August is upon us, but with Britain’s elusive summer, it appears as though it’s our brains being fried this year. I speak, of course, of the dreaded book burnout: where the once glorious mountain of unread books becomes a chore that you can’t quite bring yourself to face. I returned home earlier this summer to finally make a dent in my own TBR pile, only to find myself staring blankly at the pages wondering if the journey had somehow tarnished my ability to read.

If these symptoms ring true, you too might be wondering: how did we get here and how do we get out?

As fascinating as it may be, academic writing is draining. After months of ploughing through the ramblings and musings of literary critics, it is only natural that your brain should need a detox. Your transition, therefore, should be slow: gently reintroducing your mind to the concept of reading for pleasure. Perhaps you could begin with a short story, novella or even a collection of poetry to avoid overwhelming yourself.

It is also worth re-examining the nature of the books you choose to read. Traditional novels, albeit smaller than academic literature, still hold educational value. When you are looking to rediscover leisurely reading, the complex vocabulary and underlying lessons of these stories can be off-putting. Instead, turn to a piece of writing that will guarantee you joy. This might be re-reading your favourite book, returning to a childhood classic or even giving fan-fiction and comics a go. Switching up genre and format can be the refreshing change of pace necessary to rekindle your spark.

Finally, remember that you are still a reader, regardless of whether you find yourself with a book in hand this summer.

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