BEAT Your Reading Slump! 10 Proven Strategies!

[@BrianBell7]

Have you experienced a reading slump now or in the past? If so, leave a comment on your situation and if and how you beat it!

[@dubhmoore575]

I havent ever had a problem with not wanting to read, my only problem has ever been not finding enough good books to read! But U and your fellow book tubers help me find more grade A than I can get to which is totally awesome🥳🥳🥳

[@kirktanka8199]

One strategy that combines two, is to listen to an audiobook of a book that you have read and likes before. This is great for people who may not feel like they can do an audiobook, but if it is a story that you know, it becomes easier to get into an audiobook

[@BrianBell7]

I like that strategy!

[@TomOrange]

The One for the road has always worked for me. A little break normally resets me and then im ready to go again.

[@BrianBell7]

Me too. It’s a nice way to naturally reset.

[@gerardhynes5825]

I agree with your" one for the road", be easy on yourself and relax. Reading is a hobby, not a competition. The odd time i get out of the habit I tend to pick a book that i have been putting off for years, usually a big one, and telling myself that ill just read a few pages to see what its like. What do you know but three days later im half way through Magician or somesuch.

[@BrianBell7]

Yeah, for sure!

[@esmayrosalyne]

Love all these tips, but especially the one for the road! I feel like it's so easy to make reading your entire identity once you enter the online book space, and sometimes it really is best to just take a break and do other things that bring you joy! (note to self, lol). Thanks for sharing, Brian!! 🥰

[@BrianBell7]

So true! I'm happy to help in any way I can! :)

[@KindlesandKicks]

All great suggestions Brian. I particularly like the last one, because I tend to self-flagellate when I’m not in the mood to read. But sometimes it’s okay. There’s always tomorrow or whenever to read. Like you said, if you really enjoy reading you’ll always come back to it.

[@BrianBell7]

You know it! Sooner or later it returns.

[@Johanna_reads]

I loved hearing all your tips, as well as the bonus one! Changing genres is such a game-changer. Epic fantasy will always have my heart, but reading different genres somehow enriches my fantasy reading experience.

[@BrianBell7]

Thanks, Johanna! It can really make all the difference in the world when it comes to avoiding a long reading break. As always, thank you so much for watching!

[@BooksWithBenghisKahn]

Awesome vid! I haven’t hit a reading slump since 2016-17 when I discovered adult sff was where I belonged (was off in lit-fic land for a while). The genre change is what did the trick for me!

[@BrianBell7]

Thanks Ben! I'm really glad to hear you are on such a great roll!

[@Fianna1775]

This came at a good time. It seems that there are many people in the book tube community, both creators and viewers, are in a bit of reading slump lately. Allen Walker has a few people on a sprint the other day and so many of them agreed that this year was proving a bit lackluster as far as finding a book that truly spoke to them. These are really good tips. Got people who would like to try audiobooks but are in the camp that can’t seem to concentrate on them, I might advise trying the audio version of your favorite books. Then move on from there. I have a two hour commute every work day (and two hours home) so I make good use of my library app it’s nice because if I don’t like an audio, it’s free. Happy Reading!

[@BrianBell7]

shhhh don't tell anyone, but keep an eye on Allen's channel next week... he's got a gift coming in the mail from me he might be slightly excited about... shhhhh. :)

[@FurryBison212]

Great video. When I hit a reading slump I always revisit an old favourite of mine as a comfort read. Very often it’s a Harry Potter book and I find this works well for me.

[@BrianBell7]

I have a friend who's the same. When in doubt, he returns to the Potter Universe and the joy of reading returns. Thank you so much for sharing what works for you. It helps the whole community here!

[@OnlyTheBestFantasyNovels]

Awesome video. I can only recall being in a reading slump once, and it was after I read China Mieville's The Scar - that book broke reading for me for 4 years 😂 Ended up falling into my career in that time and then somewhere along the way I got back into the habit of reading fiction again and I've been clocking 120+ books a year since. In short, you're very right in the one for the road, sometimes the best thing is to let it happen, and who knows what doors will open for you in that time. A really great one did for me, I'm one of the few people that can say I absolutely love my day job . . . .

[@BrianBell7]

Thank you for those kind words. When I make videos like this, it's a little out of my usual zone, but when I feel like I can legitimately help viewers, that's what I like to do. 120+ books a year! You should get a superhero cape!

[@AnithaGadeReads]

As you already know, I am just coming out of a big reading slump. I tried almost all the tips you mentioned but i didn't think to change the ambience. That's something i didn't think of. Will try that for sure.

[@BrianBell7]

I left a few in the description you might like but YT has thousands of them. It makes all the difference in the world for me!

[@timolson6836]

Fantastic video Brian! Clearly a lot of thought and care to help others went into it, hope you keep it going! Cheers!!

[@BrianBell7]

Thank you so much. It's very nice to hear when the thought and care comes through the screen. I really appreciate it!

[@unlimitedreads]

Pretty solid advice there, Brian. Great video! 😊👍

[@BrianBell7]

Thanks so much! I hope it's one people can return to if they feel like it might help.

[@elainedejong2806]

I read a lot of different genres and like to have ambient music/nature sounds playing. I’ve never been into audiobooks but I like the idea of listening to biographies. I’ll have to give that a try.

[@BrianBell7]

It's pretty fun when you come across the biographies read by the author. But even when they aren't, I've found them much easier to follow as those kinds of stories are super linear.

[@derrisreaditbefore]

Thanks Brian. I needed to hear that today.

[@BrianBell7]

It's my pleasure Derri. And it means a lot to me that you watch!

[@TF-lk6co]

Very useful tips, especially the one about switching genres. I used to force myself to finish every book I started, which caused many a reading slump. Allowing DNFs has been a highly effective cure.

[@BrianBell7]

Totally. We forget sometimes, this is supposed to be recreation!

[@pickleruby]

Great video! When I’ve been in a reading slump, it’s usually been during times when I’m overwhelmed with life and need to prioritize other things. Coming back to books is always so grounding, and I’ll definitely take some time to evaluate what I can do differently to create my ideal reading space. Thank you!

[@BrianBell7]

ideal reading space can help both with reading and life itself!

[@jamiecalvert5906]

Great video, Totally agree with you on being ok with reading 30-50 pages a day as a goal .. easy to get disgruntled when we watch videos and you guys are knocking out 6-8 books a month

[@BrianBell7]

Really glad you found some value!

[@mollyharrism]

These are all great tips. I’ve recently started using ambient music while reading to help me focus for longer while reading (bonus if I can match the music to the book, like listening to space ambient music while reading sci-fi). I agree with your end point. Sometimes hobbies and needs ebb and flow for various reasons and it’s ok to take a break if you are satisfied with how you’re spending your time.

[@BrianBell7]

Thank you so much for the compliment on the video! I love space ambient music too. It's so satisfying to just feel like you are there.

[@Fianna1775]

I have embraced ambient music since 2021. My first video that I remember just falling into was Ambient Worlds’s Streets of Whiterun video. So many outstanding channels. I really enjoy ASMR’s Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter playlists (as well as his original content). Benevolent has wonderful playlists from various video game franchises like Skyrim, the Witcher, and Assasin’s Creed. There is also a young lady from South Korea who runs a channel called Teravibe which produces highly original ambience content. Happy Reading!

[@BrianBell7]

@@Fianna1775 I've watched some of those and some of those are new to me, so THANK YOU. I will 100% check them out. It makes my experience so enhanced.

[@rsimpson235]

Loved this video! (this is my first time commenting on one of your videos, but I've been a sub for a while). Ivs definitely had reading slumps in the past and/or struggled to get momuntum reading. This year has been different. I had my first child and found myself able to listen to a ton of audiobooks while on parental leave. But now that I'm back to work, I'm finding it hard to find time to read and haven't read much this past month. I would love any advice on finding time to read when you have a busy work and/or family schedule!

[@BrianBell7]

Thank you so much for the nice compliment! I’m so glad you are here. It sounds like this year has brought significant changes so it makes sense momentum for reading would be affected. I’m making myself a note to do a video about strategies to carve out time to read based on your suggestion!

[@rsimpson235]

@@BrianBell7 thanks for the warm welcome! And that video idea sounds great! I look forward to it!!

[@dubhmoore575]

Great video Brian, raced home from a hard day to sit down and totally absorb this 😎

[@BrianBell7]

Thank you. It's meaningful for me to hear positive response to it as these kinds of videos rarely get the kinds of views that TBRs, Book Hauls, etc.. do. I'm glad you and others are finding value in the making of it :)

[@TheJellicle1]

I would add on to the sensory enhancement - try to match that to the type of book you are reading to really help get immersed in the story. So a summer romance - maybe a beach asmr background and coconut candle and a mojito cocktail or for a dark gothic suspense, a sandalwood candle, a stormy back ground and an earl grey tea. Another ticket is to embrace your mood - stop trying to force yourself to read something you said you would or you think you ought to and pick up something that is calling to you. If nothing is calling, do some first chapters until you hit one that grabs you.

[@BrianBell7]

I love those additions! Setting a mood can really enhance the entire experience!

[@TheJellicle1]

@@BrianBell7 If I was a content creator I would do a whole video with suggestions for setting moods for specific books😄

[@BrianBell7]

@@TheJellicle1 and I would watch that!

[@mattamant915]

Switching genres and book lengths are huge ones. I just read a 300 page thriller instead of a long SFF book and blew through it in 2 days and am halfway done with the next one in half a day.

[@BrianBell7]

isn't it crazy how those page-turner thrillers just fly when you read them after SFF??

[@mattamant915]

@BrianBell7 and the fact that the one I read was so simplistic in its writing was an added bonus. Nothing deep to think about. Talk about a speed reading adventure 😂🤣

[@Talking_Story]

You are just the dude with all the tips my brother!

[@BrianBell7]

Sometimes, when the stars align and the moon is in the 7th house, I actually make a useful video :)

[@Talking_Story]

@@BrianBell7 you mean when Jupiter aligns with Mars?

[@BrianBell7]

@@Talking_Story it is the dawning of the Age of the Quilluminati

[@Talking_Story]

@@BrianBell7 dawning of 1 unhappy member.

[@Felipe-nj5ji]

hey, BellTube! I was wondering if you have read the mother of learning webnovel... I want to start it, but I'm somewhat of a slow reader so I'm cautious with any kind of big commitment. Also thank you for your videos, they're great! I specially like the one for the road section!

[@BrianBell7]

Thank you so much for your kind words. I haven't read Mother of Learning books yet, but at some point I would like to. Maybe do a search and see if there also other booktubers that enjoy these kinds of books that might have useful info for you on that series. I'll keep you posted if I happen to get to it soon.

[@christhewritingjester3164]

I think what worked for me was not being a reader for most of my life and only recently getting into it? :) I would not recommend this method. Now I'm playing catchup, but most of my books have been vetted through booktubers who have similar tastes. Really though, AudioBooks are what really got me back into it and continue to be how I consume nearly all of my books. Basic math on Booktube? Part of me feels like you could come up with BookTube Math that's in the same vein as Girl Math. I could definitely use those ambiance for writing. I tried classical music via Amazon and Spotify, but they've become so ad heavy that I switched to lo-fi music on KZbin, which is okay I guess. But the mood one of these ambiance videos sets feel nicer. I feel like most of these set achievable goals. A lot of other activities people don't start is due to the magnitude of it, so setting achievable goals (like reading for 15 minutes a day, or reading a short story or novella) are a great start. Solid video my man!

[@BrianBell7]

Thank you, Chris. I think you are right. BellTube Math might need to be a thing. And yeah, for sure, achievable goals are where it's at!

[@klcs77]

and that's a fact

[@BrianBell7]

that IS a Fact!

[@twiceborn_by_grace]

I love to read, but I always fall asleep…no matter what book I’m reading.

[@BrianBell7]

well, it's cheaper than sleep meds!

[@twiceborn_by_grace]

@@BrianBell7 🤣🤣🤣

[@stjepanvaresevaccobets]

I like your tips but I need free time😅 To much work is no good for reading.

[@BrianBell7]

find some free time, Stjepan!! I hope you can!

[@stjepanvaresevaccobets]

I will, I will😂