There are certain days when I just don’t feel like reading no matter how much I usually love it. But as someone who runs a book blog and is committed to sharing regular reviews, I often push myself to read, even when the mood isn’t there.

On one of those “blah” days, I brought only my iPad with me. No laptop, no distractions. The plan was simple: sit down and read my eBook. I figured that by removing temptations, I’d finally sink into a book. But what actually happened was… not that.

Instead, I spent the first two to three hours hopping in and out of eBooks. I opened one, read a page or two, then jumped to another. I even browsed the Apple Books store, sampling anything that looked remotely interesting. I must’ve tried over 20 books that day, but none of them sparked that magical click in my brain that makes me want to keep turning the pages.

To make it worse, I felt drowsy. I sipped on a cup of filter coffee, hoping it would wake me up, but I just couldn’t focus. Something felt off.

Cravings, Coffee, and the Curious Cure for Reader’s Block

As I aimlessly scrolled and book-hopped, there was a quiet voice in the back of my mind whispering about cake. And not just cake, but also something cold, creamy, and sweet. I tried to ignore it. I told myself I didn’t need the sugar or the calories, that I was here to read. To be productive. But the craving kept creeping back in.

During those two to three hours of trying to find a book that could hold my attention, my mind was actually somewhere else. I was unfocused and lowkey daydreaming about desserts. And maybe that’s exactly what my brain was trying to tell me.

Eventually, I gave in. I walked to a nearby café and ordered a slice of cake and an iced matcha latte. And like flipping a switch—boom—my mind cleared up. My eyes stopped drooping. Every sentence in the book suddenly made sense, and I read with complete focus.

And here’s the funny part: the book that finally hooked me was the very first one I’d opened that day. The same one I’d initially dismissed. Turns out, the book wasn’t the problem. I was just out of sync.

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So here’s the lesson I took from that little episode: sometimes, you need to follow your impulses—especially the harmless ones. If a small treat helps you reset your focus and enjoy the moment, go for it. Don’t fight your brain too hard.

When you’re not in the right headspace, even the best book in the world can feel dull. Instead of forcing focus, try tuning in to what your mind really needs first. Handle that, and then return to your books. You might just fall in love with the very one you almost skipped.