I’ve heard and read a lot of advice on how to get out of a reading slump, but how do you avoid them? Can they be unavoidable? Maybe not. But I think we can try to avoid reading slumps as much as possible using these habits.

Set boundaries with reading.

I love reading—I think that’s a pretty obvious fact, based on this blog. But sometimes, and maybe this is just me, but sometimes, I get in the mindset that I have to be reading. For my blog, for my bookstagram, and to keep up with the Joneses on booktok and bookstagram. That’s nothing against the people on booktok and bookstagram, but I get in my head that I need to compete with them—but that’s completely false.

Reading is and never will be a competition.

You don’t need to read a certain number of books every year or every month to prove that you are a reader. So, that being said, set boundaries with reading as a hobby. When you get tired of reading, just stop reading. Maybe that’s for an hour. Maybe that’s for a few days. And maybe, that’s for a few weeks (or months).

Read what you want to read.

Setting monthly TBRs are great. It helps you to avoid impulse buying books! I always take my monthly TBRs as “light suggestions.” They serve as good lists to go back to if I’m stuck on what to read when I finish a book. I firmly believe that we are all mood readers at heart. Not one person is setting and sticking to their TBR—and only their TBR. And if that’s you, good for you! Not me though. Couldn’t be me.

Switch genres.

Be sure to mix and match genres! If you read too much of one genre or one author, then that can lead to burnout. If you’re reading a lot of romance books, then expecting the same thing again and again (the happily ever after) can become stale. Try reading a fantasy book. Or a thriller. It doesn’t have to be multiple books in that genre back to back, but throwing in a different genre once in a while can help avoid burnout and reading slumps.

Don’t read series back to back.

I know that once you finish a book in a series that you immediately want to read the next book in the series to find out what happens. I get it, and I’ve been there. If you can, then read another book in that genre or different genre. And hey—you can always read multiple books at once. If that’s not confusing for you, then go ahead and just do that!

Don’t be afraid to DNF a book.

I think this one is pretty obvious, but it may not be for some people. Many people disagree over when the proper time is to set down a book, but the most median time that I have heard is at 40%. I would DNF a book at 30% personally, and I know some who would DNF halfway through. The first 100 pages is a good estimate to whether you’re “feeling” a book or not, and that would be around 20-30%. But it’s up to you. Don’t be afraid to set down a book if you’re not feeling it. Forcing yourself to read can lead to a reading slump. And hey—you can always set it down and come back to it later when you’re in a new mood!

Alright, what are tips that help you avoid reading slumps? Do you agree or disagree with any of these points? Have you ever gotten in a reading slump, and what are tips to get you out of them? Comment below!