Over the last few months, since the international booker, I have run out of steam both blogging-wise and reading-wise. You know, when you get that thing where you just start this and that book so excited to try and find rthat beat thatg moment again to bottle the thing that you lover in your reading but then I turned around yesterday and saw I must have a dozen books with sort of base camps in them that first hundred pages read a marker in the sand but then mislaid and forgotten as I grabbed the next book that next chance of capturing and bottling the joy I often find in books. I have this ever so often, that moment of self-doubt, of worry about my reading tastes. I feel this is never helpful, where every person on social media seems to be posting their books, and you either feel you are out of the loop or you are under-read. However, in recent years, I have not felt that way, as I now view my reading as a reader who sees my reading journey as a sailing boat on the waters of world literature. So this is my doldrums period, that place in the middle of the Atlantic where there is no breeze. You just have to sit and wait to you catch the breeze or steam up again whether that is reading some of the wainwright longlist that came out yesterday and triggered this post when I saw how many books I had to finish or a gem I find next week I have a few days in Suffolk with Amanda I have an aunt that lives there I will be seeing. Other than that, I hope to visit Southwold and Aldeburgh while I’m there, both of which have bookshops, and I am like a bloodhound when it comes to finding bookshops in the wild. Anyway, I just wanted to post that I’m in the reading doldrums; no need to panic, regular service will resume next week after my holiday. How do you overcome these little dips in reading or enjoyment and wanting to read?
I try not to worry about it too much. I’ve had a rather difficult week, starting with having to identify The Ex after he died suddenly in hospital last Saturday. Then all this week there were *lots* of things that needed to be done, to give support to The Offspring. #Understatement The shock has been stressful and exhausting, and so a bit of reading and writing reviews has been a bit of a welcome break though I’m not up to speed at all. But I take the view that my loyal readers will bear with me, and will wait patiently for whatever I’m able to deliver.
That’s what I think you should do too. Blogging is a gift to our readers, not an obligation we have to fulfil, and we should never feel that the important things in our lives should take second place to it. Sure we can set goals and share our ambitions and so on, but at the end of the day, none of that matters. Real life is what matters, and it’s too short to waste.
Sounds like you had a very hard week Lisa and good you were there to support your offspring with there loss and sorting things out such a difficult time
Yeah!
The thing is, there is no script to follow for the unexpected death of an Ex. Apart from putting The Offspring first in everything (which I do all the time anyway) I’m just making it up as I go along…
I think we all have those moments. I’m much more of a reader than a blogger; I stop posting long before I stop reading but even so I’ve had long dry spells even with reading. I notice they occur when I put pressure on myself to read certain types of writers/books (i.e., usually the “hot” literary stars headed for the prizes, or classics) or achieve a certain number on my yearly reading list. Too much pressure! When this happens, I step back and just read what seems fun, with no pressure to impress, be current with the “big” books or run up numbers. I go to tried & true favorites that I re-read over the years (I’m a big re-reader), or something new in a fun genre (for me, mysteries; sci-fiction/fantasy/horror or coming of age novels). Good luck, have fun on your break & see/read you whenever!
As my readers know, I’m a fairly infrequent blogger — in a good year I tend to post every couple of months or so, although I do tend to favour creating long-form articles, so hopefully that makes up for the wait somewhat! My own approach is that I don’t bother trying to follow lists or chase tends, I like to just follow my own fancies and whatever seems right for me at the moment. I also don’t really keep track of how many books I read in a given year, as I think that sheer numbers don’t mean much in and of themselves, especially since books can vary so much in length and depth. I like your image of being in your own little boat, navigating the literary waters in your own way and finding your own route . . . your doldrums will surely pass in their own good time, and you’ll be sailing onwards before you know it! Good luck on your bookshop hunt as well — may you find many gems! 🙂
waiting to catch the reading breeze is a very good analogy, sometimes we’re just on a go slow and that’s the way it is; I’m always amazed by the amount everyone posts when I’m such a slow reader but there we go! Have a lovely time in Suffolk and enjoy the breeze breezing over you!
Compared to me your reading rate and review output has been stellar, Stu. I can completely relate to losing steam in a book you’re excited about. I’ve bailed on so many lately, not forever I hope, but for the time being. And although I try not accept too many review copies, I feel the pressure mounting as the pile mounts. I think I’m going to stick to skinny books for the next few as well as a couple of titles I’m reading for myself rather than my blog. I’ve been dealing with some stresses close to home lately but things seem to be taking a sharp turn for the better, so I’m hoping to get back on track. Sometimes we put too much pressure on ourselves.
Enjoy your little holiday!
The doldrums is a wonderful way to describe those dips we have in our enthusiasm for reading/blogging. I love the idea that you’re just sitting there waiting for the winds to change and you’ll be full steam ahead again. Sometimes we do just need to take a break and not pressure ourselves to keep pushing on
The doldrums happen Stu, and there’s not much we can do but ride them out. I’ve had periods where I can’t decide what to pick up next and start and stop several books. I sometimes try a comfort read, like a GA crime novel, or something short I can finish quickly – or even a re-read. The mojo will return when it’s ready. Have a lovely break though – I have been to Aldeburgh and there were a couple of bookshops when I went so I hope you have a nice browse!!