at the same time. Win/win!
Yup. I think I burned out reading and reviewing this summer. I am now backlogged and the thought of getting through the books I have to read is just daunting. So I subscribed to Netflix and am happily catching up on all sorts of TV series that I’ve neglected because I was too busy reading.
I’ll get back to reading when the novelty wears off. Really.
AH recently posted…New Release Review: On Her Father’s Grave by Kendra Elliot
Hehe! Sometimes the ostrich approach works best. Hopefully the Netflix break will help recharge your batteries, and you’ll bounce back better than ever. 🙂
Usually if I don’t feel like reading, it is because I either don’t feel well or I’m just so exhausted that even reading uses too much energy. Other than that, I will spend plenty of spare time reading or listening. And yes, I have listened when I don’t feel well, but try not to when I’m exhausted. I’m worried I’ll fall asleep and miss something. 🙂
Melanie Simmons recently posted…Best Audiobook Player App for Smartphones (besides Audible)
This is why I LOVE Audible’s sleep timer feature. I do a lot of my listening before bed, and have woken up on several occasions having gone through the whole book in my sleep, but no more!
I volunteered to judge a contest this summer that I was told would be “good publicity” for me. As of today, I haven’t seen a single bit of benefit it brought me. I had to read 35 books in one month. (It was 20 books when I agreed and somehow jumped up by 15!) I lost about $1500 in writing income because I had to set time aside to do it and about halfway through, I felt like I was being tortured. Needless to say, I won’t be doing that again!
Stephanie Faris recently posted…What Do You Mean You Don’t Carry My Book?
That really sucks! I’m sorry that that publicity stunt turned out to be a major bust; how frustrating. Reading on a deadline is not fun, but losing money to boot is 10 times worse.
Yes, plenty of times. But then I switch over to TV-Shows or Movies (or some thing more sociable and active) until I get the “need for reed” back again.
Kim recently posted…Review: Log Horizon
It never hurts to disconnect, and sometimes mindless entertainment is just what the doctor ordered! It’s also good to get your nose out of books, and do some real world interacting on occasion.
Blogger burn out, yes at times. But I have been reading non-stop for years and never stopped. I just don’t always want to write about what I have read when it is over.
Nathan ( recently posted…Tough Travels – Dark Ladies
I try to squeeze in a ‘just for me’ read from time-to-time because it’s so liberating knowing that you don’t have to review it afterwards.
Before the Great Historical Romance Bender (now a year old), I’d been in a reading slump for… months. It happens. It seems like a natural ebb and flow kind of thing. I’m reading less now, for example, while I’m editing my next book, because it drains a lot of my mental energy. That’s also why I love associate reviewers, though. They’ve picked up a lot of my slack and covered my slump. I try not to feel guilty for not reading, and just read when I feel like it. 🙂
Amanda recently posted…Death by Didgeridoo by Barbara Venkataraman {Jenna’s Review}
There’s nothing wrong with putting reading on hold while you pursue a dream, however I hear ya about the guilt factor. It’s hard to relinquish control when you’ve been blogging for so long.
it happens but usually it’s a symptom i’m coming down with something ( even more when even craft has no appeal)
i have smaller case after reading a book i hated ( with is super rare ) in that case i need a few days to change my mind and start a book i’m sure to love to “heal”^^
However i must say that this year i mostly decided to read for pleasure not because i had to and yes it help greatly^^
miki recently posted…Divine Vices (Divine Vices 1) by Melissa Parkin
I sometimes struggle with starting a new novel after finishing either a really good or especially bad one. Those types of slumps don’t usually last long though. *phew*
“Nothing kills a book quite like a looming deadline.”
SO true Carmel! I did the same thing in the beginning – got a little click happy on NetGalley (and later Edelweiss) and then read because I felt obligated not because I wanted to. I’ve let up on myself a bit since then, and in addition to not requesting nearly as many, have given myself the okay to set aside a book that isn’t working instead of powering through just to deliver a review to the publisher.
Whenever I get in these slumps, I usually watch a lot of TV or movies. I think I just need a different entertainment medium sometimes to shake things up, and then I’m ready to read again!
Unfortunately ALL book bloggers have to learn this lesson the hard way. I gave Jessica the same advice, and she still fell for it. I don’t watch nearly as many movies as I used to, so getting caught up on the latest flicks is a nice way to kick burn out.
Yes! I actually make myself stop reading sometimes too. You say you read to “unwind and escape” and I’m the same. The “escape” sometimes scares me though and make myself stop reading or really live in those moments when I don’t want to read. The worlds in the stories we love are so tempting that sometimes it’s easy to get lost in them and forget the beauty of the real world, the world that also sucks because we have to change it, make it better but how can we do that if we’re always reading or longing to be in stories of magic and adventure? I’m not saying everyone is like this or that I don’t LOVE to read, rather, I’m asking a question that shoots from yours and a question that I have to ask myself every now and then. The answer…well, I don’t know the answer yet, I guess living the present, allowing yourself to love reading and reading all you like but not pushing yourself. *I should also mention that I think everyone SHOULD read, at least some and those who don’t should be pushed TO READ. That happy middle is important I guess.
I’m guilty of this at times, and try to catch myself whenever I ignore #1 in favour of my latest read. The novel will still be there tomorrow, but the opportunity to spend time with my loved ones might not be. Balance is key!
I used to get frequent reading slumps, until I changed my reading/book choosing method. Now I’m a total mood reader and it’s working out really well for me. I haven’t had a slump since I made the change earlier this year 🙂
Finley Jayne recently posted…{Halloween Special} Ghosts!
I’m happy that that change worked out so well for you; I tend to fall somewhere in the middle of scheduled / mood reader. So far, so good!
In the past couple of years, I’ve never gone more than a few days without reading (a few days is a reading slump for me!), but I’ve definitely felt a bit of the blogging slump that you talk about – that list of books that I’m required to read can sometimes feel overwhelming. I’ve been seriously thinking lately about adding someone to the FYFA team (which is now a team on one) for exactly that reason. 🙂
Nicole recently posted…Twixt Guided Tour Stop #2 (& Giveaway!): Abbot’s Field with Joy
Do it! I battled with that decision for the longest time, however now my only regret is not having done it sooner. Being a one woman show is ok when you’re first starting out, but change is good, especially when the alternative is quitting.
Reading slumps are very rare for me (I get genre slumps but I read a lot of different things so I just switch gears) but blogging slumps happen. There are times I am just not into it. I am about to setup all my November posts (I LOVE that I do thankful November, it gives me a chance to step back and take some time off). 🙂
Felicia the Geeky Blogger recently posted…ReRead Audiobook Review: Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning
Month-long events are a fab solution to blogging overload; they require a lot of work initially, but once all of your posts are scheduled, coasting is awesome!
Nothing puts me in a reading slump than reading something that I have to versus something that I really want to.
I do have slumps every now and then but it doesn’t happen often for me either. This summer I went through one and instead of pushing myself to read I took a break and got caught up on some really great tv shows that I never knew about or ones that I had been meaning to watch and never got around to (probably because I was busy reading!), gotta love Netflix! Afterwards I felt refreshed and reading to read again. It was nice.
And of course I make sure and inbetween ARCs read something in my TBR pile that I really want to read. It helps break up the ARCs and keep me from getting overwhelmed by them.
kindlemom1 recently posted…Blog Tour Review and Giveaway: Once Perfect by Cecy Robson
My go-to rule is 50% ARCs and 50% personal picks / mood reads every month. I’ve found this to be an effective way of keeping my inner bookworm happy while still reaping the rewards of blogging. Time off is never a bad thing though, even if it’s only a weekend!
This is a sad topic because lately the answer is just about always YES unless I’m driving and doing audio 🙁
Julie recently posted…That’s what HE said Thursday- October 9, 2014
Aaaww, I hope your drive comes back soon, Julie! Kudos to you for still keeping the posts flowing without any reviews.
Blogger burn out is a real thing and I had similar issues when I was starting out but then I found a co-blogger and she has been helping me ever since. Even with two of us the work does sometimes still seem like work and we take breaks but it usually works for us.
Alexa recently posted…Top Ten Tuesday: Books For Readers Who Like Character Driven Novels
Tag teaming it is a lifesaver, but real life still happens, and sometimes it strikes ALL co-bloggers at once unfortunately.
For me, reading too many similar titles burns me out too! About two weeks ago, I went into a mini slump because I had just read two books that were pretty dark and serious, and I had to start another one that was just as serious. I couldn’t get into the book and ending up reading a fun fluffy NA title within 6 hours. Always gotta mix it up!
It sucks though, because whenever I’m in a slump, I feel guilty when I don’t read, not alleviated. 🙁
Amber Elise @Du Livre
I love dark stories, however HEA’s are just as important IMO because eventually what you’re reading can transfer to your mood, and no one wants that. I ALWAYS feel guilty when I take a few days off, so distractions are a must. Hehe
I do a lot the same and it really helps keep me going being able to take a break when I need to (post buffer) and just jumping around. I read when I want these days and even with review books I rarely give a specific date. I try for release day but if I’m not feeling it I wait until I am. Figure better to have it a couple weeks late and me not force it than “on time” and struggle through because I didn’t want to read it then.
anna (herding cats & burning soup) recently posted…Interview w/ Maya Banks–there…might just be a Kelly brother *nods*
Reading / reviewing a title that you’re just not feeling rarely turns out well, so I agree. Don’t force it, just go with the flow. 🙂
I’ve been suffering BIG TIME with all of this! I’ve had tons of stuff going on in my life and caused me to NOT want to read. I haven’t read or audio’d in like almost 3 months. Blogging has also gone to the way side. It sucks. Hopefully I’ll get back to it soon.
Jenese recently posted…Review: Otherworld Nights by Kelley Armstrong
Sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do! Your blog will be there waiting for you when you’re ready.
I totally hear you. I think newbie bloggers we are so excited to get new books and get our blogs growing that we bite off way more than we can true. I have really backed off from blog this past year and I feel so much better. I don’t do Saturday reviews every week and that has made a huge difference, only having to do three reviews a week vs four is a life saver, I am also not doing as many guest posts and giveaways. I used to do them constantly but they are so much work. This year Something Wicked is really pared back compared to the first year I did it, I hosted it by myself and I had so many posts scheduled I couldnt’ do anything but read and blog. Everything in moderation.
Heidi recently posted…Something Wicked Strikes Day #9: Guest Post, Review, Giveaway: Dark Paradise by Angie Sandro
I rarely do interviews anymore because I found that coming up with questions was so time consuming. I know authors prefer them because they are easy, however from a blogger’s perspective they are anything but unless you like asking the same Q’s that everyone else is. And, that’s just boring! Teaming up with a co-host for events can be an excellent solution.
I can totally related to that last part. When I started receiving review requests I felt obliged to accept all of them to show how grateful I was. At the same time I requested ARCs. Months later, I’m still knee-deep in it therefore I decided to only read ARCs and author requests until I get out of this. Most of the time, I can’t really enjoy reading them because I just want to get it over with and move on to the next one so that I can read what I want and participate in buddy reads and all freely. But it’s not a good method as the point is lost; to actually enjoy it. Any tips, please? :/
There’s no simple solution once you’re buried by ARCs except to slowly dig yourself out from under the pile. Don’t request any more, and shut down submissions on your site until you’re caught up. You can do it!
I’ve already done that. Thanks. 🙂
Good luck!
I feel like I’ve been in a reading slump for a year! I’ve been saying for a long time now that I’ll come out of it. I’ve got a lot of other stuff going on so reading and blogging has become less of a priority. I’m not giving up though =)
Cat recently posted…[Review] Degradation (The Kane Trilogy #1) and Separation (The Kane Trilolgy #2) by Stylo Fantome
A YEAR?? Ouch! Way to keep a positive attitude though, hopefully you’ll get bit by the reading bug again real soon. 🙂
I sometimes don’t feel like reading at all. Sometimes I just get completely burned out of reading and don’t want to pick anything up. Sometimes I read too many “blah” books in a row and end up not wanting to read any of my other books. When this happens I just need to take a step back from blogging and reading and just regrouping.
Lily recently posted…I’ll Give You The Sun: Review
It’s important to realize when you’re nearing red alert status, and to nip it in the bud before you reach the point of no return. You don’t want to end up killing one of your fav hobbies! Do whatever it takes. 🙂
Nope. I love reading, and even when I am all I HAVE TO READ, I still enjoy it. I am a bit too ocd about it sometimes.
But I have had those, blergh moments. Mostly cos I was burned on a genre, but then I just move to another
blodeuedd recently posted…The Knight – Pierre Pevel
Genre burn out is more common I think, and like you said, there are so many options out there that it’s easily fixable.
Once a season or so it can happen… That’s when I either re-read my favorites or I binge-watch tv shows 😀
Aly P recently posted…Books That Need More Attention Hop: Heather Fleener’s Ancients of Light series
That’s awfully… regular of you. Hehe! Those are two of my go-to solutions. Or movies.
I know, right? :))
YES! Right now and it sucks. I can’t concentrate enough to read. Either my mind wanders off or I fall asleep. It doesn’t matter if I try reading morning, noon or night. And it’s not the books because I end up listening to the audio and love them.
I guess I’m only on a reading slump because I’ve been listening to audiobooks like crazy. I’ve heard like 11 or 12 in the last 2 weeks. At least that’s helping with my TBR. But still, I miss reading 🙁
Nereyda recently posted…Audiobook Review: Tied by Emma Chase!
That happened to me in May / June when I was knee deep in wedding planning. I usually average 1 audiobook a week, but during those two months my listening time doubled because I was too exhausted to read. I’m sure you’ll bounce back soon enough!
I’m sort of in one now. Right now it’s not bad but knowing I’m a bit behind on my books for review doesn’t help. I would add more associates but sometimes it causes more stress than alleviates it. Glad it has worked out wonderfully for you!
Melissa (Books and Things) recently posted…Spotlight Feature: Night Sky by Suzanne and Melanie Brockman with Giveaway Package!
It can be difficult finding the right associate reviewers, but setting guidelines for applicants definitely helps. You can take a peek at mine if you need inspiration. 🙂
I do sometimes feel a bit burn out on occasion with reading, but usually is a case more of either being tired cause of work or having a massive book hangover… so on those cases I end up binge watching some shows or something to change up things a bit!
Pili recently posted…First Chapter, First Paragraph #13: Damsel Distressed by Kelsey Macke!!
As long as they are temporary, and only last for a couple of days, then it’s not so bad. Binge TV watching works just as well on rainy days as reading does!
I think with blogging, this will at times happen…where you don’t feel like reading. But, I try to break it up a little by watching Tv shows aND movies. Trying not to read the sme story lines back to back. Great question Carmel.
sharonda recently posted…Guest Post & Series Spotlight: Lover Claimed by A.M. Griffin
Similar story lines can really drag my reading mojo down. Earlier this summer I read 3 Norse mythology books back-to-back, and it was such a battle!
I’ll admit it. Sometimes, I need to sleep more than I need to read. Sleep is for the weak — and I cave all too often because I adore naps. I do get into slumps but try to power through or find a good palate cleanser (I love travelogues!). That usually gets me going again.
Mary recently posted…Do It In 140: Tweet-Short Reviews (7)
If sleep is for the weak, then I’m a wuss because I can never resist the call of my pillow. I love how you call travelogues ‘palate cleansers’ it sounds so high class. Hehe!
Yes I do get burned out on reading and I don’t always review all the books I read. There are fun mixed in with reviews. Then with kids and school & work. I am not always reading. I do make sure to watch my shows too. Everything in moderation including reading. 🙂 Great question
julie recently posted…Fall with me — Cover Reveal
Everything in moderation EXCEPT for reading! 😉
Oh yeah, definitely there are those days where I don’t feel like reading at all. The last time I felt like that, my life was pretty hectic though, and I was just feeling too stressed/down to read. I also once read an AWESOME book, and afterward it pretty much wrecked my reading life because nothing I picked up to follow it up felt like it could measure up 😛
Mogsy recently posted…Tough Traveling: Dark Ladies
It’s funny how an amazing novel can push you into a reading slump, you’d think it’d be the reverse, but it’s so not.
I’m like you, Carmel, in that I rarely go through a reading slump. But too many stories with a similar story line will do…and has. It took me a little while to learn to curtail my agreeing to read or requesting arcs because it was a burden and very stressful to *have* to read on deadline. But I *am* addicted to reading, or so my oldest daughter tells me. I am rather cranky when I don’t get reading time in. 🙂
By the way, I’m reading Angel Kin right now for my OctobeRec Fest. 🙂
Bookworm Brandee recently posted…**Blog Tour Review & Giveaway ~ Relentless Rhythm ~ Michelle Mankin**
I get cranky too whenever I go long stretches without reading, like this weekend for instance. It’s Thanksgiving, so I have to attend family dinner, plus visit my sister who’s up from the States, and hang with one of my girl friends. I’m going to binge tonight to make up for the next few days!
Sometimes I go through reading slumps but it’s usually when I’ve read and reviewed a few books in a row that I didn’t love and need a little break. I love to read to de-stress so I rarely take a long break from reading but unfortunately sometimes real life gets in the way…which is my situation right now, but it’s not by choice! 🙂
Lori recently posted…Blog Tour: TWISTED by Elisabeth Naughton {Excerpt + Giveaway}
I noticed! You haven’t posted anything since the end of September. I NEED my Romancing the Dark Side fix—you’d better get on that asap, Lori! 😉
I know I’ve been a bad blogger lately! I’m slowly getting back into it so expect to see some posts and reviews real soon, you make me look like such a slacker…LOL
Lori recently posted…Blog Tour: TWISTED by Elisabeth Naughton {Excerpt + Giveaway}
Naah, it happens to the best of us. I’m in the process of looking for a job, so we might be switching roles sooner than you think.
I use to have days where I didn’t want to read but after thinking about it, it wasn’t that I didn’t want to read it was that I didn’t want to write a review.
So I’ve been taking breaks with novellas between books I was going to review. I no longer feel the need to review EVERYTHING I read or listen to. And it’s helped me enjoy my reading and listening more. A little something for just me.
Jennifer recently posted…Faith Hunter Talks About NOT Writing Romance
I used to feel guilty whenever I’d skip a review, but I’ve realized that it’s the only way I can keep my sanity, so screw it!
I am glad you mentioned that “it happens to all of us”. I definitely experience reading slumps from time to time, but mostly that is a clue to me to stop forcing myself to do so much. I tend to procrastinate if I know I have a deadline. Messed up but true. If I am reading for fun, I read super fast. Go Figure!
Rose recently posted…That’s what HE said Thursday- October 9, 2014
I’m a procrastinator too, so I definitely know where you are coming from. I wish I read faster though, maybe I could stay off Twitter whenever I’m immersed in a book. 😉
This is actually happening to me right now. I have so much going on in my personal life and just don’t feel like reading. I think sometimes reading just takes thinking (even though we don’t notice) and watching TV is just easier and is more relaxing. Right now I am watching football. Easy to watch. The problem with not reading though is then I lack content for my blog so the blog falls behind.
Angie recently posted…Book Club October Picks
Even a light, fluffy read isn’t completely mindless, and sometimes you just need to turn your brain off. We’re overloaded with so much info on a daily basis that it’s hard to disconnect sometimes.
I can honestly say, I don’t remember ever not wanting to read-since I was little.I might have not read everyday while in college, but that is probably the only time. I do have a Net Galley book I have to read right now for late Oct-I didn’t like the last book, so now I wish I hadn’t requested both of them at the same time. But that doesn’t count I guess, because I do still want to read, just not that book!
Starting a novel that you’re 99.9% sure is gonna SUCK is so difficult. Here’s hoping that you’ll be pleasantly surprised! I learned the hard way to always take a series one installment at a time.
That feeling is SO rare, I can’t even think of a time where I didn’t feel like reading. And when I’m not reading, I’m always busy thinking about it or doing something that has to do with books, haha. I have times where I do a lot of other things too, sure, but I never have the feeling of ‘I don’t want to read today.’
Mel recently posted…Review 292. Elissa Sussman – Stray.
I try to plan my days around my reading time, so that way I always have something to look forward to. Like, ok if I do this & this, then I can dive back in to my current book for 1 hour!
Yes yes and yes – sometimes I just don’t feel like reading. And that has been say the past 2 plus months. I guess I could maybe blame it on the pregnancy and sheer sickness and exhaustion but I’ve been doing other things like arts and crafts. How is it I have energy for that? I think its because reading I focus in on that and arts I just kindof let it out instead of take something in you know?
I’m now easing back into wanting to read again and even read 100 pages yesterday so I’m starting to feel the urge to read, thank goodness.
Yes burnout is totally a problem. Thankfully now with Kat and Maggie contributing I usually get two days a week off. But this isn’t even a hobby for them so it’s not always a sure thing that I get that. I don’t want them to think of it like a job so just whenever I see a post appear from them in my pending drafts I plug it in and I think of it as a free day off.
Tabitha (Not Yet Read) recently posted…Review: Poison Fruit by Jacqueline Carey
You’re super creative though, so I can see you needing an outlet to express yourself, plus crafts and reading are two very different things. I’m totally going to blame everything on pregnancy when my time comes. 😉
OH yeah! This usually happens to me when I either have read a few books that were either bad or just meh lately, or if I started a TV series that I’m really into lol! I then want to just watch it and not read at all. I usually get back into wanting to read pretty quickly though. I think we’ve all had crazy ARC requesting days especially at the start of blogging when it’s new and exciting. I remember each week my STS would be loaded, and now I haven’t done an STS last week and still don’t ave enough to bother doing one this week.But I enjoy what I read a lot more bc I only request what I,m really interested in. But also, even if you have an ARC doesn’t mean you should force yourself to read it when you’re not in the mood for the genre or wtv. 🙂
Giselle recently posted…Review: Glory O’Brien’s History of the Future by A.S. King
I used to do a STS type post, but I don’t get new titles every week, so it eventually became a monthly occurrence until I gave up on it entirely. I have a hard time DNF’ing books which is why I’m really careful with what I request.
After a really bad reading slump last year I take frequent reading breaks. I read really fast so I’ll read 7-10 books one week then not read anything for 4-5 days. I find that I’m dying to read again by then so it’s been working out for me.
I am so jelly! I wish I could read that many books in a week; if I make it to 3 I’m doing good. You must teach me your secret! 😉
I know all about the reading slump. I find it typically when I have a book review due that I am just not in the mood to read. Re-reading an old favorite or grabbing a random read off my TBR pile, usually helps. I have learned the hard way, that I need to give myself plenty of time to read a book for a review, usually 2-3 weeks, just in case I’m not feeling it at a given moment. Of course, I also usually have 3 different books going at one time, e-reader, dead tree and audiobook, dependent upon what I am doing and where I am at. Sometimes just getting into a different story for awhile helps.
Judy recently posted…Guest Post & Review: Beauty and the Mustache by Penny Reid
I like to give myself a lot of leeway for review titles as well. There’s no worse feeling than having to cram the night before something is due. I usually have a couple of books on the go too, that way if I get sick of one, I can switch.
I’ve felt this many many times. Although sadly unlike you, I don’t really know what my triggers are. It just happens every now and then, and I don’t really think much about it anymore. It bothered me when I was starting out as a blogger, forcing myself to read. But I’ve since learned my lesson and I just take my sweet time whenever I want to read. And at times I don’t feel like reading, I just don’t. I do other things like watch movies or TV shows. Or pretty much whatever I could think of. There’s really no point in forcing. Reading is just for leisure for me. Though strangely I manage to read 200 a year with all those breaks. 😛
Francine Soleil recently posted…Chat It Up: What Sells on You? Mine are Nerds
I’ve never hit the 200 mark, and I don’t take very many reading breaks—that’s so unfair! I had a pretty easy time figuring out my triggers by looking at old blog posts, and pinpointing which titles I reviewed prior to my burn outs.
When I have to read a book because I promised a blogger a guest review or promised an author a review on my blog and I end up not liking the book…then I feel like not reading. I don’t review all the books I read, I have a hard time putting all my thoughts about a book into words that make sense. lol Others do it so much better.
Mary Kirkland recently posted…Freebie Friday!
I’ll usually e-mail the author, and tell ’em that their novel isn’t jiving with me, most are pretty understanding. There’s a reader for every book after all!
I is a very rare day indeed when I don’t read at least a little of something, but I do have my times. The times are mostly when I am on a trip with my hubby. He is not a big reader, so I work around him. You make a very big point about taking on too many books for review. I am getting better about saying no to myself. LOL
#1 gets mad at me when I read too much on vacay, so I try to pace myself as much as possible. Or, I just wait until he falls asleep; backlit eReaders are a godsend!
Oh, yeah!! I can totally relate. I went on a reading hiatus for a little over a year. It wasn’t so much that I didn’t WANT to read but that I just didn’t have the time. Too many things going on in my personal life, newly separated and juggling life as a single mom with work = no “me” time, so something had to give. I’ve just gotten back into reading over the past month and am enjoying it but still struggling to find that “me” time that is so elusive. For me, audiobooks are the best way to go! Mind you, with all the stress of everything going on, I really tried to listen to audiobooks but found myself zoning out and not paying attention. I just really lost my focus. I just finished the my first audiobook in about a year! I did miss it.
Darlene recently posted…#Book #Review: 3/5 stars for The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson @PenguinClassics #ripix
Ooh, no! I’m sorry to hear about your newly single mom status. That’s unfortunate, but hopefully it’s for the best. That would indeed be a huge adjustment, however that only means that you deserve ME time even more than the rest of us. Ease in to it slowly, and I’m sure you’ll be back on your feet in no time!
I’m exactly like you Carmel, because I work full time, I need to make sure I get my 8 hours of sleep and after a long work day the last thing I feel like is reading. I just want to sleep I’m so tired! As soon as I lay down and read a book I’m asleep within minutes. Great topic lovely!
Jeann recently posted…Ugly Love by Colleen Hoover Review: More Than a Casual Hookup
Good to know! I was worried that I was going to get teased for choosing sleep over reading 99.9% of the time.
I only experience reader burnout during the school year, when I’m doing about 15-20 hours of academic reading per week for class. Add to that the fact that I’m majoring in subjects that tend to be a little on the dark side (history and English don’t involve a lot of happy for some reason) and sometimes I get a little blue when it comes to reading. In my first year of university I did almost no pleasure reading during the academic year, but I’ve since realized that I need to read some fun stuff or I’ll go crazy. No grimdark during school – school is grimdark enough!!
Danya recently posted…Review: Discount Armageddon by Seanan McGuire
I have the utmost admiration for bloggers who are in school because all of that academic reading would totally cramp my style. I don’t know how you do it!
Honestly, I never feel like not reading. I love it so much. But I did, at one point, get a little tired of just paranormal books, so adding contemp reads was a good mix up for me.
I haven’t gotten to full blogger burnout yet. Sometimes I get a little overwhelmed, but nothing I can’t handle.
I don’t know if I will ever bring other reviewers into my blog though. It feels like my baby and I would hate to share it in that way, but I see the benefit of it too.
Jennifer Bielman recently posted…Stacking the Shelves #98 : Burying Water
You’re a rarity, Jennifer. I don’t know how you’ve managed to stick it out for so long with 0 co-bloggers, and never getting burnt out. PROPS!
Oh, yes. Especially the ARC crazies when I first learned about the wonder that is NetGalley. I’ve finally gotten my ratio back over 80%, so not so much that problem anymore. And when an ARC sucks but I feel like I have to finish it since it’s an ARC. I get past reading slumps by reading something completely different. Shallow Regency romances always seem to do the trick. But it is definitely important to not let this feel too much like work, even for us small-time gals. Great question.
Leila recently posted…Beau, Lee, The Bomb, and Me by Mary McKinley
I check NetGalley daily; it’s horrible! Fortunately, I don’t request as frequently, otherwise my TBR pile would never shrink. You’ll be big time soon enough, just you wait and see! 🙂
Aw, thanks for the vote of confidence!
Leila recently posted…The Princesses of Iowa by M. Molly Backes
I do get in reading slumps, which wind up making me not want to read. Though like you it’s fairly rare.
Reading slumps SUCK. Period.
I totally get reading slumps and they usually happen when it is a have-to-read and not a want-to-read book. Then I just want to curl up and watch Vampire Diaries, Revenge or whatever series I am addicted to at that moment. Yes sleep always wins with me too!!! I actually don’t accept reviews anymore other than audiobooks. If I really want a book I sign up for the tour. Great post Carmel 🙂
Chanzie recently posted…Book Review: Armageddon (Angelbound #3) by Christina Bauer
I accept review requests submissions, but whether the books make it onto my actual TBR pile is a whole different ball game. I hear ya on the have-to-read woes though. Such a bummer!
Ditto to all the above! When life gets too crazy, it’s hard to read. And I did do the whole over request thing when I started blogging and the reading because I HAD to really sucked the joy out of things. I’m so glad I’ve dug myself out of that hole (for the most part). But it’s rare that I don’t want to read – sometimes I just don’t want to read what I have up next – so then I just ditch it and go to something else I’m in the mood for. 🙂
Berls recently posted…The Next Breath | Book Review
After digging yourself out a couple of times you quickly learn how NOT fun it is, and try to avoid it happening again in the future at all costs. Been there, done that, no thanks!
I would have to agree. When I overload myself and feel I have to read instead of want to read, I burnout and have to stop. I had to calm down on my reading hours and that transition really took me out of the mood. I’m getting back there slowly. To get out of a slump, I usually change genre and wonder why the hell I didn’t read it sooner 🙂
Lorelle recently posted…How do you take your protagonist? Grump, lump or shrew?
Switching genres can be a huge help to break out of a reading slump, as can a mood read as opposed to a must-read.