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Quick answer: To get out of a reading slump, lower the pressure and make reading fun again. Pick something short and gripping, reread an old favorite, or switch formats to audiobooks, graphic novels or short stories. Quit any book you’re forcing yourself through, and aim for just 10 minutes a day until the spark returns.
Quick facts
Reading slump: a stretch where you can’t focus on or enjoy reading
Common causes: stress, burnout, the wrong book, screens, pressure from goals
Fastest fixes: short books, rereads, audiobooks, graphic novels
Typical length: days to months, and it almost always passes
Every reader hits a slump at some point. You open a book, read the same paragraph three times, and put it down. Days turn into weeks. A slump doesn’t mean you’ve stopped being a reader. It usually means life is busy, your brain is tired, or you’re stuck with a book that isn’t right for you. The good news: a few small changes can get you turning pages again.
Table of Contents
Why Reading Slumps Happen
- Stress and burnout make it hard to focus on long text.
- The wrong book can stall you for weeks.
- Screen habits train us for quick, constant stimulation.
- Pressure from reading challenges or big yearly goals can turn reading into a chore.
- A book hangover after an amazing read can make everything else feel flat.
12 Tips to Get Out of a Reading Slump
1. DNF the Book You’re Stuck On
If you’ve been avoiding a book for weeks, let it go. Permission to quit is often all it takes to start reading again.
2. Read Something Short
A novella or short story collection gives you a quick win. Finishing a book in a day or two rebuilds momentum.
3. Reread an Old Favorite
Familiar stories are comforting and low-effort, and they remind you why you love reading.
4. Try a Page-Turner
Fast thrillers, cozy mysteries and romances are designed to keep you reading. Something like The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman can be the perfect reset.
5. Switch to Audiobooks
Listening during walks, chores or commutes keeps you connected to stories when sitting down to read feels hard.
6. Pick Up a Graphic Novel
Graphic novels and manga are quick, visual and immersive. They’re a great bridge back into longer books.
7. Change Genres
If you’ve read five fantasy novels in a row, try a memoir, a thriller or a funny essay collection.
8. Set a Tiny Goal
Aim for 10 minutes or 10 pages a day. Small goals are easy to keep and often lead to more.
9. Pause Your Reading Challenge
If a yearly goal is making you anxious, lower it or ignore it for a while. Reading should be a pleasure, not a test.
10. Put Your Phone Away
Leave your phone in another room for your reading time. An e-ink reader like the Kindle Paperwhite gives you books without notifications.
11. Read With Someone
Join a book club, start a buddy read with a friend or follow a readalong online. Accountability and conversation make reading social.
12. Visit a Library or Bookstore
Browsing shelves, reading first pages and picking whatever catches your eye can reignite your curiosity.
Books That Are Great for Breaking a Slump
- Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir: funny, fast and full of suspense. Check price on Amazon
- Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi: short, gentle and moving. Check price on Amazon
- Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck: a powerful classic you can finish in an afternoon. Check price on Amazon
Related: is it okay to not finish a book and is listening to audiobooks the same as reading.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a reading slump?
A reading slump is a period when you struggle to focus on or enjoy reading, even if you normally love books.
How long does a reading slump last?
It varies from a few days to a few months. Most slumps pass more quickly when you lower the pressure and switch to short, fun or familiar books.
What are the best books to get out of a reading slump?
Short, fast-paced books work best: thrillers, cozy mysteries, novellas, graphic novels and favorite rereads.