Once upon a time, as I sat on the beach with a book in hand, I found myself immersed in the world of Harry Potter, blissfully unaware that this would mark the end of an era. My pre-law school summer was a time of literary indulgence and I read voraciously.  Little did I know, my desire to dive into books for sheer pleasure was about to hit a lengthy pause. Once in law school, after spending so many hours reading for class, I found I didn’t have the energy to read fiction. By the start of the second semester through graduation, I had six or seven books on my nightstand that I would shift around and dust, but never pick up to read. I promised myself during that time that I would start reading for fun again after the bar exam, and eagerly anticipated reading through the pile of books on my nightstand.  

After graduation and the flurry of bar prep, I tried diving back into reading and hit an unexpected hurdle. I couldn’t focus enough to get through a novel. Like many others who have been down this path, I soon realized that reigniting my passion for leisure reading would not be straightforward. After some effort, I was able to work my way back into reading fiction, but never achieved the reading stamina I had before law school. I was limited to reading shorter books and listening to longer books. I became comfortable with this pattern of reading. Eighteen years into law practice, I hit a setback when I decided to pursue a master’s degree. Just three weeks into the coursework, I was hit with an all-too-familiar feeling: reading burnout. Unlike my law school experience, where it took a semester to reach this point, the onset was almost immediate this time. I recognized the symptoms and felt a mix of frustration and resignation. I was determined to bounce back once I finished school.

It’s been almost two years since I finished my degree, and I’m still working on rehabilitating my love of fiction. I’ve made progress, but this time around I hope to get back to something closer to my pre-law school passion for reading. Utilizing some of the techniques I learned during book burnout 1.0 and some new variations, my steps to recovery this time around include:

  • Revisit or stick with familiar territory: Step 1 – Re-read favorite shorter books. Step 2 – read a series – by the second book you’ll be familiar with the book’s world, and it’s a bit easier.
  • Keep it short and keep it light: YA fiction or trashy beach reads – whatever floats your boat! Aim for progress, not perfection.
  • Set better boundaries: I stopped worrying about reading books that I “should” read and currently focus on reading for fun. I know I can turn to audiobooks to expand what I’m reading.
  • Make it routine and turn off the screen: I’ve built time for reading into my day. I read on the train and try to make time to read before bed.
  • Change up the format: As much as I love the feel of a bound book, I found it too easy to leave the book at home. The Kindle is small and stows easily in my purse or backpack. I can also adjust the size of the text as needed.
  • Set a goal: I set an annual achievable reading goal on GoodReads. Some years my goal is to read a set number of books, sometimes the goal is just to beat last year’s page count.

A year ago, I started a new job in a new city and quickly amassed a collection of shiny new library cards that unlocked access to a treasure trove of books from my long-neglected GoodReads “to read” list.  This year, I’ve decided to change up the formula and challenge myself further: shorter books will now be enjoyed through audiobooks, and longer, more immersive novels I will tackle on my Kindle. I’m optimistic that by the end of 2024, not only will my page counts be significantly higher, but I’ll also be engrossed in a semi-door-stop-sized novel as the holiday season rolls around. How about you? Have you ever experienced reading burnout? How did you reignite your passion for books? Share your stories and tips in the comments below – I’d love to hear how others navigate their reading journeys.