Summer is close to coming to an end. Where I’m from, school is actually about to start. So, summer break is coming to an end here too. If you’re a parent, or even if you aren’t, but are busy during the summer season, then you might struggle to get back into reading. But how to get back into reading after a busy summer?
I’ve gone through this quite a few times, whether I was just busy or I’ve just been in a rut. It seems lately like I have just been in more of a rut than anything else.
This post can be applied to whether you are busy or just in a rut, because both can cause you to struggle with reading or make it difficult to get back into it. I’ve gone through both, and sometimes they can cause it to be equally as hard to get back into reading.
So how can we get back into reading when it starts to feel like a chore after a really busy season or just a really big reading slump?
How to get back into reading
For many people, summer is a busy time of year. Children who attend public or private schools are out of school, and this is the time when many people go on vacation or spend time outside their homes. That is, if you have children who can’t exactly entertain themselves. Trust me, I get it. So, what are some ways to get back into reading after a pretty busy summer?
I feel like starting back is the hardest part of getting back into reading. But you have to start somewhere, right? So, make sure when you’re getting back into reading, make sure to start small.
Start small
I know that this may seem obvious, but sometimes obvious isn’t so obvious when you’re stuck. At least that’s how it is for me. When I’m stuck or have a busy season, it always seems like I can’t think straight. If I’m going to be honest, I do tend to go big or go home when it comes to getting back into things. I always try to go all in when I’m getting back into what I used to enjoy, and that’s not the way to go. I know that I’m not the only one who is this way, either.
So, what do I mean by start small? I mean that if you tend to load all of the books on yourself. Just pick one book that catches your attention and leave it at that. This way, when you only have one book, then you aren’t pressured to read a complete monthly TBR.
Read a short book
Honestly, this can be aimed towards reading a short book or reading a book with short chapters. They are both as effective. Honestly, I love short books and books with short chapters because I already feel like I’m a slow reader. But reading short books and books with short chapters tends to boost my ego a bit and makes me feel like a pretty fast reader.
This is probably going to vary by reader, though. I know sometimes if you have been extremely busy or have been in such a rut that even the smallest books can’t bring you out of it. If that’s the case, then it’s probably better to just outright take a break. If you’re pushing it, then you’re only going to cause it to get worse. You’ll know when you’re ready to fully get back into it, and if you don’t, then you can always just try again. Just make sure not to push it because it will only make it worse.
Join a book club
Don’t have a book club in your area? Then create one. A lot of libraries actually have a book club, but I understand some of you guys probably live in a rural area and libraries are a good distance away. Either that or your library just might be small and isn’t open often. If the library is an issue, then maybe create your own. I know that if the library doesn’t have one, then your town probably really needs one.
Now, on the other hand, if you live in a rural area and want to join one, then maybe it’s a good idea to take the leap and go to the book club at the library. If the distance is the problem, then I highly suggest just going because when you are living in a rural area then you don’t have a lot of choices. Take that with a grain of salt, though, because if you’re dealing with a money issue or only have one car, then it’s not just the distance that’s a problem.
If money is part of the issue, then there are online book clubs. Some of these book clubs even offer live streams where you can talk about the book that way.
Joining a book club can be a good thing! But even though some things seem like a good thing, they do have a tendency to come with bad things too. You need to be careful about which book clubs you join because they could make things worse. What I mean is that if you join a book club that only reads romance, but you despise romance, then that’s not going to help you whatsoever. So make sure to do some research on what they read and if it aligns with what you like before randomly joining.
Reread one of your favorite books
This has helped me out a ton, and I know it’s helped a lot of others, too. There’s a reason why certain books wind up being your favorite, and you just can’t stop talking about them. This is a good way to bring that “spark” back. It brings your attention back to books and what sparked that love from the start.
Set a timer
If you’re anything like me, then you tend to try to read for too long when you have things to do. But sometimes it’s hard to work on reading and also the other things that you want to do. If it’s a good book, then that makes it even harder. Setting a timer helps because it tells your mind that you’ve accomplished something. You don’t even have to set it for long, either. Setting a timer is a great way to start because it helps you start incorporating that time for it that you probably didn’t think you had. If you are truly wanting to get back into reading, then you need to start pushing to include it in your day, and timers are great for that.
Pick a genre you know you love
So, picking a genre you know you will love can either make or break getting back into reading. Yes, picking out a book from your favorite genre is important. There’s a reason you like it so much, and this would be a good start to get you back into reading. BUT!! There have been times when I have gotten into a rut because I have been reading so much of a particular genre. I’m just throwing this out there, but sometimes it’s great to just get out of your comfort zone. Sometimes, trying something new can be all that you need if you’re in a rut because of reading a lot of the same genre.
Read in your favorite spot
I’m going to be honest, I don’t have a favorite spot in my home. I usually just read in my bedroom, mostly because that’s just what I’m used to, and it’s an area in my house that I can get comfortable in. But if I’m going to be honest, my favorite spot would be somewhere outside that’s comfortable, cozy, shady, and decorated. Or it would be somewhere with a great view. Or it would be somewhere inside that is well decorated, comfy, and a spot just for me. But right now, with young kids, it’s hard to have a spot just for me. So, that’s something that’s just going to have to wait until they get older. Plus, I live in the south, and during the summer it’s been getting up to 100 degrees, and the bugs are EVERYWHERE!
But having a favorite spot is a great way to get back into reading. It’ll give you a spot to look forward to going to. It’ll wind up becoming your favorite spot to go to in your space. Make sure to decorate it how you want to and what you’re going to want to go back to to read even more.
Conclusion
So, how to get back into reading? There are many ways for you to be able to do this. I know that it can be hard sometimes, especially when you’ve been busy. For some of you, it might even be hard to settle down and read after being so busy. It usually is for me, and I’m sure it’s the same way for others, too.
Just remember to take things slow when it comes to getting back into reading. We aren’t in a race to read as many books as we can. I know social media has distorted this just a bit for all of us, because it seems like everyone is reading hundreds of books in a year. It’s hard not to feel bad about that, or feel like you need to compete with others, but you don’t!
Make sure to start incorporating reading into your daily schedule and start off slow! If you like this post, then maybe you’ll like my post on how to read more as a busy mom. Also, make sure you join our newsletter so you can get more tips and tricks when it comes to reading!
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