Sunday Salon: Pulling Back and Redefining

I have been feeling quite unsettled the last few weeks. Disconnected. Unhappy with my blog, with blogging, with what I’ve got going here. Part of it is my annual blogging blues; I do get this every year, and find a need to reassess. Part of it is all the crazy reading I’ve been doing for the Cybils. But, either way, I am thinking I need to find a new way to approach my blog.

For the past three years, I’ve read over 100 books. I think that has a lot to do with my dissatisfaction. If I’m spending so much time being obsessive about how many books I read, I can’t spend the time sitting back and enjoying them. So, I’m going to consciously slow down in 2011. My goal is to read half as many books as I did this year, to savor them more, and to spend more time thinking about them and more time writing my reviews, so they’re actually interesting instead of dashed off quickly.

I’m still going to do a few of the challenges I like: the Once Upon a Time challenge, maybe the RIP challenge, the 48 hour challenge, and the book swap I’ve set up. But, that’s it. I’m going to keep trying to push my reading boundaries, finding books by and about people of color and GLBTQ, but I’m also going sit in my comfort zone and enjoy those books. I’ve decided that there’s enough people out there reading the new and hip books that I’m not needed for that, so I’m going to stop (or at least severely cut back) taking books from publishers. I’m going to clear off my bookshelves, finally getting to all those books that have been piling up for the last several years.

I’m going to visit blogs more often, actually read posts instead of skimming them (a very bad habit I’ve gotten in to) and comment more. I’m going to try and enjoy the conversation, and work harder at building relationships.

In short, I’m going to try and find what I liked about blogging six years ago when I started. Here’s to pulling back!

13 thoughts on “Sunday Salon: Pulling Back and Redefining”

  3. I can see how overwhelming it can be, reading for deadlines. (Like Cybils). Your goals sound great and because they're self-driven, I'm sure you will be successful.

    One of the reasons that I am so excited about James TBR Dare (from Ready When You Are CB) is I can (psychologically) force myself to read from all of the wonderful books I have on my shelves.

    Also, I have been weeding out my rss feed because, like you, I feel that I spend too much skimming and not enough communication. My ultimate goal blogging is to build relationships with people who love books as much as I do.

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  4. Last week I went MIA from my blog, and I was even considering whether I wanted to keep it up or close up shop. Luckily I quickly changed my mind, but I definitely go through phases where I don't enjoy blogging as much.

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  5. Great post, friend. I hear you. I think I'm forcing myself to skip all challenges except the swap this year – so that I can have more time to really choose what to read. I agree with the new books from publishers – I am so rarely completely thrilled. I think I just want to be more PURPOSEFUL with what I read and HOW I read it.

    I'm with you 🙂

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  7. Wow. Thanks, all, for the encouragement. It's always good to know I'm not alone in my struggles with reading versus blogging and amount versus depth. Thank you for the encouragement.

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  8. I'm definitely going to change the way I blog next year. I'm definitely going to try for quality over quantity. And give myself more freedom with what I read and how often I blog.

    I wish you luck in finding balance 🙂

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  9. I actually know what you're talking about. I found that I was really hungry for books with substance again, that maybe take a little longer to read. That's not to knock books I've been reading, but I just really would like some issue-driven books for a change. I think your thoughts about your reading and blogging are great!

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