Monday, September 15, 2014

That Moment When You Hit a Reading Road Block...


Confession: I have not finished a book in 3 weeks.

I am a bit embarrassed to admit that, considering I average about 75+ books read per year.  But I've found myself at a reading road block.  Do I call it a reading slump? I don't think so. I WANT to read, but it's finding the time to read that has become this figurative road block for me.  So I'm opening up this discussion to my fellow readers, seeking your advice on how to get around this barrier.  I'm almost to the point where I need to create a schedule for time to read, which is something I have NEVER done.

Which type of reader are you?
  1. The Anytime Reader: "I carry a book around with me at all times and sneak in a couple of pages whenever possible."
  2. The Late Night Reader: "I wait until my day has come to a close, grab my current book, and snuggle down in bed to read until my eyes drift close (or keep me up all night!)."
  3. The Schedule Reader: "I read on my way to work, at my lunch break, on my way home, and just before bed."
  4. The Sporadic Reader: "I carve out time to read on vacations, when I have a day off from work/school, a random Sunday with nothing on the agenda."

I feel like I am a good mix of all four of these types of readers, but lately I feel as though I am leaning more towards The Late Night Reader.  Yet I'm lucky to even get 10 pages in before my eyes say goodnight. 


Reading is something I enjoy doing, and I never want to feel like I HAVE TO do it.  For some reason, creating a schedule makes it feel forced.  So how do I get around this road block???  Please let me know in the comments your secrets to reading: when you do it, is there a type of book (certain genre/author) that gives you a boost around a reading barrier?  I miss my books and I miss that escapism.  Help me get back there!!

15 comments:

  1. What about audiobooks? I read/listen to an audiobook on my commute to and from work every day and it helps to put me in a reading mood. Now I even listen if I just run to the store because I can't wait until the next commute to find out what happens next. Maybe it'll get you back in the mood to read a good story?
    Also, if I'm in a reading slump a sweet, adorable, quick contemporary always helps pull me out.

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  2. I tend to be a combination between the "anytime reader" and the "schedule reader".

    As much as I love holding physical books (I mean, I'm a high school librarian. GIVE ME ALL THE BOOKS!), I've become addicted to my Kindle. I like that I'm able to just throw it in my bag and go anywhere with it. It's almost second nature to have it on hand for those "just in case" moments.
    But I also make sure to set aside time during my lunch to read a few chapters. I may not be able to read EVERY day, but I attempt to read during my lunch break a few times a week.

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  3. Well it does happen to all of us, so there's that piece of peace for you!

    I'd recommend trying to re-read something you love, maybe? Otherwise I just wait it out. That desire to read will come back! :)

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  4. Reading Road Blocks and Reading Slumps suck. I'm a bit of all four categories when it comes to reading. I usually do a significant amount of reading on Sundays, because I usually don't do much, and I love being able to just sit myself done and read. I do read after work, but I also do other things, too.

    I do know that when I am really busy, even when I have a little spare time, I'm often too tired mentally to read. Reading takes energy, even if you are just sitting down, and when I'm exhausted all I can do is stare at the TV.

    One thing that has really helped me when I get in situations like this is to listen to an audiobook. I know they aren't for everyone, but they really help me out.

    Also, I will re-read someone that I love, but something that isn't too stressful. More of a comfort read.

    And as for types of books, I love the light romantic reads. I hope you are able to get past this. Well, I know you will, but I hope it isn't too long. I know what it's like to be stuck there, and it's not fun.

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  5. First of all, we've all been there before so there's no reason to feel guilty or embarrassed! Blogging is a lot of hard work and I think it's inevitable that everyone will eventually hit a rough patch where they don't have as much time, or as much inclination or desire, to read. It's perfectly normal.

    As for which 'type' of reader I am, I think I fall somewhere between the Late Night Reader and the Sporadic Reader. During the week the only time I really have to sit down and read for a concentrated amount of time is right before bed. During the day I'm at work, and I typically like to decompress and watch television, etc immediately after getting home. During the weekend, I'll try to carve out a couple of hours to read as well. Because I like to take extensive notes on books I read and review, I don't typically read 'on the go' because I feel like I can't give the book my full attention. I would much rather sit down and focus, uninterrupted, for an hour as opposed to reading only a page or two at a time before having to put it away again.

    I wish I had some sort of secret as to how to get out of a reading slump, but unfortunately I don't know that there is any single 'right' way to go about it. Sometimes the best thing you can do is to simply relax and let things happen as they will. Revisit an old favourite. Read a book vastly outside of your comfort zone. Wake up a half hour earlier each morning and dedicate those thirty minutes to reading with a cup of tea or coffee. Whatever you choose, I'm sure you'll eventually be able to find some sort of system that works best for you. Life just has a nasty habit of getting in the way sometimes.

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  6. I am definitely a The Late Night Reader! I typically crawl into bed around 8:30 or 9:00pm and read until about 11pm...sometimes a little later if it's a really great book!

    You'll probably find a new system that works for you over the next few months as you settle into your new schedule. I'm sure everything is so nutty right now!

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  7. I always have time to read. It's time to blog that I don't have these times. And when I finally had time to write a book review at my blog, I just couldn't find what to write. Anyway, about your problem... I don't think you have to push it. You enjoy reading as a hobby, don't make a schedule for it. It will just reduce your enjoyment of reading. Just go with the flow--and maybe explore your readings. I often do this. My fav books are contemporary YAs. But when I got bored, I read historical fictions, adult fictions, etc. Good for refreshing.

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  8. Great post! I'm definitely a mixture of all the types of readers. As a new mom, I just don't have those uninterrupted Saturday afternoons anymore, where all I used to do was curl up on the couch with a good book, a mug of something yummy and warm and read the day away. Sometimes I do miss those days, especially when I'm reading a really good book and want time to read just ONE MORE chapter! But on the other hand, I now cherish those reading moments even more. When my little man goes down for a nap on the weekends, that's my blissful hour of reading. And when he goes to bed at night, and all the dishes are done and lunches are made for the next day, then I get to have a half an hour of time with my latest read. It's hard to adjust when your life is changing, as I'm sure yours is with your new teaching adventures, but eventually you'll probably settle into your new routine, and you'll cherish those reading moments even more =)

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  9. I can totally relate to this! I have been reading really slowly recently - as in I got a week or two without reading anything. And that makes me sad. I don't have as much time recently. I think the biggest reason for me though is that I like reading in big chunks. I absolutely cannot be an anytime reader because I feel like it keeps jolting my out of the book. And then I just get annoyed whenever I have to put it down. I am for sure the late night reader. That's when I have time -- in a sense, because I just take away my sleeping time in order to read. Ha. I just like that if I get caught up in the book, I can just keep on reading. I love it. Even though this has resulted in many tired days. However, I finally got to move back to WA and got married last month and my husband is NOT a night owl like me. So that's why it feels like my reading time has gone. I just need to figure out another time to set aside in a chunk for me to read I suppose... I guess that would put me in the schedule reader category.

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  10. I'm not sure I match any of the types of reader, if I'm honest. I tend to just sit down and read when it's convenient, but I need to have a bunch of time - I like to read big chunks and can't stop in the middle of a chapter.

    I really wish I had the answer to this because I was in the same mood not too long ago! For me it just has to pass, but it hasn't completely yet. Reading books you're excited about makes things better, though :)

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  11. I'm definitely the Anytime Reader...I sort of have to sneak it in whenever I can since I've got 2 young kids at home...and I'm definitely not a night owl! I'm sorry you're in a slump...it's so frustrating. I find that reading a genre that I haven't read in awhile sometimes helps me get out of a slump. Lately, I'd been reading too many thrillers and they had sort of ceased to shock my anymore...so I stuck in a historical fiction about the Cuban Missile Crisis and it ended up being one of my favorite books of the year!

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  12. I'm definitely the kind of person that reads at night. I usually don't have time during the day unless it's a weekend, but I usually end up getting at least an hour or two in every night. I have insomnia, so it's a little easier (unfortunately, haha) for me to stay up reading before bed. Sometimes it's just for a little bit, other times it's can be hours and hours! But I feel like I've been going through a bit of slump, too. I think it's because I read SO many books last month that I'm kind of burnt out :/ I'm just hoping that it doesn't last too long! I hope you're able to fix yours soon, too :)

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  13. I hit reading blocks all the time, which is something I find terribly frustrating. I never did back when I was inhaling books in high school, but something about college and then working full time just killed the ability to read for days on end all the time. Sometimes I just straight up take a break. Sometimes I try to write more instead. Sometimes I just switch media --- I've found that mixing it up with audiobooks and different book formats and genres helps a lot more than I expected. I've also found that I can't read too many real books back-to-back or too many ebooks, so I try to alternate now when I can.

    Best of luck breaking your reading funk!

    ~Liza

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  14. I'm very definitely a two. Sure, I may catch a page or two (of an eBook) when waiting on a doc appointment, but mostly the time from 8pm or so til sleeptime is when I read. Most of the time I don't like putting books in my bag in case I ruin them, and I find I don't have the time to read when out and about. I prefer being comfortable with no distractions. Sometimes I try to read a chapter or two when I'm cooking, but only once all the prep is done. Vegetable juice on my paperback does not make me happy!

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  15. I'm pretty much a mix of the four reading types you've mentioned, but if I were to pick just one, I'd be an "ANYTIME READER". I usually have something to read with me at all times, whether an actual physical novel or an e-book. More often than not, I read on my commute (since I have the luxury of doing so!). I think, personally, when I hit a reading roadblock, I turn to old favorites OR to historical romances - either one really gets me reading again. {But, also, there are times when I really just have to step away from the books and do other things! I'll miss it eventually, so I always come back to reading.}

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