tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post625758168407293964..comments2024-03-18T19:09:05.766-04:00Comments on For What It's Worth: Getting over my reading slump.... (For good - I hope)Karenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13958940283330319507noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-27964555810296277232016-06-01T10:40:32.013-04:002016-06-01T10:40:32.013-04:00Yea I definitely think that if you force yourself ...Yea I definitely think that if you force yourself to read stuff which you don't like then you'll get into reading slumps. I sometimes just walk into my local book shop and just walk around. That way, I can find new authors and pick up a book that I'm genuinely intrigued by without knowing the hype. Anyway, I wrote an article recently about avoiding reading slumps, you should check it out to avoid falling into another one.<br />Jess<br />http://readbyjess.blogspot.co.uk/2016/05/how-to-get-out-of-reading-slump.htmlJesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05675091850756104578noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-6576965437977307852012-08-16T11:28:30.495-04:002012-08-16T11:28:30.495-04:00So glad you were able to get out of your reading s...So glad you were able to get out of your reading slump. Your strategy seemed to work very well. I think it is easy to become overwhelmed. I think we all need to take a step back every now and then. It would be a shame to stop enjoying what we love. Great advice!<br />~JessDMShttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04202502753961748992noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-81901626508187794182012-08-03T22:00:06.559-04:002012-08-03T22:00:06.559-04:00This! This this this! Lol. I sometimes feel like t...This! This this this! Lol. I sometimes feel like there should be a book blogging disclaimer for anyone who wants to start up, because it seems like ALL of us have been there at one point or another.Natalie https://www.blogger.com/profile/15879112865868418812noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-76548239055644207872012-07-31T20:15:03.528-04:002012-07-31T20:15:03.528-04:00I've been struggling with blogging lately. My ...I've been struggling with blogging lately. My posts have been...rare haha I just do it when I can now. I'll read a book, get a post ready for it, and then I'll get to it when I can. I've decided that I enjoy reading without the pressures of reading. I don't just choose books that haven't been released yet, or books that I accepted for review. When I finish a book, I think about what kind of mood I'm in, and I choose a book based on what I feel like reading. I think this has become a healthier relationship for me, my books, and blogging. I'm glad you've sorted things out for yourself! Your true followers will stick with you no matter what. :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-62643651881098334192012-07-31T11:06:04.729-04:002012-07-31T11:06:04.729-04:00lmao!! Yes, you feel like something is wrong with ...lmao!! Yes, you feel like something is wrong with you and why you are just not "getting it".<br /><br />I'm just not worrying about it anymore.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07685405404548766935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-55624307303358426912012-07-31T11:04:42.143-04:002012-07-31T11:04:42.143-04:00I think you hit the nail on the head right there.....I think you hit the nail on the head right there...... "I think I learned in the first year all the Do's and Don't for ME"<br /><br />We need to blog in a way that's right for us. It doesn't do anyone any good if we're all so burned out that we quit blogging. There is a balance.<br /><br />I read very little YA when I first started but then my blog became almost exclusively YA. I think it does hurt your stats or whatever to not blog in one genre but who cares if you're not enjoying what you read anymore. It's just not worth it.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07685405404548766935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-10424841766980117112012-07-30T23:23:22.338-04:002012-07-30T23:23:22.338-04:00I forgot everything I wanted to say this morning :...I forgot everything I wanted to say this morning :( I didn't even know you were in a reading slump, for a year!! What's up with thaaat ah? We are twins, I need to know those things....just because lol<br /><br />But anyway, I'm not a blogger but I can totally relate with everything you said. I can see why you were burned out. Reading, reviewing, pressure and more pressure, no thank you...just thinking of that stress me out. BUT I have had that hostile attitude toward books lately. I don't know when I became so critical with the books I read, I found flaws in everything and little things annoy the hell out of me or I just found the book boring, no excitement. I thought it was just one book but everything I have read lately I feel that way and it can't be because I'm burned out because I barely read! I'm affraid of the next book I decide to pick up if I'm still in this dark place toward them. (Is not like I know if its over or not so I just decide to read it and still critical b**ch in me) Is not on purpose I just don't feel what I'm reading...nothing WOW me. I know is not such a big deal but I used to be lover of all things, "5 stars to all the books" always with flaws or little things. Now I over analize and critic everything and everyone!! <br /><br />Now that I complained, I have to say that I agree with you about the next THG or next Twilight, I'm so over that. And all the book bloggers have expanded my reading horizons too, I didn't know about the existence of all these books but it can narrow my choices too that is sooo true. It's like a cicle with all the same books going over and over (I'm not complaining btw, just sayin'). I want to find a series that do to me what Mind Games did to you. Something that takes me back to where I used to love everything and enjoy instead of critic everything, and makes me smile, laugh, cry, squeal all at once. I'm not so difficult to pleased, pretty much every book did that to me, I don't know what's going on right now with me. So I guess I'll just stop reading (instead of 1 book a month hahaha, but this is only because I'm busy with other things) I'm not going to read AT ALL until who knows when. But the problem is, I want to read!! so you can see my dilemma?? LOL <br /><br />Okay, enough of my ramblings and complaints haha, I needed to vent about what I'm feeling. And oddly enough I'm feeling the same about blogs!!I spent like two weeks without visiting or leaving comments on my favorite blogs, -and same with twitter- still I barely comment and read stuff. (I know is not an obligation but it was an hostile feeling and this is my favorite hobby!! *sigh* ) Okay I'll shut now. :P Soooorry!! <br /><br />I love the images you used haha, so perfect. I'm glad that you are at peace and in a better blogging place and loving your books and reading again :)Ana Lucíahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10661401550077971755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-69898135998290760322012-07-30T23:10:22.655-04:002012-07-30T23:10:22.655-04:00I enjoyed your post. I have been blogging for 3 y...I enjoyed your post. I have been blogging for 3 years and I think I learned in the first year all the Do's and Don't for ME. I read approx 50 books a year, I have no intention on trying to read faster to get more read. I say yes to reviews I truly think I will enjoy and never more than 2 in one month, as I am a mood reader and I think having to read a book definitely puts me in a slump. Never like yours though, scary.<br /><br />Also, I get the whole hyped books, so glad YA is not my genre of choice or I will probably never read what "I Want". You may want to always have a week out of the month that is just the books you want to read, old, new, favourites, for review, just whatever.<br /><br />Mind Games is on my Wishlist, a new genre for me but I am so intrigued. Maybe I will get to it this year.Marcehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10136238772526246675noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-52572793877470026832012-07-30T22:03:48.976-04:002012-07-30T22:03:48.976-04:00Reading slumps stink! They make you question your ...Reading slumps stink! They make you question your worth as a person and ruin perfectly good books. I'm glad you found a way to beet them.Lilian E. Lauerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12302411026674014792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-31271360660758166972012-07-30T21:34:55.886-04:002012-07-30T21:34:55.886-04:00I know if I read some of my favorite books ever no...I know if I read some of my favorite books ever now that I would hate them just because of how jaded I've gotten.<br /><br />After taking my break though I find myself being way more forgiving of something that I probably would have given a 1 or a 2 during my slump so I guess it works both ways.<br /><br />I don't think I could quit. I would miss everyone too much.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07685405404548766935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-45606028240962802552012-07-30T21:33:19.539-04:002012-07-30T21:33:19.539-04:00It's the obligation/guilt thing that we put on...It's the obligation/guilt thing that we put on ourselves. <br /><br />I'm learning to take a step back if I need to. The world will not end!Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07685405404548766935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-25331271213835086662012-07-30T21:15:14.046-04:002012-07-30T21:15:14.046-04:00This is such a great post! As a relatively new bl...This is such a great post! As a relatively new blogger, I thank you for being so open about this.<br /><br />I've been blogging about 10 months and at times I have definitely seen the warning signs of blogger fatigue creeping in....<br /><br />I'm really glad you didn't stop blogging. I would miss you!!!Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04756695137600895936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-11289564104595127462012-07-30T21:14:08.125-04:002012-07-30T21:14:08.125-04:00Excellent, excellent advice...and i totally get it...Excellent, excellent advice...and i totally get it. Ironically, I've been thinking about making a few small changes to my reading habits too. I love how you said that if you over analyze, what you once thought of as perfection will start to have flaws. So true. I started reading reviews on Amazon and Goodreads of books I read a long time ago and loved and I was so disappointed. But the experience at the time made me happy. <br /><br />And I read in one of your replies how you almost quit blogging. I am SO glad you didn't!!! Don't know what I would have done!!!Midnyte Readerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10411332857885069319noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-32133170015216506562012-07-30T21:04:47.164-04:002012-07-30T21:04:47.164-04:00It's great that you're out of the slump :)...It's great that you're out of the slump :)<br />And the Disillusionists trilogy is one of my favorites, too :) I've listened to it on audiobook, and oh my....<br />I loved Packard, Justine and Simon! And of course Gumby :DCaycehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17878030813967203887noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-14553621280046726052012-07-30T20:26:40.781-04:002012-07-30T20:26:40.781-04:00Glad to hear you're coming out of your slump. ...Glad to hear you're coming out of your slump. It can be hard to not think of reading as a job sometimes and when that happens sometimes you need a break. Sometimes, a very long break ;) Hope you get to read some books you find AMAZING now! Happy Reading!Brittanyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12934013997287873287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-52829494400643092782012-07-30T18:24:07.833-04:002012-07-30T18:24:07.833-04:00That outs you in a really tough position. You have...That outs you in a really tough position. You have to read all the time.<br /><br />I've decided to let the "rules" go. It's true that my YA reviews get way more hits than something older or from a less popular genre but I started the blog to talk about what I was reading not to have my next reads chosen for me. It's really hard to let some of that go though.<br /><br />Good luck. I don't' envy your situation.Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13958940283330319507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-40509883915654175482012-07-30T18:22:01.085-04:002012-07-30T18:22:01.085-04:00That's so funny (sorry) You associate your e-r...That's so funny (sorry) You associate your e-reader with reviewing. I started hating the email or even the regular mail. I didn't want nay more books or review requests. <br /><br />Honestly we put all this pressure on ourselves though. I mean really....what's going to happen if we don't review a book? Nothing. lolKarenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13958940283330319507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-64650826969585431462012-07-30T18:20:32.075-04:002012-07-30T18:20:32.075-04:00I had a few smaller ones a few years ago but this ...I had a few smaller ones a few years ago but this was something more. I mean I HATED my books lol<br /><br />I'm getting better at taking time off when I need it (or if I just don't have anything to say) The same thing happened to me. Instead of an escape reading became a chore.<br /><br />Thanks for the comment :-)Karenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13958940283330319507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-32703035512497400502012-07-30T18:18:37.572-04:002012-07-30T18:18:37.572-04:00That's really difficult to do.
I'm gettin...That's really difficult to do. <br />I'm getting really good at not feeling obligated to review every single thing that I read now but I still get twitchy if I'm not posting regularly on the blog lolKarenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13958940283330319507noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-14102259535926099242012-07-30T17:45:47.711-04:002012-07-30T17:45:47.711-04:00You go girl! I am so proud.
Find the fun. Relax....You go girl! I am so proud. <br /><br />Find the fun. Relax. Feel no pressure from anybody. *hugs* You've found a better place to be. :-DAnonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17140835320864680932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-65987208747179041312012-07-30T15:10:18.842-04:002012-07-30T15:10:18.842-04:00Oh, I think it's such an interesting post! Gah...Oh, I think it's such an interesting post! Gah, it's so hard to get it through my mind that READING IS NOT A JOB. Neither is blogging. I don't really feel like I read for "fun" anymore but in terms of what I can review and it's just not the way to go. I really need to change that before I become disillusioned with blogging.elenahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06098549352641704742noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-26923655596221299152012-07-30T15:01:16.035-04:002012-07-30T15:01:16.035-04:00I have been in a bit of a slump lately. It seems ...I have been in a bit of a slump lately. It seems like the only reading I am doing is what I can listen to on audiobooks. I didn't even touch a book this weekend except to pack it and then unpack it. My slump started back in January, and I thought I was over it for a while, but then it seemed to come back. <br /><br />Part of it is the pressure to review--I know that. The other part of that is that I have books I have to read for committee work, and honestly I don't want to read those right now. There are books I want to read, but can't because I have obligations. <br /><br />I have to agree with you about how blogging has caused pressure. I have read those hyped books and yes I admit I have gotten nasty with a couple because they are so cliche, but I think what has been so hard on me has been how blogging has narrowed my reading opportunities. Before I blogged I read both adult and teen books, whenever I wanted. Once I started blogging, I found so many tips that said you should choose your market and stick to it so people know what to expect from your blog. Since most of what I read was YA, that is what I focused on when blogging. After a while I began to tire of YA and the same old same old. I wanted something adult, so I widened my focus. It may be detrimental to my blog, but it was necessary for my sanity, and for me to enjoy reading. I fixed this, but I think my major problem lies elsewhere.<br /><br />I am still working on my slump--I have a good idea what is causing it, and nothing but time will cure it. Reading and work are inseparable for me, because I am a librarian. I don't get time at work to read, yet am still expected to be able to do good readers advisory, so I read (work) in my off time. Sometimes it is frustrating because I feel like I don't have time off and begin to resent the books. <br /><br />My other problem are work deadlines. Deadlines become both my friend and enemy. They push me to read more in a shorter period of time, but they also force me to read titles I don't want to read and slow me down. It is a double edged sword, and one I tread voluntarily because sometimes reading books I don't want to read helps me with my job. It unfortunately doesn't help me with the slump or the thought that reading is work. <br /><br />I know I have a long way to go, but I am so glad that you seemed to find your way. Thank you for sharing--it will help those of us who still have these issues to work out! :)Melissa @ Mel's Books and Infohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01115407771547126072noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-39402985617688862682012-07-30T14:33:19.665-04:002012-07-30T14:33:19.665-04:00I completely understand! Where has all the fun gon...I completely understand! Where has all the fun gone? I don't know why I feel so guilty about saying no to a book. When I was strictly a library book gal I would easily move from one book to another until I found the right one. But somehow guilt comes into play when you start reviewing. WHY? I vote more fun and less expectation. Just because I blog about books doesn't mean I am any different than any other reader. I want to enjoy a good story.<br />I have come to a small dislike of my eReader. All because the only books I read on it are books I feel somewhat compelled to review. I don't even like eBooks. Paper all the way. So the whole things feels stressful to me.<br />I am glad you have found your way back into enjoying books again.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03219669783738063144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-21368901673546521582012-07-30T13:33:24.047-04:002012-07-30T13:33:24.047-04:00Awesome post! And I totally understand what you...Awesome post! And I totally understand what you've been through. But I think it's inevitable not to have at least a small reading/blogging slump every once in a while - I guess it happens because we're very dedicated to what we do and we don't want to disappoint the readers, the followers, the authors, the publishers etc and we end up being under pressure and stressed about living up to their expectations (I'm talking serious bloggers who've been at this for a while now). The best thing we can do is to loosen up and just like you said, always to remember that reading and blogging is not a job. To let go of that blogger guilt. We need to remember that our love for books came first. <br /><br />(I took a break from blogging myself this year. Of course, I had some problems in my personal life too, but instead of bringing me solace and a great distraction, blogging only added more stress to that. So I took some time off, I listened to lots of audiobooks and avoided reading any hyped books or reviews. I needed a clean slate as well, I guess. Now I'm working on not feeling guilty if I don't review every book I read and if I don't have a blog post ready every morning).<br /><br />Happy reading and happy blogging!:)Deeahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04020398462121714932noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7047843651411739466.post-62289896355740960602012-07-30T13:31:07.454-04:002012-07-30T13:31:07.454-04:00That's great that you got to talk about other ...That's great that you got to talk about other things that interest you like the tv shows. That was the original intention for this blog. I don't even know how I ended up just reviewing books! lolKarenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13958940283330319507noreply@blogger.com