I Haven't Finished a Book in Months: How Book Clubs Cured My Reading Slump

Confession: I Used to Call Myself a Reader

There was a time when I finished 40+ books a year. I'd read on my commute, during lunch, before bed. Reading wasn't something I did—it was part of who I was.

Then, somewhere around 2022, something shifted. I'd open a book and my mind would wander after two pages. I'd switch to another book, then another. My "currently reading" shelf on Goodreads had 15 books on it, all stuck at various percentages.

I tried everything: reading challenges, new genres, fancy bookmarks, that "just read one page" advice everyone gives. Nothing worked. I was starting to think maybe I just wasn't a reader anymore.

The Accidental Book Club

I didn't join a book club to fix my reading slump. Honestly, I thought book clubs were kind of corny—a bunch of people drinking wine and barely talking about the book.

My friend Sarah basically guilt-tripped me into joining hers. "We need another person," she said. "Just try it once."

The book was "Project Hail Mary" by Andy Weir. I almost bailed three times before the meeting. But I'd told Sarah I'd read it, and something about that promise felt different than the promises I made to myself.

Why Deadlines Hit Different When People Are Involved

Here's what I discovered: I could ignore my own reading goals indefinitely. My Goodreads challenge meant nothing. But letting down actual humans who expected me to show up prepared? That was different.

It's embarrassing to admit, but peer pressure works. Not in a stressful way—no one was going to quiz me. But knowing I'd be sitting in a room with people who wanted to discuss a book I hadn't read... that was motivation enough.

I finished "Project Hail Mary" in a week. It was the first book I'd completed in eight months.

The Accountability Factor

What makes book club accountability different from other kinds?

It's social, not transactional. There's no app tracking my progress. Just people I'd disappoint.

The stakes are real but low. Nobody's grading me. But I'd feel weird showing up empty-handed.

It's recurring. One-time challenges are easy to skip. Monthly commitments build habits.

There's positive reinforcement. Finishing the book means I get to participate in a fun conversation. That's a reward, not just an obligation.

Reading Became Social Again

In college, I talked about books constantly. What we were reading, what we'd just finished, what we couldn't get into. Reading was social.

Somewhere in my adult life, it became solitary. I'd finish a book and have no one to discuss it with. My wife reads different genres. My coworkers don't read much. The books would accumulate in my head with nowhere to go.

Book club gave me that outlet again. And knowing I'd have people to discuss a book with made me pay more attention while reading. I'd dog-ear pages with passages I wanted to bring up. I'd notice things I might have skimmed past before.

The Permission to Prioritize

This might sound silly, but joining a book club gave me permission to read.

As an adult, reading can feel indulgent. There's always something more productive I could be doing—emails, chores, exercise. Reading felt like procrastination.

But book club reading? That's a commitment. It's not optional. Suddenly, reading isn't selfish—it's social preparation. I couldn't feel guilty about it because I was doing it for the group.

Breaking Out of My Comfort Zone

Left to my own devices, I read the same types of books over and over. Sci-fi, mostly. Some thrillers. Safe choices.

Book club forced me into territory I never would have explored alone:

• Literary fiction I would have assumed was "boring"
• Memoirs I wouldn't have given a chance
• Books by authors I'd never heard of
• Genres I'd written off years ago

Some of these became my favorite reads of the year. I never would have discovered them without the gentle push of someone else choosing for me.

The Discussion Effect

Reading for discussion is different than reading for yourself. You're not just consuming—you're preparing to articulate.

This changed how I read:

• I started noting my emotional reactions: "Why did this scene make me uncomfortable?"
• I paid attention to writing craft: "That's a clever way to handle exposition."
• I thought about other perspectives: "I hate this character, but I bet someone in the group will defend them."

Reading became more active. More engaging. Harder to put down.

The Ripple Effect

Something unexpected happened: book club reading reignited my independent reading too.

Once I broke the slump with one book, momentum built. I started finishing book club books early and having time for personal reads. The reading muscle was working again.

Now I'm back to finishing 30+ books a year. Not because I'm forcing myself, but because I remembered why I loved it.

What If You're in a Slump Right Now?

If you're where I was—staring at a stack of unfinished books, calling yourself a "former reader"—here's my honest advice:

Find a book club. In person, online, with friends, with strangers—it doesn't matter. What matters is external accountability and a reason to discuss.

Pick one that matches your schedule. If monthly feels like too much, look for one that meets less frequently. Consistency matters more than frequency.

Don't worry about the first book. Even if the selection isn't your thing, push through. The practice of finishing is what you need.

Give yourself grace. Reading slumps happen to everyone. They're not permanent.

The Cure for Reading Slumps Is Other Readers

Books are written to be shared. Stories are meant to be discussed. We're not supposed to read in isolation.

I thought I needed more willpower, better time management, the perfect reading environment. What I actually needed was other people who cared about books.

That's it. That's the cure.

If you're ready to climb out of your reading slump, try Readfeed. Our book clubs give you the accountability, community, and discussions that make reading feel like it used to—essential, not optional.