The Mother of All Reading Slumps
I’ve heard of reading slumps before. I mean, I’ve been at this for awhile now. Others have written about them at length, both on our news blog and at LLB’s old At the Back Fence column. But until now, I’ve never had one. Really. I’ve gone stretches where I struggled to find time to read, but that isn’t really the same thing as not wanting to. And right now, I don’t want to.
This is absolutely unheard of in my life. The only thing that even comes close would be my college years, when I was so busy reading history that I had very little time to read for pleasure. Even then, I read like a fiend during my breaks. This? Well, it’s different. I haven’t finished a book since November. I haven’t started a book since then either. I’m not sure how to change that or when it will change.
Why, you might ask? Well, it’s definitely related to my divorce and life changes, because my reading struggles date from exactly that point. In fact, while I finished a book in November, that was the first one I’d read since September. My reading pace slowed down to glacial when my life turned upside down. While that sounds completely dramatic – maybe even catastrophic – the truth is that it’s been exactly the opposite. I’ve never been happier. But at the same time, I’ve never been so unmotivated to read. I find it somewhat hard to explain the why of it all. The short version is that I have a) filled my life with about a hundred other things and b) can’t concentrate. But it’s more than that somehow too.
What have I been doing with myself, you may ask? Well, while you have all been reading good books, I have been:
1) Quitting my job. Not here at AAR, of course, but my job that paid the bills, or at least part of them. I was a full time retail manager, and about the first thing I knew going into a divorce was that my job was no longer going to work for me. You would think that someone who quit working full time would have plenty of time to read! But I promptly filled my life with other things like…
2) School. And to be fair, I have read for school. I started a paralegal program, which I really enjoy. In fact, if I never needed to work and could just go to school forever, I think I would like that job. Let me know if there is any money or future in getting a PhD that you have absolutely no intention of using. I’m guessing not, but you never know. I’d probably still have some reading time if I hadn’t started…
3) Training. I figured since I wasn’t working crazy retail hours, I should probably run a half marathon. I’d been wanting to do that for awhile, but couldn’t fit it into my schedule. But I started running farther and faster as a natural development from the divorce. I am a person who thinks and processes in motion, and I had a lot to think and process. So suddenly instead of running three miles I was running six and seven, without even trying to. I figured if I was already doing that, I was half way through half marathon training! What’s 13.1 miles anyway? Well, it’s actually kind of hard, and those long runs take awhile. And no, I don’t want to hear audiobooks while I run; I prefer loud music with lots of swear words. But maybe I’d still have time if I hadn’t started…
4) Dating. I did…really. When I was ready, I was ready. And it didn’t take me long to be ready. I really wish I could tell you the stories. I actually considered starting an anonymous blog because some of the stuff that happened was so funny. Let’s just say that I actually found dating pretty easy, time-consuming, and distracting. But I have no idea how people did it before the advent of the internet. I started dating in December and felt more or less like I had fallen down a rabbit hole. I mean, I married at nineteen, and dated very little before then. So this was a really new experience, and it was fun. But not conducive to reading. Since dating was fun, I really thought I would do it for some time. I didn’t have a timeline exactly; I just knew I probably wouldn’t focus on just one man. Until…
5) Yep, you guessed it. I focused on just one man. I so was not planning on that, but when you meet someone and are suddenly completely uninterested in anyone else with a Y chromosome, well, you focus on just one man. I know what you are wondering: Is he a sheriff?. Surprisingly, no. I mean, I was under the impression that sheriffs were my only option. But silly me! Even a romance reader in the middle of a slump should know there are also former special-ops certified marines out there. No, I’m not making that up; he really is. It’s pretty funny, because my ex is a CFO, and I thought that was my type. This is different. Different in a good way.
That’s the big stuff, but I also am juggling kids (a son graduating from high school), family, moving, track meets, and band competitions. I do, in theory, have time to read. But when I try to actually do it I have trouble focusing. I’ve read no review books for months, and I haven’t finished any of my book club books either. What I have read are lots of text messages and about a gazillion perfume reviews, because I suddenly got into perfume. My ex didn’t care for it, and one man I dated suggested that I might consider whether I liked it. I thought he had a point, so I started experimenting and reading perfume reviews. I hadn’t worn perfume since I was a teenager, so I knew nothing. The reviews suited my limited attention span because they were short and surpassingly entertaining. (In case you are similarly inclined, I like Fragrantica, Perfume Posse, and Makeup Alley).
So where does that leave me now? I am used to being the one who tells people what to read, but right now the tables have turned. What have you read that is so engaging that it could unslump even a distracted, scattered book reviewer? And while I’m at it, does anyone have a good (probably non-romance) book club idea?
I know what you mean about having trouble concentrating. Usually I get lost in a book, but lately I can’t seem to ‘get into’ any romances.
So I tried something far outside my usual tastes. I got the recommendation from an author’s blog. The Martian by Andy Weir. I loved it. Totally engrossing.
It is written almost complete in a diary/log format. This makes it a very fast read. It reminded me of MacGyver, only on Mars.
It’s good to hear you’re doing well despite the reading slump, Blythe. I agree with what Jill said and think it’s a phase and you’ll read again when you’re ready. Re-reading has worked for me as has audiobooks. You’re one of the reviewers I’m always checking for when I stop by AAR and I thought you’d left and I missed it since I no longer saw reviews by you. It’s nice to hear you’re around and enjoying new areas in your life. Best of luck to you!
Thank you, everyone, for your ideas and words of encouragement. I am intrigued by the graphic novel idea. And since aforementioned boyfriend lives 35 minutes away, maybe listening to the Harry Potter audiobooks again is in order.
Blythe
Girl, I hear ya. I think the slump thing is going around. Although your reasons for your slump are way more compelling than the reasons for my slump – mostly because I don’t seem to have “”good”” reasons. I’m just….not interested in reading. Anything. I’m sort of muddling through, and audiobooks are helping. I’m held captive by my daily work commute, and listening to audiobooks has been more agreeable than the radio of late.
In your case I would totally recommend rereading. It’s probably what I should be doing too – since my attention span is nil these days. You don’t have to concentrate quite as much on a book you’ve already read, and heck – skimming or skipping ahead to the extra tasty bits is totally allowed :)
I am so glad that everything is going so well! As for the reading slump? I say go with it, I have had a few and it’s normal for me during times of upheaval and stress. (Even if it’s a good stress. ) I usually play games and binge watch shows Netflix. It will come back, but if you want to spark the urge I have discovered a nonfiction author that I enjoy, Jon Krakauer. He is excellent. I would also recommend re reading favorites, Nora Roberts is a favorite, and I have discovered that I really enjoy Kristen Proby. Congratulations on the big changes!
I would reiterate what others above have stated so well. Don’t beat yourself up for a reading slump. It happens to everyone. I actually do what Dabney does and reread my favorites. I also recognize and respect feelings I’m going through, and I channel my interests in other directions that are pulling, knowing that I’ll come back to my love of books in time. I may develop intense interests in the meantime in gardening, movie watching , yoga, being with my horses, hanging out with friends, cooking, raising a busy 11-year old, etc. But I always come back to books in the end :)
If children are allowed to go through phases, I think adults should also get a pass. Toddlers have their terrible 2’s and teenagers have their hormonal-and-incomplete-brain-connection phases, so you are allowed your “”too much is happening at once”” phase. As others have suggested, perhaps either rereads of favorites or short stories would work best if you don’t feel you have the energy and attention necessary for something full length. Although if you are looking for specific recommendations, I’d go with “”The Rosie Project”” or “”Station Eleven””. Very different books but very engaging, neither a romance but each with a hopeful ending.
I am going through the same thing (although I wish it was due in part to having a new man in my life). I think sometimes life changes can just suck so much out of you that its hard to have the energy and attention to devote to reading. I went from about November to January without any reading. Even now I’m mainly consuming audiobooks. I haven’t picked up a review book in ages.
Here’s hoping both of our reading habits pick back up.
Well, gutted he isn’t a sheriff, but I’m very glad life is good.
Maybe this isn’t something to worry about: you could be our perfume correspondent for a while.
As for book club reads, I’m currently reading ‘A Man Called Ove’ because my dh sent me an email saying someone he works with suggested I should. (Don’t know what that conversation could have been…) I’m 36% through and enjoying it, and it’s written in a very straightforward style that might work for your distracted state.
After that, someone’s recommended ‘H is for Hawk’ which I think is non-fiction – it was described to me as someone who is working through her grief at her father’s death and starts training a hawk, and her thoughts about it all.
I empathize with you. I’ve been an avid reader all of my life (I’m 75). I’ve loved reading romances from my first Harlequin to all those lovely Avon Ladies,etc. but I find it difficult to finish most romances now. I’m finding biographies and non-fiction more compelling. It saddens me because I have so many favorite authors I’ve followed since their writing debuts. I still pick up a few romances but I have bookshelves filled with paperbacks yet to read. My Kindle is loaded also. I guess I’ll just accept this as a Romance slump and hope to come out of it at some point.
I suggest watching stuff on Netflix. Bomb Girls, Miss Fischer’s Murder Mysteries, Call the Midwife, etc.
I suggest graphic novels. The reading experience is completely different from a novel, so it works when books don’t. In addition to the romances I’ve reviewed here, I recommend Ooku: The Inner Chambers. Phenomenal alternate history in which the Japanese Tokugawa Shogunate becomes female-ruled in the wake of a mysterious gendered plague. My husband and I both devoured all of the ones that are out so far.
Big changes like the ones you are going through now are normal. It’s important to keep telling yourself that and your mojo will come back. But I know it’s like a large piece of you, a piece of who you are is missing at the moment. While it may not be painful, it is disconcerting.
Ther are many different things you could try, my personal is to reread an old comfort reason, but I think the most important is to not stress about it. It will come back when you need it to.
I ditto Dabney’s recommendation. I often start with something that is easy and light such as the Harry Potter series. Yes, they are kid books but they utterly enchanted me. Another choice would be my very favorite Mary Balogh, A Summer to Remember. For me, a new book requires focus. An old book is like visiting a good friend. We get each other :-) and I can pay serious attention just when I want to.
All I can say is wow, you have an absolutely full life right now and you are doing great! I agree with Dabney’s suggestion. Also, have you thought of just trying to read novellas to work your way back into longer books?
I deal with my reading slumps by re-reading books I love. Sometimes I spend weeks, paging through old favorites, often just savoring scenes that make me happy.
I don’t have any recs but I’m glad things are going well for you outside of reading! I think sometimes we need to take breaks and let different parts of our brains go quiet in order to build up other areas and grow as a person. Maybe it’s just a natural ebb, rather than a slump, and not necessarily something you need to change or overcome.
I totally agree. Well said.
Life changes will do that to you. Sooner or later, your passion for reading will return. I went through two long periods (years long) where I just couldn’t read. The first was when I was working full time and going to school at night. After graduation, It took 4 or 5 years before I got my reading mojo back. The second was the last 5 years I was working. I was on a project that required lots of overtime and creative focus. Since I have retired, I have been reading nonstop. Both times, picking up a really good romance started my binge reading habits again.