Hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl
Here are ten things that are currently getting in the way of me reading more.
1. The Outdoors
This is the time of year when I want to spend as many hours out in the nice weather as possible.
2. A Reading Slump
Spring is a common time of year for me to have a reading slump. I generally feel more interested in books again once the weather heats up and it’s less fun to be outdoors all day.
3. Seasonal Allergies
4. Trouble Sleeping
My seasonal allergies are in full swing, and that can mean some sniffly nights if the pollen counts are really high or if I accidentally forget to take my medication for it.
5. A Little Bored with Many New Releases
This is something I’m saying with all of the kindness in the world and with the knowledge that it is a me problem just as much – and maybe even more – than it is a publishing or author problem. You see, I’ve been reading speculative fiction for so many years that it’s pretty hard to surprise me these days. Maybe taking a break from this genre will help me be more excited about it in the future?
6. Documentaries
Lately, I’ve been much more interested in nonfiction than I have been in fiction. There are so many amazing documentaries out there!
7. Mental Health
I’ve been struggling with some anxiety and sadness this year. When I do want to read, I’m more interested in cheerful stories than I ever was before.
8. Films and TV Shows
There are so many interesting things out there to watch.
9. My Own Writing
On a more positive note, I’ve been trying to spend more time writing my own stories. Sometimes it can be hard to find a balance there, but I have high hopes.
10. Long Walks
One of the things that helps lift my mood is taking a long walk. The neighborhood I live in has a lot of advantages, but it can be a little rough around the edges. Since I am a woman, I don’t feel comfortable listening to audiobooks while I walk in that area. I’d rather know exactly what’s going on around me at all times even though it’s pretty safe here most of the time.
Definitely agree on the reading! April & May are usually low-book months for me because of how nice it is outside. Good luck with the writing!
Thank you!
#3 has been causing me problems lately, too!
I’m sorry to hear that. Yeah, allergies aren’t fun at all.
Good luck with your writing!
Thank you. 🙂
Long walks can be such a mood booster, though I definitely understand that audiobooks don’t always fit during a walk.
I’m glad you get it.
When I go on long walks I listen to an audiobook. I have been listening to a lot of romcoms. I am finding reading too many books in the same genre, or that are heavier reads, have started sending me into reading slumps.
Yeah, switching up genres can help with that for sure. 🙂
Lydia mentioned a reading slump as well and I never even thought of that being a thing.
I originally heard of it on another Top Ten Tuesday post a few years ago. I wasn’t aware of the term before then!
Oh I hear you on seasonal allergies! I get them violently every year in Spring here and it’s horrid. I get sinus infections as well, if I’m not able to manage them with all the over the counter stuff I load up on. Allergies are a form of torture, I’m convinced.
Ugh, absolutely. Sorry yours are so terrible.
#6! The documentaries out there right now are really good.
I know, right? So good!
These are all really strong reasons not to read! Allergies or generally not feeling well can definitely get in the way. And I hear you about sometimes feeling bored with the books I pick up, especially if they’re mainly from the same genre. I do try to switch things up, but still, there are certain topics and/or sub-genres that I’m more or less done with (at least for now) because nothing feels new anymore.
I’m glad you get it!
I think we should all read to add to our life and it should just augment everything else we are doing. Enjoy life. Enjoy reading!!!!!! Don’t read when life gets in the way. But I do appreciate having trouble reading when I am in funky moods. 2020 was a disaster reading year for me. I quit SO many books. They didn’t speak to me at all or were too big of downers. What keeps me from reading…life!
I totally agree with you there. I was so grateful for positive stories back in 2020 (and through until today, too).
A lovely list. TV is one for me too, but it seems that sometimes there is so much I want to see and at other times there is nothing (despite all the channels we have!!)
Have a great week!
Emily @ Budget Tales Book Blog
I’ve noticed the same thing. Happy Wednesday!
I am glad that you take mental health into account and I hope the books and walks improve your spirits
Thank you very much. I appreciate that. 🙂
I can relate to several of your reasons this week. I’m also a pollen sufferer, and for me pollen makes me really tired. So it’s hard to read when my eyes keep drifting closed. I’m also just starting to read again after a long reading break, which takes some time to settle back into a groove. I get what you mean about your reading genre and feeling a bit bored. I don’t think that’s a bad thing to say at all – I read lots of genres and still get a bit bored from time to time! I really get the mental health aspect, though mine is not the same as what you’re going through (based on what you shared on my blog earlier). But I do know that when you’re really dealing with either difficult circumstances or unbalanced mental health (related or not) reading is hard. It requires a calm mind and body, focus, and emotional input. All of these things can be really hard if you’re going through it. I’m so glad to see that you’re engaging in things like walking and writing to help you deal. I think that’s really positive and I hope that slowly but surely you will begin to feel less anxious and process your grief (though I know that is a long-term thing and never completely goes away – but hopefully it will begin to ease, at least at times). Thank you for sharing!
Thank you! Sorry to hear about your pollen allergies.
All of these. The nice weather does make it kinda hard. New releases too… even though there are some new shinies I want lol I have the same problem.
I’m glad you understand!
I binge too much TV for sure! I have lessened this in the past for more reading time and it’s worked, so hopefully I’ll fall into the less TV pattern again! 🙂 Thanks so much for visiting my website this week. Appreciate this.
You’re welcome. Good luck with your goal to watch less TV!
I can identify with so many of the items on your list! Even though I don’t spend as much time outside as some other people (allergies and being super pale are rough), it seems like I read less in the warmer months, maybe because all my friends come out of their winter hibernations? And I often find that I have to take little breaks from genres and switch things up for a bit to prevent getting burnt out on a genre – I’ll switch to adult fantasy if I’m reading a lot of YA, or I’ll move to historical fiction or mystery or romance for a bit until fantasy starts feeling fresh again.
I’m glad you understand.
Yeah, I try to avoid too much sun, too.
I feel you on the allergies, my hayfever can get rough during the spring and summer though thankfully it seems to have been relatively mild this year (as long as I remember to take my anti-histamines!). Strangely I actually read more in the summer months, I really love lounging outside with a book so I will quite happily do that for hours when the weather is warm. I do feel you on getting burnout from particular genres: I was feeling fairly burned out on fantasy so I read a lot of historical fiction last year but after reading a really good fantasy book earlier this year, I found myself in the fantasy mood again. It’s definitely swings and roundabouts!
My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2023/05/17/top-ten-tuesday-420/
That’s really interesting, Jo! I can see how it would be nice to read outside on warm, comfortable day. 🙂
Reading slumps are the worst! Especially when they hit from out of nowhere.
Absolutely!
I definitely identify with being bored with new releases. I’ve not been on NetGalley as much lately because I am drawn to older books and series I’ve already enjoyed. So much of the new content is awful and I have to be really picky!
I hope we get more great new reads soon. I’m glad I’m on the only one who feels this way sometimes.
Reading slumps are so common for me when the weather is nicer! Seasonal allergies have been insanely terrible this year!
It’s cool we have that in common. Sorry your allergies are so bad.