Do you pick up the next in a series that you know you like?  Pick up a new-to-you author?  Go to a book you've already read and re-read it?

I'm pretty sure I've hit one of those.  I have picked up nearly 8 books and read teh first 25 pages or so and not one of them have piqued my interest.

I typically change genres or formats. If I'm in a slump because I've burned out due to too many cozies, for instance, I'll switch to a police procedural or to a completely different genre. If that doesn't work, I switch to anthologies, newspapers, and magazines until I get a craving for something. 

I usually go back to one of my favorite authors, by the end of that book  I'm usually out of my slump.

Recently I hit a slump. I must have at least a dozen books going right now. Some I'm at least 300 pages into (500 or more pages). I finally spent an evening at the local B&N. Came home with a dozen books that I was sure I couldn't wait to read. I don't know about the others, but the first one I tried--Joe Abercrombie's The Blade Itself--has kept me fixated for 5 days now. (Good thing I bought the trilogy.)

A far less expensive tactic is to have a movie night with my kids. My husband usually gives up in disgust because our toddler steals his pillows and our teenager sprawls across the end of the bed. For some reason, movie night never works as well in the family room.

I have to agree with Tammy - I go to a favorite author, sometimes re-read a book to do this, and it usually works.

Yup, I usually will first try reading one of my "go-to" authors, favorites that I can always count on. If that doesn't work, I do the Monty Python trick ("and now for something completely different!".) I so seldom have this problem though...usually my mind is awhirl with everything I want to get to reading RIGHT NOW and it's more the other problem--how the heck to decide which of those top fifty books on my TBR do I want to get to MOST!?? *sigh*

Cheryl

I usually go with a familiar author with a familiar character to ensure not much thought has to happen.  But, I am in a slump myself. I can't seem to find that nice chunk of time that is needed to sink into any book.   I think I need some stormy weather to get me going.   

I usually read a Romance book when I cant decide what to read..My favorite romance author is Debbie Macomber, and I have several of hers

that I havent read.

ya know, the romance idea might be a good one for me.  I have a new Janet Chapman from the library.  I have tried almost all of the books that I've got out from the library and none of them so far have tripped my trigger. *sigh*  it makes me sad

I have a best friend from work that I can ask. We usually agree, but not always. She reads constantly and usually has some wonderful recommendations. She reads more non-fiction than I. This forum is like my BF from work. I have found some great reads. I LOVE to find a new author (to me) that writes books that I cannot "put down." And then  I read all of the books that author has written without a break.

My suggestion is find a "new" author to you that friends highly recommend and start a New one.

Her recommendation to me was Lynda LaPlante. Start with Cold Shoulder, then Cold Blood,  and finish with Cold Heart.   The character is a female detective in Great Britian. I am now "crazy" to find everything that she has written. It is somewhat difficult, because her works are British and may not be published in the US.   Her other books are good, but these 3 were (to me) books that I could not stop reading.

Just a suggestion, but you asked.

I found the Donna Leon's "Guido Brunetti" series, and earlier found Jo Nesbo's books here on PBS.

If I'm in a reading slump I usually catch up on watching movies I've always wanted to see but never got around to and shows I've TIVO'd.  Usually something I watch will put me in the mood for a specific book plot, genre etc..,

Sometimes just picking up a book that's not my normal thing will help.  I mostly read romance and mysteries.  So sometimes picking up a straight historical fiction, a sci-fi or fantasy book will help.

I do the same. I usually take some time off and watch a movie or find something I've never heard of on www.hulu.com and watch it. If I'm not over it in a couple days I'll go re-read some favorites until I'm ready for something else.

I find it very funny that I have stacks of books that I haven't read and that I honestly want to read, and I still get in a reading slump. It's like looking in my closet and finding nothing to wear.  :)

Great topic!

Fortunately, I don't get into a reading slump very often. I've found that when I do it's usually because I have TOO many books to choose from!! Or, I've read too much of the same type of book for too long.

To get out of the occasional slump, I'll read something in a different genre, usually non-fiction. If that doesn't do it, I don't force it and will do other things. I know a book will come looking for me pretty soon. They always do. : )

I think there are some great suggestions here!

I usually re-read a book by a favorite author to get out of a slump.  Or, I read a classic. 

It is funny, but I seem to be in a semi-slump.  I am reading An Expert in Murder by Nicola Upson, and I cannot seem to get into it.  It reminds me too much of the Maisie Dobbs series by Jacqueline Winspear, but this is not as well written.  I have the last book in the Dobbs series at home on my TBR shelf (can't think of the name of it right now) but have not had the urge to pick it up.  So I am lazily working my way through this one.  I plan to take it with me over the Columbus Day weekend, but will definitely pack a "back-up" book as well.  Probably a classic.

Too many books to choose from is the biggest reason I usually get in a reading slump. I'm sort of in one now.  I have an erotic book I need to read for a game.  But I have to be in a certain mood to read that-and hanging out with my kid does not put me in the mood for erotica.

Now I have 4 books going. I want to read them all and so I'm making little progress in any of them. I need to just pick one and finish it.

I, too, will try a genre I don't usually read or haven't read in a while; or else I turn to a comfort read, a book I can rely on and know I'll enjoy; as a last resort: just wait it out til the book bug bites me again.

Haven't had a real slump in quite a while.

Gail