I’ve always been a slower reader when it comes to physical books, though I can usually plow through an audiobook at 2.5x speed.

This month, though, reading just wasn’t connecting for me the way it normally does. It wasn’t because of the books themselves. This isn’t a criticism of any of the authors. My reading rhythm was just off.

It’s easy to compare ourselves to others in the online book community. I’ve seen readers consistently finish 30 or more books in a single month, and that’s genuinely impressive. But comparison doesn’t tell the whole story. We all read differently, have different schedules, different reading habits, and different relationships with books.

I also know how easy it can be to drift away from reading. High school English classes ruined reading for me for decades. What was once a source of joy became something that felt like work, and it took a long time to rediscover my love of books.

This slump doesn’t feel like that. It feels more like a natural ebb and flow. And maybe that’s not a bad thing.

Stories need tension, quiet moments, setbacks, and turning points to make the payoff meaningful. Reading can be the same way. Not every month is going to be filled with five-star reads and overflowing TBR progress. Sometimes a slower month makes you appreciate the great reading months even more.

So while four books isn’t a huge number by some standards, it’s where I am right now. I’m grateful for the stories I read, and I’m hopeful that June brings a little more reading momentum.

How was your reading month? Do you ever find yourself comparing your reading pace to others?

Image: taken May 2, I don’t know what kind of flower this is, but in May and June, the scent is heavenly.

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