Spoonie Reads discussion

Help, I'm in a reading rut. I usually get in them when I finish a book then it takes me forever to get in the mood to enjoy a book.

Have you ever been in one and how do you get out of one?

I get this a lot where i don't want to risk reading anything on my to-read shelf incase i dont enjoy them as much as they deserve. If that makes sense.

What i normally do is read an easy read kids book. A page turner that doesn't have to much fill and doesn't have too much potential. But it normally gets me back into the swing of things.

At the moment my go to rut solvers are the rangers apprentice series but obviously this will depend on taste :p

Jess wrote: "I get this a lot where i don't want to risk reading anything on my to-read shelf incase i dont enjoy them as much as they deserve. If that makes sense.

What i normally do is read an easy read kids..."

I do understand.
I tried to read Book Thief while I was in a reading rut and hated it. A year later, I tried that book again and loved it. Definitely a good idea to skip the to read list.

I totally get in reading ruts too. I usually try something that's outside of the genres I would normally pick. I usually try a humor book or a memoir. Or a humorous memoir. That way it's light and I don't have to get really engrossed in a plot I may or may not care about, you know?

Brittany wrote: "I totally get in reading ruts too. I usually try something that's outside of the genres I would normally pick. I usually try a humor book or a memoir. Or a humorous memoir. That way it's light and ..."

yes, any suggestions?

Brittany wrote: "Brittany wrote: "I totally get in reading ruts too. I usually try something that's outside of the genres I would normally pick. I usually try a humor book or a memoir. Or a humorous memoir. That wa..."

Hmm, have you read The Bloggess's book yet? She actually has rheumatoid arthritis and mental health issues, so it was cool to read about a spoonie- but she's pretty funny in a way you don't have to think too hard about. And my mom LOVES Jen Lancaster's books.

Brittany wrote: "Brittany wrote: "Brittany wrote: "I totally get in reading ruts too. I usually try something that's outside of the genres I would normally pick. I usually try a humor book or a memoir. Or a humorou..."
Thanks, I added them to my to-read. I hope to get out of a rut soon.

Brittany wrote: "Brittany wrote: "Brittany wrote: "Brittany wrote: "I totally get in reading ruts too. I usually try something that's outside of the genres I would normally pick. I usually try a humor book or a mem..."
Hopefully you will! Reading ruts are the worst, especially if reading is your main hobby like it is for me.

I hear you! I hate wasting a good book on a bad day when you aren't going to focus well and enjoy it the way you should.

I googled "best rated free ebooks" or something when I first got my kindle, and downloaded like 30 YA fantasy and YA romance books. Apparently it's like a trend to make the first book of a series free so you get hooked and but the rest. Reckless Magic by Rachel Higginson worked pretty well for me on that, I really liked the whole series.

I like to just retread old favorites when I get to that point.

Rereading old favorites sounds good.

I've been in a reading rut since November, and part of me is scared to pick up a new book cause I know I'm going to get in to an emotional rolercoster, and I will love it, but it will hurt and I'll be exhorsted by the end of it. I've got a book sitting next to me now, and it's a kids book (from the HTTYD books), but emotional investment leaves me so drained more than usual at the moment.

This was a tough rut. I tried short stories, science fiction, funny memoirs but nothing is working. I think I may have found one.

This is a good thread for when you are in a rut and maybe what works for you may work for someone else.

What gets you out of a reading rut?

I feel like amongst people with a Goodreads account I can't be the only book hoarder, so here goes nothing. Sometimes books that have been sitting on my shelf or kindle just waiting are almost, how should I say- intimidating(?) after leaving them there so long. It makes me feel guilty about wasting the money or not prioritizing something so nice as to curl up with a book, or feel broken for being put off by something that should be cathartic or whatever. There are negative connotations that build up. It's been another silly way my anxiety has gotten to me since I was a kid.

Sometimes purging my shelf helps. I delete crappy free books I know I won't read off my kindle. I toss a few books that have been there too long and I don't remember why I wanted to read them back into a donation/yard sale box. It's refreshing and usually inspires me to sit down and enjoy something by showing me what I couldn't bare to get rid of. (I do this with my closet a lot too, same mini panics over nothing.)

That being said, sometimes just a new book is nice. One you want to read right then and there, without letting it sit and wait until you finish whatever you're stuck on and having your intentions or excitement for it change, you know? Instant gratification might not be the best approach but it helps keep me focused and refreshed.

Devin wrote: "I feel like amongst people with a Goodreads account I can't be the only book hoarder, so here goes nothing. Sometimes books that have been sitting on my shelf or kindle just waiting are almost, how..."

Devin, you are so right.

Have you seen my to-read list? 430...its so overwhelming.
When I first got my kindle, I got free ebook happy and downloaded a lot of books. Last year, I finally deleted some books I won't read. I still have free classics to go through but that is overwhelming in itself. I feel guilty like I should read them because they are classics.

I think I should go through my to read list and delete some books. But whenever I try to throw stuff away I end up getting carried away and do something else so it never gets done.

I have noticed that if I'm reading a book and I'm stuck starting a new book refreshes my mind and I can go back to the other book.
I usually read mystery/thriller/heavy books and in between light YA/humor books.

Everything you guys are saying I'm like "yeah...yes...uhhuh". I totally feel you on the reading rut thing and I agree that sometimes its the intimidation and the expectations of not wanting to waste your time on something that you might not enjoy...and here all along I thought it was just me! this is just one part of the reason that i think this group will be fun :)

this EVERY. SINGLE. BOOK. that i've read has ended in a reading rut. This has never happened before with every book. It is frustrating.

I used to be able to read back to back but now it is one book, wait days and then I can maybe find a book I am satisfied.
I have tried all of these tips but they aren't really working.

Brittie, maybe you're trying too hard? Maybe if you just forget about reading for awhile the urge will come back naturally. I'm very impressed with all the reading a lot of you do...

Betsy wrote: "Brittie, maybe you're trying too hard? Maybe if you just forget about reading for awhile the urge will come back naturally. I'm very impressed with all the reading a lot of you do..."
I definitely have to do this a lot. Sometimes nothing can get me in the mood to read. I just have to do other things, like watch TV or practice a hobby, and over the course of a few days or weeks the urge to read comes back fairly naturally. When I force myself to read despite not being in the mood, it feels like a chore and I make myself hate all the books I try to read. Then I feel frustrated with myself and with books.

looks like it is break time from books!