Tuesday, February 9, 2010

My Moods of Reading


Do you ever feel like reading is an emotional endeavor? Not just because books (hopefully) make you feel something but because the act of reading itself is tied to ones current emotions.

I think this is one of the reasons that although I consider myself an avid reader, I have a hard time readings as much as other people (that and I am generally a slower reader, as I like to muse over the sound of the words on the page and how they fit together...I know, I'm weird).

But still, there are times where I want to do nothing else but read. Put a book in my hands I will read it! And most likely have something to say about it. My house may be in shambles, I may be running on very little sleep, my daughter may have watched Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, Tinkerbell (1 and 2), Dumbo, and any other number of Disney DVDs in one day, but I will still keep reading!

So I was feeling really good about my reading as I was a week ahead last week in my reviews and had some leg room to finally get caught up on some books I have started, help edit a girl in my writer's groups full manuscript etc.

Then I hit one of those funks.

When in these funks, no matter how hard I try, no matter what book I pick up, I just cannot seem to concentrate for more than a chapter (or if the chapters are long, half a chapter) of a book at a time. And even then, I know I am not enjoying the book as much as I otherwise would, so I find it pointless to keep trying.

But then I start to stress. I think of you, my readers, and how you expect me to write at least one book review a week. I think of my co-bloggers that I ask to review one book a week. How would it look if I slacked on a week? I think of My Pile of Books, that literally looms a mile high with books I own that I want to read, books I've received that I have to read, and books that are on my TBR list that everyone tells me I would love and I should read.

It can get overwhelming.

As fellow blogger and book lovers, do you ever feel like reading for you comes in moods? What do you do about it? Do you worry about your blogs and what other people think if you miss a week of reviews? What would you think if I missed a week?

5 comments:

Unknown said...

I totally know what you mean - though usually I can find a book to pull me out of it, but I might start 10+ to find it...reading one or two pages even - till I find the "it" book though it might not even be the book, just the spell is broken - KWIM? Anyway I totally understand where you are.

As for missing time, I think everyone does...so no worries us readers will still be here devouring your words and reviews when they come :)

(((HUGS)))

Lais said...

I agree that at times reading comes in moods. Everyone goes through phases and everyone becomes busy with things in life. I think everyone will understand you and won't make a big deal of you missing a week of reviews. So don't worry. Don't stress or feel overwhelmed! :) When you decided to write a review we will continue to enjoy it whether its posted everyday, once or week or even once a month.

Unknown said...

my interest in reading ebbs and flows...sometimes I am too social to read. and I am a busy girl so sometimes I am too active. i love that books have chapters and breaks b/c otherwise, I doubt i'd read!

Allyson Condie said...

You should totally take a week off. You deserve it!

The Library Lurker said...

Thanks for following my blog! I definitely agree with you, but most of the time if I don't want to read a book it's because I just finished one that really sucked me in and I don't feel like learning about a bunch of new characters. Sometimes I feel a bit pushed to get reviews out too, but if I hurry too much I don't write a good review. So if you take a week off everyone will understand.