13 books guaranteed to break you out of a reading slump.

Because we've all been there.

We’ve all been there. You know that reading is better than looking at your phone or watching something unfulfilling and yet… whenever you pick up the book, it’s just not working. Maybe it’s the eroded attention span, maybe it’s the constant deluge of bad news, maybe it’s the loud noise coming from the other room or the person next to you on the train.

Whatever it is, you can fix this! All you need is to choose your next book wisely— to choose a book that’s destined to be a slump-breaker. So put down the non-fiction thing you’ve been slogging through or the 900 page epic that’s way too literary for you to actually get into and pick up one of these…

1. Best Offer Wins by Marisa Kashino // I think mysteries and thrillers are great slump breakers because even if you don’t really love them, you definitely want to find out what happens— they have propulsive energy that basically shoves you to the finish line. And once you finish a book, you’re more inclined to do it again! This one broke a slump for me— I devoured it in two sittings. Bookshop | Amazon

2. The Book of I by David Greig // Whatever you were reading last, I guarantee this book is nothing like it. It’s written by a playwright, which means that the pacing and plot is taut, tart, and never drags. It’s short and sweet. Even if it’s not your every day cup of tea, you will want to know what happens, and the book will fly by. Bookshop | Amazon

3. Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy // Another case for books and characters that are hiding lots of secrets— you simply must find out what they’re hiding. Will they survive!? This book is nothing but characters with secrets and twisty turns. Bookshop | Amazon

4. Margo’s Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe // No thrilling secrets or mysteries here— you simply can’t help but root for a character like Margo. If part of your slump is that you’re having a hard time suspending disbelief at some grander plots, maybe it’s something ordinary but absurd that will shake you out of it— this book fits the bill! Bookshop | Amazon

   

5. Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim // I picked up this book hesitantly thinking it might read as more YA— and if it does, who cares. I just had to know what happened to the cursed Princess Shiori, a spunky, clever heroine after my own heart! Bookshop | Amazon

6. Conform by Ariel Sullivan // Do you want to read 1984 but without the baggage of 1984? Maybe a scosh of will-they-won’t-they romance? Tension and action? Here you go! You can indulge in the vibes without giving yourself a full-on conniption about the state of the world and technology and the state. Bookshop | Amazon

7. One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig // Any of Rachel Gillig’s two fantasy duologies would do just fine, but this one is top of mind since I just finished it— it broke me out of a slump where my attention span was deeply eroded by my phone and I hadn’t been able to read much at all. She’s masterful at plot and pacing in this book, something seems to happen on nearly every page, flagging your attention. I also so admire Gillig because she’s a rare fantasy author whose work seems to not be derivative of anyone else’s ideas— she constructs these worlds entirely in her own head, not borrowing verbiage or concepts from other popular books. It’s masterful, but also so damn creative. Bookshop | Amazon
   

8. Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros // There is a very special place for some of the romantasy bangers here, on the “break your slump” line-up. I’m not the biggest fan of the rest of the series, but the first Fourth Wing book garnered insane amounts of international acclaim for good reason. If you’ve been putting off reading it, choose your slump as your moment! Bookshop | Amazon

9. The Wedding People by Alison Espach // Similar to Margo’s Got Money Troubles, this is one of those books that feels like a warm, conversational hug— even though its characters are dealing with tough stuff. Bookshop | Amazon

10. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J Maas // I feel like most of the people on the planet who are going to pick up this book already have. If you haven’t— wow, choose now to do so! If you have— maybe what your slump needs is for you to revisit some of the greatest hits and classics. (Sarah J Maas books are, of course, classics.) Bookshop | Amazon

    

11. The Academy by Elin Hilderbrand // My reading slumps hate to see Elin Hilderbrand coming. She scares them away every time! And this new release— decidedly not just a beach read— is perfect for a slump, whether you’re reading it from a beach towel or not. Bookshop | Amazon

12. The Raise by Ali Kriegsman // Ali’s debut novel about a 2010s start-up founder whose co-founder dies mysteriously and suspiciously, leaving her to pick up the pieces of a dystopic fundraise is one of those books that has you tearing through the pages to find out just what happened to the characters— and what will happen next. Bookshop | Amazon

13. Very Bad Company by Emma Rosenblum // Emma Rosenblum is another author where simply the mention of her name is enough to scare my slumps away. Her books feel kind of like candy, they’re a little naughty and I want to gobble them by the fistful. This book is about a very Neumann-era-WeWork-esque start-up retreat where all the executives are hiding something… Bookshop | Amazon

Did I miss any books that broke you out of a reading slump recently?

I’d love to eventually add a part 2 to this “break your reading slump” series with recs from you!! So please don’t be shy. After all, it’s never a bad time to break a slump, or add a few more good books to your TBR…