As a mood reader myself, these are methods and techniques I experimented and found success with. I recommend using this article like a method bank because the same method won't always work. It hasn't for me because each "reading slump" brought by the end of the previous book is different and unique related to the story, characters, and the emotions and feelings it left me. So, I have to use either this one or that one at some time, and another time I have to try the other two again.
But the good news is that there's always one method that works—the trick is finding the right one at the right time for us, mood readers.
What I noticed is that this state of indecision and generalized bleariness towards each and every book seems to stem from boredom and routine.
So, let's explore my favourite methods to stave off that state and win over it!
Ready?
Okay, scroll!
Go with the Season
Okay, this one sounds like a given, but have you reeaaally tried it? I mean, not only with the holidays it includes, but the season and moods themselves. If so, a bit of reviewing the pros of this technique will help! If not, get ready to find a few new ideas.
Your Favorite Genre
Here's my favorite one: choose a book of your favorite genre which either fits the mood, the ambiance, or the holidays of that season.
For example, I was in October (Fall), and I loooove fantasy! I wanted something Halloween-like (holidays), yet familiar and cozy. So, I went with Long Live the Pumpkin Queen: Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas by Shea Ernshaw (you can see my bookstagram and read my review here), knowing Nightmare Before Christmas is my favorite Halloween movie (it's a tradition!), it's not that scary, and it fit all the boxes for the season all while being in my favorite genre.
Something You Love
Now, I mentioned this tip with the previous paragraph, but it's: choose a topic you love (like a TV show, or a book series), and try to find a book that is either set during the season in question OR that has the ambiance and vibes. Some will do special season books, or one of them is set during winter and that's what you're looking for, for example.
For me, it was during the month of December, and as a big Doctor Who fan, I wanted to read something about that TV show, yet I wanted to feel Christmastime and winter.
I looked up Doctor Who books and I stumbled upon Doctor Who: The Twelve Doctors of Christmas, and it was an instant purchase!
It did checked my favorite topic and seasonal boxes. The stories are warm and wintery, and perfect for Doctor Who fans!
Venture Out of Your Comfort Zone
This one is an old trick, but it is tough for a reason: it works. Not always, but it helps shake the routine and boredom.
For this one, I have two different methods: trying an unfamiliar genre and looking for a different trope.
Try An Unfamiliar Genre
More often than not, we read what we love most and what we're familiar with. For example, I'm all about fantasy and romance, as well as documentaries. But, if I wanna shake up my world and try a different genre, I will choose a memoir, or a travel book written by someone who went to that country. See?
The first travel memoir—or memoir, for that matter—I ever read was Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes because it's about Italy. Enough said. No, but, truth is, I love the Italian culture and I speak Italian as a self-taught language since I was 14 years old. So, it was meaningful to me. And, thanks to this book, I found another genre to read sometimes: memoirs.
So, if you read mostly fiction, try a non-fiction by a researcher, or a writer you like, a memoir by a celebrity of some kind, something other than fiction.
If you read non-fiction instead, try a light novel, or a poetry book. Something that can grip you instead of always giving you information to feed on (which is awesome, I love that too, but you know, to shake things up a bit ;)).
Look for a Different Trope
A trope is a certain pattern that comes back so often it's common. For example, in Romance books I always go to enemies-to-lovers, but once in a while, if you're like me, try a friends-to-lovers, perhaps? Ok, not the same stakes, but that's what we're looking for here. These are both tropes, but since I'm quite the enemies-to-lovers gal, changing it up to friends-to-lovers will shake up my perspective and routine.
Another example is how I love morally grey characters (*cue April Jay's bookish song, Morally Grey*), then when I'm looking for a different trope, I'll try a goody-two-shoes.
I know, I know, these examples can seem rather daunting, but that's the point with getting out of your comfort zone!
Establish the Mood You Want with:
Put On A Playlist
Playlists are a great way to establish mood and ambiance, whether it's for reading, writing, cooking, and other any fun activities. Some prefer a classical playlist, others a moody one, and some others a lyrical playlist…
Here are a few suggestions, feel free to try them out to find the mood you're looking for:
Sometimes lyrics are too overwhelming and confusing as you read, but others will enjoy it. As for classical music, it's mostly great for thrillers and fantasy, I found from experience, or deep drama readings like the Six of Crows duology by Leigh Bardugo, or dark romance.
Did you know there are also playlists compiled by the authors themselves for specific books or series?
Why not try and find one (if it exists) for the book you're about to read?
For example, the If I Stay playlist by the author Gayle Forman.
The Splintered Series playlist by the author A. G. Howard (my favorite Alice in Wonderland retelling).
Oftentimes the authors will leave a link to their playlists on their website, or do a manual search in your music app.
Brew Your Favorite Beverage
An essential in my opinion is a beverage. But not any beverage; it must be your favorite, or at least held in the same esteem.
For example, I am a coffee gal, but mostly iced coffee. I'm all about iced coffee; from Tim Horton's, Starbucks, from my home Nespresso, and more. I need that iced coffee, and what better way to drink it than to pair it with a book for a perfect mood?
Exactly what I thought: there is no better way than that!
If you're not a coffee gal or lad, how about some tea? You can use a little tea infuser with tea herbs, or you can use a tea bag. Either way, as long as it's a taste you love to sip and smell.
And how about brewing your own coffee if you like that? This could get you into an enthusiastic mood with the smell and the movements, right before an interesting read!
Whichever drink you prefer, make sure to pair one of your favorites with a book. It never fails to delight!
Settle in a Pleasant Setting
Settings are as important in real life as in stories. For example, would the Shadow and Bone trilogy be the same without a Russian-inspired Ravka? Nope. How about Harry Potter without Hogwarts? Not the same feel at all.
Well, same goes for you!
Do you have a comfy chair? I call mine my "potato chair", because then I can become a potato on it and not move except for turning the pages and drinking my favorite iced coffee.
Perhaps it's a cozy or favorite room in your house or apartment? Go there!
If you prefer the calm and quiet of the library, or the cozy bustle of the coffee shop, why not spice things up by reading in these locations? I can lose myself for hours in a book in both the library and a coffee shop. Or if it's new to you, how about changing the pace of your reading and trying these places out?
In order for the reading to be more enticing and immersive, find yourself a pleasant spot.
Put On Comfy or Thematic Clothes
Clothes are often overlooked as a means to create mood. But sometimes, it can be the missing element!
If you want a cozy, calm and soothing reading experience, how about slipping on comfy clothes? Those baggy pants, or how about these leggings you bought last month? A big shirt or a tight tank top. Whatever your comfy is, make sure to aim for it. Clothes can put us in certain moods, and comfy is the one we're going for here for reading experience.
However, if you want to shake things up and be ready for the adventure at hand, let's say you're about to read a fantasy novel, how about putting on a Harry Potter shirt or scarf? If you have a shirt from Game of Thrones, it works, too! As long as it fits the topic/genre you're going to read, there's no trouble.
How about sexy underwear or cute pyjamas full of kisses or hearts for a romance book?
I mean, why not? It's all about the right mood!
Change the Routine–Make it Special!
Remember when I mentioned how it's all about routine? Yeah, exactly, so let's make it special! Because, routine is good for daily life, but it can become tiresome, even in reading for we go to our favorite genres, things we like, but it sometimes loses that sparkle. You know the one! That sparkle that gets us giddy before a read, like we're an enthused two year-old before a new toy.
That one, yeah!
How do we find it back? Here we go!
Enjoy yourself!
You know how routines can become… well, routinely. Boring. Tiresome. Same old, same old. This happens with our reading, too! When our "want" changes to "must" because we've been meaning to read that book for so long, or perhaps we have a bookstagram or review coming up… But thing is, "I must read" is no fun, it's routine–reading's become a chore. Yikes! The horror! We love reading mostly for escapism (except those unique ones who don't and I can't relate, but hey, welcome to the party!), so when it stops being escapism… No, that's too terrifying to consider.
So, the trick is to subtly change the "I must read my book" to "I WANT to read my book".
Start by changing the word in your thoughts and in conversations with people. That'll help. Then, try to view it as some me-time, to relax, to reappropriate your pleasure of reading.
Don't let it be tiresome–make it awesome!
These Are Not Just Words
No, I did not make a mistake. Books are NOT just words. The ever so practical will tell me : "Of course not, there is glue, paper, ink…." Yes, alright, but dear fellow, that's not what I mean, so sit down.
What I mean is books are much more than words. There are mental images, stories, knowledge… and the best of all: they give us friends! Come on, don't tell me you never loved a book character so much as to think of them outside of your reading time, and some of us go as far as purchasing items about them and writing fanfics, making fanvids, and more.
These friends we find in the pages of books are our friends and no one else's. Why? Because every one reads a bit differently, so every one has their own versions of said characters. And that makes it unique, because books contain more than words–they contain friends we yearn to discover and develop a friendship with in the first read, or reconnect with through a second or third reading.
And that, my dears, is beautiful.
Magic is what it is, I think.
Magic of the heart, and mind, and soul… Magic of the story!
So, keep that in mind to enthuse yourself about your read, ok? 😉
Dance, Laugh–It's an Adventure!
Last but the funniest is please please please make it fun. Sometimes, to go back to my "tiresome routine" point, we can lose ourselves in the daily grind. But, reading is no simple feat (psychologically and emotionally). We immerse ourselves into these worlds or into that knowledge. At least, make it some kind of privileged time! A party, if that's what it takes.
For me, I do love to dance and laugh on music to psych me up before sitting down with a book. Perhaps you'd like to play a game to have a good mood before reading, or read jokes.
Geez, you're going on an adventure to discover and befriend people (fiction) or learn tons (non-fiction) on how the world or people work!
Don't make it something casual or too ordinary–reconnect with its fantastic nature! Put a movie in the background, or listen to classical music while reading.
Whatever you do, remember: reading is an adventure.
So act like it's one!
I hope you enjoyed this article and found it useful. Don't forget to try out these tricks any time you get stuck as a mood reader (which happens, let's be honest, every day!).
See you next post, lovelies!
Ad Librum Aeternam 