Eight-ish months ago, my everyday life shifted dramatically and so did my reading habits.

So far, I’ve read 171 books this year and abandoned 17, and while that sounds glitzy, it wasn’t a smooth ride. I’ve had many (many) dry spells where I found myself reading the same line over again, where I found myself reading the same line over again, and I just couldn’t go forward.

This year taught me a lot about myself, and one of those things is how to lean into my reading slump without the guilt. There are tons of articles and videos about fighting our reading slump, but I find “listen to the audiobook instead” tips can only go so far. Instead, here are my four tips for leaning into your reading slump and still enjoying great stories. 

1. Attend Online Literary Events 

I’ve been finding that a lot of the things I value about literature moves beyond the page - I love being able to connect with people and share my literary experiences with others. These experiences are part of why I love book club, but what happens when you haven’t read the book? That’s where literary events become fantastic. The best part of the pandemic is how accessible literary festivals, readings, and awards have been and I’ve attended at least one lit event every week since March. We’ve been having a few literary events of our own you can check out, that are often geeky literary hangouts, more than a discussion on a single book. Plus, if you’re a travel club member you get access to past event recordings so you can

2. Play Video Games 

For years, video games have been criticised for making people antisocial and depressed (jokes on you I’ve always been this way! Kidding… anyway) If you actually play video games you know how deeply rewarding it can be for your imagination and stretching your critical thinking skills.

I’m in love with strategy games and lately, 80 Days has my fav mobile game (I know I’m late but omg this game is brilliant!) This game is based on Verne’s 1873 novel Around The World in Eighty Days, and I’m actually enjoying it more than the book! Strategy and role-playing video games takes story-telling to another level, and it’s interactive nature keeps you constantly engaged to press onwards.

3. Listen to Bookish Podcasts 

It’s a bit too easy to plug our own podcast, Like A Real Book Club, here and for good reason. Listening to book clubs and author interview podcasts are a great way to keep up with the literary world, even if you’re in a slump.

And if you’re really deep in a slump, and the traditional bookish podcast induces some level of guilt about not reading, maybe turn to scripted podcasts instead? I love scripted fictional podcasts. The Truth has been a staple for me over the years when I find myself in reading slumps, so give it a try! Find a podcast in your favourite literary genre and enjoy the stories.

4. Watch Literary Adaptations

Back when I thought this pandemic would be over by September I binged, and LOVED, the Hulu adaptation of Celeste Ng’s Little Fires Everywhere. Watching it made me want to reread parts of the books soon after and I donated a copy of it to our community library. After that, I quickly turned to my most trusty comfort watches, which include such obvious choices as the Gone Girl, Tales from Earthsea, and the 2005 Pride & Prejudice (this is a safe space, don’t judge my Austen hate-watches).

I’m really looking forward to the adaptation of Dune, and as I’m writing this I’m itching to Mismatched, the series based on When Dimple Met Rishi. I probably won’t re-read these books after seeing their adaptations, and that’s ok. I’m here for the amazing stories.

I hope these tips are helpful fo you if you choose to lean into your reading slump for a bit, and that we can all practice patience as readers.

About Rebel Women Lit
Rebel Women Lit is an open book club, turned literary community, based in Jamaica.

We focus on stories from women, non-binary persons, queer persons, and other voices that have been traditionally marginalised in publishing. Yes, everything we do is political and deliberate.

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