HIT BY A READING SLUMP! | Why I'm slumping, how I plan to beat it, and how that affects the channel

I've found myself hit with a hefty reading slump over the past week, which we all know sucks! But it happens to us all at some point, doesn't it! In today's video I chat about what's caused it, how I plan to tackle it, and how the changes I'm making to my reading habits will affect the channel going forwards.
Thanks for watching, as always :-)
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[@CriminOllyBlog]

Hope you’re out of it soon, Alex! Rereading a much loved book does seem a good plan.

[@alex_unabridged]

Thanks Olly 😊So far, so good - The Passage has me captivated once again! I must be on my 10th re-read (something lke that), and it just doesn't get old for me 😀

[@bookssongsandothermagic]

It's frustrating when this happens....I can relate! - I'd say allow yourself to slow down and let the reading come back naturally....and while you do that, find other ways to relax and gravitate towards anything that makes you smile - that doesn't take too much concentration. I felt a bit overwhelmed this week but knocked something on the head that I'd been thinking of stopping and that was a relief....I may do more of that, but for now, I'm giving myself a chill pill. I need to look into The Passage. I think it's the same author as The Ferryman which I've just bought....but not for an immediate read. Freeform is fun and a good route out of a slump. Good luck and big hugs mate.

[@alex_unabridged]

Thanks for the lovely comment, Gareth - I really do appreciate the support! Taking a chill pill - sound advice! I'd do well to remember that more often 😂Glad you managed to eliminate what was causing you to be overwhelmed this last week - is important to keep assessing what we've got going on in our lives and making changes when necessary. I'm going to hazard a guess that you and I are similar, in that we WANT to do a ton of different things but sometimes find ourselves stretched a bit thin! I find it difficult making decisions about knocking certain things on the head - I'm awful at prioritising, and at accepting that I only have a finite amount of attention for all of the various activities etc that I want devote my time and energy to! Definitely check out The Passage - would be really interested to hear what you make of it. It is by the same author of The Ferryman (Justin Cronin) - I really enjoyed The Ferryman, intriguing story and world building with some good twists and turns and solid characters. The Passage is pretty different, but will forever be my favourite of Cronin's I think. There's a touch of King about the writing, particularly in terms of the character development. Anyway, here's to chilling out and freeform reading for a bit! All the best, and big hugs back to you too, mate 😊

[@CliffsDarkGems]

Aah man, so sorry you are going through a serious slump. That is so incredibly frustrating. Re-reading a well loved book is an excellent option, I sometimes also try and read short stories when I feel slumpy. Totally agree about taking a break and reading whatever you want, when you want. The seasonal depression sounds awful, just know that I wish you all the best and hope that things come right for you soon.

[@alex_unabridged]

Thanks a lot, Cliff - I really appreciate the lovely, supportive comment ☺The Passage re-read is helping so far, and I'm going to dip into some comics/manga, and short stories too, to keep reading new stuff too (new to me, anyway!). That way I can alleviate the frustration of not being able to get into a new full-length novel right now!

[@michellesmelancholia]

oof slumps are so frustrating, hope you recover soon hahaha whenever it happens to me I read a lot of short stories and it definitely helps!

[@alex_unabridged]

Lol, thanks Michelle! Have managed to kick the frustration a little, am just being strict with myself when it comes to chilling out about it! I'm definitely gonna pick up some short stories soon, and discover some new authors (new to me) that way - should help inspire me with what to try reading next when I'm ready to pick up a full novel again. 😀

[@fiberartsyreads]

Good luck to you in getting out of the slump! It can be frustrating but at the same time…a break can be nice and finding your way back to reading kinda happens naturally after a bit of time-from my experience anyway.

[@alex_unabridged]

Thanks, Crystal! ☺You're absolutely right - I just need to appreciate the downtime and look forward to finding my focus and passion for reading whenever that reappears! I know it will, in its own time. Though my re-read of The Passage is definitely helping it along - is so nice having something so familiar and beloved to listen to, I really don't need to focus too much at all as I know it so well! And I find myself getting excited for what's coming two or three or ten chapters ahead!

[@troytradup]

Hey, bud. Sorry to hear about the slump and the autumn blahs. As I mentioned in an email, I often find that just reading beginnings helps me -- first paragraphs or first pages, or even just random paragraphs within various books. I think it's the general reconnection with physical books that ultimately brings me round, although I've never tried to dig very deep into the why. Also: totally thought you were going for Hail Mary. I should have known it was The Passage! 🙃

[@alex_unabridged]

Cheers, buddy. I'm definitely going to try reading the beginnings of some books once I've finished my re-read of The Passage, to help me figure what sort of thing I fancy dipping into next. You were almost right with your guess of Project Hail Mary - if I hadn't had reread that so recently I probably would have gone for that! But I had a spell of bad sleep in springtime and so had a very disjointed but still highly enjoyable re-listen to PHM then - it always helps me relax and really helped with my insomnia! But The Passage is such a favourite that if anything is going to remind me of why I love reading so much, it's that one. Am about 7 hours into the 36hr long audiobook, and yep - this should absolutely do the job! 😀

[@BookChatWithPat8668]

I’m sorry you’re feeling down, Alex, and also feeling a lack of focus. Be gentle with yourself. While I wouldn’t say I’m exactly in a slump, I’ve come home from Ireland quite sick, and I haven’t been able to read much at all. Definitely, take a break and try not to pressure yourself. Sometimes when I can’t focus, I try to either re-read an old favorite, or I dabble in something very short-like short stories. Anyway, I hope you’re feeling better soon, dear Alex. ❤️

[@alex_unabridged]

Thank you for such a lovely comment, Pat. I really appreciate the support ❤I've just had a lovely weekend away, visiting old friends who I've not seen in person since before the pandemic, and that was a tonic for my mood! Being with them, and especially chatting to their kids about all the books they love (the eldest - 13 yrs old - is an absolute bookworm) was fantastic. I'm just going to take it easy and absolutely not pressure myself with reading (or anything else for that matter!). Re-reading an old favourite is so far working extremely well - I'm captivated by The Passage once again! It's a really interesting experience this time, as it's the first re-read (or re-listen) I've done since being a part of BookTube, which has massively expanded both my reading range and my analysis of literature. I'm finding myself naturally paying more attention to the structure/character development/writing style etc, and it's making me really try to pinpoint what exactly it is about the book that makes me love it so much. It's lovely returning to it with a slightly different perspective. I hope you're on the mend now and able to get back into your books again! I caught your video on your Irish adventure just before going away but didn't get chance to comment before leaving for my trip - will remedy that shortly! 😊

[@BookChatWithPat8668]

@@alex_unabridged I’m glad you had such a beautiful weekend with old friends! I’ve yet to read The Passage. I know it’s one I’d appreciate. I am feeling better, thanks, but wow! Whatever this was really knocked me out! Take good care! 🥰

[@alex_unabridged]

@@BookChatWithPat8668 Thanks, Pat ☺Very glad to hear you're feeling better!

[@patricia_ps]

sending you hugs 🤗 mood/unplanned reading is the best kind of reading ✨🍦

[@alex_unabridged]

Thank you, the hugs are much appreciated! ☺Removing the pressure of scheduled reading is already helping me to feel better! 👍

[@KurtAnderson812]

Slumps suck! I usually just return to a short book that I have read often to help kick start me out of a reading slump.

[@alex_unabridged]

They do suck, don't they! Re-reads of short, familiar books sounds like an excellent plan. My current re-read (or re-listen I should say) isn't exactly short (35+ hours of audio!) but I know it so well that I really don't have to focus too much on it - I can just let the story wash over me and get sucked back into it. I'll definitely be heading for shorter books - both familiar and new - when I've finished that though, particularly when it comes to reading physical or digital texts, as that's where my focus is problematic at the moment. Many thanks for commenting and for the support in getting through the slump! 😊

[@RaynorReadsStuff]

Talking about mental health is so, so important. Well done for putting it out there. You are totally correct, this is meant to be fun. Read whatever you want and don’t read what stresses you out. It’s so easy to get sucked in to things on BookTube. Sometimes you just need to concentrate on yourself and what you want to do. I love your vlogs and I will look forward to them however frequently you do them. BookTube is a fabulous place if you do it by your own rules. Much love 😊

[@alex_unabridged]

Thanks, Debs - I really appreciate the love and support 😊I definitely agree that it's important to talk about mental health - it's something so many folks experience yet it's still something that isn't always discussed enough, I don't think. And as is evidenced by the truly lovely comments I've had on this video, when we do share these experiences/difficulties there's a wealth of support and love offered from others. A problem shared is a problem halved, and all that! Just hearing from folks here has helped lift me no end. So I'm just going to chill with my reading and enjoy whatever takes my fancy, slow down a bit and not put pressure on myself to get involved in too much re events etc. And it'll be lovely to finally get round to making some videos I've had planned for ages but keep putting off for other things! 😀

[@unlimitedreads]

I feel your pain, buddy. Slumps are terrible. I had a small one recently but a really big one in April and it depressed me. I got out of my last one by reading a Doctor Who Target paperback which was great fun. I hope it gets better for you soon 🙌

[@alex_unabridged]

Thanks, man - I really appreciate your comment and the support. Slumps really suck, don't they?! Great fun reads are a fab idea to beat them - glad the good doctor helped you out of yours in April! Great choice👍 It'll all come good for me again in time, but for now I'm enjoying my re-listen to The Passage and appreciating the opportunity to re-experience something that brought me so much joy in the past. Have got 30+ hours of that to get through so that should keep me occupied with some really easy and chilled listening sessions for a bit! 😀

[@arockinsamsara]

Sorry to hear about the S.A.D. and the slump, but very glad that you have a game plan and you're prioritizing self-care. Re-reading something that you know will bring you joy is a good plan. I know I am an ardent proselytizer of short story collections, and I have found those sometimes help too. Not necessarily entire collections or anthologies, but even just reading one story when I feel some inkling of motivation, and then just stopping after that one, before any distraction or disparaging thoughts get in the way of the experience. Sometimes just getting a few enjoyable reading experiences under the belt can be really helpful. Manga and other visual-based reading is also a great idea, and maybe even some poetry collections, too. Maybe writing a bit of poetry, not to publish or even show anyone but just to keep your emotional landscape and your literary landscape in some sort of conversation. In any case, I am cheering you on!

[@alex_unabridged]

You, an ardent proselytiser of short story collections? I hadn't noticed... 😉 Thanks, Lekden - for your ideas and words of support. I really appreciate them. I will be dipping into some individual short stories from collections I have in my library, once I'm done with my re-read of The Passage. Am just allowing myself to get fully immerse back in that world at the moment, I know it ridiculously well and so it doesn't require much focus at all. Though conversely I'm finding myself focussing on it in a different way than I have before - a sort of 'stealth' analysis seems to be happening, in that I'm finding myself trying to pinpoint what it is about it that I love so much and what makes it my favourite book. There's no intentionality in this reading style, it just seems to be organically happening as I listen to the audio. If that makes sense! Anyway, it's definitely a good thing 👍 Writing some poetry - just for myself - is a great idea, I think I may well give that a try. Troy's got me on a poetry kick at the moment so it's been in my brain for a while, and it's a lovely free way of writing that could, as you say, keep my emotional and literary landscapes in conversation (fantastic way of putting it, by the way!). Is worth a go, for sure. Thanks again - your positivity, along with that from others here in the comments, lifts me no end 😊

[@lihayes5046]

I think reading slumps are inevitable when you're an avid reader. I'm going through one right now but I think it's because I've started teaching again. After a day of running around with a bunch of littles, it's tough to keep my eyes open long enough to get through a page. Each autumn I find myself doing jigsaw puzzles while listening to audiobooks. It seems to keep me awake and interested. Seasonal affective disorder is something else. I'm sorry you're going through it but it sounds like you know what works for you. I'm glad to hear that you plan on continuing your channel and making the changes you need to make. We all support whatever you have to do to care for yourself. I am actually continuing the Vampire Knitting Club series. Cozy, easy, light books are what I crave right now. But I am also reading Autumn Chills, a collection of Agatha Christie short stories - more my speed after a day of work. Take care of yourself and it's always great to watch one of your videos!

[@alex_unabridged]

Thanks for your lovely supportive comment, I really appreciate it 😊 Sorry to hear you’re in a bit of a slump too. Teaching is exhausting, isn’t it! My mum was a teacher for 40 years and I know she sometimes found it frustrating that she didn’t have the energy for reading much once the day was done and she’d dealt with us at home too. She’s an avid reader and always has been, but I think there were years where the only things she read were our bedtime stories! Audiobooks and jigsaw puzzles are a fabulous combo 😀👍 I’m partial to that pairing, particularly over Christmas. I also find audiobooks with model-making or with needle craft really relaxing. I’ve definitely got to have something else to do whilst I listen to audiobooks otherwise my mind wanders away from the story to easily! That’s great that you’re continuing with the Vampire Knitting Club books! Glad they’re providing some fun cosy entertainment for you 😀I’ll definitely return to them at some point as I do find myself craving that easy warm sort of story, especially during the winter months. Thanks again for the lovely comment and for tuning in to my videos! I hope you get over your own slump soon too 🤞😊

[@anthonyprice4862]

I go back to childhood favourites or horror comics. Short, sweet hits of reading that I know I’ll enjoy. Gives me a little reset. Really enjoyed your vlog Vids and glad they’re going Monthly. Always found them inspiring, they motivate me to do my own creative (very small) projects and get out and about. I hope the seasonal depression isn’t too debilitating and look forward to more videos as and when they are released👍

[@alex_unabridged]

Oh yeah, comics are wonderful for that short sweet hit of fun reading and often a healthy dose of nostalgia too! Will definitely be trying a few over the next few weeks 👍So happy that my vlogs have inspired your own little creative projects and little adventures! That’s really lovely to hear 😊 I love making them and am really looking forward to continuing them as a monthly thing. Will make sure there’s plenty of crazy dog footage in them for good measure too 😂 Thanks for commenting and for the support - I really appreciate it 😊

[@musicroom7185]

Add me to the list of folks who can relate to what you are experiencing, and who are supporting you & wishing you the best. I deal with depression periodically. For me, just recognizing it & knowing that it will pass, helps. Re: reading... Seems as I age, I am "slumping" more than not. One thing I do to keep reading is read short, light things from a gay author's site, or fan fic. Usually not the utmost in literary quality, but sometimes it's what I need/enjoy. I think your idea of a monthly vlog instead of weekly is quite smart. I do enjoy watching them though! Isn't booktube a wonderful thing sometimes, when you can share troubles/frustrations and receive positive vibes and caring from around the world from people you will likely never meet? It's a reminder that humanity is basically good. Take care, my friend

[@alex_unabridged]

Thank you for the lovely supportive comment ☺ I agree completely that recognising the depression and knowing it will pass is really important. I caught it early this time - even though I've experienced it for years I don't always recognise it before it gets really bad. Recognising and acknowledging it when it first creeps in makes a massive difference in being able to deal with it! And sharing troubles helps no end as well - the positivity and support in all of the comments on this video makes me feel tons better. Folks here really are wonderful human beings! Reading short light things during a slump is a great plan - quality of writing matters less than quality of experience, and if those lighter reads bring relaxation and enjoyment then they're fabulous in my book! You know me, I love a bit of 'trashy' fiction, cosy reads, daft stories etc - they're easy to take in, doesn't ask for a huge amount of analysis and are just good fun! Once I'm done with my re-read of The Passage (which I'm enjoying a lot) I'll probably head over to some lighter shorter pieces to ease back into writing that's new to me. Thanks again for your kind words, they're very much appreciated. It's always a joy to hear from you! All the best 😊

[@elliyo4286]

I also get seasonal depressive episodes, most of the time between october and january. It´s good that you´re looking after yourself, and planning on not taking on too much. I also re-read the same comfort books when I can´t concentrate or get through new books. Sometimes I just can´t contain and take in new information, and that´s absolutely fine. We just need to keep telling ourselves that it will pass, and it´s okay to look after ourselves and just get through it. That´s enough anyway. I wish you all the best, sending you hugs! 🤗 And as to just reading what you want when you want, I love to be surprised and for someone to just whip out different books they felt in that moment. How exciting! :)

[@alex_unabridged]

Yeah, I know you understand where I'm coming from! Taking care of ourselves is paramount, and just enjoying whatever takes our fancy for reading is super important, which is often comfort books for me too. The depression will pass soon enough, but in the meantime I'm just going to take it easy, and might even stick on the audio of Project Hail Mary yet again... 😉 Thanks, Elli - I always appreciate your support. Hugs to you too! 🤗

[@elliyo4286]

@@alex_unabridged It will! I´m already looking forward to spring though. ^^ It´s good we have our go-to feel-good books. PHM is amazing, and if you listen to it 10 times in a row, that´s great too! As long as it makes you feel good :) And of course, you´re very welcome! I do 🫂❤