We’ve all been there, right? You glance at your bookshelf, filled with all these gorgeous books you’ve been dying to read, and yet, none of them seem to spark any excitement. You want to read, you even miss reading, but you’re stuck in a reading slump. That’s the thing about a reading slump: it sneaks up on even the most devoted book lovers. The good news? You can totally romanticize reading when you’re in a reading slump and slowly pull yourself out of that rut without pressure or guilt.
Let’s talk about how to romanticize reading when you’re in a reading slump, turning it into a ritual you’ll want to return to, step by step.
Transform Your Space: How to Romanticize Reading When You’re in a Reading Slump
The vibes matter. If you’re not grabbing that book, maybe your space isn’t feeling inviting enough. Try lighting a candle, fluffing up your reading nook or bed, putting on a chill playlist, and maybe even making yourself a warm drink. It’ll set the mood for sure! Set the mood so that picking up a book feels like self-care—not homework.
And if you’re into pairing books with soundtracks, you’d love curating playlists for characters. (I’ve actually built a few fictional character Spotify playlists myself—it’s a whole mood.) It helps immerse you in the story, and soon, reading becomes a full-on experience, not just a task.
Ease Back Into It: Low-Pressure Reads for When You’re in a Reading Slump
Don’t dive into that 700-page fantasy novel you’ve been meaning to read for months. Now’s not the time. Instead, go for novellas, rereads, graphic novels, or even fanfiction. You need to remind your brain what it feels like to enjoy reading.
Pro tip: rereading a childhood favorite or a book you once loved can be oddly healing. You already know what happens, but the comfort? Immaculate.
Romanticize the Act of Reading
Reading doesn’t have to be productive. You’re not in school. It can be dreamy, soft, and beautiful. Romanticizing it means finding magic in the little things:
- Reading under a blanket while it rains
- Tabbed pages and highlighted quotes
- A book that smells like ink and nostalgia
Take your book to a café. Annotate with sticky notes. Snap aesthetic photos of your current read. Make reading feel like something you get to do—not something you’re failing at.
Read About People Who Love Books
Sometimes, falling in love with characters who love books is the spark you need. It’s like seeing your own passion reflected back at you. Try stories where the main character is a writer, a librarian, or a hopeless romantic with their nose in a book.
Seeing people find joy in stories can help you find it again too.
Explore BookTok Favorites—But Mindfully
BookTok’s full of hyped reads, but not every viral book will help your slump. Choose carefully. Look for slice-of-life romances, cozy fantasies, or books people say made them feel warm and light. You want comfort—not chaos.
Some people find annotating trending books helps them re-engage. (I even wrote about why annotating books is the new BookTok obsession—it’s not just about the sticky tabs, it’s emotional connection.)
Try a Change of Genre
If you usually go for romance, try magical realism. If you’re a thriller fan, pick up a soft, lyrical literary fiction title. Switching genres might reignite that curiosity your current stack isn’t offering.
You might even find yourself swept away into a different world entirely. And if that thought makes you smile, maybe it’s time to ask yourself which fantasy book worlds you’d love—or hate—to live in. Trust me, it makes reading way more fun when you imagine being in it.
Allow Yourself to Quit
You are not obligated to finish any book you start. Yep, I said it. If a book’s not working for you, let it go. There’s no shame in being a DNF-er (Did Not Finish). Reading should feel freeing, not like a chore.
Drop the guilt. Pick something else. Or don’t. Just take the pressure off.
Romanticize Reading Again—One Page at a Time
Romanticizing reading when you’re in a slump isn’t about forcing your way through. It’s about falling back in love with the entire experience—slowly, softly, and sweetly. From cozy settings to character playlists to bookish fantasies, there are so many little ways to make reading feel magical again.
So go ahead: light that candle, grab that fluffy blanket, and open that book. Even if it’s just for ten minutes. Even if it’s just one page.
Because reading isn’t just a hobby—it’s a love story. And you’re allowed to rewrite it anytime.