Reading slump
I love reading, but I feel like I have so little time for it... or perhaps it is more how I value or see my time. It's the same thing with T.V. shows versus movies in my opinion. I would rather watch 5-10 episodes of a show in a sitting (or thrown on in the background) than a movie. It might sound weird, but I feel like I accomplished, or learned, more with the episodes than the movie. I don't dislike movies, and there are plenty that I love (Nightmare Before Christmas being my favorite movie of all time btw!) but I just never have a strong desire to watch them. Go figure that I love watching movies in theaters though.
I think it comes down to the fact that to watch a movie in theater is an event. It means going out, and being forced to put the phone away and focus on just the movie, and of course you have to have your drink and snack (my go to is Coke or Dr. Pepper, and either junior mints or something sour- never been a big popcorn at the movies girl). It is setting aside specific time, and that feels more meaningful to me than just watching a movie at home. Don't ask me why, but sometimes the thought of watching a movie just straight up gives me anxiety... I probably should explore that in therapy...
Anyways, I say that to relate how I view reading in the same way. I love reading don't get me wrong. I have books upon books upon books at home, and there have been countless collections donated over the years when I outgrew them. I just can't always justify setting aside that much time to focus on one task. I can read several books in a day, and have, and take great pleasure in it. But I just can't do that all the time, and I get burnt out or overwhelmed by the prospect or process. Unlike with watching a show, or even a movie, you can't do more than one thing while reading. Sure you can listen to audiobooks and do whatever task you need, but I have never been one of those people. I have to completely shut my brain off to be able to focus on an audiobook or a podcast, if I even for just a moment think about ANYTHING else then I lose my focus and am unable to process the information I am being fed. Honestly it is insanely annoying and it prevents me from listening to audiobooks and podcasts most of the time.
Currently I am not super in a reading slump. I have finished 16 books so far this year (the goal is 25!) and I have 9 queued up in NetGalley that I will be working through. With the NetGalley books I don't have a choice to just not read them, well technically I do but that would mean that I won't be considered for books in the future. So it keeps me actively reading, and I of course don't hate it, and so far have read 3 good books that I would recommend (reviews on my Goodreads account, none on YouTube yet). I have been enjoying reading the books on NetGalley, but I honestly have a preference for physical books. I don't mind reading on my devices, and have the kindle app downloaded on everything! I have just always been a physical book lover.
My question is- What do you do when you are in a reading slump? Or what do you do when you feel yourself being pulled into the slump? I need some ideas and motivation for future reference honestly!
-Elizabeth
