Well, it’s finally happened. I’ve had the big Book-O and now everything else now is just leaving me with a blah feeling. I’m in a bit of a panic over this. What the heck am I going to do? Books are my escape from real life. I’ve read so much good stuff lately; Shooting Scars, Just Human, and Covet, to name a few, that everything else just seems repetitive and full of fluff. I’ve attained such a rush from a few really great books that I’m now chasing that rush in new books and it’s staying just out of reach. I am feeling like my heart and brain are in complete disconnect right now when it comes to reading. I need to find that new book, the one that makes me gush, and cry and want to scream about it from the rooftops! I don’t know if I need to switch genre’s or take a break from reading all-together. Is it possible to overdose on books?
I know I’m not alone. Book hangover talk is common, but I think I’m experiencing more than just a book hangover. I’ve been feeling like this for quite a while. I have started some books and not finished them. I’ve never allowed myself to quit books in the past. These are books that are rated highly on amazon and readers are gushing about the books greatness. I’m reading it and asking myself, “What is so great about this book? I’m bored out of my mind!” Have I ruined myself? I’m struggling with reviewing books I’m not liking because I’m not sure if it’s me or if it’s the book. I don’t want to unfairly criticize a book when it’s my issue.
This is where I ask you all for some help. How do you get yourself over the “nothing is working for me” hump? Do you take a reading hiatus, switch genre’s, or just keep reading until you find “the one”? Do you have a go-to book that resets you when you’re feeling the book blues? Maybe you stand on your head for a few hours and that gets you over it. I don’t know. I just know that I need to feel like I can let myself get sucked back into a book and right now, I’m not feeling like I can. So help a sister out and take our poll. If you have a recommendation on a book that you think will help me get over the Book-O, tell me about it! Sharing is Caring!
[polldaddy poll=7417535]
About the Author:
Jen loves to read. She can’t stop herself. It’s become an obsession. She is in love with her husband, kids, iced coffee and books. Jen lives in beautiful Colorado but is originally from the West Coast.
Megan says
September 30, 2013 at 1:14 pmI take a break. After I read a new favorite I try to get into other novels but it does not add up.
Bobbi Burleson says
September 30, 2013 at 3:02 pmI know what you are saying. I just read the Hunger Games Trilogy and loved it. I was so sad when I finished and really don’t know what I want to read now.
Terry (My Journey With Candida) says
September 30, 2013 at 4:02 pmI used to always read… Every day I would have a book in my hands. Now, I just don’t have nor want to have the time to read. Maybe you need to do something else for awhile and see if the reading itch comes back.
Karen says
September 30, 2013 at 5:30 pmI like to switch up Genre after reading an amazing book, I find I dont hold it to the same standards
snickers says
September 30, 2013 at 6:11 pmHi Jen,
I get in a slump and try to find something totally different that I have not read. Not all are Amazon winners, but great books non the less. I just finished reading “Look Again” by Lisa Scottoline. It was a great read, sad, funny, scary, and the ending was not what I expected at all. If you are a Mom, someone who has adopted a child, or a Grandparent, this is the book for you. Hope you give it a try! 🙂
snickers says
September 30, 2013 at 6:18 pmJen,
Forgot to add, this author is a NY best seller, and wrote the book, ” Why My Third Husband Will Be A Dog”. She has written for the Philadelphia Inquirer entitled “Chick Wit”. She has a very interesting background and education.
Corinne says
September 30, 2013 at 7:02 pmI try not to read books of the same genre back to back. I did love the Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield. I was in a bit of a slump after that one because nothing else matched up to it for a long while afterwards.
JennieIW says
September 30, 2013 at 9:11 pmI’m definitely in the “keep on reading, you’ll get over it” camp. Somewhat counter-intuitively I’d avoid books that you expect to love; your book hangover might render a good book disappointing, which would be a bummer.
Nicole A. says
September 30, 2013 at 10:07 pmDefinitely take a break. Like anything we can get burnt out and the best way to get over that is to take a break.
Anita Breeze says
September 30, 2013 at 10:26 pmI think I would lean toward taking a break. Although I love to read as well, and often have several books going at once, every now and then I take a break for a couple weeks and it helps!
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
October 1, 2013 at 2:22 amSince I’ve had kids, I don’t even really have time to read unless we’re at the beach or some place where the kids are occupied. Sigh.
Noor Unnahar says
October 1, 2013 at 6:20 amI just go outside and think about the bad-est book I had ever had . Believe me it works faster than magic 😉
Tess says
October 1, 2013 at 6:51 amIts probably like blogging, you’ll get over that slump. there are so many new books out there that I bet you will find a good one!
Dov Shapira says
October 1, 2013 at 7:07 amLooking for the right book is like looking for the perfect lover.
Why is it so hard?
Myrah - Coupon Mamacita says
October 1, 2013 at 7:24 amI love reading but don’t seem to have the time, so when I fly is when I really get up to date!
Areeba says
October 1, 2013 at 7:31 amI ask my friends and twin to get me a new book to read! This sucks when I have nothing good to read!!
Pam says
October 1, 2013 at 8:18 amWhen this happens to me I take a break and read something totally ridiculous, like a vampire romance novel to break the cycle.
amanda says
October 1, 2013 at 9:02 ami usually grab a new book and sometimes venture back. too many books to stay with a bad one!
Sarah Bailey says
October 1, 2013 at 11:59 amI hit the wrong answer in the poll sorry!
I’ve taken time out many times when I just didn’t feel like reading – sometimes it’s been over a year until I really got back into reading nightly again, I found it so odd at first but I think it’s just me all over I go through phases. x
HilLesha says
October 1, 2013 at 12:20 pmI hadn’t picked up a book for YEARS (and I was a big time reader) and then went into reading frenzy a few months ago. Now, I can’t manage to find the time or desire to read a book much as I want to!
Lily@IW says
October 1, 2013 at 12:25 pmTake a break, you’ll be back to normal in no time at all.
brett says
October 1, 2013 at 1:41 pmfind a fun new genre and see what the buzz is for that genre and go from there.
Rosey says
October 1, 2013 at 2:29 pmI feel like that with movies and I end up just taking a nice, long break! GL getting over the hump.
Anonymous says
October 1, 2013 at 2:55 pmI say take a break! This happens to me too and I always feel so much better after taking some time away from reading.
Fan R @TeddyOutReady says
October 1, 2013 at 2:57 pmTake a break, may be try to make something with your hands like crafting and I think it is going to work. Usually I do not have time to read books, they are lux in my life.
Shasta Walton says
October 1, 2013 at 5:53 pmI usually take a reading break! Or watch more movies lol.
Kristen @ kristenione says
October 1, 2013 at 7:54 pmI don’t read enough to have this problem but it sounds very frustrating as you’re investing time into these books with not much in return. I think I would try switching genres!
Jen says
October 2, 2013 at 7:25 amA few days ago, someone recommended the Breathing Series from Rebecca Donovan. I started this last night and it kept me up till almost 1 am.
Jen says
October 2, 2013 at 7:26 amSomething that HAS helped me is my new obsession with Sons of Anarchy! My husband and I watched seasons 1-5 in about 2 weeks. That was an excellent distraction.
Growing Up Madison says
October 2, 2013 at 7:35 amI usually take a break. I’ve found that taking a break really helps me out a lot! Hope you get over your slump soon.
Melanie says
October 2, 2013 at 9:53 amTake a break, that’s what I normally do then jump back in on it
Healy Harpster says
October 2, 2013 at 11:33 amSimply, take a break! Sometimes when we do the same things, it become overwhelming and make us feel different. You just need and a break, breath in, breath out! 🙂
Tough Cookie Mommy says
October 2, 2013 at 3:00 pmI was just thinking about this the other day. I have always been an avid reader since I was a kid. Lately, I just haven’t had the time to do so and I miss it.
Shar says
October 4, 2013 at 1:32 pmI thought about the “taking a break” option but voted for “Keep on reading ~ you’ll get over it” instead. Read something unique or funny just to get over the hump.
Claira Pam says
October 5, 2013 at 6:40 pmI generally take a break at first to refresh, and then I try something different to (hopefully) get over the hump. Good luck!! I’ll have to make note of these tips for my next book slump moment. 🙂
Sara Zielinski says
October 6, 2013 at 1:40 pmI usually take a break for a while, then when I come back to something it is either better than I remember or different.