The 6 Stages of a Bad Reading Experience. Man when will it End?!

Man, last month was a horrible reading month for me. Even books that I ended up enjoying had parts that contributed to my negative feelings. When you’re in the midst of a reading slump all sorts of fears beset you. You start to wonder if all the things you do are really worth the effort. In a word it’s overwhelming!!

First, I avoid reading and binge watch TV.

The thing is I don’t realize at that point it’s because I’m not enjoying what I’m reading. I just think that I’m in the mood for a lovely k-drama. Sure I have deadlines for reviews and other books in my lineup but all that goes right out the window.

The only way to combat this is to try to think about why you want to watch instead of read. If you can get ahead of these feelings you can nip them in the bud by DNFing the offending book! If not you’ll move on to stage 2.

Then I want to close my Netgalley account.

Man, I don’t know about you but I rarely slump on books that aren’t ARCs. Maybe it’s because I have to hunt them down at the library or a sale. Or it could be because I read so many ARCs that I have to prioritize books that I really feel like with premise’s I’m dying to read. So many times when I’m slumping I’m still not aware that it’s the book I’m reading. I wonder if it’s the pressure of ARCs and if it wouldn’t be better to abandon the advanced reading world.

To combat this I think about all the books I’ve found through ARCs that I would NEVER have read otherwise. I also try really hard not to request too much. Sometimes this doesn’t work (like last month) but when I’m prepared I have wiggle room to meet my deadlines.

Next, I want to re-rate my previous reads.

This feeling creeps up on me… that I was too positive about other reads. When you’re in the midst of a reading slump it’s easy to get more and more negative. And man, it’s even easier to snowball those feelings into a new project… re-rating all your read books this year to reflect how you REALLY feel.

I actually have to combat this feeling often, not just when I’m slumping. The fact is your rating reflects how you felt AT THE TIME. Your rating doesn’t have to grow and change with you. Your reading tastes naturally change the more you read. That’s okay! Instead, distract yourself until your reading slump is over. You’ll realize such a project is too much work.

And then I find myself reading… light novels!

Light novels are a guilty pleasure for me. They have no deadline. I have no where to leave a review. They’re compulsive to read because each chapter is moving the story forward (i.e. mostly has exciting bits). They’re obviously a break from the book that is contributing to my reading slump.

I suggest not trying to combat this feeling! Obviously we’re in the midst of a reading slump. But whatever you are reading doesn’t matter… you’re reading! To combat a reading slump sometimes we need a break from our responsibilities (no matter how much we normally love what we do).

The worst stage is when I want to quit book blogging!

Man, this happens with the worst of reading slumps. Doubts start to eat at you. Pressure mounts. Like really, really mounts. You start to wonder why you even blog. Reading shouldn’t feel like a chore you think. Maybe I’m done with book blogging?

Man, wait a minute! If you’ve just had a major change in life like graduation or a new job this might be something you’d consider. But it could be the reading slump blues. To combat it you can write a fun discussion and put off reading. Blog hop and gain inspiration from the community! Take a hiatus until you miss blogging again.

Finally, I want to rant to another reader!

Man, when you’re reading a book that makes you feel too much, you need to share all your feelings with someone else. Many times being able to discuss why you’re feeling the way you are gives you a lot of clarity about the book. Clarity helps you understand it’s not you, it’s the book. If you aren’t blessed with a real life friend to do this with then go to the book community!

The best thing about this feeling is you don’t have to combat it. It’s the best sign that you’re at the end of your reading slump.

Man, it’s a hard road, but worth beating to reach another blogging anniversary!

What do you feel like doing when YOU’RE in a reading slump?