I was scrolling through goodreads for something to read, until I realised I had marked 9 books in currently reading I forgot about, even though the books are on my bedside table 😂
I am in the same situation. All I can say is either take the one that you have the most pages read and just focus on that one and then keep going that way. You will finally finish a book like that . I also try to get audio books for my books as well so I can always be reading the book and that definitely makes it go faster and keeps my focus on the book
I'm really good at being in the middle of books. I eventually made a 'partially read' shelf on Goodreads and shunted most of them there. I have had a lot of luck with audiobooks, mostly because I don't have a car, so I'm spending a lot of time walking places or on the bus. Unfortunately, I'm limited to what my library has, because I don't have the budget to buy them.
Whenever I get in a rut like that, I just move on since clearly it hasn't grabbed my attention. I put them on the goodreads want to read list, then move on and can always come back. I started 20 books or so over the past two months, but the only book that held my attention was a Lucy Score book and was able to finish it.
I started Fourth Wing and honestly I'm loving it I'm like I'm a basic bitch but this is so fun. I'm also trying to finish the Becky chambers wayfarer series and I'm struggling
Girl there must be something in the fkn air. I used to be a strict one-book-at-a-time kind of lady -- AND I used to binge entire shows that I liked -- but just like you I'm all OVER The place!! I have like 4 books going and I'm still sitting on half or more of several shows. 😭Feels chaotic 😂
This month I am working on clearing out my 'Currently Reading' list on GR cause I currently am in the middle of about 15 books. 😂 It's not that I didn't like them, I just keep getting distracted by new shiny books
I think I have like 6 books on my currently reading shelf on goodreads… and two more library holds have just come in. I’m struggling to finish anything right now
I bounce between 6-8 books at a time because I’m a mood reader and sometimes depression brain says put everything down and just read How To Be A Normal Person AGAIN! Lol. If I really want to par down the currently reading list I start with the one I’m closest to done with, then pick the shortest books and then I’ll do audiobooks on 2x speed for the books that interest me the least.
I go through this sometimes, too, though it's usually caused by stress in my life, so there's really nothing I can do about it except to just accept the slump and get focused once the bad times have passed. As for advice? Empress of Salt and Fortune is extraordinarily short--I'd say it's a novelette, even shorter than a novella. My physical copy is a little pamphlet. Finishing *something* might energize you for something longer. Good luck!
Sometimes I take turns reading a chapter a book. Like I'll start with the one I haven't read in awhile and read a chapter or a certain number of pages. And if I'm not motivated to keep reading that one, I pick up the next book. Btw I too watch 911 👀
I started The Raven Tower by Ann Leckie about a week and a half ago. Quite liked it, have thought to myself that I need to get back to it on several occasions, and...have not picked it up again since. So, I can relate.
Whenever I find myself in this situation I 'soft dnf' the ones I've had a go at. To me it could just be that it is the wrong time! Then I like to go for something very fast paced like a YA fantasy or a thriller novel to get me back into that good feeling of finishing a book! Im sure you will find something that works for you
I cycle through these reading feelings, on repeat. I sometimes use manga and graphic novels as a palette cleanser as I always have a hard time starting the next novel. If I can't fully immerse myself in a book, I'll reach for a shorter one so I don't feel completely like an incompetent reader. Empress of Salt and Fortune was actually a great example for me moving on with my TBR. It took a bit to get use to the writing style, but then I was captivated by the story within the story structure and read the sequel shortly after (though I haven't even put an effort into reading the third so there's a chance I won't get to it for years now, if ever.😅) These time and mood thresholds for books are in constant flux and that's okay. Thanks for this relatable video and sharing all the book starts. It's what my nightstand looks like, stacks of books with bookmarks all after the first chapters.
Have you ever been assessed for ADHD? My son has been diagnosed and my husband and daughter are in the process of diagnosis. I'm an Educational Assistant and have been working with students who have ADHD and Autism for 10 years and I hear you listing some of the symptoms of ADHD.
Hello! I’m 34 and was diagnosed with ADHD in January of this year. The diagnosis and medication were life changing for me and I will always recommend getting assessed if someone feels like they might be. It took me a year of wondering before finally talking to my psychiatrist. I wish I’d talked to him about it earlier.
@@steelcutoaths3033 I am so glad you are living a better life. ❤ We did years of therapy for my son but nothing helped until medication. Now he has friends and is successful in school and sports. He won three academic awards this year. I can't wait for my daughter's diagnosis to be finalized because she is struggling. It's been such a long process.
@@JessOwens I have called about 15 psychologists this week trying to find an appt but every single one has a waitlist for months. Good luck with your search for a therapist! You are considered self-care for me because you make me laugh so much. ♥
I always read books concurrently these days--sometimes they drop off the "current" list, and some come back, if you're not in the right mindset to read a particular book, it doesn't always mean the book is bad. I find that I read a lot more using this method, and it's better for me, it may be better for you too.
I do the same thing, I start a new show and stop and start something else. And I've had shows I haven't finished since a year ago and the same and probably worse with books. Lord.
Honestly I’m very impressed that you put bookmarks into these books bc I definitely would’ve just closed them and hoped I remembered where I was when I picked it up again. You’re a true inspiration
Loved your way of describing "The Bitter Twins" 😊. If I were in your situation I would start with one of the books that I'm half way through. That way you only have to read half of that book and you will accomplish your goal faster. I finished "A Master of Djinn" in June and it was one of my favourites this year. Take your time and have fun.☺
Good luck. Unforunately, I don't have any advice. 🥺 I don't start a new book before finishing or dnfing my current book. I only make an exception for physical/ebook and audiobook - I usually have 1 of each going. The way I feel about it is: The more books I start, the more tabs my brain keeps open (like a browser) and the less I can actually focus. Combining those with the tabs I already have open for work and social obligations and anything else my brain thinks it needs to keep track of, if I can influence it, I try to open as few additional tabs as possible.
I'm reading something like 10 or 11 books right now. I'm always somewhere between a half dozen to a dozen at any given time. Apparently my glitchy attention span cannot be controlled
I'm in the same situation right now 😢 haven't finished a book in ???, But I'm in the middle of about 8. Maybe you can push through Empress of Salt and Fortune because it is so short and then it might give you a boost to continue with something else - sometimes that method works for me. Wishing you the best!
I struggle the most with books on Kindle. I think it's because I go for physical or audio books first and don't read the books on Kindle often. Then I take so long, I start to get disinterested.
If you don’t already have a kindle I would recommend it! It really helps with the page count fear since you aren’t holding the physical copy and you can turn off the little page number in the corner. It’s really helped me read more and stress less about my reading pace / goals!
Don’t be harsh on yourself. I can’t read that much generally about an hour a day so it takes about a month to finish a book. I’m just happy to read. Try to be nice to you.
Just send me the ones that you physically have and can't get read. I'm in a new reading era, where I just have to finish, even if the book is not good to me.
The struggle. I know it well. I added a goodreads shelf called "paused" for books I put down and don't know why or I paused them for reasons. I can't keep them piled anywhere because then they stress me out staring at me with that judgment in their eyes. I revisit the shelf on goodreads (about 5 books currently) because that is less stressful for me and sometimes I pick one of if the mood strikes. Makes me feel less stressed if they aren't pilled looking at me. And you know what, some of these books become permanent DNFs after awhile.
My confession is that I still haven't read Jade Legacy even though that series is literally one of my absolute favorites x) I read like 100 pages and then put it on hold a thousand years agooooo aghhgh-- love the video!!
I usually just stick to one book at a time 1 chapter at noon and one chapter at night. I could never start too many books. But I can REALLY relate to you on the switch game situation lol. 😊❤📚
No judgment. Started reading The Unbroken by CL Clark. Binged 80-ish percent in four days. Put it down for two weeks. Haven't finished it. I was enjoying it. I want to read it. I own the sequel. Cannot read it.
You and I both Jess. I hear this. I call it book hopping. 😂 I basically ripped the bandaid off, whittled my 27 currently reading list down to 2. I think my problem is that I overwhelmed myself with too many books. (For gaming, I'm playing FFXVI and I've been sticking with the same game. I'm 86% done with that, so at least I know I'm not game hopping 😅).
I've been "in the middle of" The Bitter Twins since Christmas. 😅 I was enjoying it, I still am. I just kept/keep borrowing books I don't own from the library and reading those instead.
Are you sure you don't have adhd? Cause this is textbook - start a bunch of things and never finish (or much much later). It's why I never used to read much, I loved reading and I loved books, but I'd just lose interest very quickly and that was that. But tbf back then I didn't know what I liked, and didn't have access to what I later found I did like, so that makes a massive difference, but also kinda forcing myself to actually stick to a book, unless I do wanna dnf it. Been thinking to try to have multiple books on the go, but I'm just afraid I'll start and dnf a whole bunch of them, and never finish any. :| Also marathoning (or starting, even) big series is an issue, cause a) I gotta marathon them, otherwise I forget what's happened (I've been thinking of making notes but I keep forgetting about it), and b) at some point I just lose interest. :( Oh also I had started The Ninth Rain right after A Chorus of Dragons and I just could not get into it. :/ Darn book hangovers. Apologies if I'm preaching to the choir. 😬
I used to read a TON. And now am like how you are 😂 but I'm currently experiencing burnout and was recently diagnosed with ADHD. It's different for me bc I don't have a booktube channel but I've just not read if it's feeling burdensome for me. And been finding memoirs on audiobook a bit easier and also non-fiction but just like one chapter every few days
@JessOwens I'm no health professional but just based on my own experience and what I've been seeing of you (again idk you like that, just from your vids) but it def looks like maybe one or the other of both. If you're able to, can't help to talk about it with your Dr or therapist. I'm also around if you have any questions or wanna talk about anything related to this 💜💜
Totally struggling with the whole “trying to” thing too. I’ve got one book club book going, one buddy read I’m trying to even start, an audio on my TBR that I’m partway through…. Gah!
I stopped reading the summaries as well as checking the page number and tbh it’s actually helped me. But I do still have like five books I’m in the middle of 😅
I'm currently reading The bone shard war I'm almost done with Blush by helen hardt soon I will start on blood sugar by sacha Rothchild and misrule by heather Walter
I started so many books the last few months and kept putting them down. I didn’t manage to finish one until I had to line up at a government agency for some paperwork. 😂
When I get like this, I find it helpful to get the audio of whichever books I'm currently reading and do a audio/hardcopy read not necessarily at the same time but just sort of alternating or taking notes as you go if you're into that. It breaks me out of my slump and gets me into a book fast because i can do other things while I'm reading and then when I'm fully into it I can take a second and read the hardcopy.
I feeeeeel you Jess. Same! This week I just kept requesting books from my local library based on recs I saw on YT, among which some you made, because they seems like books I want to read! Most of them my library has too. So now my TBR is 14 new books. I am not Looking to what is already on my list. In stead I am to pick up what I feel the most for and start. I Will have a 4 weeks holiday in about 10 days, so If I Can keep from binching and scrolling…..I should be able to read some? 🤷🏾♀️🤗
I hit a slump around the end of May and have mostly been reading via audiobook because I can't bring myself to read physically on the page. Obviously that is expensive to purchase so I rely on the library. I've also given myself permission to read less and I'm reading about half of what I did earlier in the year and that feels good. Maybe try immersion reading? I find that helps me focus and usually makes me want to continue reading something. I also find my motivation increases significantly to finish a book, especially a large book, once I hit the 50-60% mark. I'm reading a huge classic currently and I started reading an hour a day, but now that I have about 4 hours left of the audiobook, I'm like "I'm almost done, let's GO!"
ive been bouncing around books too. i think it helps me stay entertained with the stories if i digest them little by little bc i tend to remember the stories more since im allowing myself to ruminate with them (rather than taking a whole story in one sitting and not remembering the little details bc of information overload). but yeah! as long as every time you pick up the book you're enjoying yourself, i dont think it should matter how long it takes to finish :)
I felt the same with Wild Seed by OB. I'm so intrigued by the story.. but her writing may be beyond me. i even tried the audio. It's still on hold because i really want to get into it.
This year I am the exact same! Reading is so slow even when I'm enjoying the book, just letting myself luxuriate in the moments I take to read. Always fun to see what you're reading!
Total mood with both books and games for me. I've only got four different books and a magazine in progress, but all of the books are on the heavy/intense side, so I'm tempted to start yet another in hopes that it's light... 🫠
![ALL THE BOOKS I'M CURRENTLY "READING" [CC]](/img/logo.svg){kind=logo}
