Beauty and the Beast!!! All you fifty shades people this sounds awesome and book one is free at amazon! Ella James is an amazing author!! She has great Young Adult books as well! Happy reading!!
http://www.amazon.com/Beast-Part-Erotic-Fairy-Tale-ebook/dp/B00NU6XBKM/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top
Most of us have all heard the term writer’s block, the inability to form new ideas for a book they are composing or to form new work all together. Recently, I have heard of the phrase readers block, probably because I am currently suffering from it myself. I am lost, just completely at wits end. This term refers to a reader’s inability to read or find interest in reading. To some this is an absolutely crazy thought! It would have been to me as well if I had not experienced it myself first hand.
My first thoughts were: How is this possible? Why, when this is my life line, my tie to sanity?!?! I have gone through this several times before and overcame it pretty quickly. But, here I am again… Lost. I am currently in the middle of the fourth book of a six book series. It is amazing don’t get me wrong! It’s the block I tell you! Interest in the story is not lacking but the interest to read, that is the issue. If I make myself read, I can’t put it down. But, usually for me I have to at some point, and there is the problem. I can’t seem to get back to picking it up! Before, I always had a book in hand. I would hide in the bathroom if I had to just to get the next page in!! When I couldn’t read due to kids or other things, I still had the overwhelming desire to read and couldn’t wait to get back!! Not so much at the moment.
So, why does this happen? I don’t know. Maybe it’s stress, lack of stimulation, the body is tired, depression, or we are just burnt out (is that really even possible!!). I usually burn through 6-10 books a week, so, sure it’s possible. The most important question though, is what do we do about it??? My first step was research! I need a cure NOW! My usual things are just not cutting it. Below is a list of things I have used before and things I have come across while researching about readers block. To each their own, hopefully one of these will bring back normalcy for all of us that are silently suffering.
1) Change up your reading style!
If you read actual books, go to a reading device such as an iPad, Kindle, your phone, or any other device. If you read on an electronic device, change it up to an actual book. There is nothing like the feel of the pages, the smell, or the overall comfort of an actual book. This has helped me before. I use to do this often and switch between books and my iPad. I just get all excited even thinking about going to a book store or to the library!!
2) Use your ears not your eyes!
Listen to a book. The library has many audio books. To get out of this funk go grab one! Try it out! You can even listen for free on the internet at certain websites. Some of the first adult books I ever really enjoyed as a child were audio while my mother and I would take long trips. They are soothing and it can bring back excitement with little effort.
3) Designate a reading time!
Set a time frame everyday that you will read. Make it happen if you want to or not. Get over this hump!! Find something from the library that has a waiting list. When it’s your turn you will have to read it in a certain time frame because you will have to return it and others are waiting for it.
4) Give yourself a break!
Go get on Netflix and find a show. Emerge yourself into it and television binge! Watch all the episodes you can get. Or catch up on all the movies you have been missing. If you find shows that match your favorite reading genre it may spark the life back into you. If you look outside your favorite genre you may crave the excitement of your old genre or find something new to enjoy! This is how I overcame my last reader’s block. Even go as far as to watch the movies that were based on the books you have read. *cringe*
Other than television and shows you could game. I love my Xbox and a few days of playing Call of Duty usually can get me begging for my books again if I am in a block or not! If you don’t have a gaming system, find a game on the computer or phone. It’s ok to get addicted you will get tired of it eventually and it will get old.
5) Dumb it down!
Read something simple. Read a fast short read, a Young Adult, short stories. Something that you love and will help rekindle that spark.
6) Reread
Read your favorite book or series. This can help you remember why you love it and bring the excitement back full force!
7) Change genre!
Change it up! Find something new and exciting! Explore new authors. Go to Goodreads and find something that has amazing ratings. Read something you wouldn’t usually wouldn’t read.
8) Make yourself want it!
Start a book and after ten pages stop! Go back and read ten more pages. Eventually it’s going to stop you at a point you do not want to. Just keep doing that. Eventually, you will just refuse to put it down.
9) Write
Start a story of your own involving your favorite genre. You will either come to the point you will need inspiration or where you just want an ending to something… Anything. You just want a finished story. Go crazy with it. Don’t write to publish but for therapy, to create, to find your dreams. Whenever you get in a reading funk, go back to your story and add to it.
10) Buck up and just DO IT!!
Make yourself read. Sit down and plan an all-nighter. Do this when you can eliminate distractions. Have the kids go to a friends or grandmas, send the hubby to the man cave, give the wife a night for girl time, and go at it!!
11) Incorporate people!
Call a friend that reads! Have them talk books and tell you all the amazing things they have read lately. Join a book discussion or a book club. Let people motivate you and get you hyped!!
12) Find boredom!
Sit! Do nothing! I mean absolutely nothing. But then again if you are like me, boredom does not exist! There is always something I need to do with two kids running around. So try doing something that you dislike or is not in the slightest bit interesting. Read something boring! You will be pining for something good!!
Well there you go! 4 and 10 are my go to’s! Hope this helps give you some direction. Even after writing this I am more motivated to go read!! Let’s do it!!! Happy reading!!!
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