Finding Inspiration Again: Breaking out of Reading Ruts & Writing Slumps | Book Lounge by Libby Season 2 Episode 1

Season 2 kicks off with a deep dive into those all-too-familiar reading ruts and writing slumps. In this episode, we explore how to find inspiration again—both on the page and in life. 

In Segment 1, join me with Neal Shusterman, New York Times bestselling author of over thirty award-winning books for children, teens, and adults, as he shares his strategies for breaking out of creative ruts and staying inspired in writing and life. 

In Segment 2, our fantastic guest host Amy Allen Clark reveals her personal approach to reading ruts: how she navigates them, embraces them, and ultimately finds joy in getting back into the flow of books. 

Whether you’re a reader, a writer, or just someone looking to reignite your spark, this episode is packed with insight, inspiration, and a few laughs along the way. 

Follow the guests & guest hosts:  

Segment 1: 

• Neal Shusterman – Website | Instagram 

Segment 2:  

• Amy Allen Clark - Links 

Time stamps: 

00:00:00 Title 

00:00:22 Intro 

00:02:00 Segment 1 – Conversation with Neal Shusterman on Writing Slumps 

00:59:13 Break 

01:01:24 Segment 2 with Amy Allen Clark (About Season 1 of Book Lounge) 

01:07:07 Segment 2 – Getting Out of Reading Ruts with Amy Allen Clark 

01:45:02 Outro 

Readers can sample and borrow the titles mentioned in today’s episode in Libby. Library friends can add these titles to their digital collections for free in OverDrive Marketplace and Kanopy. Check out our Cumulative List for the whole season, or this list for today’s episode! 

Looking for more bookish content? Check out the Libby Life Blog! 

We hope you enjoy this episode of Book Lounge by Libby. Be sure to rate, review and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen! You can watch the video version of our show on the Libby App YouTube channel. Keep up with us on social media by following the Libby App on Instagram!  

Want to reach out? Send an email to bookloungebylibby@overdrive.com. Want some cool bookish swag? Check out our merch store at: http://plotthreadsshop.com/booklounge! 

Full Book List for this Episode:

Neal Shusterman’s Books: 

• Scythe – Neal Shusterman 

• Thunderhead – Neal Shusterman 

• The Toll – Neal Shusterman 

• Gleanings – Neal Shusterman 

• Unwind – Neal Shusterman 

• UnStrung – Neal Shusterman 

• UnWholly – Neal Shusterman 

• UnSouled – Neal Shusterman 

• UnDivided – Neal Shusterman 

• UnBound – Neal Shusterman 

• All Better Now – Neal Shusterman 

• Dry – Neal Shusterman 

• Challenger Deep – Neal Shusterman 

• Break to You – Neal Shusterman 

• Game Changer – Neal Shusterman 

• Everlost – Neal Shusterman 

• Skinjacker Trilogy – Neal Shusterman 

• Everwild – Neal Shusterman 

• Everfound – Neal Shusterman 

• Courage to Dream – Neal Shusterman 

• Roxy – Neal Shusterman 

• Bruiser – Neal Shusterman 

• Darkness Creeping – Neal Shusterman 

• Other Worlds – Neal Shusterman 

• The Schwa was Here – Neal Shusterman 

• I am the Walrus – Neal Shusterman 

• Shock the Monkey – Neal Shusterman 

• The Shadow Club – Neal Shusterman 

• Tesla’s Attic – Neal Shusterman 

• Full Tilt – Neal Shusterman 

• Violent Ends – Neal Shusterman 

• Dread Locks – Neal Shusterman 

• Duckling Ugly – Neal Shusterman 

• Red Rider’s Hood – Neal Shusterman 

• Edison’s Alley – Neal Shusterman 

• Nights of the Living Dead – Neal Shusterman 

• Downsiders – Neal Shusterman 

• Hawking’s Hallway – Neal Shusterman 

• Scorpion Shards – Neal Shusterman 

• Thief of Souls – Neal Shusterman 

• Shattered Sky – Neal Shusterman 

• Antsy Does Time – Neal Shusterman 

• Ship Out of Luck – Neal Shusterman

• Chasing Forgiveness – Neal Shusterman 

• The Dark Side of Nowhere - Neal Shusterman 

• The Dirt on Our Shoes – Neal Shusterman 

• The Shadow Club Rising – Neal Shusterman 

• MindWorks – Neal Shusterman 

• The Eyes of Kid Midas - Neal Shusterman 

Amy Allen Clark’s Book: 

• The Good Life for Less – Amy Allen Clark