I don’t know if y’all have noticed (why is it that I still say y’all even though I haven’t lived in the south for 6 years? Some habits are hard to break, I guess) but I’ve been in a bit of a slump this summer. Sure, I’m still reading and writing reviews, but my heart just isn’t into it. I haven’t had anything wow me. Even if it was wow-able, I’m not sure I could be wowed right now. I just feel… ugh.
I figure a lot of that is due to the heat here this summer, but I’ve been wondering: how do you get through reading slumps? I usually keep plowing through, hoping that something will click, but I’m wondering if that’s not the wrong way to go about things. Any suggestions?
On a completely unrelated note: I’ve wanted to go to a book festival for a long time now. And, considering that I only get one flying trip a year, and that I choose KidLitCon for that (last day for reduced registration! Have you registered??), it means I need to find a book festival that I can drive to. Enter the great state of Texas.
There are two choices this year: The Austin Teen Book Festival on October 1; and the Texas Book Festival on October 22. Right now I’m leaning toward attending the former (they have a published list of attendees, including many YA authors that I love; it’s inside), but a lot of that depends on you. I was talking to Amanda on FB the other night, and she threw out the idea that any festival would be a LOT more fun if we could get other bloggers together. So, what say you? Anyone out there willing to come to Austin sometime in October and hang at a book fest?
The Book Nut 
I get through a reading slump by picking up something in a completely different genre than what I usually read. That almost always does the trick.
I used to live in Austin, and the Texas Book Festival is amazing. It sounds like the Austin Teen Book Festival has really grown by leaps and bounds. It was a pretty small outfit when I worked there.
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I was going to say the same thing as Madigan…to try reading something completely different. I'd also suggest some books that you can breeze through, like graphic novels or ones written in verse.
I'm in SC, so won't be attending anything in Texas, but am curious about how to find a similar event in my state. I just moved to SC and want to get hooked in.
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The new blog is up, btw: agignac2.blogspot.com
Just posted the shutting down announcement this morning.
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Rereading an old favourite can help, too.
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Amanda: cool. Thanks!
Kelly: I really should give that a try…
Miss K: have you tried just googling South Carolina Book Festivals? I don't know where you are, but I did find this one: http://www.scbookfestival.org/
Good luck!
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I am in a bit of a slump, just like you I am still reading and (trying to) stille reviewing, but bleehh, my heart is not in it.
I have been through this before, and one day it is just gone. The thing is that a slump can last a few days and more than a year! I can never tell, but when I am in it, I do not try to find a way out, because I know I will be back reading at some point.
I jsut visited the South for almost 3 weeks (didn't go to Texas though) so unfortunately I will not be coming back soon 😦 Something that I would truly enjoy though!
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I would suggest switching to a different interest for a short period. Everyone needs a vacation – even from things they love. After awhile, the book urge will return. Good luck.
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I hear you. I'm a reading slump myself. I tried to power through with some heard-they-were-great YA's, but my heart wasn't in it.
When I have reading slumps, I tend to reread some old, easy favorites – books that make me dive in and are less about plot than being in that place with the characters.
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