Reading slumps

[Faithhopelove24]

Do any of you experience reading slumps? What do you do when you don’t feel like reading? How do you get back into it?

I have lots of things I want to read and need to read, yet sometimes I would just rather do anything else. This could last anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Can’t seem to find any rhyme or reason to it.

Thoughts and tips appreciated!!

 

[davejonescue]

I got no answers. I have about 6K books, and havent read a single one cover to cover cept the Bible. Even with it, its been 2 weeks since I sat down and gave it an hour. Got 20hours/Sections left and it will be cover to cover. But I never really want to get into the habit of being content with once a year. I did it 2 or 3 times last year, cant remember, but this year has definitely been a slow one for me. Sometimes it just comes down to either doing it or not. Like my Bible. I can still go through it twice this year cover to cover, if I simply read an hour/section a day. (I have my Bible broken up into 60-1Hr sections) But the only difference in it happening and not, is simply doing it or not. I feel you though, once I'm in the Word, its like drinking the sweetest fountain. But getting there is my biggest issue. And there really isnt any excuse for it.

Its like a simple plan on paper. Read it an hour a day, and you will read it 6 times a year. But somethings are easier said than done. The most I ever got out of this system is 5 times in one year, and that was 4 years ago.

But as a tip, as I have done with my Bible. If you can find an audio version, and read while it is playing in your ear; it can keep you more focused and engaged. But I know there are a lot more Audio Bibles then there are other works. So dont know if it is feasible for the books you want to read? I had to spend 2 or 3 weeks messing around with Audacity, with the audio files, and with tempo and pitch, before I got them broken up into 60-1Hr./Equal page Sections. Dont know if you are that invested for random books?

 

[B.L.]

Do any of you experience reading slumps? What do you do when you don’t feel like reading? How do you get back into it?

I personally pick a book, set a goal for finishing it, and create a daily reading plan to follow. I've experienced reading slumps and found having a plan to stick to lifts me out of it. I also am very intentional about carving out time in the day dedicated to reading...usually the mornings over coffee and the last 15 minutes before I head to bed. When I don't "feel" like reading I've got a regimen to fall back on; never a chore, but a discipline.

 

[davejonescue]

I personally pick a book, set a goal for finishing it, and create a daily reading plan to follow. I've experienced reading slumps and found having a plan to stick to lifts me out of it. I also am very intentional about carving out time in the day dedicated to reading...usually the mornings over coffee and the last 15 minutes before I head to bed. When I don't "feel" like reading I've got a regimen to fall back on; never a chore, but a discipline.

Ah discipline. I need it in droves. It is so valuable, but cant be bought. It can only be learned.

 

[arapahoepark]

Ah discipline. I need it in droves. It is so valuable, but cant be bought. It can only be learned.

Same. Recently, with all the work it's like, it's become a chore...but maybe my phone has something to do with that

 

[davejonescue]

Same. Recently, with all the work it's like, it's become a chore...but maybe my phone has something to do with that

When I was working in the free-world, I could see that and switched to an old-school flip you cant even get Facebook on. Now its back as an issue as I am working from home. Its definitely a struggle.

 

[TheInquirer]

Definitely get into slumps. With the Bible, just a discipline you need to make yourself do. Other books, try to find something interesting.

 

[Recipient of Grace]

I read with the M'Cheyne calendar, so I’m not allowed any slumps, because if I do, I’ll have a whole lot of chapters to catch up on…

But there are times when I’ll rush through my daily reading and not meditate on it, of which I am ashamed.

 

[RamistThomist]

audiobooks. Easier to finish one then you can take that momentum

 

[Andres]

I've found breaking books into smaller chunks is helpful. Saying to myself, "you need to read these 10 books!" can feel overwhelming and daunting to where I don't want to do it, but saying to myself, "you need to read 3 pages this hour" is much more manageable. Plus, accomplishing the smaller goals then spurs me on to want to reach the next goal and so on. (I think I recall there is something chemically related to the brain by reaching these little goals that gives good "feels" that encourage more goal accomplishing).
Another thing that has helped me is tracking my reading on Goodreads. It is now almost a game to see how much progress I can make and it helps to see what other friends are reading and their progress. Lastly, it's okay to take breaks from reading. as long as one is not neglected daily bible reading. When I get into slumps from reading more difficult and thought-provoking theological works, I will take a break by reading an easy fiction book or something related to history for fun. It's amazing how easy a modern book is to read when you've been working through the Puritans for an extended period!

 

[RamistThomist]

I've found breaking books into smaller chunks is helpful. Saying to myself, "you need to read these 10 books!" can feel overwhelming and daunting to where I don't want to do it, but saying to myself, "you need to read 3 pages this hour" is much more manageable. Plus, accomplishing the smaller goals then spurs me on to want to reach the next goal and so on. (I think I recall there is something chemically related to the brain by reaching these little goals that gives good "feels" that encourage more goal accomplishing).
Another thing that has helped me is tracking my reading on Goodreads. It is now almost a game to see how much progress I can make and it helps to see what other friends are reading and their progress. Lastly, it's okay to take breaks from reading. as long as one is not neglected daily bible reading. When I get into slumps from reading more difficult and thought-provoking theological works, I will take a break by reading an easy fiction book or something related to history for fun. It's amazing how easy a modern book is to read when you've been working through the Puritans for an extended period!

Same here, especially with larger books. I know of one guy who read through Bavinck's four volumes in one year just by reading him on the Lord's Day.

 

[Andres]

Wanted to add that I work 12 hour shifts in a dispatch center 3-4 days a week. I generally set my goal to read during downtimes 3-4 pages an hour for 10 hours of my shift. That's 30-40 pages a day, so in a week I can usually knock out anywhere from 100-150 pages, which means I can read most average length books in a week or two. That's another thing that helps. With the exception of obviously longer works (I've been reading Calvin's Institutes since beginning of 2024), I will struggle to finish a book if it looks to be taking me more than three weeks.

 

[Redeemed Ronin]

Ah, the dreaded "backlog". I run into this type of discourse in other consumptive hobbies like video gaming. The solution is the same: worry less about getting through the books you own, and focus more on enjoying the purpose of those books:

• The Bible: To know God (John 17), and to be complete, equipped for every good work (2 Tim. 3)
• Other Books: To learn about natural revelation and to enjoy the subcreation of mankind.

If you're talking about reading your Bible, then it is just something you need to make a habit of doing. Start small: 5-10 min a day, or a chapter or two of an easier to digest book, such as the gospels. Once you get into the groove, you can do something more steady and comprehensive, such as a whole Bible reading plan.

If you talking about reading for recreation, then the question is "why do you want read?" I find I need an actual reason to read for recreation. I tend to end up hating reading because I read "because I have to" or "because people find it to be a respectable hobbie over the things I actually want to do". That's no reason to read. The books I'm currently reading are engaging because they either enable me to serve my family immediately, such as books on shepherding children as a parent, or serve my family in the long run, such as godly management. Likewise to the Bible reading recommendation, if there are things that you genuinely want to read, set aside a short period of time (5-10 min), or a small reading goal (2-3 pages), and do that every day (more or less).

 

[J.L. Allen]

Man, I don't know how this thread slipped by me, but this is exactly where I'm at. It's more that I don't want to read anything but fiction! I just finished seminary and feel a bit turned off from reading technical works. When I do pick up a book "for work," it takes me forever to slog through it. Since May, I've read 7-8 books, but few have been for ministry purposes. I have an ever-growing stack of books that I need to or ought to read.

Granted, I do read a lot for sermon prep. It feels like commentaries, articles, and other resources of the like don't count.

 

[py3ak]

Man, I don't know how this thread slipped by me, but this is exactly where I'm at. It's more that I don't want to read anything but fiction! I just finished seminary and feel a bit turned off from reading technical works. When I do pick up a book "for work," it takes me forever to slog through it. Since May, I've read 7-8 books, but few have been for ministry purposes. I have an ever-growing stack of books that I need to or ought to read.

Granted, I do read a lot for sermon prep. It feels like commentaries, articles, and other resources of the like don't count.

It's generally a good idea to take some time after finishing a major project and read things that are different. A few days of reading recess where you enjoy Sigrid Undset or Eugene Vodolazkin may leave you with more enthusiasm for engaging other matters. And history is almost always a good middle point between profit and enjoyment.

On the ever-growing stack, I don't know your situation, but sometimes that happens because of marketing hype. I ask myself what's the worst thing that will happen if I don't read the glowingly-reviewed latest, and usually the answer seems to be that I'll have to let someone else tell me about it, or acknowledge ignorance of it. So I don't have to read anything written by anyone still alive, unless I know them personally or if it is tailor-made for what I need.

Finally, I understand the feeling that obligatory reading in resource works doesn't count. I don't count them either, until I get to the end. But they do take up reading time, so the level of frustration over not reading can be reduced to reflect your realistic possibilities, not your impossible ideals.

 

[ZackF]

Find some rest in the fact that, wait for it..............not everyone is a reader. Church history is loaded with people who couldn't read. Now, I realize that you are a reader as most who frequent the PB. I suggest reframing your "slumps" as merely being periods of time where you are not a reader.

 

[Ed Walsh]

Do any of you experience reading slumps? What do you do when you don’t feel like reading? How do you get back into it?

Michael Reeves told a story of somebody who met Luther and was enamored at how faithful he was. Luther replied, "Are you kidding, last week I didn't read or write anything. I wasted the whole week."

So don't feel so bad.

 

[Faithhopelove24]

audiobooks. Easier to finish one then you can take that momentum

Trying this now, thanks

I've found breaking books into smaller chunks is helpful. Saying to myself, "you need to read these 10 books!" can feel overwhelming and daunting to where I don't want to do it, but saying to myself, "you need to read 3 pages this hour" is much more manageable. Plus, accomplishing the smaller goals then spurs me on to want to reach the next goal and so on. (I think I recall there is something chemically related to the brain by reaching these little goals that gives good "feels" that encourage more goal accomplishing).
Another thing that has helped me is tracking my reading on Goodreads. It is now almost a game to see how much progress I can make and it helps to see what other friends are reading and their progress. Lastly, it's okay to take breaks from reading. as long as one is not neglected daily bible reading. When I get into slumps from reading more difficult and thought-provoking theological works, I will take a break by reading an easy fiction book or something related to history for fun. It's amazing how easy a modern book is to read when you've been working through the Puritans for an extended period!

I’ve been trying to determine whether Goodreads is helping me or getting in the way. I don’t really utilize the social aspect of it though, maybe I should try that

Man, I don't know how this thread slipped by me, but this is exactly where I'm at. It's more that I don't want to read anything but fiction! I just finished seminary and feel a bit turned off from reading technical works. When I do pick up a book "for work," it takes me forever to slog through it. Since May, I've read 7-8 books, but few have been for ministry purposes. I have an ever-growing stack of books that I need to or ought to read.

Granted, I do read a lot for sermon prep. It feels like commentaries, articles, and other resources of the like don't count.

I do read a lot for preaching/teaching prep etc. So maybe I get a little discouraged because it’s hard to tangibly see that work I’ve put in. Hey, I don’t blame you for being burnt out for a bit after seminary!

Find some rest in the fact that, wait for it..............not everyone is a reader. Church history is loaded with people who couldn't read. Now, I realize that you are a reader as most who frequent the PB. I suggest reframing your "slumps" as merely being periods of time where you are not a reader.

Michael Reeves told a story of somebody who met Luther and was enamored at how faithful he was. Luther replied, "Are you kidding, last week I didn't read or write anything. I wasted the whole week."

So don't feel so bad.

Love this!! Thanks

 

[J.L. Allen]

It's generally a good idea to take some time after finishing a major project and read things that are different. A few days of reading recess where you enjoy Sigrid Undset or Eugene Vodolazkin may leave you with more enthusiasm for engaging other matters. And history is almost always a good middle point between profit and enjoyment.

On the ever-growing stack, I don't know your situation, but sometimes that happens because of marketing hype. I ask myself what's the worst thing that will happen if I don't read the glowingly-reviewed latest, and usually the answer seems to be that I'll have to let someone else tell me about it, or acknowledge ignorance of it. So I don't have to read anything written by anyone still alive, unless I know them personally or if it is tailor-made for what I need.

Finally, I understand the feeling that obligatory reading in resource works doesn't count. I don't count them either, until I get to the end. But they do take up reading time, so the level of frustration over not reading can be reduced to reflect your realistic possibilities, not your impossible ideals.

I've been pondering your comment and find it encouraging! Thank you.

I do read a lot for preaching/teaching prep etc. So maybe I get a little discouraged because it’s hard to tangibly see that work I’ve put in. Hey, I don’t blame you for being burnt out for a bit after seminary!

Thank you. I've now heard from a few people that this is rather normal.



This has been a good thread!

 

[Recipient of Grace]

Michael Reeves told a story of somebody who met Luther and was enamored at how faithful he was. Luther replied, "Are you kidding, last week I didn't read or write anything. I wasted the whole week."

So don't feel so bad.

Reminds me of a quote from Calvin when he was on his deathbed, and his friends told him to take it easy and rest for a little while; he said, “What! Would you have the Lord find me idle when He comes?”

How those godly men of old labored in their Master’s vineyard!