If you’re an avid reader, like me, you’ve probably found yourself unwillingly in a reading slump or two. As awful as a reading slump can be, I promise that there is hope and that they, fortunately, don’t last forever! 

I’ve found, personally, that reading slumps or burnouts can come when I am reading books that I don’t resonate with. It can be tough especially if you have to read a lot of work or school, so the books you read in your free time should make you happy!

And that brings me to today’s post, 6 books that have helped me get out of a reading slump. These are all books that I adore and would 100% go back and read again. So, without further ado, let’s get into the books!

1. A Court of Thorns & Roses

A Court of Thorns & Roses is the first book in the series about a young woman named Feyre. She struggles to provide for her poor family until one day she kills a fairie disguised as a wolf and is then dragged to a magical kingdom by a masked fairie to pay for her crime. The book follows Feyre as she adjusts to her new life in this kingdom and her quest to help break an ancient curse that has fallen upon it. 

I know, I know. You’ve probably either heard about this series nonstop or you’ve already read it a bajillion times. But this book pulled me out of a huge slump and helped me rediscover my love for reading, which I know is something that a lot of fans of this series have gone through. It’s quickly become my comfort read that I go back to time and time again. And while the first book is great, it only gets better from there as the series continues!

2. She Belongs to Krampus

She Belongs to Krampus is about a young woman named Francine who has grown up in an abusive orphanage. As Francine cares for the other children within the orphanage, she starts to devise a plan to save up money so that she may escape with the young children she has come to love. 

Until one day, the unthinkable happens and she is forced to flee with the children. As judgement comes for them, Francine has to make a tough decision, be tortued or become the personal lackey for the terrifying holiday spirit, Krampus.

I discovered this little gem of a book randomly on amazon one day when I was trying to look up Krampus decorations for Yule. I don’t know what it was about the book but it just immediately captured my attention and I purchased it on a whim. Thank goodness I did because it has turned out to be one of my all-time favorite books. 

It’s a hefty book that is such a good read with wonderful storytelling and every amazing trope you can imagine. I adore Francine and watching her gain her independence and build relationships within the story. So far there is only one book in the series but I hope another one is on the horizon soon!

3. Curse of the Wolf King

Curse of the Wolf King is a beauty & the beast retelling and follows the story of Gemma, a women who is plagued by a past scandal is captured by a trickster fae king, Elliot, who has a deadly curse upon his household. Together the two of them work to break this curse while denying their feelings for one another.

This was the first book I read in 2022 and as She Belongs to Krampus, it was a book I got on Amazon that I had randomly stumbled over and bought impulsively. I ended up devouring this book within two days, staying up late to finish it. It was a sweet YA romance that was super easy to consume and it a great book to help ease you back into reading!

4. Ice Planet Barbarians

Ice Planet Barbarians follows a group of young women who are abducted by aliens to be sold into sex trafficking. Once the aliens have ship issues the group of women are left stranded on a strange ice planet and the group leader, Georgie, sets out into the planet to find help. That’s when Georgie stumbles upon the local inhabitants chief who becomes smitten with her.

Sometimes, all you need is some warm fuzzy spice to make you fall in love with reading all over again. That’s what this book did for me. I had heard all about it on BookTok and finally broke down and bought the paperback on Amazon. 

I read through this fricken book so damn fast and was HYPED to learn that there were at least 20+ other books within the series. This book was a quick read but damn it sucked me in and made me excited to read as I fell in love with all these characters.

5. Brain on Fire

If fantasy and romance aren’t quite your thing, this book might intrigue you! Brain on Fire is an autobiographical memoir about a young woman, Susannah who retells her amazing story of how she descended into madness with a rare autoimmune disease that attacked her brain. It’s a shorter book but one that is filled with emotional narrative as Susannah recounts her story.

While I was pregnant with my youngest daughter, I went through a huge reading binge right towards the end of my pregnancy and this book held me by the throat. It is so well written and I found myself finishing it in one day. If you’re a fan of well-done autobiographies and are fascinated by the brain, how it works and psychology, this book is for you. It was so good it only took me two days to finish it. 

6. Gild

The Plated Prisoner series is about a young woman named Auren who lives as a prisoner in a palace made entirely of gold under the rule of King Midas. The series follows Auren as she discovers her independence and learns to live and love in a healthy environment. 

I just finished the third book in this series and let me tell you, it’s been a while since an entire series has had me as obsessed as this one has. I’ll be honest, the first book is great but it didn’t pick up and have me obsessed until around 60% of the way in. But once you hit that mark, it goes so fast with the action and plot that it’s hard to put down. 

And where the first book is good, the second and third are even better. I had a hard time putting this series down and spent a lot of late nights devouring the story. It’s a fantastic read with wonderful world-building and a badass MC.

7. Cinder

This book is set in the fictional world of New Beijing and follows a young cyborg names Cinder as her life becomes involved with the young prince Kai. Cinder finds herself in the middle of a intergalactic political struggle as she works to uncover secrets and find her freedom in a world that seems to be against her.

I read Cinder several years ago and the hold this entire series has on me is crazy. Marissa Meyer has such a phenomenal way of weaving characters and stories together. The entire series flows beautifully and it’s hard not to fall in love with Cinder and the people she welcomes into her journey.

Marissa did a phenomenal job of weaving in the fairy tale aspects of Cinderella while leaving plenty of room for twists and turns. And now, my eldest daughter is reading through the series and I get to fall in love with it all over again!

And there you have it, friends! All six books that personally helped me get out of a slump and ones that I believe you’ll enjoy too. Even if you’re not in a reading slump, I hope these all make it to your TBR if they aren’t already because each and every one holds a special place in my heart.

What books help you get out of a reading slump? Share them in the comments below!