There comes a time when you pick up a book, skim the pages uninterested, and just don’t feel the motivation to read. This is called a “reading slump,” and it can greatly affect some people.  Luckily, there are many different approaches to get back into reading and return to the enjoyment.

Some recommendations would be to read classic short stories that keep you engaged when reading could be a struggle. Novellas are thrilling books that people finish much quicker than a typical, which could be most beneficial for a busy schedule. Even listening to an audiobook during a car ride can be a good experience if a physical copy is not available. Nawal Mahamed, ‘27, encourages people to listen to recordings of a book or audiobooks because “it makes it much easier to follow along and it allows you to multitask.” 

Exploring new genres can make a change in perspective. Grace Bielke, ‘27, said, “I feel like whenever I read a book my [perspective] changes. The one I read most recently changed my perception by giving me new ideas about how to treat myself and how to treat the world.” Another solution to get into reading would be to buddy-read a book with your friend, talking through the story and connecting about it with someone can get you inspired to continue reading. 

Grace Boom, ‘29, recommendsGirl in Pieces by Kathleen Glasgow because “it is a heavy [yet] very educational book on mental health and gives an inside perspective on the struggles many people, especially teens, face.” Browsing a local bookstore or library can be a simple yet rewarding task; it could be that an interesting book cover catches your eye and draws you into a new novel. 

Lastly, and most importantly, encouraging and setting reading goals for yourself no matter how big or small can be a positive step in the right direction for breaking out of that reading slump.