The Mookse and the Gripes Podcast Episode 117: Losing the Plot: On Reading Slumps and How We Find Our Way Back
Oct 16, 2025
They dig into reading slumps—what they feel like, common triggers, and how routines and life stressors sap reading energy. They talk about author overload, series fatigue, and juggling multiple formats. Practical fixes include rereads, short forms, audiobooks, tiny daily goals, and the power of book clubs and community to reignite the habit.
01:25:08
Reading Slumps Make You Feel Unmoored
- Reading slumps feel like part of yourself is missing when reading is a core daily habit.
- Paul says slumps are unsettling because they make him feel unlike himself and can signal other life stresses.
Ambitious Reading Plans Can Create Burnout
- Overambition and too many obligations can convert reading into a chore and trigger slumps.
- Paul used Thomas Mann's Joseph and His Brothers as an example of a rewarding but slogging project that needed recovery space.
Rotate Multiple Books To Avoid The Void
- Read multiple books at once to avoid the vacuum when one ends and to vary voice and pace.
- Paul and Trevor recommend pairing long novels with short forms like novellas, poetry, or graphic novels for variety.
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Intro
00:00 • 2min
What each host is reading now
01:32 • 5min
Muriel Spark's style and The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie
06:31 • 8min
Trevor's recent reads and Fosse's Vainé
14:12 • 7min
Introducing the episode topic: reading slumps
21:21 • 1min
How a reading slump feels
22:33 • 4min
Over-ambition and goal fatigue
26:29 • 4min
Life interruptions and stress
30:42 • 5min
Seasons and rhythms affect reading
36:09 • 4min
Author overload and series fatigue
40:16 • 5min
Multiple books and format switching
45:23 • 8min
Reading with family and community benefits
53:20 • 8min
Books that helped during stress
01:00:54 • 5min
Rereads and comfort books as remedies
01:05:52 • 7min
Poetry, short forms, and audiobooks
01:13:16 • 2min
Practical tips from listeners
01:15:06 • 5min
Books about books and giving yourself grace
01:20:18 • 4min
Outro
01:23:56 • 1min
#
Vame
Damion Searls
Jon Fosse
Jon Fosse's novel presents a contemplative, minimalist narrative set around a Norwegian fishing village where encounters with past loves and mortality reverberate.
Rendered in a restrained, repetitive style, the prose evokes the rhythms of speech and thought, creating an intimate interiority.
The book is the first in a trilogy and follows characters whose memories and small events gain metaphysical resonance.
Themes include longing, aging, and the quiet mystery of everyday life, showcased through Fosse's signature elliptical sentences.
The translation by Damion Searls captures the musicality and simplicity that characterize Fosse's work.
#
Miss Macintosh, My Darling
Margaret Millar
#
Braided Creek
Tudor ('Ted') Kuser
Ted Kooser's poetry collections, exemplified by works like 'Braided Creek', offer concise, lyrical observations of daily life and the American landscape.
His poems are noted for clarity, warmth, and emotional resonance, often focusing on simple scenes imbued with deeper significance.
Kooser's approachable style makes his work an excellent entry point into poetry and a restorative reading option during slumps.
As a former U.S.
Poet Laureate, Kooser's influence extended to encouraging wider public engagement with poetry.
Short, precise poems can reawaken appreciation for language and reading without demanding large time commitments.
#3156
• Mentioned in 15 episodes
Audition
Everything an Actor Needs to Know to Get the Part
Michael Shurtleff
This book, written by Michael Shurtleff, provides comprehensive advice on auditioning techniques.
Drawing from his extensive experience in casting over 200 Broadway shows and various film and television productions, Shurtleff offers practical guidance for actors.
The book includes his famous '12 Guideposts' for monologue and scene work, such as 'Relationships – how to create them onstage' and 'Conflict – what are you fighting for?
' It covers every aspect of auditioning, from basic acting techniques to handling distractions and risks, and is applicable not only to actors but also to other areas of life where 'auditions' occur.
#795
• Mentioned in 45 episodes
In Search of Lost Time
Swann's Way
Stephane Heuet
Marcel Proust
This graphic adaptation of Marcel Proust's 'In Search of Lost Time' presents the first volume, 'Swann's Way', in a compressed and visually engaging format.
The adaptation, likened to a 'piano reduction of an orchestral score', retains the fundamental architecture and themes of Proust’s work, including time, art, and the elusiveness of memory.
Stéphane Heuet's detailed illustrations bring to life the narrator Marcel's childhood memories in Combray, capturing the humor, wit, and memorable characters of Proust's original text.
This adaptation is designed to make Proust's work more accessible while maintaining its essence and beauty.
#117
• Mentioned in 165 episodes
The Hobbit
or There and Back Again
J.R.R Tolkien
Published in 1937, 'The Hobbit' is a children's fantasy novel that introduces readers to the richly imagined world of Middle-earth.
The story follows Bilbo Baggins, a home-loving hobbit, who is persuaded by Gandalf to join Thorin and his twelve dwarves on a quest to reclaim their treasure from the dragon Smaug.
During the journey, Bilbo encounters various creatures, including trolls, goblins, and the mysterious Gollum, and discovers a magical ring that renders the wearer invisible.
The novel is a prequel to 'The Lord of the Rings' and explores themes of personal growth, courage, and unexpected heroism.
#17102
• Mentioned in 3 episodes
Septology
Jon Fosse
Damion Searls
Jon Fosse's 'Septology' is a unique and profound work of literature.
Told in a single, continuous sentence across three volumes, it delves into the mind of an aging painter in Norway.
The narrative explores themes of loss, faith, and memory, as the protagonist reflects on his life, his deceased wife, and his relationship with God. The book's minimalist style and introspective nature create a powerful and moving experience for the reader.
Fosse's conversion to Catholicism is reflected in the book's spiritual depth, offering a unique perspective on faith and life's journey.
The novel's quietness and contemplative nature invite readers to engage in a profound exploration of human existence.
#5169
• Mentioned in 10 episodes
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell
Susanna Clarke
The novel is set in a world where magic once thrived in England but has since disappeared.
It follows the lives of two magicians, Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell, who bring magic back to England.
Jonathan Strange is a young, adventurous, and impulsive magician, while Mr. Norrell is a cantankerous bookworm who wants magic to be better regulated.
Their differing approaches to magic lead to a series of conflicts and adventures, including involvement in the Napoleonic wars and interactions with fairies.
The story explores themes of magic, history, and the complexities of human relationships.
#6
• Mentioned in 554 episodes
The Lord of the Rings
J.R.R Tolkien
The Lord of the Rings, written by J.R. R.
Tolkien, is an epic high fantasy novel set in Middle-earth.
The story follows Frodo Baggins, a hobbit who inherits the One Ring from his uncle Bilbo.
The Ring, forged by Sauron, holds the power to control all other Rings of Power and must be destroyed in the fires of Mount Doom to prevent Sauron's return.
Frodo is joined by a fellowship of other characters, including Gandalf the Grey, Samwise Gamgee, Aragorn, Legolas, Gimli, and Boromir, as they embark on a dangerous quest across Middle-earth.
The novel explores themes of good vs.
evil, the corrupting influence of power, and the struggle between fate and free will.
#541
• Mentioned in 60 episodes
David Copperfield
Paul Lorain
Charles Dickens
A classic novel by Charles Dickens, following the life of David Copperfield from childhood to adulthood.
#3049
• Mentioned in 16 episodes
And Then There Were None
Agatha Christie
In this classic murder mystery, ten strangers are lured to Indian Island, off the coast of Devon, by an unknown host.
Each guest has a dark secret and is accused of a past crime by a recorded voice.
As the guests are murdered one by one, following the pattern of the nursery rhyme 'Ten Little Indians,' the remaining survivors must uncover the killer's identity before they become the next victims.
The novel is known for its intricate plot, surprising twists, and its exploration of themes such as justice, guilt, and class distinctions.
#14173
• Mentioned in 4 episodes
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie
Muriel Spark
The novel tells the story of Miss Jean Brodie, a forward-thinking and eccentric teacher at the Marcia Blaine School for Girls in Edinburgh.
She selects six students, known as 'The Brodie Set,' for special tutelage, teaching them about art history, literature, and her own personal life, including her admiration for fascism.
The story unfolds through flashbacks and flashforwards, revealing the complex relationships between Miss Brodie and her students, particularly Sandy, who ultimately betrays her.
The novel explores themes of education, morality, and the influence of a charismatic teacher on her students' lives.
#13007
• Mentioned in 4 episodes
Joseph and his brothers
Thomas Mann
Thomas Mann's 'Joseph and His Brothers' is a tetralogy that expands on the biblical narrative of Joseph.
The story is divided into four parts: 'The Stories of Jacob', 'Young Joseph', 'Joseph in Egypt', and 'Joseph the Provider'.
Mann delves deeply into the psychological motivations and emotional lives of the characters, particularly Joseph, his father Jacob, and his brothers.
The novel explores themes of family, jealousy, forgiveness, and the divine plan, set against the backdrop of ancient civilizations in Egypt, Mesopotamia, and Palestine.
The narrative is known for its detailed and persuasive depiction of the characters' world, blending humor, emotion, and epic grandeur.
#6782
• Mentioned in 8 episodes
The year of reading dangerously
Andy Miller
#6774
• Mentioned in 8 episodes
House of Mirth
Edith Wharton
Edith Wharton's "House of Mirth" is a classic novel of American literature that explores themes of social class, ambition, and the constraints placed upon women in the Gilded Age. The story follows Lily Bart, a beautiful and charming young woman who struggles to navigate the complexities of New York high society.
Wharton's writing is characterized by its sharp wit and social commentary, creating a compelling and thought-provoking narrative.
The novel's exploration of themes of wealth, power, and the hypocrisy of social conventions is both timely and relevant.
The characters are richly drawn and unforgettable, their flaws and vulnerabilities making them all the more human and relatable.
The novel's tragic ending is both heartbreaking and unforgettable, leaving a lasting impression long after the final page is turned.
#3434
• Mentioned in 14 episodes
Piranesi
Susanna Clarke
In *Piranesi*, the protagonist lives in a world called the House, a labyrinthine structure filled with thousands of statues, tides that surge through staircases, and clouds in the upper halls.
Through his meticulous journals, Piranesi reconstructs the story of his arrival and explores the House, only to discover messages indicating the presence of another person.
As he delves deeper, he uncovers secrets and confronts the possibility of a world beyond his known reality.
#2336
• Mentioned in 20 episodes
The Goldfinch
Donna Tartt
The novel centers around 13-year-old Theodore Decker, whose life dramatically changes after he survives a terrorist attack at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where his mother is killed.
During the chaos, Theo takes the famous Dutch painting 'The Goldfinch' by Carel Fabritius.
The story follows Theo's journey through grief, guilt, and his complex relationships, including his friendship with Boris and his involvement in the art underworld.
The novel spans several years, detailing Theo's struggles with identity, loss, and the impact of the painting on his life.
We’ve all been there: the books are piled high, but nothing calls out. In this episode, Trevor and Paul talk about reading slumps—what they look like, what brings them on, and how to find the spark again. From work stress to life interruptions to simple reader fatigue, we explore how to rediscover the joy of the page and the role of community in keeping reading alive.
We’ve got some fantastic author-focused episodes lined up for the foreseeable future, and we want to give you plenty of time to dive in if you’d like to read along with us. These episodes come around every ten episodes, and with our bi-weekly release schedule, you’ll have a few months to get ready for each. Here’s what we have in store:
* Episode 125: Flannery O’Connor
* Episode 135: William Faulkner
* Episode 145: Elizabeth Taylor
* Episode 155: Naguib Mahfouz
There’s no rush—take your time, and grab a book (or two, or three) so you’re prepared for these as they come!
Join the Mookse and the Gripes on Discord
Want to share your thoughts on these upcoming authors or anything else we’re discussing? Join us over on Discord! It’s the perfect place to dive deeper into the conversation—whether you’re reading along with our author-focused episodes or just want to chat about the books that are on your mind.
We’re also just now in our third novella book club, where we’re reading The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, by Muriel Spark. It’s a fantastic book, and we’d love to have you join the discussion. It’s a great space to engage with fellow listeners, share your insights, and discover new perspectives on the books you’re reading.
Shownotes
What are we reading?
* Paul:
* The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, by Muriel Spark
* Trevor:
* Vaim, by Jon Fosse, translated by Domion Searls
The Mookse and the Gripes Podcast is a bookish conversation hosted by Paul and Trevor. Every other week, we explore a bookish topic and celebrate our love of reading. We’re glad you’re here, and we hope you’ll continue to join us on this literary journey!
A huge thank you to those who help make this podcast possible! If you’d like to support us, you can do so via Substack or Patreon. Subscribers receive access to periodic bonus episodes and early access to all new episodes. Plus, each supporter gets their own dedicated feed, allowing them to download episodes a few days before they’re released to the public. We’d love for you to check it out!
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