Young Adult — or YA — fiction is an impressively rich genre of literature. Offering everything from heartfelt coming-of-age stories and depictions of identity formation to educational tales and captivating fantasy novels, YA is both broad and deep in its reach.

Often given a bad rep for being ‘juvenile’ in nature, this is not the case at all. Although intended for younger audiences in its themes, its language can be just as poetic, imaginative, and impressive as works of fiction for adults.

In this blog, we shine a light on the capabilities of YA books, making a case that everyone — not just  teens — should read this genre as it has much to offer. How many YA books have you read?

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How to Get Out of a Reading Slump

Try as we might, sometimes the motivation to read just won’t come.

It happens to us all – weeks can go by andnothing. Not a book or even a magazine gets read. Even if you have a stack of newly-purchased books waiting to go, sometimes it seems as though nothing can make you sit and read. If you’re in that stage right now, congratulations: you’ve reached your first reading slump.

Read on to find out what this is exactly, why it’s happening to you, and – most importantly – how to overcome it.

What is a ‘reading slump’ and why does it happen?

A reading slump simply refers to a lull in the desire to read. A slump can look like many different things, for example:

• Not being able to finish any books
• A lack of enjoyment when reading
• The inability to start a new book
• Loss of interest in reading as an activity in general
• Difficulty in concentrating and really ‘getting into’ books
• Not feeling inspired by your TBR (‘to be read’ list)
• Feeling suddenly overwhelmed or disconnected from reading

All of these are valid forms of ‘reading slumps’. And, as with any hobby or activity, a reading slump is natural and, to some extent, inevitable. It would be impossible for anyone to keep up a pastime continuously without some fluctuations in their enjoyment of it.

So, why does this happen?

Why am I in a reading slump?

While we wish there was a scientific answer or a simple diagnosis, reading slumps happen to us all for different reasons. Start by asking yourself the following questions:

• Am I reading the same genre over and over?
• Am I reading for the wrong reasons (perhaps just to meet a quota and not to enjoy the texts)?
• Do I only read books to say that I’ve read them (be honest with yourself here)?
• Am I reading books that I enjoy? Or, do I merely read work that is popular right now or recommended to me?
• Am I trying to read too much at once? Or, am I biting off more than I can chew and getting daunted by really long books?
• Have I been reading books one after the other without periods of reflection?
• Do I give myself ‘reading time’ or do I just cram in reading between other more important activities (EG: On the train, at the doctor’s, etc)
• Am I too strict with myself? Do I give myself permission to not finish a book if I am not enjoying it?

Based on your answers, it will become clear what the problem is. You may well be reading the wrong kind of material for you. Or, if you live a busy life, you may be subconsciously ruling out reading as a ‘low-priority’ activity and therefore not giving it the time it needs.

Reading is a creative, exciting experience and needs to be approached as such. Then again, if that approach feels like too much pressure for you, try the other end of the scale: view reading as something casual to constantly dip in and out of.

How to get out of a reading slump

Now that you have an idea of why you’re in a slump, let’s explore what you can do to get out of it. Below are some of our top tips for anyone facing a reading dry spell.

1. Experiment with genres

One of the worst things you can do when you’re in a reading slump is try and fight against it. If a certain book isn’t working for you, sometimes it’s best to shelve it for now and come back to it later. Similarly, if you just can’t get into autobiography, there’s no rule that says you have to struggle on through.

Reading something completely out of your comfort zone, from a completely different section of the bookshop, is a great idea and works a bit like a palette cleanser.

If you’re tired of autobiography, why not try a poet’s collection? These usually have personal anecdotes woven in, but are elevated from heavy prose with lyrical images and, sometimes, even rhyme.

If you’ve grown to hate romance books, give fantasy a go. Fantasy books usually involve an element of romance, at least in one of the plots, but build an entire world around it, adding exciting new concepts like war, immortality, lore, and society into the mix!

Similarly, try replacing tired crime novels with non-fiction about real cases for a chilling edge. Or, if you’re altogether tired of difficult books, there are so many rewarding Young Adult novels out there.

2. Try a multimedia approach

We’ll be the first to tell you that there is a whole community of book-lovers out there waiting to inspire you. From ‘BookTok’ to book YouTubers and podcasters, the internet is filled with people’s thoughts and suggestions on books.

If you’re struggling, why not listen to a relatable reading-related podcast or watch the thoughts and reviews of others.

As for multimedia, if there’s a certain book you want to read but are struggling, why not watch the film first. There’s no shame in that! Nowadays, there are always Netflix adaptations coming out.

3. Discuss books with others

On that note, making reading a more sociable activity is always helpful. Instead of feeling like it’s you vs. the book, reaching out to discuss your reading material with friends – or even a book club – can make the experience a collective, exciting one.

This collaborative approach also works wonders accountability-wise. If it’s something you’re comfortable with, a dedicated ‘reading buddy’ (or even just reading a book at the same time as someone else) can really help motivate you to keep reading – even if only for competitive purposes!

4. Remember why you read

One thing to keep in mind is that it isn’t a race. Reading is, for many, a deeply personal activity in which lessons are learnt and a whole host of emotions are felt. If you’re struggling to reconnect with reading, perhaps take some time out to remember that.

Be kind to yourself and try to remember why you liked reading in the first place – the things it taught you and the moments that made you gasp or cry or laugh out loud. Reframing your approach to reading can be invaluable at times when you want to give it up.

5. Set yourself achievable goals

Holding the heavy weight of a hardback in your hand and opening it to the page is daunting. When you’re in a slump, 200 pages between two covers is almost a challenge.

So, instead of attempting to climb a mountain, do it in increments. Many people set themselves small goals each day or each week, EG: 10 pages a night or chapter a day. Completing these small milestones – even ticking them off a list – can feel like a huge accomplishment.

6. Try a reading challenge

Alternatively, if you’re someone who performs best under pressure, a reading challenge might be exactly what you need to get going. These are usually trending online and often themed around months (EG: ‘Read 5 Books in December’) and can be found with a bit of googling.

7. Make time for reading

One of our favourite tips will always be reading time! Life can be hectic for sure: trying to balance appointments, work, exercise, and family and social time is a lot. People often use the excuse of time to get out of getting into a good book. And to that we say, check your screen time!

For many of us, especially those in the younger generations, we spend upwards of 3-4 hours a day on our phones. Just 15 minutes of that scrolling or browsing time could be spent learning something from a book instead.

What’s more, making time for reading is always helped by making space for reading too. Having a quiet nook or cosy chair to retreat to in the evenings with a cup of tea makes you much more likely to want to read.

8. Revisit an old favourite

Still not working? Why not return to an old classic that you loved as a child, or a timeless favourite that leaves you feeling lifted and refreshed. A common misconception about reading is that we always have to be reading somethingnew.

We don’t apply this logic to films, so why be so self-denying with books? If we’re socially allowed to rewatch Love Actually 30 times, then who’s to say we can’t read Sally Rooney’s Normal People a few times too?

9. Tear through a high-paced book

That being said, a short, sharp, shock to the system in the form of a fast-paced book is also a surefire way to jolt you back into action.

There are plenty of books out there that boast this winning formula. What we’re looking for here is an engaging page-turner that will quickly set you on the right path again – one you justcan’t put down. For this, we’d recommend the crime and thriller genres, specifically books like Misery by Stephen King or Keeper by Jessica Moor to wet your appetite.

10. Read book reviews

Lastly, if you’re feeling a bit lost and are looking for direction on what to read next, it is always a good idea to keep up with the latest releases and reviews. If buying and starting to read a book without knowing anything about it first seems like too much commitment for you, why not read the thoughts others have had first.

Skimming through reviews and selecting which books you’d like to read based on them is a great way to dip in and out before settling on a title wholeheartedly. Of course, we’re a little biased on that point, though!

Keep reading with Victoria Freudenheim

Whatever you do, don’t get disheartened. Books will always be there for you when you need them most. In the meantime, why not browse through some of our reviews?

And, for more book-related content, be sure to keep up with the Victoria Freudenheim blog.

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Why should you read young adult fiction?

From healing your inner child to reducing stress, there are multiple reasons why adults should read YA fiction well beyond their teenage years. 

For a start, YA books are typically easy to read and foster a faster-paced style of reading that is usually more rewarding. This can be excellent for those stuck in a reading slump. If you’re struggling with reading, and it feels like drawing blood from a stone, a dip into a young adult book can reinvigorate your love for reading. 

Another benefit to YA books,  fiction especially, is their ability to encourage imaginative thinking. Some of the strongest themes in YA centre around fantasy, escapism, and surrealism. So, for adults looking to escape the stresses of their 9-5 and get out of their heads for a bit, YA can help.

Young adult books can also help readers fall back in love with — or gain confidence in — reading by providing more plot-focused, action and feelings-heavy storylines without challenging language. For some people, the way a book is written can be a massive blocker to enjoying its plot and characters. Remove this factor and use simpler, but still rich, language and everyone wins!

How many YA books have you read?

If you like the sound of young adults writing and want to dip your toe in, use the list of best YA titles below for some inspiration. Alternatively, if you’re a seasoned YA pro, see how you fare against our top YA reads list. 

We’ve taken titles from the canon, old classics, and from more modern writing, so, regardless of whether you once were or still are a young adult, there’ll be plenty for you to choose from here. Also, to make it easy for you to choose where to start, we’ve expanded on a few of our favourites, giving a brief synopsis.

The Fault in Our Stars, John Green (2012)

The Book Thief, Maku Zusak (2005)

Perhaps the most popular example of a YA piece of fiction that has gone on to achieve a place in the literary hall of fame, Zusak’s novel has quickly become a modern classic — and for good reason too. Set in Nazi Germany in the Second World War, this story details the life of Liesel Meminger, a young German girl. Uniquely narrated by Death, the narrative centres around themes such as the power of knowledge at a time when books were to be burned, cast against a powerful turbulent background of wartime persecution, fear, and conflict.

Lord of the Flies, William Golding (1954)

Divergent, Veronica Roth (2011)

Homecoming, Cynthia Voigt (1981)

To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before, Jenny Han (2014)

Holes, Louis Sachar (1998)

The Hate U Give, Angie Thomas (2017)

An important piece of essential fiction, Thomas’ book works hard to introduce younger readers to challenging concepts such as police brutality and prejudice through impressive narrative storytelling. However, although intended for younger audiences, The Hate U Give is just as powerful in its statements for adults or older individuals. Inspired by the Black Lives Matter movement, this novel details the struggles of privilege, dishonesty, and — most powerfully — justice.

Trigger warning: this book contains mention of shootings and police brutality. 

The Hunger Games, Suzanne Collins (2008)

To Kill a Mockingbird, Harper Lee (1960)

The Catcher in the Rye, J. D. Salinger (1951)

Looking For Alaska, John Green (2005)

We Were Liars, E. Lockhart (2014)

This stunning story will leave you on the edge of your seat from start to finish. A psychological horror in terms of its genre, this book follows four friends (‘The Liars’) as they navigate growing up, falling in love, and — most harrowingly — making mistakes. Bringing questions of privilege, family, and deception in line with one another in a disorientingly bright narrative, this book makes for the perfect suspenseful read for adults of any age, asking readers – regardless of life phase or background — to confront some pretty fundamental home truths.

The Perks of Being a Wallflower, Stephen Chbosky (1999)

Anne of Green Gables, Lucy Maud Montgomery (1908)

Are you There God? It’s Me, Margaret, Judy Blume (1970)

So, how many of these have you read? Even just from this selection of titles, we hope that you begin to see the richness of YA as a genre more. From the Second World War to prejudice, some important topics are covered by these stories, making them important pieces of fiction for people of any age.

Keen to read further?

Whether you prefer to read YA, thrillers, crime, or biography, Victoria Freudenheim has an impressive collection of book reviews to get you inspired. So, head over to our Latest Reviews or Top Rated sections for some inspiration. And, to keep up with all the latest reading news, be sure to follow the Victoria Freudenheim blog.