Things 2016 Taught Me

I haven't really been in the mindset to blog lately, and so all of my end-of-year posts are coming at you nearly a month into 2017. I'm surprisingly okay with that. I'm still not entirely sure I'm ready for 2017, either, but there's really nothing I can do about that.

In lieu of the usual resolutions post, which I always fail at anyway, I thought I'd look back at my 2016 reading year and what I've learned or maybe only just realized about myself. Because I am definitely a different reader/reviewer than I was when I started this blog almost six years ago, but I'm also a different reader just from the start of the year. There were times -- especially toward the end of the year -- where I just wanted to give up and go off the grid, but I basically took a two-month hiatus and I'm feeling refreshed and ready to reflect -- and embrace! -- some of the changes I made this year. It's honestly kind of liberating.

1. First and foremost, I no longer love young adult the best.

I've been reading a lot of adult novels lately: historical romance, fantasy, chick lit. And I'm loving it. That's not to say that I don't still enjoy young adult, but I'm branching out and it's been fun.


2. I no longer read by a schedule.

I used to keep a detailed spreadsheet of all the review books I needed to read and when they released so I knew when to read them. But that left no room for books that I didn't receive for review or promotion. I've decided it's way more fun just reading book after book without a break to post a review. And I am just SO much happier when I don't read by a schedule.


3. Putting books on hold at the library tends to make me apathetic toward reading them.

If I have to wait very long for a hold to come through at the library, it's more likely that I'm not going to be in the mood to read it once my hold comes through. Sad, but true. So, I'm trying to only put highly anticipated reads on hold so I'm not keeping others from the books they want to read.


4. Re-reading can sometimes be detrimental.

I re-read. A lot. Especially when the next installment in a series is set to release. I re-read/listen to the previous book in a series to be prepared for the next/final book when it releases...and sometimes I end up not reading the next installment because I discover my love for the series has waned upon re-reading the preceding book. (Ex: Court of Fives, Ten Thousand Skies Above You)


5. I find it way easier to DNF or give up on a series midway now.

Temptation is a fickle bitch. I've warred with myself a lot over the years as to whether I should continue a book or series, and I usually cave because I just have to know how it ends. Not so much these days. I can make an educated guess and leave it at that.


6. My drafts folder is legit full of discussion posts I started but never posted. 

I always feel like talking about stuff but then reconsider, figuring no one else wants to hear about it. But sometimes, we just like to hear ourselves talk, yeah? So I'm going to start posting some of these, I think. The ones where I actually sound coherent, anyway.


7. Social media sucks the life out of me.

I haven't missed social media all that much during my hiatus, except maybe Instagram. I don't really think I'll be on Twitter anytime soon, and I've never really been a fan of Facebook. Everything's still set to cross-post to those sites, but I'm mainly here for the books, so I'll stick to Goodreads and Instagram for bookish goodness.

I'm sure I learned some other stuff, but these are the really important points. What, if anything, did 2016 teach you about yourself?

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Labels: 2016, blogging, discussion, reading habits

My Moment of Zen

Sometimes, I just find myself staring out my office window at work. They're building a high-rise apartment building right across the street, and though it's early days, it's going to be a monstrosity. But I could watch that crane work all day. It's amazing the things the human mind can come up with to make life easier. And yet, I also love staring at the hawk that is perpetually flying around the crane and around my office building. Somehow, he's still made a home here in this urban jungle.

I'm not here to wax poetic about the shitty ways civilization has corrupted the world, either. I like some of the technology that's come from all of that corrupting of the environment. Namely, this computer I'm using to type up this post. And my phone. And my car. And I realize that there are still places where hawks can roam freely. I live in one such rural area and fear for the safety of Weasley, who is still small enough to be carried off by a (not-so-)friendly neighborhood hawk...or owl...when he's outside.

But I digress. I don't really know where I was going with all that. Other than that I've just been thinking alot. Or over-thinking, as my husband would tell me. 😝

You may have noticed -- or not -- but I haven't been posting all that frequently this year and even less so in recent months. And I expect to post even less in November and December because of the holidays and family obligations and all that jazz. Maybe I'll even go on hiatus just to get a fresh perspective. I haven't decided yet. I waffle back and forth. I'm a waffler.

And I've been in a bit of a reflective mood lately. (Obviously, look at all the tangents I went off on just in this post alone! Wow.) About what I take for granted. How I could be a better person in general. What blogging did and still does mean to me. All the things. Let me explain.

Basically, I've been reading a lot and not doing much blogging and it's like it was when I first started blogging and I kinda miss that freedom? Yeah, something like that. And then this happened today:

Actually, it happened last night, but I was too lazy to update Goodreads before bed, lol. Yep, barely into the 4th quarter of the year and I've already hit my goal of reading 225 books. And it's pretty much all audiobooks, re-reads, and review copies. I have taken to making a little more time for books that I just want to read -- I think I might do a post about what I've read lately tomorrow, time allowing -- but the bulk of what I read this year was for review or prep for the next book in a series...which was probably also received for review.

Which begs the question: when did it become all about reviewing?

But this is not going to be one of those posts. It's just...here's the thing: I've recently come to the realization that I tend to overextend myself...in all areas of my life. But especially when it comes to accepting review copies and blog tour gigs and the like. (She says after accepting yet another review request.) I gotta knock that off if I ever want to have a personal life/have free time devoted to something other than reading/not cower under the crushing weight of publisher expectations.

I just got rid of a ton of books that have been sitting on my shelves, unread. Because I felt guilty for hoarding them. For keeping them from the hands of people who really would read them. For accepting too many review copies knowing I'd never have enough time to read them all.

I know I've said it before, but I've really missed reading for pleasure. Just reading for the sake of experiencing a good book without any expectations. That's why it's been super awesome these past couple of months, just reading the bare minimum of review books -- those that I've already made a commitment to do some type of post for -- and then spending the rest of my reading time with books from the library and audiobooks that I never would have discovered I liked without the help of other bloggers and books from my shelves that I've been waiting till just the right time to read.

She says as the over-large pile of review copies threatens to topple over on her. But I do plan to read all of them. I just don't plan to full-on review all of them. People don't read full-length reviews these days. They like pictures of books and snippets from books and mini-reviews that basically let them know how you felt about the book while maybe highlighting some of the good and bad.

So. For the books where I haven't agreed to some type of promotional post, I've decided I'm going to start doing a reading round-up of sorts. Basically a collection of the short-and-sweet reviews I write up on Goodreads after finishing a book, maybe including some Instagram pics or quotes, but nothing like the tedious, time-consuming reviews I've written to-date. Not even like the mini-reviews I've been doing of late. Not unless the book calls for it.

I don't know what day I'll post these on, or if I'll do them sporadically when I feel like it. (I'm leaning toward the second option.) And I don't know how many books I'll include in each round-up. I'm just going to play it by ear. I'll include review books AND just for fun books. Because it's nice to discover backlist titles, too.

I have ideas and I'd like to see a post go up tomorrow before I have too many un-reviewed books under my belt, but Katie's off school for Fair Day tomorrow and even though I don't think we're going to the state fair this year, I'd still like to spend the day with her doing fall stuff. Like pumpkin-carving 🎃 and fall crafts. 😄 So I can't guarantee the first post will be up tomorrow. But soon.

I'd love to hear what you think! Do you often feel that sense of obligation that comes with review copies? Do you think my new post idea will satisfy that obligation? I mean, essentially they're for promotion, right? And that's what this would be, for the most part...

And with that, I leave you with your moment of zen:

(I said waffles earlier and now I'm hungry. Even though I just had lunch. But it wasn't waffles. *cries*)

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Labels: blogging, discussion, reading for fun, reviewing habits

The Way of the Dodo

Have you ever checked out the reviews on Goodreads for an older, backlist title and ran across old blogger friends' reviews and thought, "Hmm...I haven't seen them around in ages. I wonder what they're up to or if they're even still blogging..." This actually happens to me pretty frequently now, and not only because I'm a lame, out-of-touch blogger. Though, I'm sure that's partly to blame.

You see those posts all the time about how a blogger is feeling less than motivated to keep posting, as if they're not being heard and it's all pointless. I know I've posted about those feelings from time-to-time. But then there are those who actually just give up blogging altogether, never to be heard from again...even on Goodreads.

I've contemplated only reviewing on Goodreads and just posting discussions and promotional stuff here. I honestly think they get more attention over there and are just more visible than they are here in my little corner of the blogosphere. It also seems that more people have taken to Bookstagram and Booktube, in lieu of traditional blogging, and it does tend to make me wonder, "Why bother?" Especially when you discover that some of those people are getting paid for their contributions.

I see nothing wrong with that. At all. We put a lot of time and effort and even our own money into this "hobby" and it would be nice to be fairly compensated for that, especially when we're promoting on behalf of a publisher or author. I honestly don't get those who think being paid for this would be a bad thing, that the early reader copies are compensation enough. If I could at least make a part-time job out of this, I'd definitely be more inclined to keep doing it.

But I digress. This wasn't supposed to be a post about getting paid. It's about missing the good ole days. About knowing the people you're blogging beside and remembering our fallen friends, those whose other priorities meant they had to leave the community. It's about being stressed and wondering at what point you just throw in the towel.

If I were witty and clever, I'd sing about the disappearance of bloggers to the tune of "Where Have All the Cowboys Gone?", but you really don't want to hear my singing voice and the song is stuck in my head now anyways.

So. Do you think traditional book bloggers are on the edge of extinction? Have you lost any friends to the abyss? Are you considering a departure in the near future, or do you plan on hanging on till the bitter end?

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Labels: blogging, blogging breaks, blogging community, blogging confessions, discussion

It's Time For a Break

I've been thinking long and hard these past few months about where I am with blogging. When I started blogging here with Jen, it was like my passion had been renewed. I was ready to throw in the towel with my own blog, so coming here was perfect timing.

Blogging here has been great. I've met so many different readers, and I've enjoyed interacting with all of you. Early on, I was able to do that more. I worked 20 some hours a week and had all the time in the world for blogging.

Then all that went to shit, and I'm kinda glad it did. I now have a great full time job and I'm able to provide so much more for my family. This year we are finally having our decks rebuilt and vinyl siding installed! We've been trying to get to that point financially for 8 years of being in this house.

The only downside to that, is I don't have as much extra time as I used to. I'm okay with that, but it leaves me tired in the evening. I've gotten to the point that I actually dread sitting down at the computer after I put Aubrey to bed, because now I have to work on a post. And it shouldn't be that way! Blogging should not feel like work, but I think when you are so busy, and feel obligated to do something, it will always feel like work.

That's not cool. I work my ass off all day long. That's enough for me. I've discussed all of this with Jen, and my gosh do I love that girl. She's been so supportive and honestly I knew she would be... We've had this relationship where we are both always honest with each other. No hard feelings ever. She's just amazing.

I'm going to take a break. I'm not quitting. I'm not sure for how long. At least the rest of June, This month is going to be crazy hectic in my personal life. When July comes I will re evaluate how I feel. It's no secret that I've been lacking in my contribution anyway. I think my reviews and every post I do reflect my disinterest, and it's not fair to Jen, the blog or any of you to put out garbage reviews. Jen will still continue posting, so I'm only speaking for myself here.

This break will allow me to spend more time with my family, and reconnect with reading, because that's what blogging is all about! It sucks putting down my kindle because I have a TTT post to work on, or a review that I can't think of anything to say in.

I will still be reading and updating my Goodreads page. I've found that while I haven't had time to visit blogs, reading reviews and keeping up with other bloggers has been easier through goodreads. Everyone is all in one spot, and I can scroll through the app on my lunch.

So this isn't really a goodbye. Maybe a see you later... I'm not sure yet. Time will tell. I want to thank you all for the love and support you've shown me since being here and I hope to be back here soon with a refreshed point of view. :o)

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Labels: blogging, breaks, goodreads, I'll miss it, me time, reading, real life, tired

A Full Year of Awesome!

Can you Believe It's Been A Year Already?! 

Last year was was feeling pretty bleh about blogging. I was emailing back and forth with Jen about it, because we were both kind of feeling the same way. That weekend I went to Disney On Ice with my family and I got an email from Jen asking me if I wanted to join The Starry Eyed Revue. I was so freaking excited. This past weekend we were at Disney on Ice, and I thought, omg... has it been a year already!!!

Ariel!

Indeed it had been. At least close enough to it. That Monday we made it official with this post.

A New Starry Eyed Reviewer


This past year has been wonderful. I've grown to love blogging again, though Jen and I both still feel the pressure sometimes. It's never been enough to make me want to quit.

I've gotten to know all of you so much over the past year, and though I don't comment much lately, I still lurk around when I have a free moment.

I just want to thank you all for embracing me here. It's been amazing. <3



I hope for many more years to come..

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Labels: a year already, blogging, thank you