Reading slumps are the worst. It can be discouraging if nothing feels appealing about reading, especially if it is a favorite hobby. I've gone through a fair share of reading slumps, especially recently, so here are some tips and tricks to help you avoid or get out of different slumps.
Reading Burn Out
I read very frequently, since its my go-to/favorite hobby. It's fun because I'm constantly learning or being introduced to new characters and worlds; however, it also means that I'm constantly doing something that can require some degree of mental stimulation. Reading too much is flying too close to the sun: it's fun while you're there, but the overexposure catches up eventually.
When I'm feeling burnt out, I find it best to take a step back to some degree. This is where I find myself gravitating towards other hobbies, so I naturally read less. Another intentional thing I consider at these points is setting a page or chapter limit. It can be less overwhelming to map out the reading more by aiming for certain goals; this simultaneously engages the hobby but not to an overexposed degree. Diverting more time outside of reading can help prevent that overexposure and subsequent burnout.
Nothing is Appealing
Another common slump I find is one where I find absolutely nothing appealing. Sometimes this goes hand in hand with feeling burnt out, and sometimes it's just a mood driven by external factors. Either way, it can be frustrating because the desire to read is there, but it's just not directed anywhere.
When my mood is the problem, this is where DNF-ing comes in handy. I find it helpful to just keep picking up books until I find something that sticks. The goal is to enjoy and get something out of what I'm reading, so I find it beneficial to table something until I know that I'll be able to enjoy it. Since I find nothing particularly appealing, I don't know what I will actually feel like reading. This is why I mix it up and pick a variety of genres and topics, until I find that spark. It may be disappointing at first, but it feels rewarding when that book finally clicks.
The Book Hangover
My favorite kind of reading slump happens after a particularly good reading experience. It's a better slump simply for the fact that it'll be hard to top what you've just read. While still frustrating to a degree, it's nicer to know that a positive feeling is seeking to be replicated.
For a book hangover, I find two things to be helpful: doubling down and sticking to that genre or vibe, or going in the opposite direction. It likely won't top what has just been read, but reading something similar can elicit similar feelings and continue to engage what was positive about that experience. Likewise, mixing it up can shock the system and provide something new and exciting. It depends on the context and what you're seeking, but something familiar and new both have merits in evoking a positive experience.