The month of August was great, but reading-wise, I was only able to like ONE book, when last month, I was able to read 14 good books. Now I just don't feel as if I'm in the mood to read lately, because I feel like any book I pick up just underwhelms me. I don't know why I feel that way; I just do.
Now, blogging-wise; 1) I have so many things to blog about, but can never find a way to type them all out and actually post them, and 2) I wonder, do you ever feel like nobody really reads your posts? I'm really curious, because lately, it's been like that with me. I know we're all supposed to just blog for ourselves, and that is what I usually do. But I can not lie, sometimes I do get a bit discouraged. Do you ever feel this way? If so, what gets you out of a reading and blogging slump? Do you have any book recommendations? Please, suggestions are encouraged, because I'm kind of stuck.
Now, blogging-wise; 1) I have so many things to blog about, but can never find a way to type them all out and actually post them, and 2) I wonder, do you ever feel like nobody really reads your posts? I'm really curious, because lately, it's been like that with me. I know we're all supposed to just blog for ourselves, and that is what I usually do. But I can not lie, sometimes I do get a bit discouraged. Do you ever feel this way? If so, what gets you out of a reading and blogging slump? Do you have any book recommendations? Please, suggestions are encouraged, because I'm kind of stuck.
Last book that I read and loved was Winter's Bone by Daniel Woodrell. Set in the Ozarks with a teenage protagonist that must take care of herself, her two brothers, and her mom. Throw in a missing dad and the old homestead going to the bail bond agency if dad doesn't show up. Gripping, solid novel.
ReplyDeleteHere's my advice: favorite genre and/or author. When books just aren't liking me and I am having a rough patch I go running back to my favorite genre and I either find a highly recommended series or read something by a favorite author I haven't read yet.
Also, sometimes just not reading (as hard as that is) for a time (sometimes just 24 hours!) helps clear my brain. The next thing I pick up, as odd as a selection as it may be, is usually something that is at least likable.
Good luck with the slump. Hope I helped some!
I've had a very similar August. I've been disappointed with most of what I've read and no matter what I write i feel like it falls on blind eyes (does that make scenes? I don't think deaf ears works with blogging). I think the end of summer is a busy time for everyone and there's a lot more blog skimming then blog reading happening right now.
ReplyDeleteI just read The Tower, The Zoo, and the Tortoise and absolutely loved it.
I also can't help but recommending The Unbearable Lightness of Being by Kundera. It's one of my favorite books and is really easy to get into.
Hope September is better both book and blogging wise!
Sometimes I do feel the same way Jill. I blog but I don't really know whether I got readers or not. But I know, if we're sincere with what we write, there are always people who want to read. Reading and blogging slump is natural I guess. Everybody going through the same thing. Cheer up!! =)
ReplyDeleteHi Jillian! I was curious - have you thought about putting your RSS feed to full feed? Right now it only comes in with a couple sentences at a time, and many people (including me) will only come read the full post if you intrigue them in those first couple sentences. Partial feed makes it very hard to read posts. In general, I refuse to subscribe to partial feeds (your blog is an exception). Just curious. Your questioning if anyone is reading is what made me wonder. Of course you're certainly welcome to keep doing things how you want and I'm not trying to tell you how to run your blog or anything!
ReplyDeleteI'm a newish reader to your blog... I'd like to 2nd the suggestion that your RSS feed be changed to a full feed. As much as I enjoy the posts that I do click over to read the full article, almost daily I consider unsubscribing becuase I find partial feeds so frustrating. Just being honest.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to hear what you've got to say that's not book related so if you're in a reading slump please let us know what is on your mind.
That happens to me too. Before my move, I was reading oooodles. Now that I'm unpacking and sorting, I haven't been able to read at all.
ReplyDelete+JMJ+
ReplyDeleteTo answer your first question: Yes, I've had some sad reading slumps of my own in which I wondered why all the new books I was reading were so unsatisfying. These periods of my life are a reason I'm such a big fan of rereading. There's nothing like an old favourite that you thought you knew but can still surprise you, to knock you right back into the game! (Well, at least it works for me . . .)
And as for your second question: another yes! Right now, I am spilling over with things I want to say about my latest read, my tutees, and two movies I've recently seen. And yet I can't seem to scrape the posts together. =( If it weren't for memes, I don't think I'd get any substantial blogging done these days.
Finally, I also have moments when I feel no one is reading my stuff. And then I get all insecure and sad. LOL! And then a couple of new comments come and my day is bright again. =P I'm "easy" in that way . . . ;-)
I'm in a little reading slump right now. I read lots of great books over the summer but now that its back to school I'm not reading as much and I always change my mind about wht I should read next.
ReplyDeleteCoffeemuse - Thank you for the recommendation! That sure does sound really interesting. I think I'll borrow that too from the library. Oh, and I understand what you mean by not reading for a while. You start to miss it.
ReplyDeleteLetter4no1 - I have read Kundera's, but haven't read your first recommendation. I'll make sure to reserve that one next time over at our library. Thank you :)
cj - Yeah, it is natural. I think we get that feeling every once in a while.
Amanda - I had no idea about the rss feed. I think I changed it to full, but I'm not sure if I did it right. Do you read with Google reader or your blogger feed? Thanks so much for suggesting that though! I'm going to try that.
Autumn - I just changed the feed to full.. I think. I'm not quite sure if I did it right. But thank you so much for suggesting that.
Juju - Sometimes, real life gets in the way, doesn't it? :)
E - I was thinking of rereading. I usually don't, but I might have to try that suggestion. And like you, I'm easy that way where a comment or two is pretty much all it takes to encourage me LOL
Jenny - I definitely think because it's back to school I feel like I'm in more of a great need to find a book that I will like. I too always change my mind about what I should read next. I keep switching!
I read through Google Reader. I used to use the following system but the posts would double up in my reader and I was accidentally marking them as read when I had read posts...it was a mess! So I unfollowed all of my blogs and refollowed through RSS back during the January Bloggiesta. Made my life a lot simpler, though I worry some people think I dropped them when all I did was follow a different way. Sigh.
ReplyDeleteWhenever you next put up a post, I'll let you know if it comes through Google Reader as full or partial! :)
Amanda - Okay, I switched it so hopefully it's better this time around, thanks for the help :)
ReplyDeleteHate it when that happens! I'd recommend Paranormalcy by Kiersten White. I recently read that one and really liked it!
ReplyDeleteNatalie - I really want to read Paranormalcy. All my favorite book reviewers have been giving it 5 stars! I'm very tempted to just buy it already..
ReplyDeleteI feel the same sometimes and it always helps me feel better if someone leaves a good comment. It's endlessly encouraging.
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