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Greenburgh Public Library Blog

Get Out of a Reading Slump!

by Laura Burk on 2019-07-30T13:20:00-04:00 in What To Read | 0 Comments

People may report reading fewer books, but it seems like we're reading more than ever!

We are bombarded with information: blogs, websites, social media, newspapers and magazines (and their digital editions). I know I’m not alone in feeling obligated to read all of it, stay informed, and constantly improve my mind.

Reading books is still a high priority in my life, but sometimes I lose my mojo and hit a reading slump. Usually I have an endless list of books I want to read, but when I’m in a slump, nothing really holds my attention. When this happens, I leave my phone to charge--in another room!--and try these tricks.

Try a Reading Challenge
These come in several forms. There’s the simple version: “I’m going to read 80 books this year.” There are more complicated challenges, too. You could try a Passport Challenge, reading books set in various countries or by authors from around the world. Or maybe Genre Bingo is more interesting, reading outside your usual comfort zone. A challenge is great if you need a little push in the right direction, but you don't want to be told exactly what book you should read.

 

There's still time to join the Greenburgh Library's
adult summer reading challenge, too! 

 

never judge a book by its movie graphicThe book is (almost) always better than the TV or movie adaptation
Literary adaptations can be found in theaters, on TV, and across streaming services like Hulu and Netflix.  From Game of Thrones to Crazy Rich Asians, there's bound to be something to grab your interest. Upcoming page-to-screen events include literary blockbusters Little Fires Everywhere and The Woman in the Window.

Bonus: Your library card gives you free access to Acorn TV where you can see all your British favorites.

Read the story. Even if you’ve already seen the movie or the show, don’t assume you’ll be bored; producers often change crucial plot points, and it’s fun to compare.

photo of a young person in front of a full shelf of children's booksTry Young Adult books or Newbery Medal winners
Ever since Harry Potter hit the scene back in 1997, it’s become much more common for adults to read books written for a younger audience. YA fantasy books are a great way to start. They are often standalones or trilogies instead of Game of Thrones-length sagas. Also, the setting and conflicts are not dependent on knowing the latest teen slang or social media, and the content can be less graphically violent, while still telling an exciting story. 


If you like a good love story teen romances are fun, and also tend to be less graphic than romances written for adults. YA books are loaded with topical issues. They’re a great way to keep up with the latest social changes.

One word of warning: use caution if you’re tempted to revisit a childhood favorite. While there can be tremendous comfort in an old familiar tale, sometimes the books themselves don’t hold up well to changing times. Other times, it’s more of a “right book at the right time” situation. I loved Holden Caulfield when I was 13, but wanted to throw The Catcher in the Rye at a wall when I was 22.  After being burned a few times, I'm usually content with fond memories of old favorites.

Read some essays 
Essays are an easy way to expand your literary palate. They are not a huge commitment, and by sampling different writings you might discover a new interest or a new favorite author. If you enjoy reading long-form journalism like The New Yorker, The Atlantic, or the NY Times Magazine, an essay collection might be just the thing. There are compilations of writing on a wide range of subjects, including social issues like those addressed by Ta-Nehisi Coates, Roxane Gay, and Rebecca Traister;  humorous essay collections by favorite authors including Lisa Scottoline, David Sedaris and Cathy Guisewite; and collections of philosophy, religion, and science writing. 

 

stack of booksPro-level: Read more than one book at a time
It’s standard for me to be juggling three or four books. Sometimes one is particularly gripping and I put everything else aside until it’s finished, but more often I read each one steadily and finish around the same time.


This can be tricky, but there are some techniques you can use to read several books at once.  
To keep the stories straight when you’re reading two (or more) different books:

  • Two very different genres: one fiction, one non-fiction
  • Two different formats: One e-book, one paper book
  • Two different delivery methods: Listen to one audiobook, read one print book
  • Split by location: One at work, one at home, or one upstairs, one downstairs

 

Know when to bail!photo of the library book return
It’s been at least 35 years since my last book report. The book police aren’t going to put you in book jail if you don’t finish a book!  Give yourself permission to return a library book unread. There’s always a little more guilt involved if it’s a book you’ve paid for, but still, it’s okay to put it aside. Maybe you’ll pick it up again in a few weeks or months. Maybe not. Maybe you’ll donate it to the Friends of the Library, or take it on vacation and leave it in the condo for the next tenants. If you really need to be accountable to yourself, start a DNF (did not finish) list. In any case, life is too short to finish a book you’re not enjoying!

Coming Soon: Read Harder: Technology is your friend!


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