Ever find your interest in reading waning?

[fernandito]

Only a few years ago, reading was one of the most important things in the world to me. I was an avid reader, and I would go through books at a blistering pace - and as I'm sure is the case with most of you, there were times when I skipped certain social events just so that I could finish that one book that had me completely reeled in.

Then, as of '06 last year, my interest in reading dropped like an avalanche. I probably only finished 6 or 7 books between those two years. Was I losing my interest in reading completely? Was I making poor selections? Or was this just a minor bump in the road?

This year has been a little better for me, with the Harry Potter and the A Song of Ice and Fire series, it seems that I'm starting to get into that old mind set again, and hopefully (soon) I can go back to skipping parties in order to finish those final gripping chapters

So, has anyone else ever been through something like this?

[Storyslinger]

Yeah, I've gone through this a couple of times. It all depends on the selection of thereading your doing, and the events that are occuring in your life. For example, I haven't read any book for the last month or so, but this is due to the fact that any reading time that I would have, I'm spending finishing my book. It's just one of those things that seems to work itself out.

[Jean]

I've never experienced anything like that, because I've never considered reading anything existing separately from me; like, I never lost interest in breathing or sleeping. Sometimes I was in a position where reading couldn't be a normal thing always happening on the background of my living process, that is, I had to actually undertake some effort to get to a book or find time/place for reading it, but it had nothing to do with my own attitude.

[fernandito]

Well if you lose interest in sleeping or breathing you're pretty much done for, me thinks.

[Jean]

that's exactly what I mean. I perfectly understand that with years, I read more and more instead of living rather than as a constant background, but I don't know if I want to do something to help it

[Odetta]

I go through flurries of reading like a crazy woman, then I slow way down for awhile... reading very little.

[Wuducynn]

Then, as of '06 last year

'06 was last year for you? Amazing.

[Storyslinger]

[Daghain]

I've had "reading slumps" before too, but generally it was related to the fact that I was working on my accounting degree and didn't have a lot of time to read for pleasure. I have a STACK of books to read right now, and not enough hours in the day. Torture!

[Wuducynn]

Torture!

Sure, when do you want me to come over?

[Daghain]

[sarah]

Well to quote Darks "you must have the dreaded readers block"

I go though spurts. Read like crazy and then not so much. I was on a great reread of the Dark Tower VII and then right

Spoiler:

before Eddie dies

I just couldn't pick up a book. I couldn't read more than a magazine for about eight weeks. CRAZY! I think I'm finally getting back into the swing of things. I just finished a book and I'm off to starting a new series that sarajean recommended.

[jayson]

I go through periods when I can not read fiction. It seems like during these times I start several books but just can't get into them enough to finish. I do read a lot of non-fiction though, and usually I can find a subject interesting enough to wade my way through. The only times I don't read for long periods is when my headaches get extra-special bad. Even then though, it's not a lack of interest in reading, but a lack of interest in hurting myself to do it. I will add however that I had a massive migraine the first time I read most of DT-7 and plowed through anyway. nothing was keeping me from finishing that.

[fernandito]

I'm off to starting a new series that sarajean recommended.

Which?

[fernandito]

I go through periods when I can not read fiction. It seems like during these times I start several books but just can't get into them enough to finish.

This happens to me a lot , but with High Fantasy - anything Lord of The Rinsg-esque

[sarah]

I'm off to starting a new series that sarajean recommended.

Which?

Carpe Demon: Confessions of a Demon Hunting Soccer Mom by Julie Kenner

I know I laughed at the title too but sarajean has read three of the books and said it was a must read. I do have to say that I have always enjoyed a recommendation from sarajean. She has never been wrong for me yet.

[Girlystevedave]

I definitely go through slumps with my reading. Sometimes, even when I'm reading a book that I really enjoy, I may not pick it up for a day or two, depending on my mood or how distracted my mind is. I hate doing that, but I also don't want to feel like I'm wasting a good story by not really thinking about it as I'm reading. And of course, there are times when I really crave a book, and I might fly through numerous books over a short period of time.
So, I make up for the dry periods I guess.

[Wuducynn]

Yep, I go through reading slumps myself. I hadn't read a book since my last re-read of the Dark Tower series, which was 2 years ago, until I found The Sword of Truth series and now I've been tearing through the first book of that series.

[Girlystevedave]

What hurts my desire to read too, is when I go through periods of watching a lot of movies. Or getting hooked on a video game. Then it's all over for me.

[fernandito]

'06 was last year for you? Amazing.

You mean this isn't '07? Drats! I must have a mistake in the coordinates on my time machine, Skyet will be very displeased with me.

Carpe Demon: Confessions of a Demon Hunting Soccer Mom by Julie Kenner

Riiiiiiiiiiiiight.

But then again, don't judge a book by it's cover [or overtly eccentric title in this case]!

...Or getting hooked on a video game. Then it's all over for me.

[Girlystevedave]

Hey, I love books. But Mario was my first true addiction.

[Míchéal]

It happens to me that I can't concentrate on reading probably about twice a year...it lasts a few weeks then i'm back in action.

[Heather19]

This happens to me all the time. I might read for awhile and then all of a sudden I'll stop and it might be a year before I pick up another book. This usually happens when I'm in the middle of a story that I'm not thoroughly enjoying. I'll slow down in reading the book till it gets to the point where I have no desire to even pick it up to finish it. But if I'm in the middle of a book I usually refuse to pick up another till I'm done with that one. Hence I'll just stop reading for awhile. But lately I've been on a reading kick. I've read quite a few so far this year, and hopefully it'll keep up.

[OchrisO]

I'm an English Lit. major and sometimes I have to read so much stuff for classes that I find my pleasure reading suffering. By the time I find free time to do any pleasure reading, reading is the last thing that i want to do. My writing tends to suffer in much the same way.

[Unfound One]

I was that kid in school who got in trouble for reading in class.
In senior year of high school though I kinda got out of it, except for devouring Harry Potter books as they've been released since then.
I wasn't really in a read-y mood until last summer.
And that's when I found Dark Tower.
And the rest is history.