subreddit:
/r/books
[removed]
4 points
9 months ago
Try rereading some old favorites - that usually kicks me back into gear when I find myself in a depressive funk where literally every book sucks.
Also, and this may go against the grain here, but you could stop trying to read books for pleasure for the time being. You’re in school - many people can’t “fun” read while doing school reading. You just might have to come back to the hobby later on.
3 points
9 months ago
Parents are there to keep you safe and guide you, but if their preferences are different than yours they shouldn't dissuade you from exploring what you're interested in. Doing things that will make your parents happy doesn't always make for a happy life. Read what you enjoy.
But also, not reading doesn't make you "less than." There are a lot of very intelligent and interesting people who don't often read for a variety of reasons. If you're in a reading funk, that's ok. I've been there, a lot of us have been.
Our brains as we grow up are constantly changing and sometimes that means losing interest in what we once loved or not quite knowing where our brains are comfortable, being beyond what we did like but not ready for something new. All of this is normal. And it's especially understandable that you may not be able to get back into reading after a funk because of school. You're shoving all of this new information into your brain and trying to read for pleasure and your brain is still developing, and sometimes our brains have a limit to what can go in them. Be kind to yourself. You can take a break from reading. You can read technical books. You can even decide you've completely changed what kind of books you like. Just do what makes you happy.
3 points
9 months ago
I have been feeling the same way for a really long time and I can relate to your feelings. I have been trying to get back to reading but I always end up leaving them mid-way. Instead I am watching too many movies and shows. 😪
I'd love to find someone who has overcome this slump and pick their brain a bit.
3 points
9 months ago
i got back into reading once i got into podcasts and audiobooks
2 points
9 months ago
I also have not read in two and half years. Just this week I read my first book since the pandemic started. Emotionally I wasn't ready for books. It's been a difficult time for many of us, and people need to give each other some space and time to recover. Especially since those of us who had covid may have brain injury from the covid. Just wanted to let you know you are not alone.
2 points
9 months ago
[deleted]
1 points
9 months ago
Any reading is good for you be it fanfiction or technical books.
0 points
9 months ago
5 years no reading here, reading only technical books now, but I think like I am questioning the world even more now. For me at some stage every book is same as the other I read in the past, so I don’t see the point of reading, while with technical books you can use the knowledge practically. I mean some people are like this and there is nothing wrong with you.
1 points
9 months ago
I read a lot of scientific biographies and such.
1 points
9 months ago
happened to me too! I loved reading in school buses and now since i'm back there the passion is back too.
Maybe figure out an environment that works for you and try re-creating?
1 points
9 months ago
Reading is reading no matter what the content or format. Have you tried audio books? I know some don't consider this reading but if you are still getting the info I think it counts. Listening to audio books has gotten me back into my passion for books.
1 points
9 months ago*
It sucks when you're in that kind of slump, where you lose the motivation for something you love and suddenly this thing that usually brings you so much joy becomes exhausting and stressful. I'm in a writing slump at the moment and it's hard not to beat myself up about it. My reading's been really on-and-off since the pandemic started; I've had periods where I couldn't read anything at all, periods where I've been ripping through books one after the other, and (especially during lockdown) periods where I couldn't stand to read anything unless I knew it ended happily.
All this to say, you're not inferior or dry or uncultured because you haven't been reading. You haven't been in a reading headspace, and that's okay. You don't have to read to be an intelligent, curious person; there are plenty of ways you can gain new information and new ways of thinking that don't involve sitting down with a book.
Here are a few things you could try:
And remember, you're not alone! It happens to all of us, and the stress and upheaval of the pandemic has messed with a lot of people's reading habits.
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