Kimber here. Being all magnificent and everything. As per usual. Well. Her Momness was talking to someone about reading the other day. “I’m in a reading slump” says She Who Shall Not Be Named.

She Who Shall Not Be Named used to go to book clubs with Her Momness. But She Who said new releases have as much pizzazz as a can of soda that’s gone flat. (No idea what that is. But it doesn’t sound good.) Mysteries aren’t mysterious. Love stories have as much appeal as a plateful of overcooked eggplant. “I’m just not interested in reading” saith She Who.

For Mom and I, that’s kind of like saying “I’m just not interested in breathing.” However, it got us thinking. Maybe some of our readers are stuck in that reading slumpy thing.

10 Tips for Getting Out of a Reading Slump

Well. Never fear, friends, Romans, and fellow countrypeeps. Lend us your ears.(Or bacon.) Cuz we’re here to help. With ten tips for getting out of a reading slump. You’re welcome:

1. Grab shorter books. As in, step away from War and Peace. Or pretty much anything by Chuck Dickens. Focus on short and light. We recommend the Children’s Section of your local book place. Cuz one of us practically lives there. Some of our faves are Dr. Seuss. Maurice Sendak. Robert McCloskey. Pretty much anything by Virginia Lee Burton. Or A.A. Milne. Love, love, LOVE!
2. Revisit some old favorites. Is there anything better than snuggling up with a cuppa and the soothing comfort of a book that’s an old friend? Re-read an old fave!
3. Check out an Audio Book. If using your eyes to read is problematic, then use your ears. Especially good? Titles by true crime writer Ann Rule (Everything She Ever Wanted, Green River Running Red) or outdoor/adventure writer Gary Paulsen (Hatchet, The Haymeadow, Brian’s Winter, Winterdance).
4.  Select a new series. Sometimes finishing a series feels like saying goodbye to a beloved friend. So kick up your heels and dive into a new series to rekindle that special reading relationship. Tip: The Miss Peregrine’s Peculiar Children series by Ransom Riggs. For animal lovers (Hi, Mom): Margeurite Henry’s Ponies of Chincoteague series. Or Joy Adamson’s Born Free, Living Free and Forever Free series.
5. Read a biography about your favorite author. This can be eye-opening as well as inspiring, with some Eureka! moments along the way. You might try biogs on Jane Austen, Ernest Hemingway, Ted Giessel (Dr. Seuss), Laura Ingalls Wilder, or J.M. Barrie (Peter Pan).
6. Ask your librarian for recommendations. This always works for us. How do you think we found Caraval?
7. Switch up your reading venue.  Where do you typically read? On the living room couch? Try reading at the kitchen table or on the porch. Maybe outside or at the beach if the weather’s nice. Sometimes a change in routine and a little creativity is all it takes to snap out of a reading slump.
8. Take a Reading Va-cay. Reading is supposed to be enjoyable. You know. Like a T-bone steak. But if not reading is stressing you out and that stress is causing you to not read, then give yourself permission to break the cycle and take a reading vacation. Come back in a week or two or more when you feel rested and re-invigorated.
9. Join a book club where you can meet up with other readers on a regular basis. Find out what they’re reading and why. They might have some recommendations that can re-ignite the ‘ole reading flame.
10. Remember: Even if you’re in a reading slumpy thing, we still think you’re PAWsome. And that slumpy thing? This too shall pass.

You gonna eat that?

Ever been in a reading slump?

How do you do to snap out of it?