It's early Sunday afternoon and I feel as though I've managed to get a lot done this weekend. Yesterday I spent most of the day catching up on blogging. I linked reviews to my my 2010 reading list and book reviews list. I made a list of which reviews are still outstanding and linked reviews to my challenges. It was quite a productive day, however I learned a few things along the way.In 2011, I want to return to reading for me and not reading the latest book everyone is raving about or signing up for review copies or challenges that I end up abandoning 4 or 5 months later. Before I started my blog and participating in reading challenges, my reading was different. I can't really explain it in words, but I didn't pressure myself into reading. Somewhere along the way, after blogging, I began to make choices that impacted my pleasure for reading and turned it into. . . well, work.
I admit it has taken me quite awhile to reach this point and to figure out my role in this. Yes, I take responsibility in my choices and I blame no one else. Trying to keep up and read the latest, most raved about book or reading all the books that are released in a given year has really taken a toll on me. Yesterday, I could no longer deny it. And I know things have to change. I need to change. And what I really need to do is get back to reading what I want, when I want. After all, I started this blog for me - a simple way to track my reading and thoughts about the books I've read.
My biggest obstacle I must face is the library! I absolutely love the library. Even though I recently purchased a Kindle, I still frequent the library at least once (sometimes twice) a week. (My library visits have diminished some this year as I was going at least four times each week.) My problem is I have ABSOLUTELY NO SELF-CONTROL when it comes to checking out books. I can't stop myself! I mean, they're right in front of me and on my TBR List, so why not?
As of late, I've been accruing fines (something I've managed to not do since I started going to the library as a young girl) at a rapid pace. And finally it hit me: what am I doing? This has got to stop. But, I know I won't stop cold turkey. It's going to be a work in progress. Again, it's unnecessary pressure I'm putting on myself.
As I get older, I realize how complicated my life has gotten. Partly due to life experiences and age, while it's also due to me just complicating things unnecessarily. What I can control, I really want to change and make simple. And reading is part of that. Quite honestly, I don't really know what all this entails. As I mentioned, although it was been building, I finally allowed the revelation to fully hit me yesterday.
We'll see what happens. I don't think I need to go to the extreme of giving up my blog or reading altogether (or the library). I just need to find. . . balance. And to remember why I read and started this blog.
It is hard work updating your blog, linking etc so well done.
ReplyDeleteI want to go back to reading more for myself also, getting excited over hype books in the blogosphere, reviews etc can overwhelm us.
You have a Kindle and your Library visits are still high, I think that is good actually, it is so easy and fast to download.
BTW - do you have a recommendation for one of Mary Higgins Clark Christmas book?
Yes, it can be a bit overwhelming at times. You're definitely right about that.
ReplyDeleteFor MHC books, I personally enjoyed her older holiday books: Silent Night, Deck the Halls and All Through the Night.
Very well put, Shon. I know I am going to sign up for less challenges next year as well...
ReplyDeleteI'm with you on the library. I have absolutely no self-control there, either. My daughter and I go every week while my son is in a 1.5 hour therapy session, so giving up the library isn't an option (it's one of the few things to do in the area). And there's also the issue that our library allows us to check out 99 items AT A TIME. So not good. :)
ReplyDeleteJulie - reading challenges started out to be fun until I signed up for way too many! I just want my reading to return to how it was, you know? Really need to get my focus back.
ReplyDeleteMelissa - 99?! Wow... my library's limit is 50 and I think that's too much. I think I would need for the library to allow us to pick our own limit and that would force to me check out fewer books at a time. But, b/c that's not an option, it's really up to me to set the limit. Which is the problem...
It's nice to know someone else feels the same as I do.
Shon...I could have written this post as we are singing a similar tune. Too many ARCs and we adore our library. I too have different plans for 2011. Have fun
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