I sometimes go long stretches without being able to finish a book. Especially since the pandemic began. Maybe try rereading a book you have enjoyed before. Try The Book Thief.

I’m sorry you’re feeling like this. You’re not alone, I have been there. Personally, the app/site GoodReads helped me. Reading reviews on books, finding books you may have liked and seeing similar titles, or seeing what people are also reading that read your liked book. Or perhaps taking a trip to a book store. Have a coffee and browse the aisles, new titles, etc. I think once you find one title you love, you’ll feel out of the rut you’re in.

I think the big thing with a feeling like this is to read something you feel like you’ll enjoy, and to be open to keeping a space in your life for reading again. Not saying you’re not, just saying that sometimes you do just need a break from reading, even if that break lasts years and there’s nothing wrong with just saying that reading isn’t something that you’ll enjoy at this point in your life. If you want to get back into reading, though, I usually encourage people to try and read at least 20 minutes a day at some point throughout the day. It just helps to build routine where you incorporate it back into your life and then you can kinda play with that time and the days you do it once you get back into the swing of things. Reading takes time and energy too, so be sure you’re reading something you’re enjoying! If you don’t like it, leave it.

Okay, so it would be helpful if you cited how old you actually are and some of the books you read that left you feeling "hollow" or "broken and incomplete", because that doesn't sound like a positive outcome of reading.

It CAN be. Some tragic books like Cormac McCarthy's "The Road" generate that feeling, but that was their intention. Perhaps readers feel grateful that they weren't in that world and exposed to that hellscape. But it's not 'enjoyable' so much as it is 'eye-opening'.

But either way, maybe ask for recommendations on something that "changes up" what you're reading so you'll feel something different than what you describe, because that honestly sounds like it sucks.

Maybe you could gain benefit from a hero to support that beats the odds, instead of a book set in a dank setting that makes humanity look awful. Or read a biography about someone actually overcoming adversity that you can cheer on rather than someone that gets crushed by their circumstances.

As an example, Andy Weir's "The Martian" is a colossally good read, with manageable levels of science and a central character that you can really look up to.

I also go through ups and downs with reading, where I feel like nothing I try to read scratches that page turning itch. So I switch to Music. I find audiobooks is the key. I can "read" all the time then. And with Audible I can just ask for a refund if it is not something I enjoyed.

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I suspect a key phrase here might be since Covid. If that's the case then please cut yourself some more slack. Even enjoyment takes energy. It might be that emotion, however pleasurable is more than your system feels up to. It might be that you need to build up your general health and well-being with walking, small scale sociability, small treats and much less emotionally demanding reading for a while.

I have found refuge in Terry Pratchett's books and although there are deep emotional elements I only engage with them as much as I feel up to. Otherwise he tickles my sense of humour, word play, imagination. His writing can be appreciated on different levels so you can race through with the plot or find joy in just a few pages of carefully honed writing.

Hmm. I'm in the same boat. I used to read 360 books a year (not Harlequin romance, but "big honkin' novels"). In 2009, I was in a car accident. Since that time, I might have read 2 or 3 books from start to finish (Harlequin romance size). I re-read bits & pieces of my favourite books, but I haven't read an entire book all-at-once since 2009.

I know your frustration. In another thread, people have said, "Just keep trying; it'll return." Or, "Try reading different types than you used to." And, "Cut yourself some slack. It'll come back when it wants to. Don't force it." All good advice. BUT -- I'm not the way I used to be!! I want to be the voracious reader I used to be! It hurts! Almost physically. (I'm "of a certain age," and I want to throw a kicking screaming fit about this)

I don't have an answer of how to bring it back; believe me, if I knew, I'd write a book about it!!! All I have to offer is the advice in the previous paragraph. I guess we have to just keep plugging. ((Hugs)) All the best.

Happened to me too, I had problem concentrating so I stopped for some time. I started again but with poetry because it's short. I bought the complete poems of D.H. Lawrence and it just reminded me how much I love to read. So maybe start with some short stories or poetry.

This might be an offbeat suggestion, but have you tried having an eye test? Since I got covid last summer my vision was affected, too mildly to really notice, but just enough to make reading more laborious. As a result I was reading less because I was not enjoying it, without really realising why. New glasses sorted the whole thing out!

I was like this for a long time and what really got me back into reading long books (currently reading the Stormlight Archive, 1000+ pages per book!) was reading some real "trash" to get back into reading. For me, it was reading a whole bunch of Michael Crichton books. I love his work, it's so dry and technical but more than that, they are silly with generally 2 dimensional characters, but have interesting plots and story beats and are generally really thrilling, but easy reading. I suppose you could say the same for Dan Brown books....

Honestly, reading Jurassic Park, The Lost World, Congo, Prey, Shphere etcetc got me back into reading in a big way and I really can't reccomend some "easy reading" enough to reignite your interest.

If you;re looking for a single authors works to get into as well, read the Discworld series, starting with Guards Guards!

I find when I am not bored and paying attention, I default to my phone or computer. This prevents me from picking up a book instead. I have to consciously think about it, but once I do start I am still an avid reader. I just have to avoid falling into my usual habits.

I think they meant they felt hollow when the book was over and they had to leave its world and characters behind, so more like leaving the book made them feel that way, not the book itself. So the problem now is that they're not emotionally invested enough in what they read to care when it's over.

This plus when I wanted to get into reading in 2015 I started reading just a chapter a day. Not much, because even that took a lot of energy to begin with. Now i'm an avid reader and can read for hours. It took time and practice. Just start with something manageable, like a chapter or 20 minutes a day as Penguin-47284 mentioned. And find something you'll enjoy. It doesn't matter if it's horror or YA or middle grade or fantasy or a manga etc. Read what you want, what excites you to read it. And DNF a book if you aren't enjoying it.

On a re-read, you're probably correct here.

But it wasn't clear to me as it was phrased as a negative, not a "that book left a wonderful impression of its world with me and I was sad to see it end" sort of regret.

Hi there. This subject has been very popular in the past. Please use reddit search and/or check the /r/books/wiki/faq.

thats a good point, i have been noticing some strain on my eyes, i should get that done. thank you!

true, i struggle with maintaining routines. i should probably start by establishing deadlines for myself. it's been a while since i've read a book, so it's gonna be a little difficult figuring out what i enjoy reading. but ig it all starts with trial and error after all. thanks for the suggestion though, it actually helps a ton :)

thats incredible! i'm so happy for you :) i should definitely start by fixing a routine because that certainly helps

yes, thats a smart move. i think i'll probably start with short stories and genres that pique my interest. thanks for the suggestion :)

ahh yes, thats a very good tip. reading reviews to get to know the book better will definitely keep me invested in the book. thats a good way to get back to reading. thank you!

thats really smart. i usually shift to music/movies when i find myself zoning out. but thats turns into a vicious cycle of me not paying attention to what im reading and shifting my focus exclusively to my device :( but audiobooks sound good, will definitely try them! thanks :)

true, that could be a possibility. and yes, i'll go easy on myself with reading, baby steps :) thank you!

No problem, good luck.

I'm sorry, i should've phrased it better. but thank you for the suggestion! im definitely gonna follow your advice :)

ah yes, ive heard glorious reviews about this one. definitely gonna read it, thank you :)

im sorry this happened to you :/ but yes, i should go a little easy on myself and go slow with reading because im just getting back on track. thank you so much for this, it actually helps knowing im not alone :) thanks again!

sending more hugs your way <3

yes, you've actually got a good point there. i think reading "trash" books helps you pay more attention to interesting ones because yk it's gonna be better, so you stay invested. thats actually very smart haha. thank you so much!

i agree! thats exactly what happened to me! i tend to grab my phone the minute a feel a little tired while reading a book, so i stop reading it altogether because i keep procrastinating. ig i just need to keep my devices locked up haha

Warning- it is tremendous but heart wrenching.

Hang on in there. Don't rush anything or you'll end up like me.

oof! this one's gonna be a tough read huh :/

but im really excited for it :)

yes, i'll make sure to do that. thank you! :D