5 Reading Reminders Blog Post

When I was earning my English degree, I was constantly reading and analyzing 2 to 4 books at a time for my classes, and while much of my required reads were interesting or fun in their own way, I wasn’t reading them for pleasure. They were words to be analyzed and symbols to decode. After graduating, I went into a major reading slump because I didn’t have the energy to read that thoroughly anymore.

That’s when I learned the best way to break a slump is only read what you have energy for, which in my case, was sappy romantic comedies. I needed guaranteed happy endings and lovable characters to vicariously live through. Those books relaunched my love of reading, and now I’m reading more than I ever have, but with the rule that I will no longer force myself to read books I don’t have the energy for.

However, sometimes I still get in my own head about what I choose to read. I’ll wonder if I should be reading “smarter” books, or if I should continue reading something even though I’m not enjoying it. For overthinking readers like myself, I have 5 simple reminders whenever those thoughts interrupt my reading journey.

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This is something I struggled with for a while. When I was reading for my classes, I loved finding the hidden messages and symbolic meaning behind every sentence, and I thought because of my degree, I should only read books that seemed “smart” or “deep”.

The truth is that just because you have a degree in dissecting literature, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy a story at its base form, which is entertainment. Most books are written as a way to escape the dullness of daily life, and I had to remind myself it’s okay for me to just enjoy a book. It doesn’t have to be something I cherish for the rest of my days or write a ten page paper on. It can just be a story to consume.

If it’s pleasurable, don’t feel guilty about it! There are only so many places we feel like we can fully let loose and enjoy what we want, so don’t deny reading as one of them. Right now, my not-so-guilty pleasure books are mafia romances. None of these stories are getting a Pulitzer Prize by any means, but I enjoy how bazar they are. Honestly, those books have more fantastical elements than the actual fantasy genre.

When I start to judge myself for reading those books because they don’t have the best plot or they don’t offer as much “substance” as other novels, I remind myself that I’m reading for the dopamine rush, and if I’m having a good time, it doesn’t matter how ridiculous the story gets!

3. BookTok giveth and it taketh away

Following what other people are reading can help you find your own personal taste, but it shouldn’t dictate everything you read. There are books some people will love that others do not. For example, many readers on TikTok rave about the series, A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas, but other readers may not enjoy its high fantasy elements or that it’s an incomplete series. Just because it’s trendy, and it’s been on every recommended romance list, doesn’t mean non-fantasy lovers should force themselves to read it.

Also, if you find books through the TikTok algorithm you love, check out similar books that maybe aren’t as heavily talked about. You could find a new favorite! Using ACOTAR as an example again, if you loved that series and are looking for books that are similar, try Laura Thalassa‘s The Bargainer series. It has that same enemies to lovers vibe as well as different fae courts and magical elements. It’s rarely talked about on BookTok even though it has very popular tropes.

4. You don’t have to finish the book

Forcing yourself to finish a book is the biggest reading slump inducer. I used to tell myself I couldn’t start a book I actually wanted to read because I wasn’t done with the one a started before it. This led to me reading neither book because I didn’t want to read the story that didn’t hook me, but I felt like I couldn’t just drop it for something else. If you find yourself constantly putting a book down and forcing yourself to pick it back up, the odds are this story doesn’t interest you, and that’s okay!

Some books start slow before ramping up to the action, but they’re worth the wait. If the setting, characters, and overall vibe of the book is compelling to you, definitely keep reading. This reminder is mainly for stories with certain elements or characters you don’t like. If they’re not for you, don’t torture yourself by interacting with them more. (However, this does not apply to hate reads. Sometimes you just crave anger and chaos). Just remember that you’re reading this book for you, and it’s not something you’re forced to finish.

5. Try a new genre once in a while

One might surprise you with a new favorite! It’s easy to always read one genre you’ve grown comfortable with, but branching out leads to new experiences and maybe even learning something about yourself. For the longest time I only read romance or romantic fantasy. Then, I decided to challenge myself by reading a horror novel. I love scary movies, and I’d even taken a class about horror as a genre, but I’d never gone out of my way to read horror books in my free time.

I picked up Such Sharp Teeth by Rachel Harrison, and because of its relatable characters and experiences, it has become one of my new favorites. The best way to describe it is like a re-coming of age story spliced together with a werewolf creature feature. I was glad I tried something new, and I plan on reading more horror novels because of it!

Hopefully you found some of these reminders helpful or insightful. Books can be decisive topics that everyone wants to voice their opinion on, and I am no different. What I like or find entertaining in books may be completely different from what other readers like, and that’s the beauty of building a community around reading. In future posts, I plan to share more of my thoughts on different books, genres, and reading trends, so if you enjoyed this article, keep in touch with me by subscribing!

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