How to Get Out of a Reading Slump: Simple Ways to Fall Back in Love With Reading

Last updated: July 2026 | A practical guide to reading slump tips, how to start reading again, book journal ideas, reading lists, and using a Dingbats Reading Journal to make books feel inviting again*

Sometimes, reading stops feeling easy.

You want to read.
You like the idea of reading.
You may even have a stack of books waiting for you.

But every time you open one, your mind wanders. You read the same paragraph three times. You start a book and abandon it after a few pages. You keep buying books because you want to be the kind of person who reads, but actually sitting down with one feels strangely difficult.

That is a reading slump.

And it does not mean you stopped loving books.

It usually means reading has started to feel heavier than it should. Maybe you are tired. Maybe you chose the wrong book for your current mood. Maybe life has been too full. Maybe your attention is scattered. Maybe reading quietly became another thing you feel you “should” be doing, instead of something you actually want to return to.

The way out of a reading slump is not to force yourself through a book you are not enjoying.

It is to make reading feel inviting again.

At Dingbats*, we created the Reading Journal for exactly this kind of relationship with books: not perfect reading, not performative reading, but thoughtful reading. It gives you space to track what you read, reflect on the books that move you, collect favorite quotes, build reading lists, try reading challenges, compare books to film adaptations, and understand what kind of reader you actually are.

A reading slump does not need a dramatic fix.

Sometimes, it only needs one good book, ten quiet minutes, and a page that makes reading feel personal again.

Quick Overview: How to Get Out of a Reading Slump

Reading Slump Problem	What to Try	How a Reading Journal Helps
You cannot focus	Read for 10 minutes only	Track small reading sessions
You chose the wrong book	Switch genres or moods	Create a mood-based reading list
Reading feels like homework	Stop forcing difficult books	Write honest book notes
You keep abandoning books	Try a DNF page	Notice what is not working
You do not know what to read	Reread an old favorite	Make a “books that brought me back” page
You miss loving books	Save favorite quotes	Reconnect with why books matter to you
You want structure	Use logs and trackers	Build a simple reading habit
You want something fun	Try book-to-film comparisons	Make reading feel playful again

Getting out of a reading slump is not about reading more immediately. It is about making reading feel good enough to return to.

What Is a Reading Slump?

A reading slump is a period when reading feels difficult, boring, overwhelming, or impossible, even if you usually enjoy books.

It can look like:

• starting books but not finishing them
• buying books but not reading them
• rereading the same page without absorbing it
• avoiding books even though you miss reading
• feeling guilty for not reading enough
• only reading when you “force” yourself
• losing interest in genres you normally enjoy
• scrolling instead of picking up a book
• feeling like no book is the right book

A reading slump can last a few days, a few weeks, or much longer. But it is not a failure.

It is usually a sign that your reading life needs a softer entry point.

Why Reading Starts to Feel Hard

Reading is quiet.

That is part of its beauty, but it is also why it can feel hard when life is loud.

To read, you need attention. You need a little space. You need enough mental energy to enter another world, follow an argument, care about characters, or sit with someone else’s thoughts.

When you are tired, distracted, stressed, busy, or overstimulated, reading can start to feel like effort.

There are also other reasons reading slumps happen.

Reason	What It Can Feel Like
You picked the wrong book	Every page feels slow
You are forcing a genre	You keep losing interest
You are too tired	Reading makes you sleepy immediately
Your attention feels scattered	You cannot stay with the page
You feel pressure to read “better” books	Reading becomes performance
You are comparing yourself to other readers	Reading feels like a competition
You finished an amazing book	Nothing else feels good enough
You are in a busy life season	Reading gets pushed aside

The first step is to stop treating the slump like a discipline problem.

Most of the time, you do not need more pressure.

You need a better doorway back in.

Stop Forcing the “Right” Book

One of the biggest mistakes people make in a reading slump is trying to restart with the book they think they should read.

The serious book.
The classic book.
The long book.
The book everyone is talking about.
The book that has been on the shelf for two years.
The book they started and feel guilty about not finishing.

Sometimes that works.

Often, it does not.

A reading slump is not always the best time to challenge yourself. It is often the best time to choose something that feels easy to enter.

That might mean:

• a short book
• a fast-paced novel
• a familiar author
• a reread
• a book of essays
• a graphic novel
• a romance
• a mystery
• a memoir
• a book connected to a film or show
• a book with very short chapters
• a book that matches your current mood

The “right” book is not always the most impressive one.

It is the one you actually want to pick up.

Start With a Short, Easy, or Familiar Book

If reading feels hard, lower the barrier.

Choose a book that makes starting feel simple.

Short books can help because they give you momentum. Familiar books can help because they remove pressure. Easy books can help because they remind you that reading is allowed to be enjoyable.

Books That Can Help With a Reading Slump

Book Type	Why It Helps
Short novel	Feels easier to finish
Reread	Brings comfort and familiarity
Fast-paced mystery	Creates momentum
Romance or cozy fiction	Feels inviting and low-pressure
Graphic novel	Combines visual and written storytelling
Essays or short stories	Lets you read in small pieces
Memoir	Can feel personal and conversational
Book with short chapters	Easier to read in small sessions
Favorite childhood or teen book	Reconnects you with early reading joy

This is a good place to use your Dingbats Reading Journal*.

Create a page called:

Books That Might Bring Me Back

Then list books that feel easy, familiar, or genuinely appealing right now.

Not books you think you should read. Books you might actually open tonight.

Build a 10-Minute Reading Ritual

You do not need to read for an hour to start reading again.

Try ten minutes. Ten minutes is short enough to feel manageable, but long enough to re-enter the habit.

The 10-Minute Reading Ritual

Step	What to Do
1	Choose a book that feels easy to start
2	Put your phone away or out of reach
3	Set a timer for 10 minutes
4	Read without trying to finish anything
5	Write one line in your Reading Journal afterward

That final line matters because it helps the reading session feel complete.

It could be:

• “This was easier than I expected.”
• “I liked the atmosphere.”
• “Not the right book for today.”
• “The first chapter pulled me in.”
• “I want to continue tomorrow.”
• “I only read a little, but I started.”

A reading journal does not need to be complicated.

Sometimes one line is enough to keep the thread going.

Use a Reading Journal Without Pressure

A reading journal should not make reading feel like homework.

It should make reading more enjoyable, more memorable, and more personal.

The Dingbats* Reading Journal is designed as a thoughtful companion for readers. It includes space for reading logs, book review pages, favorite quotes, reading challenges, library and tracker pages, book-to-film comparison tables, a built-in bookmark, an end pocket, and smooth 100gsm fountain-pen-friendly paper.

But you do not need to use every page at once.

Start with one simple section.

Low-Pressure Reading Journal Ideas

Page	How to Use It
Reading log	Track the books you start and finish
Book review page	Write a short, honest response
Favorite quotes	Save lines that stayed with you
Mood-based reading list	Choose books by feeling
Reading tracker	Notice consistency without pressure
DNF page	Understand why a book was not right
Book-to-film comparison	Make reading feel playful
Library page	Track books you own, borrow, or want

A reading journal works best when it supports your reading life, not when it turns it into a performance.

Make a Mood-Based Reading List

Sometimes the problem is not that you do not want to read. It is that you do not know what kind of reading you need.

A mood-based reading list helps you choose based on how you want to feel, not just what genre the book belongs to.

Mood-Based Reading List

If I Want To Feel…	I Could Read…
Comforted	A familiar favorite
Curious	Non-fiction or essays
Swept away	Fantasy, romance, or adventure
Calm	Gentle fiction or nature writing
Inspired	Memoir or creative non-fiction
Entertained	Mystery, thriller, or fast-paced fiction
Understood	Literary fiction or personal essays
Playful	Graphic novel or book-to-film read

In your Reading Journal, create a page called:

What Kind of Book Do I Need Right Now?

Then write categories like:

• something easy
• something emotional
• something funny
• something short
• something beautiful
• something addictive
• something familiar
• something completely different

This makes choosing your next book feel less overwhelming.

Try the “First Chapter Test”

If you keep getting stuck, stop committing too early. Try the first chapter test.

Pick three books. Read the first chapter of each. Then choose the one you actually want to continue.

This removes the pressure of choosing the perfect book before you begin.

First Chapter Test Template

Book	First Impression	Do I Want to Continue?

You may be surprised by what pulls you in.

Sometimes the book you thought you should read feels wrong, while the unexpected one feels easy.

That is useful information.

Your Reading Journal can help you notice what your attention is naturally drawn to.

Create a DNF Page

DNF means “did not finish.”

Many readers feel guilty about not finishing books, but a DNF page can actually help you understand your taste better.

Not every unfinished book is a failure.

Sometimes the timing is wrong.
Sometimes the pacing is too slow.
Sometimes the writing style does not connect.
Sometimes the topic is not what you need right now.
Sometimes the book is good, but not for you.

DNF Page Template

Book	Why I Stopped	Try Again Later?

This kind of page can be freeing.

It teaches you what does not work for you, which makes it easier to choose books that do.

A reading slump often continues because people keep forcing books that do not fit.

Letting go of the wrong book can be the fastest way back to reading.

Reread Something You Loved

Rereading can be one of the best ways out of a reading slump.

There is comfort in returning to a book you already know. You do not have to work as hard to enter the world. You already trust the story. You already know there is something inside it for you.

Rereading can remind you why you loved reading in the first place.

In your Reading Journal, reflect on the:

Books That Made Me a Reader

List the books that shaped you, surprised you, comforted you, or made you excited to keep turning pages.

This page is especially useful when reading feels distant.

It brings you back to your own history with books.

Read Somewhere Different

Sometimes the book is not the problem. The setting is.

If you always try to read in bed when you are already exhausted, you may start associating reading with falling asleep. If you only read when you feel guilty for not reading, you may associate reading with pressure.

Try changing the place.

Places to Read When You Feel Stuck

Place	Why It Helps
Café	Adds atmosphere and focus
Park	Makes reading feel slower
Balcony or garden	Adds calm and light
Library	Creates a reading environment
Train or commute	Turns waiting into reading
Sofa with a drink	Makes it feel comfortable
Desk	Helps if you want more focus
Outside in the morning	Makes reading feel fresh

Afterward, write one line in your Reading Journal:

Where I read today:
How it felt:

Sometimes a new place is enough to make reading feel new again.

Try Book-to-Film Comparisons

Reading does not always have to feel serious.

Sometimes the way back into books is to make it fun.

A book-to-film comparison is a great reading slump tool because it gives you a built-in reason to finish: you get to compare the book with the adaptation.

The Dingbats* Reading Journal includes book-to-film comparison tables, which are perfect for this.

Book-to-Film Comparison Ideas

What to Compare	Notes
Characters	Who felt different on screen?
Setting	Did the film match the atmosphere?
Ending	What changed?
Favorite scene	Which version did it better?
Missing details	What did the film leave out?
Overall feeling	Which one stayed with you more?

This can make reading feel more interactive. It turns the book into part of a wider experience.

Track What You Actually Enjoy

A reading journal is not only for tracking how many books you read.

It can help you understand your taste.

That matters because many reading slumps come from choosing books based on pressure rather than pleasure.

Track what you actually enjoy.

Reading Taste Tracker

Book	What I Liked	What I Did Not Like	What I Want More Of

After a few entries, you may notice patterns.

Maybe you love short chapters.
Maybe you prefer character-driven stories.
Maybe you need strong settings.
Maybe you like books with emotional warmth.
Maybe you dislike overly slow openings.
Maybe you love books that feel cinematic.
Maybe you prefer non-fiction when life feels busy.

Knowing your taste makes it easier to choose the next book.

And choosing better books makes reading easier to continue.

Make Reading Feel Like a Ritual Again

A reading ritual does not need to be elaborate.

It just needs to make reading feel inviting.

Simple Reading Ritual Ideas

Ritual	How to Do It
10 pages before bed	Keep the book nearby
Coffee and one chapter	Read before opening your laptop
Sunday reading hour	Make it a weekly reset
Read outside	Add light, air, and calm
One chapter after dinner	Create a transition into evening
Café reading date	Take yourself somewhere to read
Book and journal pairing	Write one line after each session

The ritual matters because it removes the question of when reading happens.

It gives reading a place in your life again.

How the Dingbats* Reading Journal Helps

The Dingbats* Reading Journal is designed for readers who want to track, reflect, and build a more intentional reading habit.

It is not only a log of books finished. It is a place to understand your reading life.

Dingbats* Reading Journal Features

Feature	How It Helps During a Reading Slump
Reading logs	Track progress without relying on memory
Book review pages	Reflect honestly on what worked
Favorite quote sections	Save lines that reconnect you with books
Reading challenges	Add playful structure
Library and tracker pages	Organize books you own, borrow, or want
Book-to-film comparison tables	Make reading feel more interactive
Built-in bookmark	Keep your place easily
End pocket	Store notes, tickets, small paper memories
Smooth 100gsm fountain-pen-friendly paper	Makes writing feel enjoyable

The journal is there to support the reader, not judge the reader.

You can use it every day, once a week, or only when you finish a book.

The best reading journal is the one that makes you want to keep reading.

Reading Slump Prompts

Use these prompts when you want to understand your slump and gently restart.

Prompt	What It Helps With
What kind of book do I actually want right now?	Choosing better
What book feels easy to start?	Lowering pressure
What made me stop reading recently?	Identifying obstacles
What book first made me love reading?	Reconnecting
What genre sounds comforting?	Matching mood
What am I forcing myself to read?	Letting go
Where would reading feel most inviting?	Changing environment
What did I like about the last book I enjoyed?	Understanding taste
What is one book I can try for 10 minutes?	Starting small
What would make reading feel fun again?	Bringing back joy

These prompts are not tests.

They are small doors back into books.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a reading slump?

A reading slump is a period when reading feels difficult, boring, overwhelming, or hard to start, even if you normally enjoy books.

How do I get out of a reading slump?

Start with a short, easy, familiar, or exciting book. Read for only 10 minutes, stop forcing books that do not fit, try a new reading environment, and use a reading journal to track what you actually enjoy.

Should I force myself to finish a book?

Not always. If a book is making reading feel worse, it may be better to stop and choose something else. A DNF page can help you understand why the book was not right for now.

What should I read during a reading slump?

Try a short book, reread an old favorite, choose a fast-paced novel, read essays or short stories, pick a graphic novel, or choose a book based on your mood rather than what you think you should read.

Can a reading journal help with a reading slump?

Yes. A reading journal can help you track progress, understand your taste, create low-pressure reading lists, save favorite quotes, reflect on books, and make reading feel more personal and enjoyable.

What makes the Dingbats* Reading Journal useful?

The Dingbats* Reading Journal includes reading logs, book review pages, favorite quote sections, reading challenges, library and tracker pages, book-to-film comparison tables, a built-in bookmark, an end pocket, and smooth 100gsm fountain-pen-friendly paper.

Our Verdict

A reading slump does not mean you are no longer a reader.

It usually means reading needs to feel lighter, easier, and more inviting again.

Choose the book that calls to you, not the one that impresses you. Read for ten minutes, not two hours. Let go of the book that is not working. Reread something that once made you love stories. Change where you read. Make a list based on mood, not pressure.

And when you do read, write a little of it down.

The Dingbats* Reading Journal gives your reading life a place to return to. It helps you track books, save quotes, reflect on what you loved, compare books to films, organize your library, and notice what kind of reader you are becoming.

You do not need to read more perfectly. You only need to find your way back to the page.

One book.
One chapter.
One quiet moment.
One line in your journal.