Reading slump
A reading slump is a stretch of time when nothing holds your attention and you read much less than usual, or not at all.
In a slump you still want to read. You pick up a book, get a chapter in, and put it down again. Common causes are stress, tiredness, falling behind on a reading goal, a TBR so long it feels like homework, or finishing a book so good that everything after it seems flat.
What gets people out of one varies, but a few things come up again and again. Reread something you already love. Try an audiobook or a graphic novel, which ask less of you than a 600-page hardback. Pick a novella so finishing feels possible. Or drop the reading goal for a while, since the counting is often what made reading feel like work.
Plenty of readers slump at the same times every year, like busy stretches at work or the middle of winter. Treating it as normal instead of something to fight usually helps it pass sooner.
Reading slump: common questions
How long does a reading slump last?
Anywhere from a few days to a few months. It usually ends when whatever caused it eases off, and forcing your way through another book rarely speeds that up.
How do you get out of a reading slump?
Reread a favourite, switch to audio, pick something short, or take a break from your reading goal. Anything that makes reading feel optional again tends to help.