Petra X > Status Update

I usually have book hangovers, and I cure those by reading something in a completely different genre, as far as possible from the latest book.

Usually, I make strolls and outdoor activities, and in general I try not to put myself under pressure to merely read more, but prefer throwing in a recreative read or read slowly to get to better appreciate what I read :) It's somehow comparable to what YouTuber Benjamin McEnvoy puts into practice!

I truly enjoy these questions! So relatable! What do you do yourself, when you happen to be in such a situation, however rare it is?

Alexandra wrote: "I usually have book hangovers, and I cure those by reading something in a completely different genre, as far as possible from the latest book."

I'm trying that, got an audio book, Fabric: The Hidden History of the Material World but I can't concentrate on that either.

I do something different. Either read a different genre, a different format or do something that doesn't require reading at all. Bake a new cake, start a new craft project, gardening etc.

Look at the other books I'm currently reading to see if they would work instead. Or take a break from reading, trying again the next day. Or reread.

Mostly it goes something like:
- put the reading on hiatus and try another book from the tbr pile
- go back to comfort reads (either actual novels or fanfiction)
- take a break and pick up a different hobby (cooking, cleaning, walking, etc....)

I generally end up missing the feeling of immersion into a book, and would try to resort to movies/Tv series, but these days I rarely have the patience to just watch a movie.

I generally end up mostly listening to it, as I play a game on my phone, or do some cleaning around the house.

watch TV

I try not to force it. I switch genres to something that's easy on the brain, silly. If that doesn't work, I watch TV or play a game, go for a walk, do a craft project, and give the reading a day or two off. After a short break and genre swap, I'm usually happily back on track.

Maybe try revisiting an old favorite?

time passes slowly
when you're in a reading slump
maybe try haiku

P.E. wrote: "I truly enjoy these questions! So relatable! What do you do yourself, when you happen to be in such a situation, however rare it is?.."

Thank you. I like to get to know my friends, and also to get ideas of how to appeal to customers in my bookshop. What I do when I am in a reading slump like now, is I ask how everyone else deals with it!

Elentarri wrote: "I do something different. Either read a different genre, a different format or do something that doesn't require reading at all. Bake a new cake, start a new craft project, gardening etc."

I did a bit of gardening and listened to a bit of a book. I can't bake, but I am good at eating cake.

Ms. Smartarse wrote: "take a break and pick up a different hobby (cooking, cleaning, walking, etc....).."

Cooking and cleaning are hobbies??? They are chores to me. I like walking but it's the tropics so only in the evening and only with an audio book. Anyway, I'm lazy...

To avoid slumps, I usually read only a maximum of ten pages in a day. Now, if the book is really good, I can stretch that up to twenty pages too and in case of short stories, I like to finish each on a single day. To take a bit of a break from reading, I enjoy listening to music - Beatles, Pink Floyd, Hindi film music mostly. Or think some romantic thoughts and do some writing or watch a nice British classic film. Then, I enjoy my reading even more when I return to it.

7jane wrote: "Look at the other books I'm currently reading to see if they would work instead. Or take a break from reading, trying again the next day. Or reread."

I've tried all of those things and I can read for maybe 5 minutes and then my attention wanders. I am watching Judy Justice .... reduced to that.

Helio wrote: "watch TV"

Doing that! Watching a drama. I don't like dramas much more than I like fiction, but I've run out of Judy Justice and I can't concentrate on reading or documentaries. (I have to dl everything here, no cable tv or Netflix or anything).

I usually have around 20 books going at a time, something will keep my interest as I scroll around to find what presently works for me. And it has worked for me for a while now, never seem to hit a slump, not for everyone though I'm sure.

Shawnie wrote: "I try not to force it. I switch genres to something that's easy on the brain, silly. If that doesn't work, I watch TV or play a game, go for a walk, do a craft project, and give the reading a day o..."

Good ideas. I've done them all except the craft project. I can't think what I could do.