Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme created by the Broke and Bookish and hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl where we get a new topic for a top 10 list.
As you all know, this year has not been the most productive reading wise for me. It’s safe to say I am most definitely in a slump. I recently wrote a discussion post on how I’ve come to embrace my book slump. However, if you are desperate to get rid of this slump then these type of books are the ones I’d recommend you turn to when facing a reading slump.
1. Contemporary Books
There are a lot of variations in contemporary fiction. Some tackle some hard-hitting truths, explore difficult topics, and will continuously punch you in the feels. However, you also get those summer romances that sweep you off your feet. The ones that have that feel-good vibe, but also have plenty of heart and brilliant character dynamics. The benefit of these books is that they have an addictive quality to them. Once you get started it becomes impossible to put it down. These are the ones I’d turn to when I’m in a slump.
Recommended Books: Nowhere but Here | Amy & Roger’s Epic Detour | My Life Next Door
2. Anthologies
Short story anthologies have become a rising trend lately. So many authors have published a selection of short stories that are either based in their world or are part of a thematic collection. The beauty of these anthologies is the fact that you don’t have to follow a continuous plot for an average of 300+ pages. Instead, you get the benefit of reading shorter standalone tales that can easily stand apart from the rest of the novel but can also play a collective role in the universe those stories take place in. It’s also a great way for us to re-immerse ourselves in out favourite universes so you also get that sense of familiarity to them.
Recommended Collections: The Language of Thorns | Stars Above
3. Something New
Maybe the cause of your reading slump is the fact that you’ve grown tired of reading the same genre. A reading slump is a perfect chance to try reading a new genre, one you wouldn’t typically read from. For me, this genre would be the Classics. In the past I have struggled with reading classic books, they’re either too dense or just don’t capture my attention. However, there are some classics that make a case for themselves and what surprised me was how short some of these classics are. It’s also important to note that classic books can also be your childhood favourites or even modern classics, so you really have a wide range to chose from. This method might be a hit or miss, but it doesn’t hurt to try something new every now and then.
Classics to try: The Pearl | Lord of the Rings | Peter Rabbit
4. Old Favourites
Perhaps the best method to cure a book slump is to turn to your favourite books. Re-reading is a great way to help push you out of that slump because there is nothing more comforting that reacquainting yourself with a favourite book. The beauty of re-reading is that you already know what to expect, but still get that sense of anticipation when reading. It also gives you a chance to reconnect with your favourite characters and pick up on the smaller, subtle details that further enhances that reading experience.
Recommended Favourites: I’ll Meet You There | Six of Crows | Shades of Magic
Those are the books I’d turn to pull me out of a slump.
Which books would you read when faced with a reading slump?
I love how you arranged these by genre, that’s such a good idea! Old favourites are definitely winners, as you’re already guaranteed to love them, and anthologies is a good shout because each story is usually slightly different and you’ll never get bored reading them. Great post Lois! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. Old favourites are my go-to for slumps, but then it’s the question of choosing which one that makes it such a hard choice haha.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Haha yeah, it’s always so tough to choose between books you love! That’s when whenever someone asks me what my #1 favourite book is, I can never just pick one!
LikeLike
I love the way you divided up the list, it’s my favorite I’ve seen today! I’ll Meet You There and SoC are 1000% two novels – well, series in the latter’s case – I’d reread if I were in a slump. Also, yes to short story collections – reread or otherwise, they are a great way to get out of a slump, and I loved the two you mentioned.
Veronika @ The Regal Critiques
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you so much for your lovely comment. I also love the fact that I’ll Meet You There is getting more love. That book deserves to be spotlighted at all times haha. Re-reading is probably my go-to method for breaking slumps, but it usually takes forever for me to pick with book to re-read haha.
LikeLike
Ugh YES to A Darker Shade of Magic, Nowhere But Here and My Life Next Door! I sped through all of those – so good! *_*
LikeLiked by 1 person
Those books are just so addictive. I can never get enough of them.
LikeLike
The Language of Thorns and A Darker Shade of Magic were both on my list this week too!
My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2018/08/21/top-ten-tuesday-173/
LikeLiked by 1 person
You can never go wrong with those books. 😀
LikeLike
You definitely can’t!
LikeLike
I’m always SO happy when I see you mentioning I’ll Meet You There – and I will forever be grateful for your recommendation of that one, I loved it so, so, SO much, I can’t wait to re-read it someday. This book deserves ALL the love ❤ I really love your contemporary choices, too, My Life Next Door and Amy & Roger are such great books 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Any chance I can get I will shout my love of I’ll Meet You There. It is my mission to give it the spotlight it deserves haha.
LikeLiked by 1 person
And you are doing GREAT 😀
LikeLike
I would totally recommend Nowhere But Here for a book slump!
LikeLiked by 1 person
How can anyone not love a bad boy biker with a heart of gold romance?
LikeLiked by 1 person
LOTR is a great choice! I definitely agree that Six of Crows would be a good one to get out of a slump as well. I really need to get around to reading Stars Above one of these days. Great list!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I feel like Six of Crows has that perfect combination of character development and a fast-paced plot that the reader will never get bored by it.
LikeLike
I’m ashamed I haven’t read any of the contemporary books even though I’m a big fan of them! Will keep a mental note to turn to them when I have my next reading slump 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
All three of those books are super addictive. They’re perfect reading slump materials because they’re just so addictive.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Lunar Chronicles could easily pull me out of a reading slump. I added them to my list because fairytales are my go-to books anytime. Great list!
LikeLiked by 1 person
You cannot go wrong with that series!! 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wholeheartedly agree! I love it so far 🙂
LikeLike
Totally agree with ADSOM, it made my list too! I’ve seen A Language of Thorns on loads of lists, thinking I should pick it up sometime!
My ttt: https://bookslifeotheroddities.wordpress.com/2018/08/21/10-books-to-bring-you-out-of-a-slump/
LikeLiked by 1 person
The Language of Thorns remains to be my favourite read of the year. The tales are so dark and twisted.
LikeLike
Oh, I love the books you’ve picked! I’ve read like half of them and definitely agree that they would most likely work for people who find themselves in an unfortunate slump.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. Any book that has an addictive quality to them is perfect for reading slumps.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lots of these are fantastic for a reading slump! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
They really are. 😀
LikeLike
This is such a thoughtful list! I also love returning to old favorites and find that it’s often the quickest way to feel a reading spark again.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Old favourites are my go-to options for tackling reading slumps.
LikeLike
I hope your slump ends soon! Trying a new genre or rereading a favorite is a quick way to get me out of a slump. I love your recommendations!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you. I managed to read some pages the other night so I’m slowly getting myself back on the wagon, but we’ll see how long that lasts haha.
LikeLike
LOVE John Steinbeck! BUT I’ve never read The Pearl… East of Eden is one of my favorite books of all times. Have you read it?
The Shades of Magic series is an absolute favorite too!!!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I haven’t read East of Eden, but I’m told it’s epic.
You can never go wrong with the Shades of Magic series and I can’t wait to get my hands on the spin-off series.
LikeLike