If you love reading, you’ve probably experienced the ‘post-book blues.’ When you fully immerse yourself in the imagination and adventure of a book, it can be really sad, even kind of depressing, when the book is over. When one parts with a story’s characters, who have somewhat become a part of the reader through the reading experience, sometimes picking up another book doesn’t seem right.
Sometimes just sitting with the thoughts and experiences of a just-read book is the most therapeutic yet heartbreaking feeling in the world—enter the ‘post-book blues.’
I’ve read hundreds of books, so I have a very solid relationship with the ‘post-book blues,’ but the worst ‘post-book blues’ I experienced was after I read Drowning Instinct by Ilsa J. Bick. This story about pain, deception, desperation, and love against all odds is haunting and terrifying in the best way. This story stuck with me for months before I could find a story that leveled with such a heart-wrenching and fantastic tale.
Since I have much experience on the matter, here are a few tips in combating the ‘post-book blues’ that have worked for me so you can move on to your TBR (to be read) list and appreciate all the other books out there.
- Write a review for the book you just read.
I know the ‘post-book blues’ might be hard right now, but it will get better. The ‘post-book blues,’ as depressing as it can be, allows you to appreciate and fixate on the author’s work. Leaving a review for the author on Goodreads or Amazon is a great way of showing your appreciation towards the author and can help you express your feelings about how the book impacted you. Talk about the scenes or aspects of the story you liked. It doesn’t have to be a long and fancy review either. You’d be surprised, but reviews make an author’s day and help other people discover the amazing book you just read!
- Tell a friend about it.
Sometimes just talking about the book we read with another book lover or sharing the story you just read with a friend is a great way to combat the ‘post-book blues.’ It’s easy to get in your head while reading, so expressing your thoughts out loud can help you better process the book and assess what exactly you liked about it. Finding what you like in a book is another important part of the ‘post-book blues.’ Identifying what you liked about the last book you read can help you or a friend find a book to read next that fits your interests.
- Look into more books from that author.
This tip isn’t always the best for the ‘post-book blues,’ but if you really like the author of the last book you read, consider reading more books from that author. You’ll feel a similar connection when starting a new book, and it might be easier to shift your ‘post-book blues’ when you start another book. If the author doesn’t have any more books that interest you, maybe try to look into fa-fiction pieces or perhaps a movie adaptation.
- Journal your thoughts.
For me, the best cure for the ‘post-book blues’ is writing. Sometimes I like to take themes from the story I read and try to reinvent them in my own writing. If you’re not so creative, just journaling your thoughts on the book or story might help you get over it so you can move on to another book. Sometimes even taking a break from reading and focusing on writing can help shift your blues to a creative outlet. If you’re artsier, try different creative avenues like songwriting, dancing, or painting to express your thoughts.
Stories have the power to stick with us long after we read them. Though the ‘post-book blues’ can be depressing, it’s okay to feel some emptiness or sadness after reading a story. You connected with the story, and now that it’s over, it’s time to explore why that piece impacted you since it was probably a powerful work of art. Try one of these tips today to combat the ‘post-book blues.’
