Ever since I started this blog, back in very late 2012, I have periodically suffered emotional and intellectual fatigue from reading. This condition is doubtlessly exacerbated by reading books that are disturbing, emotive and just damn good, but equally a book I don’t like can seriously drain my reading mojo too.
As I read a lot (don’t want to keep bringing it up but I read 235 books last year), I often suffer from periods of what I call reader’s block, when I cannot take in what I’m reading and it’s difficult to get interested and into the next book. The ideal remedy is that exceptional read that reminds you why you love reading so much, but if you have towering to-be-read pillars of books like me it’s difficult to find that one book that will reach these high heights without picking up another disappointing read. The best remedy is to reset and move on.
I have moaned about reader’s block, aka losing my reading mojo, a few times here, but this post is about how I have managed to avoid it since the beginning of 2016.
Usually it’s around about now, roughly one quarter of the way through the year that I get my first reader’s block. I was expecting it sooner as I have been reading fractionally more books per month this year. However, I have found indulging other interests and not having a book open immediately after finishing one has helped. Basically the time I have spent reading nothing and not feeling pressured to read, has helped me read more.
It can quite honestly feel like a milestone around your neck if you constantly feel pressure to be doing something all the time. Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing I love more than reading but if the drive to read comes from necessity rather than passion it becomes somewhat diluted.
Other things I do when I’ve finished a book that has affected me range from watching TV shows I would otherwise not bother with and therefore have no idea what people are talking about, as I do not watch much television, to picking up my crocheting and going back to my colouring books. I also have watched more films at the cinema this year and am looking into a few festivals.
As I have mentioned before I have scheduled dates with my husband where wireless devices are banned and we are taking it upon ourselves to get to know what’s going on around us more locally, discovering new eateries, farmers markets and even car-boot sales.
These few days of total breaks from reading seem to galvanise me to attack my reading list with joy and enthusiasm rather than fatigue and world-weary irritation. So no matter how much you read, total breaks where you are preferably physically more active only aids concentration in my personal opinion.
Ajoobacats Blog 
This is very interesting. Good term, reader’s block.And yes, I can see that happening. The way I deal with this is alternating genres. Fiction and non fiction, novels and poetry, It is a bit like alternating various workouts in the gym. If you use some muscles all the time, they start hurting!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t read much non-Fiction, maybe I ought to try.
LikeLike
If you are interested in history non fiction Postwar by Tony Judd is amazing and easy read.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sounds good I will look it up.
LikeLike
I completely understand where you are coming from! This is very relatable and you are not alone. I sometimes feel emotionally exhausted after I have read several books as well.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve often fallen asleep whilst reading and dreamt myself into the plot. The darker the book the more exhausted I get but I’m just don’t find relaxing reads appealing but I feel like I should alternate thrillers with possibly romance or non-fiction.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Great post. I’m feeling something akin to this at the moment. I’m enjoying a lot of what I’m reading (I’ve had a good run of decent books recently) but sometimes find the pressure of blogging (which is purely self-inflicted) to get in the way of enjoying a book.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Finding a way to ease up on myself has definitely made me feel more enthusiastic about reading again. I sat and thought about how often I waned to blog a week and took away two blog posts so I had a break I could live with. Blogging and reading should be fun, if something is taking away from that fun a time out is needed.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Agreed. Amazing how much pressure we put on ourselves unnecessarily, isn’t it?
LikeLiked by 1 person
I believe there should be courses helping us to manage our own expectations.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I absolutely agree with taking a break. I do that as well and come back renewed.
Great post!
LikeLiked by 1 person
A break away from devices and books in fresh air is even better.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I didn’t have a name for it (great name: reader’s block), but I feel the same sometimes. Great suggestions to combat it, too. Here’s hoping you get your mojo back, and soon. ~nan
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. I have had no choice but to be out and about for appointments this week, but I am looking forward to a quiet week next week to be alone with my books again.
LikeLike
Great post! I feel like this sometimes with different things. Kind of burn out. Or like there’s a to-do/watch/read/write list hanging over me. Ugh. I like your advice. 😊😊😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
I have this same issue. Usually about now-20-30 books into the year. And then in the summer when I’m too hot and sticky to want to do anything. 😀 great advice!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It can be hard to concentrate with other things going on around me or if I feel poorly, but other pursuits are not contraband no matter how much I love reading.
LikeLiked by 1 person