I LOVE to read, but I've found myself in a reading slump more times than I can count. To get myself out of it, I usually reread something nostalgic or something I read and loved the previous year. Curious how others got back into reading, I asked BuzzFeed Community members to share the book that either made them love reading again or got them out of a deep reading slump, and the recs were endless. So, here are some books people recommended to add to your TBR list:

1. "Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens. This was the first book I read after years of reading strictly for school and studies, so it took me a long time to find something that sucked me in immediately. I finished in a day and bawled my eyes out. The movie was good, but the feelings you get from actually reading the book are indescribable."

2. "The Big Over Easy by Jasper Fforde. It is a detective novel about what REALLY happened when Humpty Dumpty fell off the wall (or was he PUSHED?!). It would appeal to people who like mystery or crime stories, and the book isn't too stuffy or academic. It was one of the first books I read after finishing a master's degree in literature. I wanted just to read something for fun and not have to analyze the hell out of it. It was so refreshing and really changed my mindset to read something just to enjoy it."

3. "Whatever Happened to Interracial Love? by Kathleen Collins. It’s a small book with little stories that are so beautifully written. I struggle with imagining scenery, but the way Kathleen described the settings, I can envision myself in the room. It’s a book that I keep returning to, and I pull away feeling reinvigorated each time."

4. "A Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin. This is the first book in the A Song of Ice and Fire series. I’ve seen the series, and I’m a huge fan of the GoT/HotD universe, but reading the books has made the characters and stories much more vivid. It’s nice, too, to be able to put a face to a name instead of getting distracted trying to imagine things. But as soon as I finished the first one, I jumped right into A Clash of Kings, which I’m still working on!"

5. "The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams. I'd been in a slump in the early days of COVID, and this got me out! It's fun and fluffy, and it's just a good book to remind you why you enjoy reading."

6. "Sandman Slim series by Richard Kadrey. I read most of these books when I was in a massive reading slump (thanks, COVID). Then, I remembered that the series was completed and read them all. That was back in October, and I've cleared through just over 100 books."

7. "Throne of Glass series by Sarah J. Maas. I am a huge fantasy reader, and reading Sarah J. Maas's Throne of Glass series was amazing. I loved it way more than ACOTAR, and it's better!"

8. "The Sad Ghost Club by Lize Meddings. Graphic novels are my go-to every single time I'm in a slump. The best ones to pull me out have been Murder Book by Hilary Campbell, The Sad Ghost Club by Lize Meddings, and Lore Olympus by Rachel Smythe. Every time I get into a reading slump that I can't shake, I reach for a graphic novel, which usually does the trick!"

9. "Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone by Benjamin Stevenson. I've always loved reading, but I got out of the habit as an adult and found I was spending way too much time on my phone. I ordered some new books — a couple I'd read before and Everyone in My Family Has Killed Someone, which I'd found in a BuzzFeed article. I read that one first to force myself to stay engaged, and it was totally worth it! The tongue-in-cheek narration style had me laughing out loud, and the book also gave me an excuse to get back into journaling my reading. It was an excellent, hilarious read that kept me glued to the pages."

10. "The Guild Codex: Spellbound series (and all of the connected spinoffs) by Annette Marie. It's an urban fantasy set in Vancouver with a hidden underworld of magic, and it all starts with a lone redhead and her pink umbrella trying to find a job."

11. "Dawn Rising by A.F.E. Smith. I love YA fantasy, but I find a lot of it quite generic and way too focused on romance. Dawn Rising is so unique in the way that it's told that I couldn't put it down. Sometimes, it's good to look outside the big names if you're in a slump."

12. "Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card. It's a multilayered book with a surprising ending. Plus, it's much better than the movie."

13. "Fortuna Sworn series by K.J. Sutton. I picked up the Fortuna Sworn series by K.J. Sutton when everything in my life was at its lowest point. Honestly, it was the reason I got out of bed some days. It is an incredible and heart-wrenching romantasy novel with the reminder that you are always enough, even if it’s hard to see in the moment. I’m physically disabled, and my disability is incredibly rare. I’m very used to being treated like I’m less than just because I’m different, even though it’s made me stronger. Watching Fortuna, the main character, stand up for herself despite everyone trying to break her was an inspiration for me. She proved herself to those who told her that she was nothing and refused to give up. Because of that, I have book quotes that remind me that I’m not nothing and that I can face every trial thrown at me with a force that can only come from my experiences. I can make my own destiny, just like Fortuna."

14. "The Last Bookshop in London by Madeline Martin. It's truly a story about the joy of reading. As the heroine discovered new book titles, I remembered when I read that same book and how it changed me. And as she falls in love with reading, her enthusiasm becomes contagious."

15. "One Minute to Midnight by Michael Dobbs. I've always preferred nonfiction, mainly military history. Having a smartphone in recent years has reduced my ability to concentrate. One Minute to Midnight by Michael Dobbs got me back into reading and able to focus. It's about two leaders, both afraid, choosing not to strike, either, first. When the world seems at its worst, remember there have been people who chose peace."

16. "The Beautiful by Renée Ahdieh. I was having trouble getting back into reading after some mentally exhausting episodes, but then I picked this book up at my local library, and instantly, I swooned. It is the best vampire book I have ever read."

17. "Year of Yes by Shonda Rhimes. Yes, THAT Shonda Rhimes — Grey's Anatomy, Scandal, etc. Reading her book was like having a conversation. I didn't feel like I was reading at all; it was so beautifully written, raw, and real."

18. "Little Thieves by Margaret Owen. This book is a fun retelling of a German fairytale that really draws you in with the characters. I was on the edge of my seat to see if the main character was going to get out of the mess she was in."

19. "Mirror, Mirror: A Twisted Tale by Jen Calonita. There's a bunch of Disney Twisted Tales books, but these aren't your typical YA fiction! It was super engaging, really built on the story of Snow White, and expanded the world of the story. This book gave the Prince and Evil Queen names, backstories, and so much more. I couldn't put it down and finished it in a matter of days."

20. "Starling House by Alix E. Harrow. This book is a great mix of real-life storytelling, some fantastical elements, and characters who didn't feel out of reach. The history mixed with the contemporary is what really shone in this book. From start to end, it was captivating. Five stars!"

21. "Arsenic and Adobo by Mia P. Manansala. It was the mix of mystery, romance, and foodie goodness that I needed, and it was the first time I felt really seen in a book since it's about a Filipino family. It brought back my love of reading after seven years of reading just for school."

22. "I just finished a newer book called Masters of Death by Olivie Blake. It's about Death, his accidental godson, Fox, and a vampire real estate agent, Viola. I loved how Death can be brought to his knees by love! It's extremely funny as well."

23. "The Lost Fleet saga by Jack Campbell. There are six books in the first part of the story, and it's about a legendary military hero who is revived from hibernation in time to lead the Alliance fleet out of a hostile space sector and back to their home star system. It's a well-written space opera with realistic battles, especially where relativistic time is concerned. There's maneuvering, weapon targeting, communication time lag between ships, and more. I'm currently on my third read-through of the series."

24. "The Freida McFadden books will hook you back into reading again. They are fast and twisty with relatable and often funny characters."

25. "I just finished The Last Unicorn by Peter S. Beagle, and while I've loved the movie since I was little, the book means so much more as an adult, considering the current political climate. It's also particularly meta, which is especially fun for academics. I needed the message of hope and love right now, and that book is going to stick with me as a fable for modern times. I'm glad I waited to read it until now!"

26. "The Clan of the Cave Bear series by Jean M. Auel is amazing. They're huge books, but they'll suck you in. It's based in a time where humans and Neanderthals lived together."

27. "The Devil's Cure by Kenneth Oppel. I found it in a thrift shop for $1. I remembered loving his Silverwing series as a child — I couldn't put it down! You get three character POVs who are all at odds with each other, but each one has a valid story. The suspense is awesome, and I highly recommend it to anyone wanting to get back into reading."

28. "The absolute BEST book I ever read was Songmaster by Orson Scott Card. The lead character who tries to create music goes through so many trials and tribulations that you find yourself crying for him. It's great therapy. Also, The Man Who Folded Himself by David Gerrold involves the character going through time and meeting his past self. It's lighthearted and fun. I reread it immediately after finishing it."

29. "I always reach for Stephen King (especially The Dark Tower series). Dark Tower is the closest to a Western I'll read, but combined with sci-fi, fantasy, and more. It not only was King's opus, but it magically transcended all genres."

30. "Julie Mayhew's The Big Lie is a great one. In modern England (2010s), under Nazi rule, Jess is a girl who follows the rules, unlike her best friend. When Jess starts to realize things aren't what they seem and that she might like girls, things get...complicated. There's amazing, mind-blowing stuff with a unique perspective — one that is badly needed now."

31. "I recently listened to The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides after seeing it mentioned in a BuzzFeed list, and wow. It's an amazing book. It's a bit of a slow burn, but when you get to the twist? Holy hell. It's so good that I immediately called my mom when I was finished to tell her to read it."

32. "This book has been on a few lists before, but the dystopian classic Brave New World by Aldous Huxley is an astonishing read about class, race, genetic engineering/eugenics, love, betrayal, hate, power, and more. I still think about the powerful ending now and again."

33. "I recommend A Gentleman in Moscow. All of Amor Towles's works are excellent, but this one is so uplifting, and the writing is elegant. It's about a Russian aristocrat during the Revolution who gets sentenced by the Bolsheviks to live out his life inside a hotel. The protagonist is my favorite character of all time, and this book is definitely in my top five, if not my number one."

34. "The Book Thief by Markus Zusak! I cannot sing this book's praises enough. It's the only book that has made me bawl like a little baby. It's set during the Holocaust and is about a young girl and her adoptive family, who help hide a Jewish man. Also, it's narrated by Death, which is super interesting. Be warned, though: It has a really sad ending."

35. "Long Live Evil by Sarah Rees Brennan is the book that I fell in love with after a reading slump. The characters, world-building, and sizzling relationships dragged me back into the world of books, and I haven't fallen out since!"

36. "OK, hear me out: Harry Potter. Listen, I dislike the author as much as the next person for obvious reasons, but I've owned all the books since I was a child, so I decided to pick it up again because, though I was familiar with the series and the movies, I hadn't read the books since I was a kid. Reading them again as an adult felt like a whole different experience, and it made me fall in love not only with reading again but with the entire world and characters. I could not recommend reading your favorite childhood series more as an adult if you're in a slump."

37. "I was in a slump for a good two years before I read Assistant to the Villain by Hannah Nicole Maehrer. I couldn't put the book down from page one, and I blazed through book two as well. It was the perfect villain-romance that made me feel the reading vibe again!"

38. "Red Rabbit by Alex Grecian is an amazing book! A mismatched band of characters end up together on a stolen Wells Fargo wagon to hunt down a witch in the Wild West. I have recommended this book numerous times since I read it. Also, Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros may have its flaws, but it sucked me in just as hard as Harry Potter did when I was a kid. I am obsessed."

39. "All That's Left in the World by Erik J. Brown. It's a beautiful romance told in post-apocalyptic America! It's perfect for any fans of queer literature!"

40. "Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. I was a huge reader as a kid and teenager, and then I just sort of fell out of it. The book reignited my passion for reading. It's so well-written and has great twists. I still recommend this book to people."

41. "The Unselected Journals of Emma M. Lion by Beth Brower is so entertaining! The writing is immersive, and there is fantastic character development that makes the people come alive! I think about Emma and her cohorts even while I am asleep! The books are an injection of happiness to me each time I open one up."

42. "Anything written by Fredrik Backman. I love his writing; his books make me laugh and cry at the same time. I've read virtually all of his books, and it's hard to pick a favorite! If you liked Incredibly Bright Creatures, you'll love Backman. If you want something lighter, start with Anxious People."

43. "There are so many amazing books out there, but The Queen of the Tearling series by Erika Johansen, The Powder Mage trilogy by Brian McClellan, and The Grimnoir Chronicles by Larry Correia were three book series that really reignited my love for reading at a time when it was difficult for me to even finish a book. I couldn't put them down until I devoured every book!"

44. "The Water Is Wide by the late Pat Conroy, who, like me, was from South Carolina. He was the only writer who could transport me home to the coast of South Carolina when I lived in Washington, DC. I literally could smell the pluff mud through his descriptions. Sadly, he died way too young."

45. "I am a huge psychological thriller fan, and now I'm a fan of Greg Iles. I started with his book Mortal Fear, which is so realistic that it makes you feel like it could happen to you. I used to read the book, then dream the scenes."

46. "Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo! It's so fast-paced and adventurous, and it involves a heist — what more could you want? It's a duology, and even though it's popular on BookTok, I honestly think that it deserves the hype. The found family trope is done so well, and I'm wishing and hoping for a new book soon!"

47. "When I'm in a reading slump, I reread a book by an author I know I love in order to get back in the habit. Frequently, it's books by Sarah Vowell, who writes these witty, insightful, and personal drives into American history. (If I had to pull one out to recommend, I think Assassination Vacation is a great start.) Last time, the book that brought my reading habit back was Ocean of Words by Ha Jin. His work often straddles the line between China and America, and I love the way he pulls a story together. I've read at least 10 of his books, but my favorite is probably A Map of Betrayal, which is about a high-ranking Chinese spy and his daughter tracing back their family origins."

48. "Circe by Madeline Miller. It's not as popular as Song of Achilles, but it's just as beautiful, especially if you really love retellings of Greek mythology. I hadn't picked up a book in years, but when I heard about this retelling of one of my favorite mythological heroines, I decided to give it a go. I fell in love immediately and couldn't stop reading it. I recommend it to anyone and everyone."

49. "The Long Walk by Richard Bachman (Stephen King). Teenage boys aren't often big on reading, but when I was a teen, I ended up with a Richard Bachman collection, and The Long Walk has stayed with me 25 years later. Being roughly the same age as the boys in the book, coupled with the subject matter and its relatively short length, I think it's a book that boys would genuinely still enjoy today. And, yes, I am ridiculously excited for the upcoming film. Pretty much every sequence in the trailer, including the dialogue, is straight out of the book. I always imagined The Major as being played by Jack Nicholson growing up, but having him be played by Luke Skywalker, my childhood hero, makes the character even more terrifying."

50. Lastly: "One of the best books I've ever read is one I never, in a thousand years, would have picked out for myself. It was recommended to me by my dad and aunt, and it's an 850-page western. It made me feel every emotion; I was crying in bed, cheering out loud, getting angry, and everything else. If you read one Western book in your life, make sure it's Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry. I can't praise this book enough. Please, just read it."

BRB, going to the library as we speak! What's a book that got you out of a deep reading slump? Let us know in the comments, or you can anonymously submit your thoughts using the form below.

Note: Some submissions have been edited for length and/or clarity.