One of the biggest things I struggle with as a reader is falling into a reading slump. Those times when you look around and suddenly realize you haven’t finished a book in months, when you used to tear through several dozen a year. Reading slumps are not uncommon, and there are ways to get out of them.
Tips include finding a new genre, picking up something short and punchy or creating a reading list. While there are lots of different ways and methods, I wanted to give a list of books that, over the years, have gotten me through different reading slumps. Hopefully, one of these can be the jumping-off point for you to dive back between the pages and shelves.
“A Man Called Ove” by Fredrik Backman
This book easily makes the list for one of my all-time favorite reads. Coming at a time when I hadn’t picked up a novel and been seriously engrossed for over a year, this was recommended to me by a dear friend. I fell in love with the main character, the little world you’re shown as a reader and the deep story and life behind this seemingly grumpy old man. “A Man Called Ove” is a story about living life; it’s a story about the loss of loved ones, but most of all, it’s a story about the transformative power of community and family. I couldn’t put this book down. It was one of my first delves into the genre of contemporary fiction, and since then has sparked a love for that area of any bookstore. If you’re looking for a simple yet beautiful story and a rather easy read, I can’t recommend it enough. I warn you, though, if you’re prone to crying while reading, I did three separate times while getting through this.
“People said Ove saw the world in black and white. But she was color. All the colors he had.”
“Funny Story” by Emily Henry
This might be familiar if you’ve read my column, as I have featured this book on my list of books to get to know me, but the list wouldn’t be complete without it. I had never really ventured into the romance genre beyond what was in the fantasy novels I would read. However, this book genuinely surprised me when I picked it up. Witty characters, romantic tension, a fresh plot with a love for old tropes, this book has it all. If you’re looking for something lighthearted that will fill you with warmth in the way only a good romance novel can, “Funny Story” is easily my favorite. Between its pacing, complex characters and juicy drama, I was hooked at the end of every page. This is also a book I have recommended to several others, and I can confidently say I am not the only reader who’s been helped out of a slump by Daphne and Miles’ romance. If you are looking for a fresh take on well-loved tropes, or you haven’t ventured far into the romance genre, this may just help you break that reading slump.
“The same universe that dispassionately takes things away can bring you things you weren’t imaginative enough to dream up.”
“Piranesi” by Susanna Clarke
“Piranesi” was the first fantasy novel I read this year, and it hasn’t left the back of my mind since. It’s a twisty and expertly spun tale that feels almost like a dream you remember having years ago. Oftentimes, for a reading slump, the biggest thing to do is break out of your comfort zone; this book offers the perfect avenue for doing so. It’s written through the perspective of a character so delighted with the wonderful and fantastical world he lives in, and yet, has no understanding of. It reads as if you are discovering the world along with the main character, and it is a meditation on the pursuit of knowledge and the simple joys of life. However, there is so much more than meets the eye, as you discover what lies behind the seemingly infinite halls of Piranesi’s house. This book reads differently from many others and is also a very quick read. If you’re looking for a change of pace, a fast yet deeply thought-provoking read, then this is the perfect choice.
“Perhaps even people you like and admire immensely can make you see the World in ways you would rather not.”
