Getting back into blogging is really, really difficult. I’ve found myself staring at an empty blog post far more often than I’d like and I can’t decide which books to actually review. For example, I wrote the last two sentences of this post yesterday. I then decided to attempt to write a review of the book I just finished, Huntress. I wrote a summary of that, found writing what I thought of the book really difficult (even though I loved it and thought I’d have plenty to say) and then gave up for the evening.
In short, this whole blogging thing is not flowing the way that it used to.
The Christmas season is more or less in full swing here. My work Christmas party was Friday night and I’ve got my department Christmas party this Thursday, plus some drinks with friends in between. I’ve been enjoying the increased levels of socialising, surprisingly, as long as I do get some downtime to recharge batteries. I’ve definitely got that coming up, as I’m off work from a half day on the 24th until the 6th of January. I’ve been pondering what to do with all that time; I don’t think I’ve been at home so long without any concrete plans since I started working and I’m looking forward to it. Options include playing through one of my favorite games again, getting a start on Long-Awaited Reads month, or reorganizing my bookshelves, which have been neglected and look a bit woeful (not even close to alphabetized).
In current reading news, I just finished the above-mentioned Huntress, which was meant to be for A More Diverse Universe until I decided not to bog in November. It was fantastic, of course, and I do intend to write about it. I hope. I’m working my way, slowly, through Noble Endeavours, a somewhat scattered account of many different relationships between Britons and Germans leading up to World War I and beyond. I also decided that the first book I’ll read once the holidays begin is River of Stars by Guy Gavriel Kay; my reading recently has mostly been limited to what I can carry on the train or what’s on my Kindle and I’m going to enjoy sinking into that and a few other longer reads when I get the chance.
How are your holidays shaping up? Do you have any reading planned? I’d love to hear about it.
“In short, this whole blogging thing is not flowing the way that it used to.” Sigh, I hear you. That’s pretty much my year in a nutshell. Sometimes there’s no solution but to wait it out, I guess, and hope for better times. (That and talking to sympathetic blogging friends; that really helps too.)
I’m missing my work’s Christmas party since it’s after I go home for the holidays, but I’m getting together with some of the people I’m closest to this coming week, which should be really nice. Other than that, I just want the work week to be OVER so I can get my flight on Saturday. I’ll be at my parents’ until New Year’s, and then M and I are going to a cottage in the middle of nowhere for my birthday. By “the middle of nowhere” I actually mean Edale in the Peak District – Ana was just telling me it was where her partner did his training before his expedition to Antarctica, which should give me an idea of what to expect
But yeah, I’m looking forward to what will hopefully be two weeks of relaxation at the end of a sometimes challenging year.
Ana @ things mean a lot´s last post …2013 in Review: My Year in TV
I know exactly what you mean. I hardly blogged all year, would make ‘comeback’ posts, and then vanish again… I think the only reason I have been blogging in December is because I feel guilty about being a co-host to a blogging event and not actually blogging… So, that has made this comeback last a bit longer. I have also been trying very hard to blog hop. Another thing I hardly ever do any more… Who knows what will happen come January… That has always been my hardest month to blog in general, so I am worried this comeback will be short lived.
Kailana´s last post …I Have Been… Take Thirteen
I think we all know what those blogging doldroms can be like! I am at the point where it feels more like a chore than anything else. I too read a book that I read and really loved recently but struggled to review.
However, glad to hear that you enjoyed Huntress! I will have to read that one
Aarti´s last post …Rabbits on the run
I’m having a harder time these days writing posts about books I didn’t truly love. It’s weird! Luckily I’ve been reading plenty of wonderful books this year, but I just have less and less energy to write about non-wonderful books. I’m kind of worried about what happens to the blog the next time I hit a reading slump.
Anyway, my Christmas plans are to take two weeks off from blogging, and I think it’ll be a nice break! Lots of time to read, and no obligations.
Jenny @ Reading the End´s last post …Review: James Tiptree Jr, by Julie Phillips
The holidays are really busy for us with the store so this season is crazy for us. Enjoy your break!
bermudaonion (Kathy)´s last post …Guest review: The Time Fetch
How wonderful to get a long break from work! Hope it’s filled with books and games and fun. I know what you mean about blogging… sigh.
Beth F´s last post …Holiday Gift Guide: Four for Young Readers
Yay I’m so excited that you liked Huntress
And blogging is still hard for me – I have all these books read but when I sit down to write I can’t get into it without prompts from other people (this means I am VERY open to readalongs and chats in 2014 – large hint). What I mostly want to do is write a post about why blogging and writing in general is hard (with comments from other people) but where is the time?
You’re not alone on the blogging slump. I’ve hardly posted at all over the last 6 to 9 months, thanks to work and all that it takes out of me. It’s difficult when you start to feel as though you don’t have the words to put down, or as if you would just rather read than actually write something about what you’ve read. We have so little time to actually read, that if we do take the time to write, we want to actually talk to other people about it and know it matters, right?
Well, I hope you get to refuel your batteries! I’ll be doing the same here. Have a lovely holiday season and happy reading.
Becky´s last post …Sunday Blatherings: Let the Holidays & Reading Begin!