Hi friends, happy Wednesday! I hope you’re having a lovely week so far. I feel like changing things up lately, mixing up my usual schedule and, well…chatting when I feel like it, basically. And there’s a question that’s been on my mind, so… I’ll just ask it right away.
Fair warning, fellow book bloggers… It will sound weird, but…
Do you still love to read?
I know. I’m asking a super weird question here. Obviously, if you are a book blogger, your sole purpose – well, one of your main purposes anyway – is to talk about books, fangirl about books, shove books into someone’s face and just scream at them in a very gentle way to JUST READ THE DAMN BOOK because it’s the best thing you’ll ever read. Until a next great book comes around.
Yet, somehow, I’m going to say something that might be a teensy bit unpopular. Or just maybe, shine a light on some issues book bloggers and other ardent readers might have. That issue being: BOOKS. The source of our love, what we are here for, well… sometimes it just doesn’t work between us anymore.
I have been reading from the very beginning of my small little life. I’ve been reading in my crib -no, seriously-, I’ve been reading under my desk in class, I’ve been reading in the hallways at university, now I’m reading at work. (On my lunch break, not during hours, even if it’s very tempting at times). I can’t remember a time where I haven’t been reading. Yet, with blogging, everything changed and, sometime, it has happened that… reading wasn’t so much my first love as it was a chore.
When I slowly started to immerse myself in the book blogging community, it was incredible. So many book recommendations, so many new friends to fangirl with, overall, JUST, ALL THE BOOKS. Yet, behind this shiny light, came the pressure, the questions, the interrogations. Instead of becoming a refuge, books became a bit daunting. As my TBR grew and grew and grew, as my wallet could not follow to read all the books I had to in order not to feel left out….I love my books, don’t get me wrong but… somedays, I just did not want to be reading.
I’m the kind of person putting tons of pressure on myself, in every single thing I do. Obviously, time had to come where I put myself pressure on my reading as well. There were just so many questions, questions I did not expect to come, turning inside my brain all the time.
Do I read enough?
I’m a book blogger. I should be reading. Like, all the time. What if I don’t feel like it anymore? What if I need a break? What if, one time, I just read one book a month instead of five? DOES IT REALLY MATTER?
Do I read the books I SHOULD be reading?
The book blogging community is beautiful, yet it’s also…confusing. Dramatic. It puts tons of pressure, especially when you have a bad fear of missing out and can’t / haven’t read the most hyped books of ever in the community. Slowly, reading wasn’t as fun as before. It was an obligation. We lose what we came here to do. Fangirl. Talk about books. We want to do all the reading challenges and read all the books, putting unecessary pressure on ourselves. I’m not saying reading challenges are not FUN, just saying that you have to be ready and want to do it. Not because everyone does it.
Do I talk about books enough?
I’m not even sure this makes sense. I mean, of course, we are book bloggers, we talk about books enough. But should we be talking about them ALL the time? Should we write more reviews, tweet about more books and everything else? This is a question I often ask myself, because I’m seeing everyone talking about books 24/7 especially on twitter and… I’m not. Does that make me less of a book blogger?
Thing is: if you do too much of anything, the dreaded burn out isn’t too far. Too much of blogging, too much of reading. With the added pressure of book bloggers, reading often, reading more books, reviewing them, getting through all of the ARCs if you are into asking a lot of them and are very lucky, and so on….well, sometimes, book bloggers aren’t into reading anymore.
Sometimes, we just need a break.
If you remember – or if you weren’t here before -, I went on holidays this summer. I took a break from blogging and I only read, like, one book in three weeks. IT WAS GREAT. I didn’t feel pressured to read tons of books, afar from my community. I didn’t feel pressured to take notes and write the best review ever.
I fell in love with reading again. Pure love for the written words, the world, everything reading brings me. Without thinking about the complexities of the book, the way I should be writing my review, how I should recommend it, and so on.
So, I just came to wonder. Do we sometimes forget that we are here for the love of books? Do we sometimes let ourselves be influenced by the hype and end up giving into it? Do we sometimes feel like we can’t take any kind of reading break because…well, what kind of book blogger are we, then?!
I’m really writing this long rant to remember, for myself, and hopefully to give you something to remember, if you’re feeling a bit like I am, sometimes. There is nothing wrong with reading less, some times. There is nothing wrong with not reviewing everything. There is nothing wrong with not asking for ARCs or not tweeting about every book you read. There is nothing wrong with taking a break from what we love, to come back loving it even more.
Do you, as a book blogger – or an avid reader – sometimes feel like you just don’t want to be reading anymore? Do you feel guilty about it?
Do you feel guilty when you’re in a reading slump, not to be reading anymore? Silly question, but… you know, I do.
Do you sometimes, when you read, overanalyse everything and forget the love you have for, just, READING?
What do you do to fall in love with reading again, if you’re just not feeling it someday? Do you turn back to a favorite book? Do you stop reading altogether for a while and take a big break? Do you eat chocolate and it makes everything okay? (Universal solution to everything) Let me know in comments!
Oh, I can so relate to this! Fantastic post.
Aww thank you so much! So happy you could relate 🙂
I think a lot of us are going to relate to this post! Before I started blogging I never forced myself to read. There were times where I went a month or two without picking up a single book and that was okay. These days I feel myself counting down the days left in the month and thinking “Oh no I have only read 5 books this month!” which is ridiculous!
I have recently realized that it does not matter to me how many books another blogger has read a month so I doubt that anyone would judge me for how much I’ve read!
I’ve started reading only when I am in the mood again and that has been working out nicely for me!
Great post. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this!
Ohh thank you so much, Kristin, for your sweet comment and your sweet words, I’m glad you could relate to this <3
I'm so glad you found your rhythm and don't get bothered by the "pressure" anymore. It's definitely something to strive for – not think about HOW MUCH we are reading, but actually enjoying ourselves again 🙂 <3
Thank you <3
This is a great topic. Recently, I had readers block for the first time in a long time and obviously needed a break. I’m down to reading a book a week this month, which is slow. I honestly don’t know what is enough, but for me, I just have to go at my own pace to refrain from getting burned out… ? RL responsibilities hold me back too, but family first. I’m to a point now that I have to be able to pick what I want to read and lay off some requests as well. I think thats huge! Thanks for this awesome post!
Oh well sometimes breaks are much, much needed, and it’s also so good to step back once in a while. Rediscover our love for reading slowly 🙂
Thank you so, so much for sharing your thoughts with me, and for your sweet comment <3
Chocolate really is the universal solution to all bad stuff, including reading slumps! I think it’s okay to feel guilty when you’re in a reading slump, I don’t feel guilt as much as frustration because I would really love to dive into a book, but I’m not in the mood or I feel disinterested and would rather do something else. And I usually try not to force myself to read and just wait, watch some tv shows, maybe read fanfiction or very easy to read books, like fluffy contemporaries.
I might not fully understand the pressure having a book blog puts you in, since I’m fairly new in this community. But I think it’s alright for you to take breaks and let yourself find the pleasure in reading again since you primarly do it for yourself and not for the blogging community. Also, great post, Marie! It’s refreshing to see people write about how reading makes them feel (even the more controversial views). Because it’s easy to see all those post about people reading lots of books and never seeming to take a break, and it can totally make you start to feel guilty for being too tired to read or just not in the mood for it.
Oh yes, chocolate really IS the best solution, in any situation 😛
I can only hope that you’ll never have to feel any kind of pressure while blogging! Really, there is no reason to, it’s just, I’m quite passionate and a bit in over my head sometimes, so I tend to rant and overthink tons of things about blogging, ahah. As long as we remember that we love it and to keep it fun, it’s all okay 🙂
You’re so right about stepping away when you’re feeling in a slump – nothing like watching tv shows, exploring the world or just doing something else, to…make us come back to books happier 🙂
Thank you so, SO much for your sweet words and your comment, I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed this post so much <3 <3
Great topic, Marie! I can definitely see how our love for reading might waver after starting a blog. Like you said, sometimes there can be a lot of pressure to read certain books, or read a certain number of books, and it starts to feel like a chore. Especially when it comes to reviewing – sometimes I feel like I don’t enjoy the process of reading as much when I’m going to be reviewing a book, because I feel like I have to be critically analyzing it the whole time.
I think we just need to put less pressure on ourselves, read the books we want to read – and taking breaks once in awhile is a good thing, too. If I’m feeling overwhelmed, I like to reread some of my favorites – it’s no-pressure reading and I know I’ll love it.
Thank you so much, Angela! <3 Oh it's definitely that way sometimes: beccause I know there is reviewing coming afterwards, I tend to read more critically and…reading isn't that much fun anymore. Now, I try to read with an open mind and remembering to have FUN while I read, and I try to think about reviewing afterwards…or not, ahah 🙂
Thank you so, so much for your sweet comment <3 <3
Oh gosh. I relate to this post SO MUCH, words just aren’t enough to express it.
Tbh I don’t think “book blogger” is any huge part of my identity, but it is a hobby of mine and I do consider myself at least a sporadic reader. I definitely sometimes don’t feel like reading at all, and I’d say that the guilt is more on the blogging front…? Like, I don’t feel guilty if I don’t want to read, but I do feel somewhat guilty if I don’t feel like blogging. It’s probably obvious that I haven’t really felt like it these past few months and oh gooosh, sometimes I just feel like I’m not only letting myself down but also all of my followers, haha.
Reading, though, I don’t really feel guilty not doing. I think it’s normal for it to be kind of an ebb-and-flow hobby of mine — like, sometimes I’d rather be doing other stuff, but other times it’s the only escape I want to run to when nothing else works. For me, though, the only real way to “solve” a reading slump is time. None of the other normal tips (i.e. reading an old favourite, reading graphic novels, etc.) work. ?
Anyway, I love your take on this — there’s definitely nothing wrong at all with taking a break, and it feels SO GOOD when you do come back and your love for reading is stronger. ❤️
Oh Reg, I’m so, SO happy to see you in my comments and to hear from you. I feel like it’s been ages. I hope you’re doing well and that everything is well for you, I miss you TONS <3
I get the feeling about letting your followers down, but… if you don't feel like blogging, just like reading, it's perfectly okay to take a break, forget about it all and maybe someday come back to it happier. Your followers love you and your content, but you have to LOVE blogging as well to come back to it all <3 <3
Haha, oh well I guess time really works, if nothing else will, when it comes to reading slumps! 🙂
Thank you so, so much for your sweet comment and for stopping by, Reg! <3 <3
Personally, I’ve read WAY less as a blogger than when I wasn’t, which sucks, but at the same time, it’s nice to take a break! Like, these last two months, I haven’t been reading at all – I’ve just been watching movies and catching up on TV shows. And I absolutely love it! I know I’ll eventually get back to reading when I’m more in the mood for it, and read less rather than going through SO MANY BOOKS, and then burning out quickly, but I don’t feel bad if I don’t read as much (though I do feel bad when it seems like I’m talking more about blogging than books on my blog, since my e-mail followers probably don’t care about that stuff ?).
Wow, really?! That’s crazy how different things are for you than they are for me. I read SO much more since I’ve been blogging haha. But it’s so good to take a break at times, I’m so glad you’re enjoying this break to focus on other things and I hope you’ll find your love for books and reading again afterwards 😀 As long as you’re not feeling bad about it all, it’s all good. Also, from what I’m seeing, people LOVE your content, whether you’re talking about books or not 😛
Thank you so, so much for your sweet comment! <3
Well, I am not a book blogger but even I experience reading slumps. I try not to feel guilty about it but feel that way all the same. This happens if there are too many books on my TBR list and every book I choose makes me want to read the other books first. And sometimes I just give up reading a particukar book because it didn’t work for me. That makes me especially guilty because I bought those books of my own accord and am now choosing to abandon them and not treat them with the same affection.
As for the pressure you feel, I haven’t experienced it but I think you shouldn’t try keeping up with the overhyped books if you don’t feel like. You should read the books you like and review them because it’ll add to the uniqueness of your blog. You sure may read those popular ones but it won’t matter if you don’t. Personally, I sometimes get tired of reading tons of reviews about the same book so…
Happy reading!
OH I get the feeling – I hate whenever I don’t feel like reading a book I bought! You’re so right. There are some hyped books I’m interested in reading and some others I’m not, and it does get tiring sometimes, to see the same books 🙂
thank you so much! <3 <3
Great discussion post, Marie! Despite my incredible love of reading, I definitely have days where I just don’t want to pick up a book – especially after cramming to meet deadlines (usually self-imposed). But I usually find within a couple days another book is calling my name and I jump right back into it. ?♀️?❤️
Aww thank you so much, glad you enjoyed it 🙂 I’m just like you, after a little break, I feel compelled to read all my books again <3 <3
I sometimes feel like that, but I find more often that I still really want to read, but not necessarily do anything on my blog – whether it’s a review or just something else.
Ohh well then it’s a blogging reak you need, more than a reading break, ahah 🙂 these are quite good to take, once in a while. Even if I dread them, I’m always happier coming back to blogging after a short hiatus 🙂
Thank you so much, Nicole! <3
That sounds about right haha 🙂
I think reading depends a lot on the mood. I talked with an author- my favourite one by the way- he said that reading was for him like empty his mind. I totally agree with it. When you read, you let yourself go.
Something you read the wrong book at the certain time. You gonna dislike at first. And when you re-read, you enjoyed it. I already had the feeling that I “cannot read” which is freaking weird. But sometimes, it is just not the right moment to read anything.
Ohhh who is your favorite author?! <3 II so agree with so agree with what he said, reading is all about letting go 🙂
Definitely! Some books I have read at the right time are favorites of mine, but I know if I read these a couple years earlier…they wouldn't be favorites 🙂
Thank you!! <3
Eric Emmanuel Schmitt 🙂
Ohh I don’t think I ever read a book he wrote… oops. Do you have one favorite book of his to recommend? 😀
You have literally taken every thought I had and stuck it into this so accurate blog post. I remember when I started blogging I was excited and fully immersed myself in the community. Then once I settled in I found that I started to feel like I had to read more books, like I had to write reviews on a regular bases etc, and it did start to feel like an obligation instead of a hobby. I wasn’t a massive reader when I was little, I despised teachers telling me what I could/couldn’t read so I simply didn’t. Being able to chose which books I wanted to read and read them in my own time at my own pace is part of the reason I came to love it again. Sometimes when I feel obliged to read a book I feel like I’m back at school where I had to read it so I don’t enjoy it. Everyone reads at a different pace and it’s hard to not compare yourself to others. Take this month, I’ve only just finished my first book. I’m not a super fast reader and honestly I’ve been so busy, the last thing I wanted to do after a long day was read. But when I see people post about the 5 books they read in a week, I do feel a bit guilty that I don’t do the same. It’s a frustrating cycle but at the end of the day a hobby or something we love should never feel like an obligation. We read for ourselves and are lucky enough to be part of a community where we can shout our love of books to the world.
OH I’m so glad you could relate to this post. Thank you so much <3 <3 I agree with you. There is this sense of obligation, like, we have to read so many books, we have to read these ones and these ones, that remind me of school and sometimes just, block me whenever I am reading. It feels good when we're just able to let go, read the books we want to read and not feel the pressure. I felt like that on holidays when I didn't "have" to schedule my reviews or write them, I didn't have to finish the books in order to have a content to put up. It felt GOOD just to read and have fun reading 🙂
I totally get the falling out of love with books feeling. Especially right now! I work full time, and work can get crazy busy and I get exhausted. When my brain feels like mud after a full day of work, reading is such a chore. I just can’t fathom picking up a book. But then I feel guilty because if I’m not reading, I’m not blogging, and my blog sits for weeks without any updates. We all know blogging itself can be tiring! I used to read to give myself a break from work, but now reading itself feels like work. So I totally get it, and sometimes I just need to take a step back from everything and watch a few episodes on Netflix. I tell myself not to feel guilty about the blog, because sometimes we just need to take a me day. And that’s okay.
Oh yes, it’s definitely okay. Working full time, blogging, reading, can be exhausting and sometimes you just can’t do it all. It’s good to take a break from it all sometimes and just watch some tv shows or something. When we’re in the right mindset, the love and need to read again comes back 🙂
Thank you so much for your sweet comment <3 <3
Ohhhh, I feel you girl. I mean reading is my life but at the same time, there are times when it shifts from being something you love to something you MUST do (and you’re not even sure why you feel so obliged to doing it)
Even then, I don’t think I could leave reading for a long amount of time, but sometimes it’s nice to just chill out //without// a book. crazy i know :p
Right?! Sometimes I’m not even sure why I feel like I HAVE to read so much. Is it because of the whole book blogging thing, or is it because I’m reading a lot and…I don’t know what to do or who I am if I’m not?? It’s confusing haha.
Definitely, it’s good to do something else once in a while 😀
Thank you so much! <3 <3
I’m still new and fresh to reading and blogging world so I haven’t experienced these things. Nice post! 🙂
Ohh well I’m glad to hear that and I hope you’ll never feel pressured to read tons of books, and just enjoy it all 🙂 Thank you so much! <3 <3
YES, YES, YES! I am one of those bloggers who has to take a break periodically. I love reading and I really enjoy blogging too. However, sometimes it gets to be too much and I feel burned out. Taking a break is the best way for me to come back feeling energized and excited about being a book blogger. Some people never feel that pressure or burnout, but I do, and that’s totally okay. It used to make me worried that people wouldn’t want to follow my blog or whatever because I do that, but then I decided that it doesn’t matter because I do this for me and because I love to read.
YES, thank you SO much for your comment <3 I really love how you're taking this blogging thing. It's so good to take breaks once in a while, I'm trying to do that as well, though not as often as I should, ahah. What matters in the end is that we keep on enjoying ourselves while blogging, because in the end, you're so right, we do blog for ourselves 🙂
Of course! I was actually thinking about everything you mentioned in this post just the other day! I was having an internal debate on whether or not I wanted to keep blogging, but ultimately decided that I do want to keep with it because I do love it, even when I’m burned out by it. This community is incredible and nothing makes me happier than getting to discuss books with other readers! But a break every now and then is very much needed. 🙂
OH this makes me so happy that you want to keep blogging – you should! <3 even if sometimes, we all need to take a break, we need to remind ourselves of why we love it. If we always do, we'll come back to it eventually. The community is great for sure, it's awesome to be able to talk about books and find people to fangirl with <3 <3
Thank you so much! I completely agree! 🙂
Yes. I still love reading. It keeps me sane. If my blogging hurts my reading, I’ll walk away from the former in a heartbeat.
I’m so glad to hear it – you have got the right spirit about this for sure. Sometimes it’s good to walk away from something, even just for a little while, if it makes us feel better 🙂 thank you so much! xx
I definitely struggle with this. I have put a lot of pressure on myself and sometimes it just gets too much. I also have a lot of FOMO when it comes to the newest books out there as I have read (almost) none of those!
Oh I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one putting pressure on myself, sometimes I feel a bit crazy ahah. I struggle with FOMO just as well, I hate feeling this way and I’m trying to be better about it all, trying to focus on the books I really WANT to read and not let this fear take me ahah.
Thank you so much for your sweet comment, Eva! <3 <3
I completely understand where you’re coming from! I hate pressuring myself to do something – ESPECIALLY when it comes to reading – and I started dreading reading about 2 months ago. I just wasn’t enjoying it, and in August I didn’t finish a single book. Not because I couldn’t but because I just didn’t want to. Thinking about reading filled me with dread. But September so far I’ve finished two books and it feels so good.
Oh no! I’m so sorry you didn’t feel like reading a lot in August, I’m glad to hear it’s better now in September and I hope it’ll keep on being this way for a long time. Sometimes, we just need NOT to read for a little while, I guess, in order to love it all again 🙂 <3
Thank you so much for stopping by! <3 <3
I love your discussion posts! ?
Sometimes I do feel a bit of pressure. Compared to some people, I’ll sometimes feel I’ve read nothing. Also I don’t talk about books frequently on social media. And when I do ( because of the guilt), it becomes draining.
At times like that, I step away from the blogsphere for a couple of days and that really helps! ?
Aww thank you so much! <3 <3 I'm with you on that. Sometimes, I feel like I'm not talking about books enough, but…sometimes I just don't want to force myself into it? I think I'd end up hating it all ahah. You're right, I try and do that too – stepping away does help a lot 🙂
Thank you so, so much <3 <3
I know! Forced love never works.
What an amazing post, Sweechie!!!! I actually asked myself the question before reading what you had to say and I tend to agree with you! Books are the seed that made our blog grow, blossom, and they keep it alive, but am I hungry every hour? No! Do I feel like reading ALL THE TIME? Should I? Definitely no! Reading is a pleasure and needs to stay that way, but sometimes, we need to ask ourselves if the blog hasn’t taken over and we’re not feeding our brains when we ought to be doing something for ourselves, and maybe that something isn’t books… I’m buried under books for work but I still take pleasure in a reading break with my own books when I have 5 minutes (literally xD WHERE THE HELL HAS MY TIME GONE?). The day I start thinking I don’t like reading anymore or a slump comes around, I’ll take measures, because you are the center of everything, and your passion and enjoyment are the fuel to your life, without it, it’s pointless! xxx
THANK YOU MY SWEECHIE. Your words are so sweet and fabulous, just as you are <3 <3 I'm definitely trying to feed my brain a bit too much sometimes ahah and I'm trying to be more chill about the whole thing. It's hard but yes, we need to keep the passion 🙂 <3
This is such a fantastic post, Marie! And weirdly enough, reading your words about how you feel about reading lately made me realize that I’ve kind of been in a similar-ish situation. I haven’t touched a book since the middle/end of August and while I was feeling a bit of guilt about it, I’ve also really, really loved just watching Netflix for a few weeks and consume stories that way. I basically watched 3,5 seasons worth of Marvel shows on Netflix shows and it has been SUCH a fantastic time. I wouldn’t want to switch that for reading a book right now.
I 100% don’t talk about books ‘enough’ most of the time, not on the blog or my Twitter. I feel like my Twitter is a mixture of any and all the things I am in love with and while books are definitely a part of that, my reading updates usually only end up on Goodreads.
But is there really such a thing as an ‘enough’ with anything? I feel like we always want to do more or better with whatever aspects of life and reading seems to be just one of the many things we put pressure on.
Oh thank you so, so much for your sweet comment, I’m glad you could relate to this <3 It feels good sometimes to step away from books, watch Netflix or just DO other things than reading. ONly to come back to it with more love for it all! 🙂
YES oh, that's definitely how I feel. We always want to do more and this adds so much pressure, I think it's so important to try and be chill about it all, have fun and not overwhelm ourselves with all the books.
Thank you so much for your sweet comment <3
I’ve been reading since I was little and I’m 28 now and I still love to read. Sure, my genre choices have changed a lot (I read more young adult now than I did years ago), but I still enjoy it more than anything else. I mean, sometimes when I have too many review copies to read I find myself getting into a reading slump that it can take me a month to get out of, because I know I HAVE to read those books and I can’t take the pressure, but I always get myself out of it. Sometimes I just read books or listen to audiobooks that aren’t review copies, just because it’s what I WANT to read at the time. I hate when people constantly tell me that “You HAVE to read this book because it’s amazing!!” over and over again…I like to come to books on my own without following what everyone else likes.
I loved this post, by the way!
I agree – I do love to pick up a book I have chosen myself, a book I really want to read on my own. It’s so hard sometimes, though, not to feel curious or tempted to see what all the hype is about with some particular books, ahah. Sometimes these books are great surprises and some other times, well… it’s better just to read what we want and not succomb to the pressure 🙂
Thank you so, so much for sharing your thoughts, Kelly! <3 <3
Aww Marie, thank you for writing this post – I relate to it so much. I always feels guilty when I’m not reading, and if I don’t review something I’ve read – I never felt like this before I started a book blog. I think taking a break and just reading for fun is such a good idea, and it’s something I’m trying to do at the moment too.
I hope that you’re having fun again reading – that’s what matters the most. It’s good to step back once in a while and pick up books we want to read, not review copies or the latest book that everyone is talking about 🙂
Thank you so much for your sweet comment <3 <3
You’re so welcome! 🙂 🙂 Yes I have been enjoying reading so much. I’ve actually read about 10 books in the past few weeks and haven’t reviewed any of them – it’s quite refreshing just to read for fun sometimes 🙂
Ohhh wow, that’s so great! It IS good to remind ourselves or why we love reading and of how fun it is 🙂
I love this post Marie, and I definitely agree with some of the points you made. Granted most days I do love reading, and I feel like I talk about books enough on my blog and in real life because everyone I work with knows me as the girl who reads a lot! 😀 But there have been off days as well, I guess we all have them. When I feel like I’m close to burning out I usually take a step back. I remember once I thought to myself one evening ‘I just need to finish this chapter and then I can go and do something fun’, and then I knew I needed to take a break from reading for a little while because reading is supposed to be fun.
I think being able to take a break when you need to is important, like with blogging if you force yourself to do something, be it reading more or talking about books more, I feel like it will just come across as false, and I never want that. At the moment I love blogging and I love reading, and I hope that never changes! 😀
Great post. 🙂 <3
Oh, the girl who reads a lot, ahah, I think we have the same nickname ?
I hope that never changes either, Beth! It’s so good when you’re just loving it all, blogging, reading, not feeling any pressure, just going with what you love. It’s the best feeling 🙂
Thank you so, so much, Beth <3
Everyone I know is surprised by how many books I’ve read this year so far. 🙂 It is a lot though I’ll admit.
Same here, honestly if I wasn’t blogging I’d feel like there was a big hole in my life because what would I be doing instead? And part of the fun of reading is talking to everyone on WordPress about the books I’ve read.
That’s all right! 🙂 <3
OH well – I’m always impressed by the amount of books I end up reading as well in a year now. It’s so much fun to see how much we’re reading and how much we love it all, it’s especially impressive to people around me, al the time 🙂
Yes definitely, also the Goodreads challenge we all take part in kind of makes it fun to read more and see how far over your goal you can go. I always aim higher than my Goodreads goal so I can see how many extra books I read in a year. 🙂
Oh yes, I agree! I bet you’re so far ahead from your challenge already 😛
I’m currently 16 books ahead of schedule, so yeah I guess so. Are you on track with yours? 🙂
Ohhh you’re doing SO good, that’s great!! 😀 I’m 11 books ahead of schedule so far 🙂
Oh that’s amazing as well Marie. Either way we’re both well on schedule to finish our challenges this year! 😀
Yay, that’s great! ??
I experienced a burn out before and after summer, mostly because of general pressure in life. And recently I didn’t feel motivated at reading at all. Sometimes it just happens but I learned to do not make a big deal after it, because well.. I cannot do a thing about it. I’m just a bit lazy and sometimes I want only to watch Netflix.
The bigger concern is about blogging in general and the eternal question: am I being repetitive or posting too frequent?
Oh I’m so sorry to hear that, Camilla! I hope you’re feeling a bit better now? It’s bound to happen, it feels good sometimes to step away from the books, watch tv shows, just do something else, in order to come back to reading happier afterwards 🙂
Oh – these are such interesting questions about blogging. I think that posting too frequently really isn’t a thing, it’s your blog after all, so you find your own rhythm and follow it, that’s what matters 🙂 on the repetition, I think we’re all bound to repeat ourselves a little bit sometimes, but it’s okay… It has to be, right, we’re allowed to rant on the same books and stuff sometimes ahh 🙂
Thank you so much for your sweet comment <3
Hi Marie! What a great topic… it’s so hard for me to pull together discussions like this so you always impress me <3 I actually find reading a bit of a job. Since actually if I want to be a writer it is part of my job… As such i feel like i'm not putting in the effort to learn what I need to if I don't review (and I'm behind in reviews so yeah). My blog is another aspect of that job so I do feel the pressure to keep it up. And since I gave up on it once before I know I'm capable of just coping out. 🙁 If you talk to an agent or publishing company they will tell you a blog is a good idea for a writer.
So what do I do about it? Well I try to remember that this is for my future. I try to concentrate on things that will benefit me in multiple ways. I try to keep it fun.
I am feeling a lot of pressure to finish ARCs but I'm a really honorable person, I don't feel like I should have taken ARCs if I'm going to cope out. While I don't mind telling a publicist that its just not for me I feel that if I'm to remain true to myself then I need to read them. So I'm trying to stay strong and no request anything more for November so that I can read whatever I want!! (All of my 2017 book reading hopes hinge on keeping this month clear, lol) Wish me luck!!
I hope your WIP is coming along well Marie and I'm glad you are feeling the love of reading after your trip!
Hi Dani! Oh thank you so, so much for your sweet words, I’m really happy you enjoy reading my discussions <3
Also, having a blog is great for a writer? Well..I'll take that, ahah, maybe my writer dream will come true someday haha.
I understand your thoughts – reading has to be sort of a job at times, but we also need to remember that we love it all. I know sometimes, when I know I have to review a book, I tend to overanalyze everything and…reading isn't fun anymore. It's good sometimes to take a book and just, immerse yourself into it, not thinking about the writing or the issues, just, thinking about the story and getting into it 🙂
Ahah, good luck with all the ARCs, you can do this!! <3 <3
Thank you so, so much, Dani! It's going good for now, thank you <3 <3
Dang. This post was just brutally honest and i loved it! I’ve been feeling burned out on blogging for like… the past 2 months. Urrrggghh! I still can’t seem to shake it completely, but I took a break last week (only because work was crazy and I just needed some peace lol) and I feel a bit more motivated now to get back to the blogging world.
Sometimes we just need to realize that we’re human first and book bloggers second. And as bloggers we need to remember that this isn’t an occupation where blog activity is expected of us or else we’ll be fired or something. We all need to relax every now and again… it’s healthy lol
Oh I’m glad you feel more motivated now – don’t be afraid of taking a break! Sometimes it’s much, muuuuch needed, and it feels SO good to come back to blogging afterwards and have fun 🙂 <3
Ahah I agree, we all need to relax once in a while 🙂
Thank you so much for stopping by, Bridget <3
This was such a brilliant, fantastic, amazing, wonderful post—it it basically perfect! I honestly can relate to everything you mentioned and I’ve been feeling a lot like that! I particularly feel PRESSURED all. the. time. New releases, reading the newest ARCs, buying and reading all the popular books… it’s become so stressful!
I’m glad I’m currently on hiatus (which is lasting way longer than I anticipated lol) because it feels refreshing to take a step back from the community for a while! I haven’t read a book in 3 weeks (but that is because I genuinely have no time right now lol) and I’ve generally not been very active in the bookish community and it really helped clear my mind a bit! Although I do miss being here and talking to everyone and freaking out about books and releases and whatnot <3
Anyway, what I was trying to say with that rambly mess is that I absolutely adored this post and I can relate soooo freaking much! Wonderful job, Marie!
Oh Jackie, I’m so glad to see you in my comments, I miss seeing you around and reading your blog posts <3 I'm so glad that hiatus is working well for you – it's so good to take a step back and clear our minds from blogging and everything <3 <3 I'm sure you'll come back from it all refreshed and happy to get back to it, maybe a bit more chill as well <3 <3
Thank you so, so much <3 <3
Ahhh yes that’s true! I’m back today and I’ve been writing a lot of blog posts and it’s just so much FUN! I missed it so much and I’m glad to be back and being able to chat with everyone again ❤️❤️
YAY!! I’m so, so glad to hear you’re having fun blogging again – that’s what matters the most! <3
Hello Marie! I love your posts because they always make me think 🙂
I agree that bloggers face a lot of pressure to read many books because we have to write reviews & other posts about them. We also have to keep up-to-date about all the new releases, and keep on top of ARCs if we do them (I haven’t gotten into that yet!) A lot of things depend on the fact that we read books! Before blogging, I used to read only when I felt like it (and I only read 1-2 books a month), now I feel the need to read all the time, even when I don’t feel like it. I think when there is pressure and obligation to do something, it doesn’t seem as fun any more.
Also, I wonder if it has to do with the books we read? Before, I would DNF books that I can’t get into. Since I’ve started blogging, I am much hesitant about DNFing (if I’ve already spent x hours/days/weeks reading this book, it would be a waste of time if I don’t review it, and I can’t review it unless I finish it!) SO maybe I end up forcing myself to read more books that I dislike? That being said, I still very much enjoy that experience of reading an AMAZING book! It’s just that not every book makes me feel that way.
I completely agree that we should take a step back and put less pressure on ourselves to read: we should read when we want to, DNF books that aren’t worth our time, and take breaks when needed 🙂
I also really love it when other bloggers post about non-book-related stuff, like travel! Or fashion! It is refreshing and it is always nice to learn more about the person behind the blog.
Oh thank you so much, Sophie <3
I feel the same way – I feel like I should be reading a lot more in order to keep up with the community, my reviews and everything else. It makes reading a bit less fun at times….and that's no good. Also, I have noticed that I tend to be way more critical of the books I read now haha.
I never DNF books, but…I'm trying to have a system now. I have no library and I buy most of the books, so…I'm trying to choose wisely books I' could love, and I end up DNF-ing almost nothing. Which is great.
I'm so glad you said that. I'm always SO nervous to talk about non-bookish stuff on my blog, though I really love to travel and talk about it all, for instance 🙂
Yes, another reason why I don’t want to DNF is because books can be expensive! It makes a lot of sense to choose books more carefully to save time and money 🙂
I love you and Nyx’s travel posts! Looking forward to seeing more of those 🙂
Ohhhh, thank you so much, Sophie, I’m so happy you like these! xx
I used to say, I’d rather read than breathe. Life got in the way. I’ve stopped blogging and only re-read books for comfort these days. Read for pleasure is my advice and then your followers are likely to get the same enjoyment out of it.
This is such a lovely advice. We should all remember to read for pleasure and not because we feel like we have to 🙂
Thank you so much for your sweet comment <3
oh I so relate to this. Even though I have only recently began to blog myself, I have read book blogs for several years and lets just say my TBR list was getting daunting! I mean so many books such little time! I was keep doubting myself and think I should read more books but recently I realized that I just needed a book break! So glad I’m not the only one who feels this way! Sometimes I’m just not in the mood to read! Great post 🙂
Oh YES – so many books and so little time, ahah 🙂 Sometimes we just need a break and to re-focus on what we want to read…or just not read at all for a while 🙂
Thank you so much for your sweet comment, Jamie! 🙂
I feel the same way as you! Since I began book blogging, I began taking on some books that I normally wouldn’t read. While this can be a good thing, since I am broadening my horizons and taking on some new perspectives, it also made me fall out of love with reading a little bit. Sometimes I struggle to get through a book but since the community enjoys it so much, I feel like I need to finish it and be part of the loop.
OH I’m glad I’m not the only one feeling this way <3 It's so good to broaden our horizons and I have discovered some great books this way – but sometimes it's good to remind ourselves of the books we LOVE reading, have been loving since the beginning and everything. It's hard not to get ourselves get caught in the hype and want to read ALL of the books, but…It has to be okay too if we just don't want to read that particular book. It's okay to be out of the loop once in a while 🙂
Thank you so much for your sweet comment, Jessica <3
Omg I love this post and completely agree with everything that you are saying!!! Before I started blogging, reading was just a hobby. But once you start blogging, there are always these worries – that you have mentioned above – and like you said reading turns into a bit of a chore. I think the difference between my experience and other book bloggers is I don’t do ARC’s. I read books that I buy and I review them and that’s about it. I pressured myself when I first starting blogging, but now I read at my own leisure, I read what I want (whether it is “controversial” or not) and I treat my blog like it’s a hobby.
I think it is important to take a bit of a break from social media/blogging sometimes, that way you can put things back into perspective (i.e. your love for fangirling about books). Once again, great post 🙂
Oh thank you so, so much <3 Blogging does bring tons of worries, but it also is such a great way to discover so many books and amazing people to chat with <3 It's SO great that you're focusing on reading what you love and treat your blog like a hobby. I so need to chill sometimes hahaha 🙂
Thank you!! <3 <3
I relate to this so unbelievably MUCH ❤! I sometimes get so cought up with blogging that I don’t read or when I do I feel a pressure to review it or to read faster! Tbh I’ve been blogging more than I’ve been reading latley and that just saddens me. It’s pretty hard to balance but I find that having a slower pace with posting (I’ve narrowed it down to twice a week now) really works for me and helps me not feel burnt out.
Oh, blaance is the HARDEST THING to find when you’re blogging + reading + trying to be okay at, you know, life things?! + working or school and everything else. It’s SO crazy sometimes ahah. I think we all need to find our right pace, both with blogging and reading, so that we’re not burnt out by one or the other at some point, you’re right 🙂
Thank you so, so much for your sweet comment! <3 <3
I definitely struggled with this when I first started blogging. I thought I had to read at least 10 books a month (or maybe like a hundred a year for your Goodreads challenge) to call myself a real book blogger. Since I’m working full-time, I knew that was never going to happen and it stressed me out. But then I realised that it was ridiculous to set this kind of “goal” and I should just focus on reading what and whenever I like. The funny thing is that once I did, I started more than ever before because I genuinely wanted to. Now I’m reading ca. 7-8 books a month but I don’t care about the number anymore. I’m just glad to be able to read a few good books a month 🙂
I used to care about the numbers as well, but now I don’t. Funny enough, I tend to read a lot more than I used to, before, when I wasn’t blogging – but that also has to do with the long time I spend on the commute to and back from work ahah 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this, Lauren <3 <3
My reading has definitely dropped off the last 2 years or so and I will be surprised if I hit 30 books this year (a few years ago I was reading 90+). I’m always worried that in reading mainly front lists of new-ish authors, I’m somehow missing out on the traffic that other people seem to be getting from reviewing more established authors. I’ve also stopped paying attention to “new releases” so again, I feel I’m missing out.
I dont talk exclusively about books in twitter, but generally tweets are book related somehow, as I think that’s why the majority of people follow me. So it’s reviews, posts, film and tv-tie ins, comic books, etc. It’s interesting to research, and I hope makes it interesting and more round reading!
Oh I understand this feeling. I feel like I’m missing out on many authors and great books, when I’m a bit overwhelmed with all of these new releases, latest hyped books and so on. It’s crazy, and hard as well, to know where we should look and what we could love reading without feeling pressured!
Also, it’s so good to keep things different, both on twitter, sometimes on the blog and everything. Both in what we read and talk about. Keep things fun and exciting, I guess 🙂
Thank you so much for your sweet comment <3
I would love to make my blog more well known by upping my social media game, but I want to spend more time reading. I like to read, and I won’t let other things cut into that time. Maybe that is why I have yet to experience that need to step away. But, I am also older and people at my age just say WTF, and sort of do the things that makes us happy.
Well… I just want to say WTF just as well ahah. I’m a bit of a weird person and I’m always pressuring myself to do more. Maybe it’s just my mind that’s a bit crazy. You’re SO right about having your reading time and keeping it, it is so precious to cherish it 🙂 thank you so, so much <3 <3
Excellent post, Marie! I’m currently kind of struggling with my ARCs (why oh why did I request that many?) but after I’m done with these, I’m definitely taking a break from ARCs. I feel like I’m constantly reading books I *should* be reading rather than books I *want* to be reading. So I’m going to change that. But these ARCs first…
Oh thank you so, so much, Inge <3 It's so hard sometimes, to refrain ourselves from all of these pretty books we are seeing around, ahah. Best of luck for getting through all of your ARCs, I hope you'll read some lovely books there, who knows 😀
Thanks for this thoughtful post, Marie! (Of course, your posts are always wonderfully thoughtful) this does happen to me sometimes, and fear of reading becoming really stressful is why I don’t mind that I don’t get arcs. I used to take a day off reading every month, and now I don’t schedule it but I remind myself that it’s okay not to read. When I feel like this, a favourite old book to reread, like a short and sweet kids or middle grade one often helps me, just because it’s something different. Anyway, A plus post!
Oh thank you so much, Shanti! <3 <3
I agree – sometimes it's good not to read and it's okay to take a break. I love getting back to old favorite books to get back into it all <3
I feel those pressures too. But since I’m married with 3 pets, a job and other stuff to take care of, I don’t have as much time anymore. But when I do get a chance to read, it feels great to not worry about getting stuff done. This discussion is very much needed. Reading and blogging should be FUN, not a JOB or a CHORE you feel like you have to do 🙂
Oh thank you so, SO much for your sweet comment <3 <3 You're so right, it's so great to just enjoy reading, books, having this nice escape from everyday life and responsibilities 🙂
Yes, I still love reading. It’s good to take a break sometimes when you don’t feel like it. Books are the best thing I enjoy the most but when it comes to ARC’s they always gives me pressure so I request only few books. To be honest, I want to focus more on reading and less on blogging. It’s pretty much impossible for me to review every book I read.
Oh I love that you said that. I definitely want to focus on reading and my love or it all before everything as well 🙂 thank you so much, raven! xx
Great post, I totally agree and related to everything you’re saying. Sometimes, I just don’t want to read the next best thing that everyone’s talking about, or the ARC I was so looking forward to but can’t seem to get into or just simply don’t want to read anymore… it’s not fun when you feel obligated to do something instead of doing it because you love it. So when that happens I take a break, or change genres – sometimes it works sometimes it doesn’t, but what can you do right… thanks 🙂 this is a great post and I’m so happy to see that I’m not the only one
Oh thank you so much, I’m so glad you could relate to this post 🙂 yes, sometimes it just feels good to take a break, only to come back to it with more love afterwards 🙂
Excuse me miss but how do you manage to know my feelings so often? I swear we have the same brain wave length because alot of this is exactly how I have been feeling. I love reading of course but I definitely sometimes feel like it is a chore and like i’m forcing myself to read so somedays I just don’t pick up anything and then I make myself feel guilty because I’ve read nothing but someones read like 4 books in a week.
You perfectly sum up the book community as well because it is beautiful but so confusing and dramatic sometimes. Sometimes I log onto twitter see a whole new drama and think where has the moments gone where people just love books and don’t nit pick about the little things or argue because someone else loves a book they hate? It tires me out sometimes but actually just last night I sat there and thought you know what I could finish this book i’m halfway through or pick up a book i’ve been itching to reread for ages… i’m talking about twilight.. I did it. I watched the movie for the first time again in years, lowkey loved it and i’m obsessed again then I picked up the book again and it was like a relief? Like I wasn’t bowing down to pressure. I was scared to re-read it because so many people hate it too and i’m like am I real book blogger or reader if I read this again?
Wondeful post lovely!
*Wonderful Post – I spent wonderful wrong… oops
Oh yes, the community is SO confusing at times…One day it’s wonderful and the next everyone hates each other somehow? It’s so strange, I feel happy staying away from all the drama ahah 🙂
I’m so, SO happy to hear you didn’t cave and ended up re-reading the book instead. Also, OF COURSE you are a real book blogger if you’re reading this again, everyone is allowed to love what they want, even if it’s an unpopular opinion in the community. Still makes you awesome 🙂
Thank you so much!! <3 <3
This is such an amazingly great post, Marie ?
I was literally squealing while I was reading this because I was just constantly saying yes, yes, yes in my head to absolutely EVERYTHING you’ve said! There have been times when I just wasn’t feeling it and I really didn’t want to read and yes I did feel bad because it sometimes feels like everyone is in this competition to see who reads the most/newest books and it can be really intimidating plus there’s the fear of missing out ?
This month I’ve tried reading less ARC’s and more of my own books and so far I’ve been crushing it. I think if we take the competition out of it and just read and blog for ourselves we’ll definitely fall in love with reading again ?
Oh thank you so, so much Michelle, I’m so glad you could relate so much to what I wrote here. <3 <3 I hate this fear of missing out, I hate having this feeling, but I can't help it sometimes. One of the drawbacks of being in the book blogging community, I guess ahah 🙂
You're SO right – that's what we should do for sure. It's good to read and re-read the books we love with no pressure <3
Yes I’ve felt this way! And mainly it was because I had so many ARCs to read, that I just didn’t really enjoy it anymore. So in the end I cut back by a lot. And if I had any past ARCs, I would just let them go and only focus on the ones I could read before the release date. And you know what? It worked! Now I’m almost done with the 5 October books I had!
I think I was also really tired of YA, and I needed to switch it up. I ended up reading both an adult book and a YA book at the same time, or switching between the two, and that also helped with my burn out. So now, even though I don’t read as much as I did last year, I still read more than I would have.
Lastly, the GR challenge is really stressful to me as well, which is why this year I set it to 1 😀
Oh yes, when there are just too many books to read, especially ARCs you need to read before their release date at best…it’s just so stressful. I’m so glad that you focused on a couple ones only and that it worked, YAY!! 😀
That switching-up between genres is such a good idea, I need to remember that, thank you for sharing! It must help a lot with the slumps we can have sometimes 🙂
Oh yes, setting small goals for the GR challenge REALLY helps ahah, you must have no pressure coming from there now 😛
Thank you so, so much for sharing your tips here, Valerie! <3 <3
I DO STILL LOVE READING. Of course I do. i do feel there is a LOT OF PRESSURE when it comes to reading the right books and the diverse ones and the hyped ones but My love for reading is still there?
I love that you said “when it comes to reading the RIGHT books”. I have felt this way for a while, now. Sometimes, it’s like we have to read some books that are right, others are wrong. OBviously there are problematic books that we need to acknowledge and everything, BUT we are also allowed to read tons of books that basically NO one talks about, if we fancy it, right? 🙂
ANYWAY ahha, I’m SO glad that your love for reading is still there and I hope it always will be <3 <3
Thank you so much <3 <3
This is so relatable!! I feel like blogging can take the fun out of reading. For me its because my brain always decides that everything must be a competition against myself, so sometimes I feel like I’m reading to finish another book, not to enjoy it. I agree that sometimes it feels like a chore! Especially when there are reviews that need to go up, and ARCs that need to be read, etc. For me, one thing that helps is to try to read what I want to read. I feel like there’s pressure to read the books that everyone else is reading, so every once in a while I’ll take a break and read like, a historical fiction that was published in 2007, just because i want to.
I agree that it’s good to take breaks sometimes! Also chocolate makes everything better. 10/10 agree. xD.
Fantastic post!!
YOU ARE ME?! I often feel like I’m in competition with myself, especially when it comes to books and blogging ?
I love your strategy here and I’ll definitely try to do that more – take one “old” book, one old favorite or something and just take a break from what everyone else is reading at the time and just ENJOY <3
Thank you so much, Lenna!! <3 <3
I actually would love to burned out from reading too much because I haven’t been reading as many books as I’ve been wanting to recently ? I’ve found that since I’ve started my blog, I haven’t been able to read as many books in a week as I used to be able to. A few years ago I would go to the library every month and check out thirty books or more books (sometimes maxing out my library card ?) to read, but that hasn’t happened in ages — and I’m actually not complaining. Book blogging has made me read books more deeply and thus far I haven’t gotten bored of that. I’m really grateful that I have my blog to slow me down in my reading and make me think more about the novels that I read — maybe my blog has helped me in not getting into any book slumps? ?
A book lover doesn’t have to read constantly, and I definitely agree that sometimes stepping away from something you love is the best way to remind you exactly how much you love that particular passion of yours. Great post! ??
Oh that’s so, so amazing, Zoie! Blogging definitely helped me in thinking more about the books I read, and with every book we keep on hearing about, it’s hard NOT to be excited about books 🙂
Thank you so, so much for your sweet comment <3 <3 <3
I can *totally* relate to this!! Blogging has in many ways both helped and hindered my reading- because yes, I read a lot more and hear about so many great books (better than I’d probably ever find on my own) but sometimes the sheer volume or books that I know I have to read make it a chore. And yes, I feel like I *have* to read sometimes, even though I really need a break. And yes the pressure is so intense, but like you said, it leads to burnout :/ Yes, yes, yes- a million times over- I definitely needed this reminder that it’s okay to take a break from time to time!! Awesome post!!
Thank you so much! <3 <3 We all do need a reminder sometimes, that it's okay to take a break and not to read, even just for a little while 🙂
You’re very welcome! <3 <3 Yes I agree so much!!
These are all totally valid and reasonable points, Marie, and I’m sorry this is bothering you. It is true. It can get to you sometimes, feeling like you’re not doing “your job” enough as a book blogger, not shoving books into people’s faces 24/7. But one thing I’ve learned over the last two years is that, often days, you just do you. And that’s with everything in life. If you don’t feel like reading for weeks on end, don’t. Does it make you less a bookworm? No. Does it make you a horrible book blogger? No. Will it cost you and your blog stats? Probably. But YOU DO YOU. I’d rather we all get to keep our love of reading. *Hugs!* <3
Thank you so, so much for your sweet comment, you are seriously the best <3 I so need that reminder sometimes. I'm always being a bit too…well, crazy hard on myself ahah 🙂 thank you! <3
Talk about a timely and super relatable post! 🙂 I’ve been really struggling with reading lately. Like, I want to be reading, I tell myself I should be reading, I get ready and pick a book that sounds amazing and then… I just don’t read. Or I read for 20 minutes and that’s it. I’m done. Nothing to do with the book. Just not in the mood. It’s been that way for a few months now but I’m trying not to pressure myself. (Even though I do, like you said, about all the things I could be pressuring myself about). But, even though I do feel guilty, I also don’t force myself. Because this is probably just a temporary thing and it’ll pass and I’ll be an avid reader once more. But forcing myself could damage my love of reading for a longer period, which I really don’t want. So in this case, binge-watching tv shows is my friend 🙂
OH yes, that’s exactly it. On the one hand, there is this pressure, this little voice inside of you telling you that you should be reading. On the other hand, there’s this other voice, telling you that you should take a break, a real one, otherwise you’ll end up hating it all. I think we should listen to that little angel, haha 😛 YEEES, binge-watching TV shows is such a great way, well… not to read and get your mind off this guilt 😛
Thank you so much, I’m so glad you could relate to this <3
YOU HAVE ECHOED MY THOUGHTS COMPLETELY and I’ve actually been meaning to write a post on how I feel pressurised to read etc.
I definitely get caught up in the whole book blogging whirlwind. I worry that I’m not reading enough, my TBR stresses me out because I’m discovering new books all the time and, even though it’s dumb, I get stressed about not being able to read ALL THE BOOKS. Then there are times when I want to read other books on my shelf or from the library but I have to prioritise ARCs and then because I’m stressed about having to read specific books by a certain date I fall into a reading slump, which doesn’t help anything.
I really need to learn to not let blogging and reading stress me because, at the end of the day, it’s a hobby and it should be fun. Wonderful post and thank you for sharing! <3
Oh thank you so much, Kyra! <3 I'm sorry to hear you've been feeling the same way a little bit – I think we both need to learn NOT to stress out too much about things like blogging….Easier said than done, but…SOMEDAY WE WILL DO THIS haha 😛
Thank you so much <3 <3
I could relate to this! Ever since I started working, I don’t have enough time to read and review books on my blog. I have to constantly remind myself that reading and blogging is my hobby, my passion and these are the things that I really, really love to do. And getting into reading slump is another worst thing that can happen at the time I feel like this. One way for me to get back on track is reorganizing my bookshelf… which is weird and tiring when you have hundreds and hundreds of books. I won’t force myself to read, it’s sad because I used to read at least 10 books in a month and now I could hardly finish 3 books.
We always should remind ourselves that blogging is a hobby, so is reading, and we should enjoy it and have fun, not pressure ourselves. That’s easier said than done, obviously hahaha, but I believe we can do this <3
It's good, I think, that you are not forcing yourself – forcing yourself can just lead to gigantic slumps 🙂
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on this <3 <3
When I first started out I did the same – I felt like I had to read everything and read it now, and constantly talk about. If I start feeling like that now I reread an old favourite and drink lots of tea and eat chocolate. Seems to help!
Cora ❤ http://www.teapartyprincess.co.uk/
Ohhh, old favorites, tea and chocolate. What an awesome recipe to fall in love with reading again <3 It has to help for sure! Thank you so much for your sweet comment, Cora! <3 <3
Hello, Marie! I’m going to catch up on all of your WONDERFUL POSTS RIGHT NOW! <3 <3
There are so many times that there are books that I own/books that I borrowed from the library SOLELY BECAUSE OF THE HYPE and because I want to stay on top of things! (Right now I've checked out… about 20 books from the library. I've read… 5 of them.)
I FEEL SO GUILTY ABOUT IT and there's basically no time for backlist books tbh :/ WHICH CAN SUCK.
I reallyyyy love re-reading books that I loved previously, it's so much fun and easy because you know that you'll love it and things will be clearer! I kind of hate trying to over-analyze things and make something that seems enjoyable… into something that is BADLY WRITTEN and HAS NO PLOT once you've realized it!
HELLO YOU AWESOME HUMAN BEING <3 <3
Ohhh I get it I'm having such a hard time resisting the hype just as well…everyone is talking about these books, it's hard NOT to want to know what the fuss is all about ?
Oh, same here. I feel like sometimes, blogging and reading others' reviews make me feel like I should be analyzing every small thing, otherwise I'm failing. But…it's also important to just enjoy reading, because…READING IS FUN? 😀
Thank you so much!! <3 <3
I got my love of reading from my grandmother and my mother. When I had a job working at a certain place, I would carry my book around with me and read at breaks. I got fussed at from the supervisors if I had the book beside me on the table. I wouldn’t have read while working. But yes I do get to where I don’t want to read sometimes. But I don’t put pressure on myself with my blog.
Oh that’s so great, big readers run in the family 🙂
I think it’s always great to have a book around, squeeze in some reading during work breaks and everything, I do that too ahah 🙂