Switching between ebooks, physical books, and audio books seems to help. I think the switch lets you use a different part of your brain to process information, gets you around whatever is blocking you.
I got this a few months ago, and it was awful! An escape was found in the form of a book I loved from my childhood. It seemed to activate my usual hunger for pages full of words.
I have a stack of partially read books. If it doesn’t capture me in the first couple of chapters I put it in the stack to be given away. Life is too short and there are far too many good books to read to spend time on books that don’t make me want to keep reading!
Unfortunately, yes. It’s either because it’s boring, not enough quiet time to read, life stress, depression, etc… all play into it. I usually re-read the book when the time is right.
Yeah. I am like that right now... I am two years into a series that should've taken me a month. I am a fast reader... can get through a book in a long weekend.
Definitely been there. And it doesn’t help that I am the type that likes to start what I finish. I am a moderate reader as far as the number of books I read a year. But there was a book so slow it took me almost 5 months to finish due to falling asleep. (I am a nightly reader before bed)
Yes! I'm just too tired at the end of the day, which is when I have time to read. Now the kiddo is reading and I'm the one asleep. I did re jump-start my reading a bit with "The Fifth Season" trilogy as a fun sci-fi treat, and am now bogged down in a book on free trade history.
You need a better book, one that you are really interested in. Another thing you can try is reading out loud to yourself; also try audio books on the Libby app.
Usually that means you haven't found the book/genre that really excites you yet and you're bored.
For me personally back at 28, I had to find out I loved childrens books, fairy tales, legends, but also prehistoric novels. The library was perfect for discovering other topics i loved.
I don’t know if this is what you’re having but my dad will consistently read 80-90% of a book and then just pivot to a new one. Both fiction and nonfiction
Yes! I chalk it up to some poor book choices on my part, and I keep trying. Just need to find the right one for the moment, and it will capture my attention
Sounds like social media and instant gratification have wrecked our focus, making us slaves to speed. My advice: fight back. Stay grounded, be stoic, limit your internet time-and ditch TikTok, Shorts and Reels.
I never had that problem. I think I've only finished two books by Stephen King. I don't know why, but I lose interest in his novels maybe halfway through each one. That's only his novels, though.
Definitely. I tend to quit reading a novel if I think a character in it is behaving completely irrationally. I'm also willing to quit reading if I think there is no possibility of a happy ending. If I want to feel bad or sad, all I need to do is read about current events.
I got it for a considerable time when my symptom for cPTSD were strongest. I couldn't finish anything, books, games, TV series, new movies. Hopefully your blocks will lift easier then mine.
All the time I’ve started so many books and have finished so little. Right now I have Let Them - Mel Robbins sitting on my book stand waiting to be opened (it’s only been 1 week since I bought it :-)
Got that one as an audiobook & still could not finish it. Engaging voice but content could have been reduced to an hour to convey the message. Still appreciate Mel Robbins. 🙏🏽
Trick is to switch up your book length. I'm at 6 books for the year and I've got a 160 page book of essays and a two in one of murderbot novellas for 2 of em. Great for getting a win when your 3-400 pager is crushing you
Yeah, my latest reader’s block is because the author is setting up an incredibly predictable love triangle resolution set against the backdrop of a recurring villain that is now so powerful, it’s full-on cheese, and there’s still 3 more books to go in the series. I’ve lost my immersion.
Yes. The middle third of a book is really crunch time for any author. You need to unload all of your tricks during the middle sections to get me to the final stretch.
for years, after my mother died. i lost my mom and my favourite hobby at the same - i just couldn't sit with myself, no matter how interesting the book was.
I have a Jasper Fforde book that I can’t finish for the life of me, which is beyond frustrating because I love his writing voice so much. I just can’t get myself deep enough in the story. The book is The Big Over Easy.
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Series come in handy for this but right now…nada. I got nothing.
https://thebookerprizes.com/the-booker-library/books/a-brief-history-of-seven-killings
To overcome this, I just read a much smaller book... like a few pages long.
Or I listen to audiobooks.
My car becomes "mobile university."
For me personally back at 28, I had to find out I loved childrens books, fairy tales, legends, but also prehistoric novels. The library was perfect for discovering other topics i loved.
I never had that problem. I think I've only finished two books by Stephen King. I don't know why, but I lose interest in his novels maybe halfway through each one. That's only his novels, though.
Hope I didn't miss the context😉
Doesn’t mean you don’t love the album or want to listen again in future!
ION, Anyone else go back a few pages and re-read to get back into a book?
(Still too much doom scrolling.)
This makes me feel so much better.