5 Books to Read in a Reading Slump

Reading slumps. We’ve all had them. We all hate them. We all wish there were a magical solution to pull ourselves out of them. Unfortunately, they are here to stay. It is natural for our interest in our hobbies to come and go over the months and years, but when you find yourself in a reading slump it’s hard not to feel frustrated.  

For me, the best way to get out of a reading slump is to pick up something short and fast-paced. The satisfaction of finishing a book is the perfect way to get motivated to start reading regularly again.  
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Here are our top five books to get you out of your reading slump: ​

• The Tattooist of Auschwitz by Heather Morris – Historical Fiction ​

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This beautifully written historical novel is based on the true story of Lale Sokolov, a prisoner in Auschwitz given the task of tattooing incoming prisoners with a number. During his time at the camp, he meets Gita, with whom he falls in love. This book is heart-breaking and very tense at times, but Lale’s resilience and charming personality will make you unable to put it down.  ​

• Attachments by Rainbow Rowell – Romantic Comedy ​

Beth and Jennifer know that their emails are monitored at work, but they don’t take this seriously and continue to send personal (often hilarious) emails. Lincoln hates his job monitoring emails, but when he stumbles across Beth and Jennifer’s conversations, he finds himself falling in love. This book brings an entertaining twist to your regular romcom. It’s easy to read, and the email format adds another level of interest to this novel.  ​

• This is Going to Hurt by Adam Kay – Comedic Non-fiction 
  
  

If you’re more of a non-fiction reader, Adam Kay is the ultimate author for breaking a reading slump. Written in the form of a diary, this book is filled with short, snappy, and ridiculously funny anecdotes from the ex-junior doctor. The short chapters and writing that will literally make you laugh out loud make this book the perfect read for when you’re lacking motivation to get reading. ​

• The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley – Crime 
  

Crime fiction is always a great way to beat a reading slump. The classic “whodunit” genre is nearly always impossible to put down. Lucy Foley takes this one step further in The Hunting Party as she keeps both the murderer and the victim’s identities secret for most of the novel. I couldn’t stop reading this from the moment I picked it up. Foley expertly introduces the character’s backstories, weaving an intricate web of connections, resentments, and secrets between her group of protagonists.  ​

• Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid – Contemporary 
  

If you’re the kind of reader who prefers realistic contemporary fiction, this is the book for you. In this excellent debut novel, Emira Tucker, a 25-year-old black woman, is wrongly accused of kidnapping a white child, Briar Chamberlain, who she is babysitting while at a supermarket. The story follows the relationship between Emira and Mrs Chamberlain after this event. It’s a fast-paced read full of complex characters and challenging issues such as performative anti-racism. You will speed through this book and put your reading slump behind you before you know it.  
 
All of these books tell captivating stories, skilfully written in a way that will be sure to keep you reading till the very last page. However, the most important thing to remember when choosing the right book to get you out of your reading slump is to choose a book that truly excites you. Don’t read something that you think you should read, or the book that has been sitting on your shelf unread so long you can’t bear to look at it. Read something that will remind you why it is you love reading.