I HAVE LOST MY PENCHANT FOR READING

in Hive Book Clublast month

I love reading. As a child, nothing excited me more than books. Nothing. The feeling everytime i got a new book cannot be described. When i was in primary school, the bookseller who sold beside my school kmew me so well, he gave me discounts. Back then, I'd use whatever cash-gift, even lunch money that I received to buy books. It was my addiction. They had special place in my heart. Memories about my childhood are mostly about me, sitting by the windowside or under the harsh ,white, bulb reading. I didn't care about games and playing with my peers. And I read a lot. I read everything. Anything.

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I miss that period in my life when reading books consumed my life. That was special.
I miss how much of that person i used to be, the girl who gets lost in a book, and just transported in the world of whatever she's reading that nothing else around her mattered. Books bettered me. I miss what that felt like. I need to start reading again.

I don't know what happened but I guess
internet and social media made it harder; and I'm not putting the blame on nothing but myself.

Last year, I got to reading a certain book that made me pissed and disgusted and had me feeling stupid and after it, I couldn't bring myself to reading another one. No matter how many books I picked up, I couldn't get myself to sit through it. I felt I needed a break. Maybe I was experiencing the block, I had thought. And after weeks from my books, I couldn't trace my way back. It was like 'reading lost me.' Same me who would have consumed over twenty books(even more) in so little time. Me who ised to finish a book of hundreds of pages in a day, oftentimes less. Phew!

I've tried so hard to get back into reading as much as I did then, but, it's so hard. My attention span is not only so much worse now, but now I can't get my brain to be quiet long enough to get through a few pages. My mind goes in a hundred different directions because I have so many things to worry about. Life drama, work, bills, school, the list goes on. I think this year I've actually not read a book from the first page through to the last, which is a big shame.


Image is mine

I set goals to read just one chapter daily and I laughed at myself, albeit bitterly, after the first attempt cause I couldn't get past the first three pages. Same me who damned everything else, same me who ditched food and going out to anywhere and who could go a week without opening any social media app but only focus on my novels.

Same me who mutual book-lovers would come to for recommendations and to talk books. Now I'm so lost. I'm so blank, I can't even recall the plots in some of my most interesting reads. I don't even talk books.

It itches me the most that nearly any week passes without me adding to my to-read list. I have a longggggg list of books I hope to dig into. Tsk!

What is most painful is the observation of obvious decline in my vocabulary both in writing and speaking. There's a huge difference from when I was a bookaholic and now that I'm struggling with the skill.

Pardon me, I know I'm beginning to sound pathetic. Thing is, I feel so lost, I have little interest in anything else and the one thing I so like, I can't even go through with it. I just need my groove back.


Image is mine

Anyways, I got my hands on Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, and although it's taking too long, I'm pushing it. The novel seems familiar, like something I've read, but I'm not very sure. I can't place it. It's a funny, inviting read and I like it. With some time on my hands now, courtesy of school break, I'm looking to read, read and read. I hope, that the next time I come on here, I have a review to give. What am I even saying? Expect a review, okay?

Do well to share some of your best reads with me. Just anything you think would stir-up the thirst. If you've ever been in this sort of plight as I am, tell me what helped.
Pleaseeeeeee.

Until then,
Thanks for gracing this post.
Greetings!

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I've been in this situation not much but I've been there. It's a phase I believe. It may pass and it may not. The book that helped me out of my last one, I can't really recommend cause it's not really for everyone. I'll suggest you start slowly. With short story compilations if possible. That might help

I must say that it's a relief to know that I'm not the only one who has lived(or is living) this phase.

What kind of book is it that's not for everyone, by the way?
Just piqued my interest.

What kind of book is it that's not for everyone, by the way?

It's a dark romance and ployamorous story. It explores really dark themes. That's why I said it's not for everyone

Your words resonate so much with me. As a youth, I also spent most of my money on books, reading so much each year. I kept score, I wanted to live through a thousand or more books! And I did really, but then with the advent of social media, work, and all of this clutter, I felt the same decline in my ability to sit and read. It is almost as if my hand itches to grab for the phone, to check the news or something like that. It is frustrating. Anyways, thank you so much for sharing your thoughts! I enjoyed reading them, albeit on a topic you and I feel is very sad.

Frustrating is the word.
Seeing yourself lose that energy for books is frustrating.
But you cut yourself some slack still. It's not like you've been idle. Life has been happening, and you have to do what you have to do.
Just don't ever stop reading.
A page/chapter in a while is better than none at all.
We'll be just fine.

Thank you so much for gracing my post.

For sure, every little bit helps. The longest novel starts with one word, reading a book starts with one page. Dedication and persistence wins the race. Happy reading!

I can truly relate to your experience of losing the joy and passion for reading that once defined you. It’s incredibly frustrating when something that once brought so much joy and fulfillment suddenly feels like a burden or something you can’t quite get back into. You’re not alone in this, though. Many of us have gone through periods where life’s distractions, responsibilities, and even the digital world seem to steal away our ability to focus on and enjoy the things we used to love—like reading.

Your journey from being an avid bookworm who devoured books to struggling with attention and time speaks to the challenges that many of us face as we grow older and life becomes more complex. Social media, endless notifications, and the general busyness of life certainly don't help. It’s easy to become overwhelmed with responsibilities, and reading often becomes a casualty of that overload.

One important thing to remember is that reading is still a part of you. You haven’t lost that connection to books forever. It might take time, but you can regain that love for reading. Starting with something familiar, like Americanah by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, is a great way to ease back into the habit. Sometimes, reading something light or revisiting old favorites can reignite that spark. Don't pressure yourself into trying to finish it all at once—let it unfold naturally.

Another idea might be to explore short stories or essays to rebuild your reading stamina. They require less time commitment and might help ease your mind back into the flow of reading. Audiobooks could also be a fun alternative to get you back into stories when your schedule feels packed.

I also encourage you to be kind to yourself. Don’t stress over not reading like you used to, because life changes, and our habits and abilities evolve with it. The important thing is that you’re still searching for that connection, and that’s a great start. You’ve still got that long list of books to read, and someday soon, you’ll dive into them with enthusiasm again.

Oh my, thank you! Thank you!
You literally took the words out of my mouth.
Reading is one habit i never want to lose ever. There's not ao much that piques my interest, so i assume that you undersramd my frustration.

This is sound, and I hear you loud and clear.
I'm taking Americanah in small steps, and I'm hopeful that I wouldn't dump it. It feels so good to be back to reading, although it's only just a few pages a day. Im confident that I'll be fine in little time.
Life is opening up more. there's more that i have to be responsible for, so i get it.
Maybe i just have to find a balance first.
Regardless, i wouldn't repeat the mistake of taking a break from my books.. I'd rather take it slow(if need be).

I'm definitely making a screenshot of this comment so I can always go back to it.
Thank you so much. This is helpful!😊😊

Exactly the same here. Used to be an inveterate reader. 1-3 books/week. Over the last 5 years I may have not read even 5 books.

It is a shame.

So I'm not alone?
It's just so sad to watch as the decline happens but, we'll be fine...I hope.
Just read at your pace. What's most important is to not stop reading, right?

Nope. Not alone. I hope to get started back to reading soon. I really do love it.

I also have difficulty managing time between working and making time to read books. Lately, growing up makes me miss the past, struggling with many books to read becomes a sanity, but I'm more afraid that if I get too involved in that activity, I will have less time to work.