They’re the bane of every readers existence.
Sometimes they’re the result of binge reading a greatly anticipated new release from start to finish in a single sitting. You become so enmeshed in the world and the characters that when it’s over, you can’t let go. You continue to exist in the world, with names and situations floating around in your head, making it impossible to move on.
Sometimes they’re the result of a run a bad luck. Several MEH-to-awful books in a row can suck the joy out of your reading experience.
Sometimes they’re the result of your own stubborn refusal to read outside your preferred genre. You become stagnant and books you’re convinced you would enjoy under less monotonous circumstances hold no appeal.
And sometimes it has nothing to do with your reading habits. Life is life, and all that.
Most of the time, when I’m book-funky, I don’t fight it. It serves no purpose; it does a disservice both to me and the unfortunate book that I will inevitably hate, regardless of its merit.
So what do I do instead?
In most of the aforementioned scenarios, one of two things:
1. Netflix binge.
2. Disappear into the internet time suck.
I prefer to Netflix binge, b/c while it’s as massive a time suck as the multitude of random websites that devour whole days, I can at least measure what I’ve “accomplished.”
When I decide to get “caught up” with friends and family social media posts or with blogs I follow, I can do this, that, and the other thing, and suddenly the day is gone, and I have no idea where, b/c TIME SUCK.
The one time I don’t temporarily give up reading entirely is when my book funk is genre specific—that’s when I palate cleanse.
I find that the further you can get away from the genre in question, the better. If you’ve been reading nothing but YA fantasy for months, switching to adult fantasy probably won’t get the job done. You’ll be better off with a contemporary romance or romantic suspense from a trusted author.
But generally speaking, it’s Netflix (or Amazon Prime, etc.) for me. A day or two later, and unless whatever I’m watching is friggin’ amazing, I’m usually cured. I’m currently in the middle of getting caught up on The Vampire Diaries and The Originals, and they’re both way better than I expected, so I might be a few more days this time . . .
#teamdamon
What about you? What do you do when you’re book funky?
My name is Jessica and I live in Chattanooga, Tennessee. I’m trying my hand at writing, but mostly I read. My favorite genres are Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Science Fiction, Urban Fantasy, and the YA versions of those genres, but if there is a book of a different color getting lots of buzz, I’ll read it too, just to be informed. If I’m not reading or writing, I’m probably on Goodreads or Pinterest or baking blueberry pies because I love them.
Binging on netflix is a great way to get out of a book funk. I am so behind on Vampire Diaries! I need to just start over as I don’t remember a lot of what happened. 🙂 Have fun binging!
I didn’t realize I do this, but now that I stop and think of it… I totally do. This summer I had a little book funk and I binge watched the Gilmore Girls at times I normally would have been reading. And I’m sure I’ve done it before. And you’re right, it feels good to have something tangible you’ve “accomplished”!
As an aside, I like vampire diaries at first, but once Elena became a vampire it started fizziling for me. I don’t like her, it seems. Love Damon though. Could be part of why I don’t like her!
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I tend to switch up my genres. But since lately I’m reading different genres all the time, I do *anything* but read. I don’t tend to watch tv since I’m not really a tv girl. I do sometimes get stuck in the internet time suck. But I like to bake, go on a hike, craft something. It might take a few days but then I’m generally ‘cured’. 😉
I’m currently in a book funk caused my Netflix haha. My current shows are Vampire Diaries and The Originals too! This is my first watch though. I didn’t get to episode five the first time.
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I’ve been netflix binging for most of the summer. I find it’s a great way to pass time when you are in a funk. I’m current on Vampire Diaries but I just didn’t love the Originals as much as I wanted to. I may go back to that one in the future.
I just finished all of friends. I’m going to start Gilmore Girls and Arrow the last season so I’ll be caught up to watch the new season.
I tend to switch up genre, especially for something very different like straight mystery police procedural, nonfiction or cookbooks, knitting books. But the other thing which has really worked for me – I know not for you Jessica – is audiobooks. Someone reads to me and it seems like they are doing more of the work or something.
Anne
I needs to catch up on my VD and TO! Love those shows. I have hit one of those funks but hope to be out of it soon.
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I tend to switch up the genre sometimes to a police procedural mystery, cookbook or knitting book as more of an extreme. But what really has worked – I know, not for you Jessica – is audiobooks. Someone reads to me and it seems like I’m not doing as much work. Anne
I go through this often and I read different genre’s like ALL the time. I think it’s mostly because even thought I do, the books I pick up either aren’t exciting enough or seem similar to everything else. Either way, taking a break clears the gutter. good luck
I have been in a book funk for now 4 months. I think I am coming out of it but honestly I just binged TV 🙂
I love Netflix! And iTunes as well. Here in Switzerland, most of the series I enjoy won’t show up on TV until a couple of years from now. And I’m just not that patient. I am all caught up on NCIS and NCIS LA right now, and also on Grey’s Anatomy. Thankfully, I’ve got my reading motivation back, too, which is awesome 🙂
{{{hugs}}}
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I could watch Damon from The Vampire Diaries all day long. LOL
I get in book funks, but it’s usually after reading a really big book. I read a 700 page book a while back and it was so intense that I couldn’t stop thinking about it and just couldn’t read anything else for a while.
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hell yes #TeamDamon all the way. Book funks are horrible. 2016 has been a bad reading year for me personally. The uni business and life in general are reasons i’ve only read a handfull of books . I think I’ve not read 10 fiction books this year. I’ve listened to hours of podcasts in the place of reading. Lovely post, Jessica
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College Humour binge. So much still to watch 😉
I had a week like that! had an awful toothache, massive insomnia and could not read. But I binge watched the Good Wife Season 1 and loved it 🙂