The Reading Slump

As readers, there's always the risk of ailments we'll suffer. The book hangover, one more chapter syndrome, the ugly cry, spoilers, etc. Right now, this reader is suffering the reading slump. As in, I can't get through a book.

Oh, I've tried.

I made it a few chapters into The Martian before gently and temporarily setting it down for a book more appropriate of my mood at the time. Given, I did finish Paper Towns by John Green, but I dragged it out way longer than I needed to because, well, reading slump. I've tried listening to an audiobook, the next in a series I've really enjoyed. I'm also most of the way through Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk, one of my favorite authors, most of which was read through in one day. But I just can't find the final push I need to finish it out for no other reason than reading slump.

I think it's possible the last book I read before this reading slump was Truths We Tell, book two in the Truth series by our very own Brenda St. John Brown. That was back in November, which should stand as an example of how bad of a slump I'm in. November. Of last year.

Usually, the reading slump is treated with the right book at the right time, but my book choices and timing haven't been matching up. There is hope, though. While catching up on my shows and sewing this afternoon I saw the trailer for The 5th Wave and it caught my interest enough that I'm contemplating jumping into it before the timing escapes me. Wish me luck!

In the event the next book is also a bust, what is your go-to to pull you out of a reading slump?

--Brianna Lebrecht

One More Chapter Syndrome

I'm going to talk to you today about a very serious affliction. This affliction strikes suddenly and there's no cure for it. It will cause you to not care about the current state of your home, make excuses to justify your actions (or lack thereof), delay the feeding of your household, and lose sleep. Most people also boast a rapid rate of word digestion and forget to shower.

I've recently been self-diagnosed with this affliction. One More Chapter Syndrome is real. And when it hits, it hits HARD.

It started on Thursday. I picked up my book--Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins--while at an appointment and started reading. I was fine at first. I read a little here and a little there, but I didn't stay up terribly late reading like I usually would. By Saturday morning, I figured I'd just read while eating breakfast. But then the chapter ended and I shrugged before continuing. And then that chapter ended and I did the same thing.

Before I knew it, a couple hours had passed and my family was waiting on me to get ready to run errands. I narrowly escaped them confiscating my book altogether. I made it through errands, but I resumed reading as soon as we arrived home. Late Saturday night, I finished my book.

Upon waking Sunday morning, I promptly reserved the companion novel, Lola and the Boy Next Door, figuring I'd find something short to read in the meantime. And I did. I read a bit more of Fables Vol. 4 and I actually read Kimberly G. Giarratano's new short story, One Night Is All You Need, which she mentioned here. I'd recommend it! But I was itching to read Lola. I cracked and ended up buying the Kindle version and, of course, started reading it immediately.

Monday and Tuesday were busy days for me, so I managed to get a few of the necessary things done. Now, at this point, I thought I was recovering. But then yesterday I figured I'd start the day easy and read through breakfast. I did. And then I made myself get up to clean for a bit. But, hey, I needed a snack. Might as well enjoy a few pages, right? A few chapters later, I got back to work. And then it was time for lunch. I cleared another few chapters and made myself work again, trying to ignore the book that was taunting me from my desk. But coffee break! Needless to say, I finished that book last night. Or I guess it was technically this morning.

Today we made a trip to the library so I could collect the next companion novel, Isla and the Happily Ever After. I swear I'm not petting it at this very moment. Really, I'm not. OK. I am. But that's because I have sewing to do and children to teach and a kitchen to clean and... Well, just one chapter should be fine, right?

See what I mean? It's a very serious affliction.

Before I ditch all my duties and lose myself in Paris--again--have you suffered from One More Chapter Syndrome? With what book(s)?