There will be times when you just don’t want to pick up another book. Nothing will sound interesting. You will start and stop multiple books. You will get frustrated. All of these things are ok.
That leads into my advice for this month:
- Take a break from reading
Yes, that is exactly what I said. Indeed, book slumps are the real deal. They can happen, for instance, after reading a book so impactful that you are caught in a book hangover. Additionally, they can occur when you finish an engrossing series and feel as though nothing else can measure up. Furthermore, sometimes reading too many of the same genre or experiencing a change in life circumstances will prevent you from picking up your next read. However, it’s ok. Instead, do something else. Engage your brain differently. Ultimately, give yourself that permission because, after all, books will always call you back.
And when you are ready, go back to my previous pieces of readerly advice to get back on track.
Three Books That Pulled Me Out of a Slump
A Witch’s Guide to Magical Innkeeping by Sangu Mandanna
In a desperate teenage attempt to bring back her deceased Aunt, Sera Swan loses her powerful magic and is exiled from the magical community. Now she is stuck running a magical inn with that very alive Aunt (success!), along with a zombie rooster, talking fox, and other quirky guests of the inn. As she tries to find a way to get her magic back, Sera discovers that she doesn’t have to do it alone.
Told through the perspectives of the clients, workers, and observers of the adult daycare center, Upward Bound. Dreary and sad, this isn’t a place where people want to be. But for those with disabilities, it is a place of last resort. A place where they are walled off from a society that doesn’t understand them. A place where they can keep to routine, despite the juvenility of the agenda. And a place where they may just find someone who connects with them.
The Best Dog in the World: Essays in Love by Alice Hoffman
You don’t need to read a romance book to understand the feelings of falling in love. Every love story starts with the first contact. That first spark of interest. That feeling that you have found the “one” for you. Whether it is two legs or four legs. Fifteen authors share their stories of true love with furry companions that have touched their lives. While our time with them can be short, their impact is great. These stories show that we don’t just rescue the animal; we also rescue ourselves. Brilliant storytelling that will tug at your heartstrings as you fall in love with each dog.
New Releases For June
If you are interested in knowing more about the above books, check out my latest post over on Substack and subscribe.
Then don’t forget to check out my previous lessons to help your reading life below.
- It’s okay to give up on a book if you just aren’t into it.
- Try a new genre.
- Audiobooks are still books.
- Do a buddy read.
- Have a book handy everywhere and anywhere.
- Track Your Reading.
- Join a Book Club.
- Join a reading challenge.
- Listen to Book Podcasts
- Try shorter books, novellas, or books of short stories.
- Read multiple books at once
- Browse Bookstores and Libraries
- Browse Reading Lists
- Do a Slow Read
- Go to an author event or listen to an interview with an author.