Let’s be honest—some Mondays hit harder than others. The weekend’s over, the to-do list is looming, and that stack of books you swore you’d read? Still sitting there. Unopened. Mocking you.
If you’re deep in a reading slump—or tiptoeing on the edge of one—you are not alone. Even the most devoted bookworms hit periods where reading feels more like a chore than a joy. And Mondays? They have a special talent for magnifying that feeling.
But don’t worry. This isn’t a guilt trip. This is your gentle nudge back into the world of stories, one page at a time.
Step 1: Stop Forcing It
Sometimes the pressure to “just power through” a book only deepens the slump. If you’re avoiding your current read like it’s spinach in a smoothie, it might be time to let it go. There’s no shame in DNFing (Did Not Finish) a book—especially if it’s holding your reading joy hostage.
📚 Permission granted: close the book you’re dreading.
Step 2: Go Back to a Favorite
Think of your comfort read as literary chicken soup—warm, familiar, and nourishing. Re-reading a beloved book can reignite your love of storytelling without the emotional or mental risk of a new one.
Some go-to rereads I’ve leaned on during past slumps:
- Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell
- The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
- Pride and Prejudice (yes, again)
What’s your version of a literary security blanket?
Step 3: Try a “Snack” Book
When your brain feels heavy, don’t hand it a 700-page fantasy tome. Try a novella, a graphic novel, a short story collection, or even a YA book with fast pacing and voicey narration. A “snack” read might be exactly what your mind craves.
Some slump-busting reads to consider:
- Before the Coffee Gets Cold by Toshikazu Kawaguchi
- The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
- The Prince and the Dressmaker by Jen Wang
Step 4: Change the Medium
If sitting down with a book feels too still, try switching formats. Audiobooks are amazing for easing back into a reading rhythm—while you walk, clean, drive, or just lie on the couch pretending to do either of the first two.
Bonus: hearing a great narrator might make a meh book feel brand-new.
Step 5: Read Without a Goal
Let go of your Goodreads challenge. Seriously. For now, forget page counts, reading sprints, and TBR pressure. Just ask yourself: “What would feel good to read today?”
Even if you only get through a few pages, you’re reconnecting. That counts.
Final Thought: Reading is a Relationship
Like any long-term love, your reading life has rhythms. Highs, lulls, busy seasons, dry spells. It’s okay to take a step back. It’s okay to fall out of love with books for a while. They’ll always be waiting when you’re ready to return.
So here’s your Monday mantra:
There’s no such thing as falling behind in reading. Only finding your way back.
What helps you break a reading slump?
Drop your favorite comfort read or tip in the comments—let’s help each other find the spark again.
literary gluttony 
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