Going through Reader’s Block during quarantine? Don’t worry, we have a solution for you
“Reading is important because it gives you room to exist beyond the reality you’re given. It is how humans merge. How minds connect. Dreams, Empathy, Understanding, Escape. Reading is love in action.”
Matt Haig, Notes On Nervousness
As we ponder over this life-altering, almost threatening, heart-wrenching situation, we feel like we are doomed for eternity. Well, what should we do about the things we can do nothing about?
You are asked to sit in homes, helpless against the pandemic. With so much information, you want to declutter your mind. Well, reading seems like the safest resort right now. The awaited TBR can finally be achieved. This is the perfect opportunity. But what if all you want to read is overshadowed by a pandemic unfurling its death cloud in the back of your mind. And you are left with this inescapable reader’s block.
Like writer’s block, reader’s block can also make you insane. Reading is an intellectual exercise, and not always an easy one. But it does help you escape reality and sometimes, help you see a clearer picture.
Just like writer’s block, reader’s block can be overcome in many different ways. Whatever method you choose, remember to be patient with yourself and experiment a bit. Here are some suggestions:
1. Revisit an old favorite: Re-reading a favorite is one of the best ways to cure the reading dry spell. Almost feel like nostalgia. It takes you back to your favorite times. When you revisit an old favorite, you remember why you love to read, how a fictional character could resonate so deeply with you, how different era feels like, and what diabolical drama a writer is capable of concocting. Oh, the literary possibilities!
2. Try a new genre: If you’ve mostly been reading one kind of books, you may just be burned out on that category of literature. You may not even realize you’ve been doing it, but some part of you could be getting bored nonetheless. Take a moment and look at the bookshelf of yours, see how many books you have bought but never read them. This is the perfect time to try something new. See what you like, experiment. Maybe dabble in some YA, sci-fi, fantasy, mystery, or romance novels!
3. Read short stories: It’s much less daunting to read a few short stories than an entire novel. You’ll discover which subject matters, styles, and authors you like. You’ll identify favorite stories you’ll read again and again, and skip the stories you don’t like. Short stories don’t require a lot of time commitment, but they’re often just as rewarding as novels.
4. Read about books, even if you’re not reading anything: If you still don’t feel like delving into a novel, then read about books instead. Read about books like you would read about the theater, or art galleries, or new gastronomic endeavors. Soak up the enthusiasm of people who love books. Their rave reviews, their online debates and even their less forgiving opinion. Learn about writers who have compelling back stories and be inspired to read their work. Find a blogger who shares your tastes and opinions, and see what they recommend. Connecting to the reading community makes reader’s block a lot less lonely.
We recommend some really good ebooks for you to read –
From
Sagrika Banotra