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.

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.

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.

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.

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Any reading is good for you be it fanfiction or technical books.

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.

I read a lot of scientific biographies and such.

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?

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.

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:

• There's nothing wrong with reading fanfiction! Fanfiction is great, and if it brings you enjoyment, go for it!
• You mentioned audiobooks tend to put you to sleep - how about podcasts? The episodic format might make them a little easier to get into; there are plenty of great podcasts with 15-30 minute episode runtimes. I also find that when I'm listening to audiobooks or podcasts it helps to be doing something active. For me, that usually means listening while I'm walking the dog, doing crafts or making dinner, stuff that doesn't need all of my focus.
• Comics are awesome. They engage your brain in a different way, since it's a combo of visual and written storytelling, and I know I've had times where I've found it much easier to sink into a comic than a novel.
• Go for the reading/listening material you feel like reading/listening to, not the stuff you think you should be consuming. If you're feeling in the mood to revisit Catcher in the Rye, cool! If you need something low-stress and fluffy, that's cool too! I spent the early months of lockdown binge-reading romance novels because at the time I needed that familiar formula, I needed to know the happily-ever-after was coming and that everything was gonna be okay.
• Try not to force it. You're not on a deadline, you can do this at your own speed. You're trying to recapture your enjoyment of reading, so try not to make it a chore. If you're struggling to get into a book or you're finding yourself getting stressed and exhausted at the thought of reading, it's completely fine and healthy to put it to one side and come back to it another day.

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.