You know that feeling when you turn the last page of an incredible book, close it gently (or fling it across the room in an emotional spiral), and just sit there? Maybe staring at the ceiling, maybe clutching the book like it’s the last lifeline to your soul, maybe questioning every life choice that led you to this moment. Yeah. That feeling.
It’s the book hangover. The glorious, frustrating, heart-wrenching state of loving a book too much—so much that every other book suddenly looks unappealing, like grocery store sushi when you just had five-star takeout.
So what happens next? Well, if you’re like me, you optimistically pick up another book, hoping to fill the void… only to feel nothing. You try again. And again. And now you’re three books in, none of them are clicking, and you’re side-eyeing your bookshelf like it personally betrayed you.
You Are Not Broken (and You Are Not Alone)
First things first: this happens to all of us. You haven’t lost your ability to love books. Your brain is just still mentally living in the last one, like an ex you’re not over yet. Everything else feels wrong in comparison, and frankly, you might need time to grieve.
It’s like binge-watching the best TV series ever and then immediately trying to start a new one—sometimes, you just can’t. And that’s okay.
What to Do When Nothing Feels Right
So what now? If you’re in a book slump so deep you could use a flashlight, here are a few things that might help:
1. Take a Break (Yes, Really)
Listen, I know this sounds like heresy, but sometimes, the best thing to do is nothing at all. Give yourself permission to take a breather. Watch a show, scroll mindlessly through TikTok, stare dramatically out a window. Your next great read will still be there when you’re ready.
2. Reread an Old Favorite
When new books feel like cardboard, sometimes revisiting a beloved story can remind you why you love reading in the first place. It’s like calling up an old friend who just gets you.
3. Switch Up the Genre
If you just finished an epic fantasy that emotionally wrecked you, maybe try a lighthearted rom-com. If a devastating contemporary novel destroyed your will to function, maybe a murder mystery will help (because fictional murder is oddly therapeutic, right?).
4. Try an Audiobook
Reading with your eyeballs isn’t working? Let someone read to you! It’s a whole different vibe, and it might just be the trick to snapping you out of your slump. Bonus points if the narrator has an accent that makes your heart flutter.
5. Embrace the Waiting Game
Sometimes, book hangovers just need time. The right book will find you when you’re ready—probably when you least expect it, like when you’re “just browsing” at a bookstore and suddenly boom, love at first sight.
The Next Great Read Is Out There—You Just Have to Be Patient
If you’re stuck in this weird reading limbo right now, I see you. I feel you. And I promise you’ll find that book again. The one that makes you stay up too late, forget your responsibilities, and remind you why you fell in love with reading in the first place.
So, tell me—have you ever experienced a post-book hangover? How did you survive? Let’s talk in the comments! (Or just sob together. That works too.) 💬👇