I have been having issues with my reading and blogging lately. I don’t know what it is, I suppose I’m just in a funk. I’ve only finished two books this week (not nearly what I normally do) and haven’t gotten up the gumption to review either of them. Part of it is definitely just the way summer makes me feel – lazy, like all I want to do is sit outside and drink a cocktail. And I’ve been doing my share of outside-enjoying, cocktail-drinking, fun-having in the past few weeks. Last weekend was a busy one, with the holiday and all – we went out for dinner and fireworks with friends on Friday night, then spent most of the day and night on Saturday at a friend’s Fourth of July party. Then this weekend, I had my best friend’s birthday extravaganza on Friday night, was out all day yesterday running errands and then at a graduation party, and my husband and I went out for dinner last night. I was so exhausted from lack of sleep on Friday that I went to bed early last night, after reading a measly 20 pages of a book. And today I had lunch with friends and just returned home about an hour ago. It’s been a fun couple of weekends (normally I don’t have nearly that much activity; I’m really a homebody at heart) but it’s definitely wiped me out. And I WANT to read, but none of the books I’m currently reading are excellent so far – they’re all okay – which is not helping. When I pick them up to read at night, if I’m already tired, I can’t stay up and read books that aren’t page turners. It just doesn’t work.
So needless to say, I’m trying to snap out of it. I did finish a book this morning, and I actually picked up Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix the other day in the hopes of kick-starting my reading pace. I know I’ll fly through that one, and it’s such a comfort read that it makes me want to read other equally satisfying books. So we’ll see how the rest of this month works. Lately if I have the choice of reading or lounging by the pool with friends, I’ve been choosing outside stuff. I can read outside too, but it takes more concentration for me because of the sun and I also read a lot more slowly outside – I get distracted by everything around me.
The Booking Through Thursday question this week was to show pictures of our TBR piles. Mine is out of control, to say the least, but I braved it and took a few pictures to share. I have one TBR bookcase (I refuse to buy a second) but it’s double-stacked and crammed as full as possible. My TBR review books are completely separate. Here are some pictures of my TBR situation…
Here’s the bookcase. This is the front stack of books…
… and here are the books behind those books. As you can see, I really need to work on both a) reading books I already own (there are some great titles in there!) and b) not acquiring new books. I’ve been great about not buying books, but not so great about avoiding giveaways and bookmooch. What can I say? I love books.
And here are my review books. The stack on the left contains the books I have accepted for review, and I need to read these in the next 1-3 months (well, according to my review policy I do give myself six months but I try to get them done quickly when I can). The stack on the right contains unsolicited review copies that were all surprises from publishers. I may or may not ever get to these ones. In fact, I plan in the near future to whittle down this pile to the ones I am really interested in and give away the rest. So keep your eyes peeled for that. Note that the stack on the left does not include the 5+ books I’ve recently accepted and am expecting to arrive in the mail shortly.
So. Do you ever have a reading funk? Any particular time of year you have more difficulty reading than other times? What do you do to jump-start your reading again? What about a blogging funk – what do you do when you just don’t feel like writing reviews, or writing anything for that matter?
I’m going to watch a movie, and hope that later tonight I’ll be more in the reading mood. Happy Sunday everyone!
Book Addiction 
I’m amazed that we don’t have any review books in common. Take it easy on yourself, you’ll be back to normal soon.
Thanks, Kathy. 🙂
I think it’s great when life is so busy you don’t have time to read (much). Because the socail time is always good and when you get back to reading you will enjoy it even more.
I agree about being distracted when reading outside!
It is difficult to read outside, isn’t it! Between the conversations and the sun I just want to lie back and soak it all in. Not so conducive to reading!
I understand completely what you are going through. I went through a reading and blogging slump recently and still haven’t quite snapped back. A lot of it is the summer though and the desire to be outside for me. Good luck on finding that book that snaps you out of it…rereading the 1st Harry Potter definitely helped me 🙂
thanks for the support, Samantha. I am now halfway through the 5th HP and I can say without question that it is helping me with my reading slump tremendously! Even though I know the story practically by heart, I’m having trouble putting it down. 🙂
I just had a reading funk a few weeks ago. Thankfully, it’s over and I’m back to reading more regularly. I think when your “required” to read so many books, some of the enjoyment is lost. Kinda of like school again!
I know, I do get that way sometimes with review books. Which is sad, because the ones I have look amazing. I’m just not in the mood to read something I *have* to read. Ugh.
Sometimes I go through reading funks but I think when we blog about our greatest passion–books–that sometimes we feel like we’ve got to read so many books per year and do this # of posts per week…etc, etc… We should all lighten up a little especially during the summer, when I would agree with you, I enjoy outside activities more than inside. But I almost always end up reading outside!! 🙂 Be easy on yourself and enjoy being social!!
I totally agree – I put way more pressure on myself than I should. Thanks for the support! 🙂
Sure, reading funks happen. Blogging breaks are sometimes needed, too. I would love to buy another book shelf but the hub says NO MORE FURNITURE! – especially an item that encourages more ‘stuff’ (books) collection. I guess he doesn’t mind the stacks and piles on the floor… Take it easy, Care
haha, that is funny. Yeah I refuse to buy another bookcase for my TBR’s. I figure if I don’t have the space, I will stop acquiring (although if I am honest with myself, that’s not really working…).
Yeah, I’m in a blogging funk right now. I think it’s because I’ve been behind on reviews for about 3 months and I can’t quite seem to get caught up.
Hope you find something fun to read soon!
yuck, I hate being behind on reviews. I totally feel your pain. Good luck catching up!
I haven’t been in a reading funk, but am in a really bad reviewing funk…I think I am 12 reviews behind right now! I usually have quite a few posts written and scheduled ahead of time. But right now, I’ve got nothing.
yep, I’m the same way. Well, I haven’t been reading as much, so nothing really to post. I will get going again soon, I swear!
I think a lot of people are feeling this way lately! I know I’ve been very lax about writing my reviews on time, although my reading hasn’t suffered. It’s harder to motivate myself to do things that I’m not particularly excited about doing.
It sounds like you know when you need a break and are able to give it to yourself. Enjoy the summer! We’ll be here when you get to reviewing again. 🙂
Don’t you hate it when you want to read but nothing captures your heart or brain? Argh! It’s the most frustrating thing ever.
Hey Heather! I have been in a reading funk, too. Something about the summer months. I usually read a lot in the summer poolside, which has been M.I.A. this summer since I am in a house and not an apartment with a pool. (Oh how I miss reading and swimming every day!) I think a lot of us are in a reading funk right now. I am enjoying the books I am reading, but reading seems like the last thing I want to do at the same time!
that’s a lot of books 🙂 but I have a large pile too. I used to go into large periods of reading funks but not anymore. However, I go into a slight dip sometimes. Especially after I finishing reading a book and my brain just wants to take a little break (video games are useful here).
It’s nice that publishers send you surprises 🙂
I’m more concerned with these library deadlines I have to deal with. Garg.
oh my!!! and i thought my tbr pile was big? i’ve got nothing on you!
sometimes a blogging/reviewing/reading break is just what the doctor ordered. don’t worry, we’ll all still be here when you get back–and so will your ‘tbr’ pile!! 🙂
I’ve been in a funk too. I blame summer and a recent increase in workload that leaves me drowsy when it’s time to read.
This makes me feel much better about my TBR piles!
I do have reading and blogging funks, and it seems they happen more often in the summer. Like Nat said, we’ll still be here when you get back, so don’t worry and just go where your mood takes you 🙂
Girl, I’m in a blogging funk right now (which is why it’s taken me almost a week to read this post and respond). I’m way behind on the Google Reader. I’m posting Friday Fill-Ins lately, and that’s about it. I’m taking a break from book-reading to catch up on magazines, which helps with the reading funk. Sorry to hear you’re in a funk, too. Summer, and life, can do that to us. You’ll come out of it soon.
I loved seeing the photos of your TBR pile – it looks just like mine! Totally out of control. Sigh. Thanks – you made me feel a lot better. 🙂
Good luck snapping out of it! I admit that my funk last 222 days (I counted!) in, which I think I read only two books in entirety and didn’t blog once.