5 Fun Books To Get You Out Of Your Reading Slump
The modern world is full of distractions, and it's not always easy to carve out time for reading. Many readers find themselves stuck in "book slumps," where they can't seem to find the time or energy for the activity they used to love. Picking up something fun, whether it's laugh-out-loud funny or action-packed, can be a good way to get back into the habit of reading. If you're looking for something new to add to your shelf, consider the five works listed here. This video was made with Ezvid Wikimaker.
Entertaining Books By Talented Authors
| Title | Author |
|---|---|
| Big Mouth | Deborah Halverson |
| The Waiting Game | Eve Devon |
| Spider Woman's Daughter | Anne Hillerman |
| Fame Adjacent | Sarah Skilton |
| Summer Hours | Amy Mason Doan |
Tips For Getting Out Of A Reading Slump
- Put your phone on airplane mode to avoid distraction
- Don't be afraid to read YA or middle grade, no matter how old you are
- Re-read one of your favorite books to get started
- Pick a genre that you know will hold your attention
- Write reading time into your day planner
- Start with something short and easy
- Join a book club
- Make a physical space for reading in your home
How Books Can Open Your Mind
How to Encourage Kids to Read
A great way to start is to get a bookshelf for your child's room. If they have access to their own collection of books, it'll be easy for them to read at their own pace. And if they're looking at the shelf everyday, reading will always be on their mind. It's also important to give your kids a comfortable place to sit. This can be anything from a rocking chair to a couch to a dedicated reading nook. If they have a space that's just for them, it makes reading time all the more special. As they grow, your young ones will start to read more challenging books with words they don't know. Encourage them to look up unfamiliar terms in the dictionary so they can expand their vocabulary. Finally, if you're having trouble getting your kid interested in books in the first place, try bridging the gap between visual media and literature with graphic novels.
In Depth
Voracious readers can quickly run out of options to maintain their excitement for new book options. Whether it's coming of age, romance, or suspense, new and exciting novels are emerging all the time. If you're in a slump over your reading list consider these five fun options presented here in no particular order.
First up, at #1 we have Big Mouth by Deborah Halverson, a former editor at Harcourt Children's Books. Big Mouth takes place in the world of competitive eating, and finds fourteen year old Shermie Thuff determined to win the Nathan's Famous Fourth of July Hot Dog Eating Championship. He begins intense physical training such as jaw strength drills, stomach expansion sessions, and enlists the help of a friend on the wrestling team in order to be able to compete on the world stage.
Big Mouth was inspired by a high school friend of Halverson, a wrestler who developed an eating disorder as a means of managing the intense pressures of making weight for competitive wrestling. She wanted to address food issues among teenage boys, and felt this topic was often overlooked by our society. Big Mouth is described as "funny, touching, and deeply gross" by Bruce Hale, author of the Chet Gecko series, and is a right fit for readers looking for a fresh take on the coming of age genre.
Big Mouth was inspired by a high school friend of Halverson, a wrestler who developed an eating disorder as a means of managing the intense pressures of making weight for competitive wrestling.
Coming in at #2, is The Waiting Game by Eve Devon, a lifelong book enthusiast and former professional librarian. The Waiting Game is a romantic suspense novel that takes place five years after a madman stalked, kidnapped, and tattooed Brooke Bennet, a former musician. She learns from an old lover that her attacker has been released from prison and is on the hunt for her in order to complete the tattoo he started. Brooke decides to take a stand and set a trap for the killer, despite protests otherwise. Romantic and dramatic tensions mount between the two as they soon discover that the enemy is not who he seems.
The Waiting Game takes the scintillating exploits of the romance genre and combines them with a suspenseful crime thriller to entertain readers. Eve Devon's love of books, along with her international upbringing in places like Botswana and Venezuela, is evident in her writing, as well as her respect for crime thrillers yielding positive reviews from readers of The Waiting Game.
At #3, we have Spider Woman's Daughter by New York Times bestselling author Anne Hillerman, daughter of the late Southwest mystery writer Tony Hillerman. She continues the Joe Leaphorn series started by her father by centering her novel around Navajo Nation Police Officer Bernadette Manuelito, who witnesses a shooting and her subsequent investigation with her husband, Sergeant Jim Chee. Their discoveries lead them through unexpected turns and as they get closer to the truth, the killer is determined to escape justice.
Their discoveries lead them through unexpected turns and as they get closer to the truth, the killer is determined to escape justice.
Spider Woman's Daughter is the first book in a series and was Anne Hillerman's debut novel released by HarperCollins. It received the Spur Award from Western Writers of America for the Best First Novel of 2013. She has recently released the fifth book in this series, The Tale Teller, which reprises Joe Leaphorn's role as the protagonist.
Next up at #4, is Fame Adjacent by Sarah Skilton, a writer with roots in the Hollywood entertainment industry. The book tells the story of Holly Danner, a former child actor on a hit show, who never became as famous as the other cast members. One day, she learns about a 25th anniversary for the show and was not invited. Holly decides to go on a road trip and crash the event overcoming numerous obstacles and a lack of support and resources.
Fame Adjacent is a contemporary, realistic, and humorous tale about the pursuit of fame. Publishers Weekly says "The premise is comedic, but the underlying message about social media and stardom is serious and powerful," in addition to awarding it a starred review and PW Pick of the Week. Fame Adjacent addresses modern day concerns and is written for the reader interested in a unique perspective.
Fame Adjacent addresses modern day concerns and is written for the reader interested in a unique perspective.
Finally, at #5, we have Summer Hours by Amy Mason Doan, who has a journalism background in addition to writing fiction. Her latest novel revolves around Becc, an aspiring journalist who lost everything because of a secret relationship, and the aftermath a decade later when they are reunited at a wedding. She is faced with the choices of her youth and must decide if the relationship is worth fighting for or lost forever.
Set in the mid 90s and 2008, Summer Hours is a female coming of age about the seductive power of nostalgia, and coming to terms with the decisions one has made throughout life. Writers & Readers Magazine describes the book as "Bittersweet, pertinent but never preachy, told with warmth and good humor," and would make a nice addition to your library.
