Reading slumps are the worst, so try these books!
I have a long, strong and toxic relationship with reading slumps. Sometimes I get one after reading a really good book that leaves me in a hangover and not able to read anything for another week. Sometimes life just happens and however big my TBR is, no book can make me feel the need to pick it up or read more than ten pages.
I am sure so many readers have dealt with RS and I know how frustrating it can be, especially when you have a good stack of reads that you are excited for, so you just feel bad for not enjoying them. There are a few solutions for this problem though:
- Just take a break - YES! Reading is a part of who you are, but is it really worth it if you force yourself to read a good book and not enjoy it fully? Nope! Put everything down, relax, go do other things that you are in the mood for and the need for reading will eventually come, even after a few months.
- Read something short and/or random - sometimes all we need is that book that came out of nowhere that makes your TBR jealous. It happened to me so many times to strat the most random book I came across on TikTok and got me back in the game, opening my appetite for the real deal.
Here are some of the books that helped me get out of my reading slump in the past and can maybe help you with yours. Worth giving it a shot!
"One True Loves" by Taylor Jenkins Reid
This book has everyyything it needs to keep you engaged until the very end. Did someone say "a very well written love triangle"? Taylor did! All I could think about while reading was: OMG! WHAT IS SHE GOING TO DO NOW? WHO ARE YOU PICKING? WHY DO I LOVE BOTH OF THEM?
I devoured this book in two days (I could've finished it earlier if I didn't have a job, but I can't complain, so, ya' know). This book is perfect for any fiction lover, it's fun, captivating, romantic, full of uncertainty and has such a good ending!!!
In a RS or not, you should definitely read this.
"My Dark Vanessa" by Kate Elizabeth Russell
My Dark Vanessa isn't about romance. There is absolutely no romance happening in this book, but a toxic and horrible relationship based on grooming. This books is about a girl tuned into a woman, about how time can and can't change perceptions. Wisdom doesn't always come with age, if whoever implanted the thoughts in your mind you thought to be wiser.
This is a very not romanticised story about a relationship between a student and her teacher, but the real side of it. It's about trauma and the difficulties one can come across when the wrong person gives you the right attention.
"The Hades Hangmen" Series by Tillie Cole
I warn you - this series is as dark as it can get!! I saw a few quotes from the first book in a reel and decided to go to KU immediately. "Sick Fux" was dark, but this?? This is like nothing I have ever read in my life, and I loved it! With every book it just gets better and better, more and more twisted and the scenes are extremely explicit. Please read the trigger warnings before you read it. It is marked as 18+ for many reasons.
One of the most important TW: Some of it is based on true events shared by women who escaped religious cults.
"Anastasia" by Sophie Lark
"Anastasia" was by far my favourite read of 2022. This book was the main reason why I made that KU subscription in the first place and, man, it did not disappoint. Do you know those big, intimidating books that are half filled with extra scenes, not relevant for the story, boring you to sleep? Well this is not one of them!
"Anastasia" is a fantasy retelling of the princess we all know and love, but in such an emotional, well thought, complex and amazing manner. It was the first book I read by Sophie and I just could not put it down. If I could describe it in one word, it would be: fascinating.
The world she created, the growth of every character, the emotion and faith, all unreal. I would recommend this book to absolutely everyone!
"The Tattooist of Auschwitz" by Heather Morris
I adore historical fiction, especially when the action takes place around WWI and WWII. I could make an entire post about these books (and I will), but "The Tattooist of Auschwitz" has a special place in my heart. Based on the true story of Lale Sokolov, one of the jews imprisoned in Auschwitz during WWII, this book won't let you put it down until the very last page.
Emotional, sad, heartbreaking and extremely informational, giving the readers a clearer understanding of the terrors that happened it that time, it is a five star book that I devoured in a few hours and I also encourage everyone to read.
"A Thousand Boy Kisses" by Tillie Cole
Tillie is back with another banger. Most of you know and love this book, but if there are any readers out there who escaped the ugly cries provoked by this story, this is your sign to pick it up and grab your tissues. If at first I thought it'd be a fluffy and uneventful book, after a few chapters I had to take breaks every five minutes, as I could not see the pages clearly from all the tears.
I can never listen to "If I could Fly" by One Direction again without bawling my eyes out.
Did you read any of these books or authors? If you have any recommendations for getting over reading slumps and want to share them with other struggling readers, feel free to write them down in the comments!
Until next time, enjoy the realms others created! ✨