As the school year settles in, it means it’s also reading slump season for many young literary enthusiasts. You might be familiar with the concept: an extended period of time in which someone who loves to read is struggling to pick up or stick to a book—sort of like writer’s block, but with reading. Although it can feel quite frustrating, you’re not alone. In fact, evidence suggests that the percentage of people reading for pleasure has been declining since the 1940s. In a world where we are increasingly overwhelmed with information, on top of the many responsibilities that may eat up our time, it is hard to tend to our love of reading.
So, is it even important to read? Studies show it’s a resounding yes; in addition to the fact that reading can make you more empathetic, grounded, and healthy, it is also important for your development as a writer. To quote New York Times bestselling author Stephen King, “In order to be a good writer, you need to read a lot and write a lot.”
I've been there myself, time and time again. Reading can go on the back burner for one reason or another— being overwhelmed with school work, or not having any books that I’m currently excited about—and from there it can become a slippery slope. Once I’ve taken reading out of my orbit, I have to work to get it back.
Here are some things that I’ve done in the past to successfully drag myself out of a reading slump (in no particular order).
In the first semester of my senior year of high school, I felt like college applications occupied all of my time and thoughts. Making room for anything outside of my academic bubble was difficult. I didn’t see how I was going to break out of the reading slump I found myself in.
Since it was hard to step away from my academic time, I simply had to incorporate reading into my school time. Being the president of my school’s book club proved to be a huge blessing. I tried books outside of my comfort zone and had so much fun chatting with my peers and teacher. Reading can feel very solitary, but it truly is a social act. Many people can offer unique perspectives on great stories if you seek them out.
Picture your dream reading spot. For me, it is curled up by a fireplace on a cold December afternoon. Oh, or maybe in New York City’s Bryant Park with a friend. Not a single worry in the world, just me and my book—but of course, this is a dream.
I think every reader wishes they could come across the “perfect” opportunity to read, but a lot of the time, it doesn’t work out like that, especially when you’re overwhelmed or feeling sluggish. But that doesn’t always mean you should save that book for next month.
If your dream read isn’t possible, make sure to schedule some time to have a mediocre read. Squeeze in 10 minutes on your way to school or in between classes. Read a chapter before you go to bed or right as you wake up. It is easy to tell ourselves, “I’ll just wait until next week, I’m too busy,” or “this isn’t how I usually like to read,” but that thinking is exactly what widens a reading gap. Taking baby steps back to your reading goal can be so helpful.
If you don’t like to read in little bursts, another option may be to pick a day or two out of the week and literally schedule 20 minutes to read. Put it into your calendar if you have to. No matter what else you may have going on, prioritizing this time to relax and focus on your passions can close out a reading slump and help you establish a healthier work-life balance.
Remember: reading is productive. In high school, I would sideline reading in favor of school work or relaxing time because I felt like I needed them more. It was only after a friend of mine pointed out how important it is to us as writers to incorporate literature into our daily lives that I realized the flaw in my thinking. Reading belongs in both academic and personal time because it bolsters my growth in both categories. So, if you feel like reading is a waste of time, it isn’t.
On that same note, if you feel like you truly have no time to read, think again. Unknowingly, we all lose a lot of our valuable time and brain power to our phones. Whether it is doomscrolling on Tik Tok or being engulfed in Twitter celebrity discourse, we turn what could be reading time into social media time.
Don’t get me wrong—there are a few books on my shelf that watch in disappointment as I put off starting them because I didn’t have the time or energy, only for me to waste time on my phone.
Instead of beating yourself up, though, think of ways that you can reduce your screentime. For me, I have time limits enforced on weekdays, so I know when I’ve spent too much time on one particular app. There are also productivity apps that may help you manage your usage if you struggle with making good use of your time in general.
Remember, the time we spend on books is nourishment, but the same cannot be said for time spent on social media. Literature can be a part of your self-care!
Sometimes, the key to digging yourself out of a reading slump is to get inspired by the things that are keeping you busy in your day-to-day life. Think about things that have been occupying a lot of space in your mind, like world events, the last movie you watched, or something in your personal life. Then, search for books that may suit what is happening in your life.
A trip down memory lane is also a great source of inspiration. Consider rereading a book that you loved when you were younger or reading a book similar to one you once loved. Having a comfortable read as your launch pad can very easily offset the overwhelming feelings that may have pushed you into a reading slump.
Finally, a reading goal can be the final push that you need. Right now, I am slowly but surely moving towards my Goodreads goal of reading 24 books this year. Being able to track my progress has been a huge motivator for me. For readers who struggle with productivity, this may be another great way to record your use of time related to literature.
Reading is fun, but it definitely isn’t easy. There are always ways to improve your literary analysis skills and expand your worldview, but isn’t that the whole point? Where there is struggle, there is reward. So, don’t be discouraged by that slump. Instead, overcome that hurdle and continue towards your goal.
About Cameron
Cameron, 18, is from Queens, New York. She is pursuing a bachelors degree in English with a Creative Writing emphasis and Economics. On Write the World, she is currently serving as 2025-2026 intern. Her favorite genres to read are drama and horror/thriller. When she isn’t reading or writing, she’s baking, watching movies, and spending time outdoors.