Do you ever get into a reading slump? When every book you pick up just doesn’t appeal? It’s an upsetting state for a reader. It can overturn your whole applecart. I especially like to read in bed at night so when I lose interest in reading, it muddles up my whole end-of-day routine.

I have a particular routine going to sleep. I like to read, sometimes for a short time, other times for an hour or so. Once I feel like I’m tired and find an appropriate break in the story, I’ll put the book down. A pat to Baxter and off goes the light. I shut my eyes, then, and you might find this a bit odd, I repeat the number 99 to myself over and over again. I also picture the number 99 in my mind’s eye. I don’t let any other thoughts intrude. I use 99 to squeeze out any other thoughts. And … tada, I’m usually asleep in minutes. This is a trick someone once told me and it works. Although they used a few words to say in their heads, I use a number. I have no idea why I chose it, although I think I like the rhythm of saying 99.

So when I lose my reading mojo, this whole nightly routine goes out the window. I find reading quietens my mind as, like playing music, you can’t think about anything else while reading. Going to sleep without reading upsets not only my night routine, but has the flow-on effect of making me a tad cranky.

The loss of one’s reading mojo is generally never the book’s fault, just one’s mood. Maybe I have something on my mind that keeps sneaking in, causing me trouble concentrating. My inner voice might begin to babble. I tell it to shush and go back and reread parts. Other times I just give up reading, put the book down and try to sleep. Here 99 doesn’t work as well. Cranky again.

It’s hard to know what to read when I’m in this mood. Often a pacey thriller is the way to go. A book with short chapters that has me turning pages fast. A true adventure is another type of book that I have found swings my reading mood around. At other times young adult books have been a soothing balm. I find these especially good as these authors have to keep young readers’ constant interest. They are so engaging and cleverly written.

What do you do when you lose your reading mojo? Has it ever happened to you? What’s the longest you have gone with your reading suspended? Has there been a book that got you back into reading? I’d love to know so I can read it and I’m sure other readers would love to too.

Rowena,

And Baxter, who’s just realising that he’s an Irish Terrier so maybe that’s why he likes the cold!