I used to spend a lot of time reading however I found myself in a slump a few semesters ago. Due to my exams coming up, I set my priorities straight, casting aside all my novels and focusing solely on course books. At that time, this was the best course of action as my studies were definitely more important than reading novels. However, after my exams finished, I found that I lost the motivation to read books for enjoyment; I only read books when I was forced to for a school assignment.

Realizing this, I started forcing myself to read for months, but I couldn’t even finish one book. I tried to force myself to read multiple fiction and non-fiction books however, the love that I felt towards reading ceased to exist.

Then I happened to pick up a book that I enjoyed so much, that I couldn't put it down, and I finished it in less than a week. Previously, I had dedicated time to reading at least one chapter every day, but by forcing myself to do this I began to dread reading. However, when I encountered a book that I actually enjoyed, I began to go out of my way to read that book, reading multiple chapters a day.

I realized that, paradoxically, forcing myself towards reading was actually pushing me away from it. Reading used to be a relaxing hobby for me, but when I started forcing myself to read it just became a chore. 

I then realised there were other habits that kept me trapped in my reading slump as well. If I did not enjoy a book then I continued to read it to its end because I felt like it would be ‘wrong’ somehow to leave a book in the middle. I was under the illusion that if I didn’t like a book then the problem was with me. But, the problem is neither with the book nor with the reader. Some books might be objectively good from an academic point of view, but they might not resonate with a reader. 

I was under the impression that I had to like classic literature as it was well renowned for its literary importance. Therefore, I forced myself to read that genre of literature despite it not resonating with me. For example, I read The Picture of Dorian Gray to almost its entirety before realizing that the book wasn’t for me. So after a miserable experience, I finally put the book down at around page 160. Now I have realized that it is alright to leave a book midway through if it's not your cup of tea.

In retrospect, I should have abandoned the book much earlier. However, this doesn't mean I should give up on a book if the first page fails to captivate me. That would be an injustice to the author, who needs time to establish the book's atmosphere and direction. As a rule of thumb, I now commit to reading at least 10% of a new book before deciding whether to continue or move on to another. This approach strikes a balance between giving the author a fair chance and respecting my own time and preferences.

Overall, for readers looking to get out of a reading slump, here are my tips:

1. Don't force yourself to read; it can turn a relaxing hobby into a chore.
2. It's okay to stop reading a book if you're not enjoying it, even if it's a classic or highly regarded.
3. Give a book a fair chance (about 10% of its content) before deciding to continue or move on.
4. Explore different genres and styles to find what resonates with you.
5. Remember that not liking a book doesn't mean there's something wrong with you as a reader.
6. Allow yourself to read for enjoyment rather than obligation.
7. Be patient and keep trying; you might stumble upon a book that reignites your passion for reading.

All these put together have made me rediscover my love for literature and I hope these tips might let you as well.