Breaking the Reading Slump: One Book at a Time

Every avid reader knows the feeling: you’re flying through books, crushing your reading goals, and then—bam—you hit a wall. That’s the dreaded reading slump. And let me tell you, getting out of it feels amazing.

A Strong Start… Then Nothing

I started the year on fire. Between January and the first week of March, I read 12 books. That’s a pace I was proud of—until it all came to a screeching halt. From mid-March to now, I only finished one book. Just one. And it wasn’t for lack of trying. I picked the book up several times, read a few pages, and put it down again. Nothing was sticking. Nothing was exciting. And honestly, it kind of sucked.

The Book That Pulled Me Out

Last night, I finally broke the curse. I finished The Eye of the Bedlam Bride—ironically, the same book that started the slump in the first place. The premise was confusing at first, centering around card battles where the "deckmaster’s" cards would come to life in combat. Think Pokémon or Magic: The Gathering, but way more chaotic. It was hard to follow in the beginning, and that’s where I lost steam.

But I’m glad I stuck with it. As I got deeper into the story, things started clicking. The worldbuilding expanded, the characters came into focus, and the strange rules of the universe started to make more sense. It became intense, unpredictable, and just the right amount of unsettling. It reminded me why I love reading—the thrill of the unknown, the weird twists, and the satisfaction of seeing it all come together.

That joy of reading? It’s back.

What's Next on My Reading List

With that momentum restored, I’m diving right into the books I’ve been waiting to enjoy when the time was right. Here’s my immediate shortlist:

Half a War by Joe Abercrombie – This is the final book in the Shattered Sea trilogy, a Norse-inspired coming-of-age saga full of political intrigue, betrayal, and hard-earned alliances. The first two books (Half a King and Half the World) introduced us to a world where cleverness can be as powerful as strength, and the story has only grown in scale. I can’t wait to see how it all ends.

Faithbreaker by Hannah Kaner – The third entry in the Fallen Gods series, which kicked off with Godkiller and Sunbringer. What I originally thought was a trilogy is now shaping up to be something much bigger—potentially a seven-book series. That’s exciting news, because this world of rogue gods, flawed heroes, and dangerous magic keeps getting better with every installment.

The Inevitable Ruin (Dungeon Crawler Carl, Book 7) – This series needs no introduction. Equal parts brutal, bonkers, and brilliant, it’s become one of my absolute favorites. Following Carl and Princess Donut through their hilarious and horrifying adventures in an alien-run death game never gets old. I’ve been holding off on The Inevitable Ruin until I caught up on some other reads—now’s the time. Well, after I finish these other two.

Slumps Happen, and That’s Okay

Here’s the thing: slumps are part of the reading life. They show up without warning and linger longer than we’d like. But they always pass. Sometimes it takes the right book, a new genre, or just the right mindset. When it clicks, though? It feels like coming home.

So now I’m back in the game, ready to finish a trilogy, keep going in the Fallen Gods series, while diving into the chaos of Carl and Princess Donut. If you’re stuck in a slump yourself, don’t stress—it only takes one good book to bring the spark back.

What’s on your reading list right now? Or better yet—what book snapped you out of your last slump?

Don’t forget to follow me on Fable to keep up with my reading journey, the books I’ve finished, and what I’m planning to read next!