Epic Reading Slump

Yup, that's what's going on right now.  That's why I haven't been posting in here at all -- because I have nothing to post about.  These are the periods in life where I think, "Wow, maybe I just really don't like to read anymore?"  But I suppose if that were the case, it wouldn't bother me so much.  And it does.  A LOT.  Hence why I am wasting time at work writing this post and googling things like, "how to get out of a reading slump."  Which is the topic of this post.  I am going to compile, mostly for myself, some of the best advice I've gotten from around the web.  Oh, and how bad is this slump, you ask?  I don't think I've read a book, or even a substantial segment of any book, in about 3 months.    I should also comment on the fact that for me, reading slumps and writing slumps always go together, and they also always correspond with massive depression, misery, and just generally hating life.  All of these things have been going on for various reasons since January.  But I digress.  Here is the advice I've found.  Maybe if I can get back into reading I can also get back into writing, and maybe at least I can find a small amount of enjoyment in life from those things again.  One can dream anyway.

These tips are from the blog Lauren Reads YA (http://laurenreadsya.tumblr.com/post/21211897149/how-to-get-out-of-a-reading-slump):

1. Start reading a book you know you'll love.

For me that includes YA from the 80's and 90's, romance novels, and anything YA but especially non-fantasy YA if I am in a really bad slump because I can't deal with the complicated plot lines of sci-fi and fantasy when I am like this.  Also Stephen King.  And anything about eating disorders, gymnastics, ballet, or crazy girls, fiction or non-fiction.  Also addiction.

2. Read the synopsis, or positive reviews of a book you are already reading.

I tried this with The Witches of East End.  I started this book so long ago that I have no idea what's going on, and I refuse to start at the beginning, because if I did that, I would never finish a book ever. And by "tried this" I mean I pulled up the synopsis on my phone and then didn't read it.  So maybe I should actually read it.  The synopsis, that is.

3. Just ride it out.

Basically what I've been doing.

4. Make time to read, and make it comfortable.

I like this idea of blocking out time, putting on music, lighting candles, etc., but that seems too overwhelming.  Or maybe the idea of doing this for a whole evening seems overwhelming.  Maybe if I set aside like 30 minutes for this I could actually follow through.  I know I'd enjoy it, but that applies to a lot of things in life that I am currently not doing.

5. Do something other than reading.

For me, that is my current NCAA gymnastics obsession, which I have no desire to give up because it is pretty much my only source of enjoyment in life right now.

6. Re-read one of your favorite books.

This could definitely work.  Re-reading Twilight has gotten me out of many a reading slump.  It is currently on loan, but I might pick that up (for the fifth time) when I get it back.

7. Focus on writing reviews.

Clearly that hasn't been working for me.  I rely on that more to keep me reading once I get started, but the thought that not only do I have to read but also write about it seems more paralyzing than helpful right now.

8. Step out of your comfort zone.

This could work.  The last book I finished (I think) was Graham Greene's The Power and the Glory which was WAY out of my comfort zone.  Then again, I definitely wasn't in a slump when I started (or continued, as I'd started it like years ago -- see #2).

9. Maybe listen to an audiobook while you're doing other things.

Check.  Currently listening to The Martian while commuting to and from work on Tuesday nights.

10. Read books other people say are fast-paced.

I just checked out Tana French's Into the Woods so that might do the trick.  I also have plenty of books by James Patterson, John Grisham, Patricia Cornwell, Dan Brown, Dean Koontz, Stephen King .  . . lots of options there.

11. Get inspired.

Yes, watching BookTube definitely inspires me, so I need to check out some of those videos again.

12. Read a shorter book.

That has also helped in the past -- my go-to are 80's/90's YA novels -- they are super short and easy.  Sometimes I even go middle-grade if I am in a particularly tricky place (like now).

13. Find a reading buddy.

Nah.  That would involve having friends.  Though I have started messaging with one of my lifelong friends again in Facebook and she is a big reader -- we have swapped books our whole lives and she has gotten me out of many reading slumps, so maybe that isn't such a bad idea.  My mom is also good for this; even though our reading tastes are very different, it is fun to talk to her about what she's reading, even though I usually have nothing to contribute to the conversation, so we just switch to talking about TV.  I am never ever in a TV slump.  I'm pretty sure that isn't a thing.

14. Set yourself a (daily) goal and stick to it.

Not gonna happen.

15. Visit a bookstore or library.

I tried that.  It just made me sad and overwhelmed.

16. Re-organize your books.

Again -- more overwhelming than helpful.

Other tips not covered in this list:

From Bookriot (http://bookriot.com/2014/09/24/5-tips-getting-long-term-reading-slump/)

See if one of your favorite authors has a new book out.

I keep obsessively checking Julie Cross's website to see if the next Letters to Nowhere book is out yet . . .

Consider going digital.

It's true that I did blow through most of the above mentioned series on my iPad.  But then I get into the overwhelmed what-to-read-next trap.  But I could select a book from #1 above -- I have plenty of book lists that match that criteria, so that is a thought.

And here's one last tip from Bookish (https://www.bookish.com/articles/how-to-break-out-of-a-reading-slump/):

Watch Netflix.

Clearly this is my favorite, but oddly enough it does work sometimes.  What they suggest is watching movies or TV shows either based on books, or about reading (like The Jane Austen Book Club which I am now planning to check out from the library -- oh the irony lol).  This also reminds me that maybe I need to listen to My Reading Life by Pat Conroy again, and/or On Writing by Stephen King because both of those books really inspire me to read.

Okay, well now I have wasted over an hour of my work day both on these Google searches and on this post, so I suppose I should go attempt to do my job.  I know I'm not going to read today -- I have a 14-hour work day.  And I'm not sure why I can't justify reading at work, when I seem to have no problem justifying writing this post, but whatever.  Very little about me or my life makes sense these days.