Every reader hits that wall. The books you usually love start to feel flat. You pick one up to read and you just don’t feel as into it as you once did.
The best way out is simple.
Read something completely different.
Not just another version of what you already like. Not another historical novel or fantasy series that feels familiar. Choose something that surprises you.
If you read fiction, try nonfiction. If you live in the classics, try a fast modern thriller. If you love dark stories, pick something funny or hopeful. Even better, pick something you normally scoff at and try that. See what all the hype is about for those who love that genre.
Recently, I decided to try something new and started reading a few graphic novels. I’ve always scoffed at them. Real readers don’t read comics or manga, I used to think. But it turns out they’re a lot of fun. Completely different from what I’m used to, but still awesome.
Here are a few other ways to jolt yourself out of a reading rut:
Try a new format
Audiobooks, e-readers, or beautifully designed editions can make reading feel fresh again. A shift in texture sometimes changes everything.
Read without pressure
Forget goals for a week. Just read for as long or as little as you like. You can even stop mid-chapter so you want to come back.
Start a tiny reading challenge
Make it playful. A week of ghost stories. Books with one-word titles. Three random first chapters to see what pulls you in.
Change your setting
Reading feels different in a new space. Try a different chair, a new coffee shop, or even headphones with a playlist to shift your headspace. Small rituals remind the brain this is pleasure, not obligation.
Find Fresh Energy
See what readers with completely different tastes are picking up online. Wander through a library display or browse a friend’s shelf. Seeing what excites others can spark new directions of your own.
When reading feels dull, stop trying to reignite the same fire.
Start a new one instead.