Book Blogger Confessions: #2

This meme was began and co-hosted by Tiger (Welcome To: All-Consuming Media) and Karen (For What It's Worth Reviews) as a way for book bloggers to open up and vent about their book-blogging experiences.

This week's question(s):

Have you ever had reading/blogging slumps?

How do you work through them or work around them?

Mandy's Answer:

I think it's safe to say that everybody who enjoys reading goes through reading slumps on occasion. Perhaps you get tired of reading the same genres over and over again. Perhaps you get tired of reading taking up the time you could be using to clean or cook or take care of your significant other. Perhaps reading cuts in on your sleeping time and you're plum worn out. Whatever the reason, we all experience slumps.

Whenever I experience a reading slump, I take a break. I simply put away all the books that I have to read and give my brain a breather for a few days. Then, when I'm ready, I'll slowly work my way back into taking on a full reading load ... which, for me, consists of two or three books at a time and reading several times a day, often well into the night.

Working my way back into reading usually involves one book. I take that book with me to work and read it on my lunch break. Eventually, I will get more and more engrossed in the story that it helps me get back into reading full-swing.

As far as blogging slumps go, I try not to get into a blogging slump. There are four reviewers on this blog, so there's usually always a review being posted. Where I slump at is with the memes. I used to participate in memes on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays, before this meme started. I don't remember the last time I participated in those other memes. I think that's because most memes post at 12:01 a.m. (some post before that), but by that time I'm either in bed asleep or reading and I do not feel like getting back up out of bed to get on the computer to post a meme. Then, in the mornings before work, I do not wake myself up in enough time to get on here and post them.

How can I get myself out of this partial blogging slump? I'm not sure, but I want to get back in the swing of it so my blog has more variety.

What about you?

Book Blogger Confessions: Week 1

This is a brand new meme co-hosted by Tiger at Welcome To: All Consuming Books and Karen at For What It's Worth Reviews. They began this meme so book bloggers can open up and vent about their book blogging experiences.

This week's question:

"How has the job of book blogging changed your reading habits (both pro and con)?"

Mandy's Answer:

Pros: Book blogging has opened me up to try books, especially self-published, that I never would have heard of or tried if I had not been a book blogger. I've also got to meet a lot of nice people through book blogging. It has been a wonderful experience.

Cons: Most of my reviews have been for authors or publishers and not off my TBR pile. I originally started book reviewing so I could read the Top 100 Banned/Challenged Books: 2000-2009 and the 1000 Books To Read Before You Die. Unfortunately, I've not been able to read much off of either list this past year.  Thus my reason for taking a sabbatical from accepting review requests. I am reading for myself this year.


A note to authors/publishers still seeking reviews - There are three other reviewers on this blog that would be happy to accommodate your review needs.