How do you overcome reader’s block?

~ Veselin

The short answer? TL;DR.

I’ve noticed a pattern with people who start reading. They would pick a book that they really want to read and get stuck with it. A book that makes a statement. For example, I started reading The Engineering Leader by Cate Huston about 6 months ago, and I’ve not reached 30% yet. Not giving up on that one. I know the author, she gave me a copy with an autograph. I will complete that book. But then, I could’ve had a 6-month reader’s block with it, turning me from a person who reads to a person who doesn’t. The same can happen with fiction. I started Brandon Sanderson’s Rhythm of War twice. He’s great, I met him in person, his books are fantastic. But then, why did I get stuck between page 200 and 300 both times?

I think that it’s not about the book itself. The right person at the right moment would not get stuck. But we do get stuck, particularly when we want to have read something rather than enjoy the act of reading it.

Solutions

  • Treat it like a schoolbook. 10 pages/hour, small rewards for each chapter (like a candy). I may end up doing that for Cate Huston’s book because it feels useful and will eventually get through it. This method works well with short-form and non-fiction.
  • Give yourself permission to DNF (Did Not Finish). This is my recommended approach for most books that cause Reader’s Block. Rhythm of War goes here. Works perfectly with long books and fiction. If you can’t get to 20% within 5 days, time to call it a DNF.
  • Don’t start books that will cause it. The probability of getting stuck on a book increases with the length of the book. Too long? Don’t start.
  • Read two books at the same time, for example one on paper, and one e-book. When you get stuck with one, the other will keep the habit of reading alive.
  • Dedicate a block of time for reading. For me, that’s typically 9:30pm to 11pm.

There are still challenges I haven’t figured out. For example, how do I consistently find books I’ll actually enjoy? No clue. I have a pile of unread books at home. Most of them don’t seem as appealing as they did when I bought them.

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20 thoughts on “How do you overcome reader’s block?”

  2. My husband came up with what he calls the 60 page rule. If, by the time he gets through 60 pages, if he isn’t invested in the book, it’s a DNF. He and I go by the axiom that life’s too short to read books you books you don’t like.

    Great post, and excellent suggestions!

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  3. Hi, Veselin, This is a great post today I loved it and agree so much with it. I’ve not been reading like I used to because I can’t find English-language books (hard/soft cover). Are there any good English-language bookstores in Sofia? I’d like to check them out this summer. Thanks! Warren

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    1. Most big bookstores have English sections. For example Ciela, Knigomania, Orange Center, Helikon.

      When something isn’t translated, I typically get it for Kindle. Kindle books tend to be far cheaper than paper books.

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  6. I read an article once that said, if men don’t like a book, they’ll give it up by page 100. If a woman doesn’t like it, she’ll still keep reading it to the end. I’m not sure how true this is, but your post made me think of that. Maggie

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  7. The reader’s block is real!

    Since a few years ago, I intentionally read short stories or long-form articles in a weekly basis. I’ll add a couple of longer books throughout the year — when I feel I really want to or around travelling, when I have many hours to spare.

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    1. I donate them to the library. I recently discovered that books have a second-hand market and some are quite expensive, which sabotages my strategy for getting rid of them.

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  10. I’ve been working on a book about East Germany for weeks, now. It’s actually a very interesting book, but it’s taking me forever to finish it. I used to be able to get through books very quickly, but it’s a lot harder now, as I get older.

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