How I got out of a year of Reading Slump?

If you are a bibliophile- who survives life by reading books and reading books is your only escape- but somehow you have been into something called a “Reading Slump” or Readers block” then you are at the right place.

As much as I need to paint and write to stay sane and grounded I also need to read to keep my mind on track and let, my not-so-happy soul, breathe in peace.

Read More like this: Reader’s Block

I am the kind of introvert who over time has realized I am surviving this life only through the support of my me-time. I hate indulging – socializing especially within the family-relative circle and reading is the only way I can escape from my not-so-happening life.

Perhaps, the last 2 years have been like a bumpy road for me in terms of freelancing opportunities, personal level, painting and writing. Eventually, reading was not even a part of my messy life.

For the past few months, I have been doing a lot of virtual courses with respect to content writing, content marketing, and social media marketing, watching closely all successful freelancers and how are they making it.

I got exhausted and that’s when I realized I need a break from all this heavy content consumption and need something lighter and happening to bring my drained soul and mind back on track.

So I went through my bookshelf and that’s when I came across this book:

The Diary of Amos Lee- I sit, I write, I flush. by Adeline Foo.

It’s a kind of a comic illustrated book and a very short and sweet one. The protagonist is a kid named Amos lee whose mother has put him into the habit of writing but in the loo while Amos is doing his obvious business.

As weird and unhygienic as this sounds- this book still has the charm to keep you glued to it.

The book gives you events around Amos, and his family which includes his mom who is a writer and get’s assignments to write which are mostly food related. He also has his father, his 5-year-old sister and his grandparents. This book is based in Singapore and gives you a glimpse of their culture and history.

He has 2 best friends in his school named Anthony and Alvin and they call themselves 3A’s. These 3 have a bully in school which somehow they handle on their own and quite well.

If you have read the Diary of a Whimpy Kid- it’s close to similar to it although I find this funnier.

I have read this twice as the first time I read it was years ago. I re-read this only to get myself out of the reading block and this simple, funny and easy reading did help a lot.

Sudha Murthy-Wise and OtherWise:

I have already given a lot about this book on my Medium Blog post and you can read it there.

Read Here: The first half of 202, the messy me and how Sudha Murthy came to my rescue

However, to give your a little idea if you are new to this book. In this book, Sudha Murthy gives a small insight and shares the various different experiences she had while meeting different people.

It’s a book which really changes your perspective and has so much simplicity in it that you realize- life is pretty simple we humans just love to make it complicated and we should count our blessings every day.

This book is an eye-opener for a lot of us who over time have forgotten what life is all about.

Friends in Small Places- Ruskin Bond

You know I am always late when it comes to some good things.

To give you an example- I became Harry Potter Fan in my 20s and I still have got to read books 6th and 7th-( I am truly ashamed! Trust me.)

Likewise, I became a Ruskin Bond fan only after I read this book. This again is a book filled with the author’s experience and is a short-story collection version book. I thoroughly enjoyed it and can’t wait to read more from the author.

This book also gave me inspiration and motivation to get back to writing and I feel every aspiring writer must read this book.

So these are the books that helped me to get back to reading.

My Brother’s wedding by Andaleeb Wajid

This is a very cliche kind of book. However, I enjoyed it as it was really relatable with respect to how the protagonist Saba gives us insight into her brother’s wedding preparation.

This book is about how Saba the youngest among her sibling, a nerd- wanting to be a writer blogs anonymously about how her fashionista sister and mother happens to be in search of a potential bride for her brother and blogs almost about how did they end up finally finding a bride to how did the wedding preparations go on.

She also happens to blog about her sister Rabia and her married life- Saba’s own very short-lasting crush who turns out to be a jerk to finally finding her soul mate who was right in front of the corner all this while but she realized it a little late.

As much as I enjoyed and could relate to all the wedding preparations which make no logical sense to any logical person but they do exist in some cultures and we have to just gulp it down quietly. As I myself have been through that very recently as my own brother got married in the month of March this year- it kind of took me back to those times when I was in the same shoes as Saba.

The love angle was too predictable and cliche and it felt too easy for things to get back in place.

In all I did enjoy the book, it keeps you hooked to it.

It’s easy to read and good for people who love to read romance- and are at the beginner level as readers.

Tips if you are also going through the reading slump:

1. Start with something light– If you are someone who had started it’s reading journey with romance, or chick-flit novels it’s okay to gi back to them.

2. Read something you had enjoyed previously and won’t mind re-reading it again- If you have a book that you truly loved and can re-read it again. Then maybe giving it another glance will help you get back to reading.

3) Take your time: You don’t need to rush into reading and finishing it. Take your time to read it and don’t think about reading more books as fast as you can. Take your time and enjoy what you are currently reading.

4) Stay committed to your reading time: I make sure to read books before I am off to sleep. The night is the best time for me especially when I am left alone in my room. That is when I enjoy reading the most

Reader’s block or Writer’s block is just a phase but you got to take some baby steps to get out of it. Read something light that you enjoy.

I hope these tips help and if you have read any of these books do share your thoughts on them.