Sunday Salon: No More Excuses

As I sat here thinking of what to write about, asking my husband for suggestions, he came up with the idea of distractions. I told him that's all I've been talking about for awhile now in one way or another. I don't seem to be reading nearly as much as I would like this year. Other things have been getting in the way. There are books I've committed to reading for which I am sure the authors and publicists have given up on me ever getting around to (it must be said that I still intend to keep my commitments, however belated I may be). I am much more aware of my limits than I was at the beginning of the year and have adjusted accordingly. More or less.

I wish I had one of those day jobs in which I could spend my time reading. That isn't possible. Not being much of a morning person, waking up earlier than I already do to read isn't really an option, especially considering how early I have to get up as it is. I fit in reading before bedtime, during my lunch break, on the weekends when I can, and whenever those other little but not-so-regular moments occur like waiting in line or for an appointment. And that doesn't ever seem like enough.

When it really gets down to it though, while I am reading less than I have in years past, I am not reading a whole lot less. Just a little less. When did it start to matter so much how much--or how little--I read? And why do I feel the need to make excuses? None of this mattered before I became involved with other readers online, through book groups and in the blogosphere. I suddenly feel like I need to keep up, and, when I don't, I feel like I have failed somehow. In truth, I haven't; not at all. There are actually many other bloggers just like me, who are lucky to read one book a week, if that. Some even less. We are no less readers than those who read hundreds of books a year. On the other side of the coin, the majority, if not all, of the readers I know who do read a jaw dropping amount of books a year think no less of me for reading less than they do. They really don't care how much or how little I read when all is said and done. So then, why do I?

Right here and now, I am going to stop making excuses and worrying over numbers. I will read as much or as little as I want and am able. And that will be okay. Give me a few days. Isn't there some sort of research out there that says to change a habit or thought pattern, it takes time and repetition?

I have not hit a reading slump, if that is what you're thinking. I am reading. This past week I read Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris. I enjoyed visiting again with old friends. I am about half way through The Welsh Girl by Peter Ho Davies. It is a bit slow in parts, but I continue to enjoy it overall. I have had a few reading distractions to contend with while reading it. My effort to keep my short story reading to my lunch half hour at the office did not work out so well. As I mentioned last week, I was more in the mood to read short stories than to dive back in the novel and so ended up finishing the short story collection. And then the lure of Charlaine Harris' book was too strong to resist, thanks to the help of a well-meaning but pushy friend. Now it seems I have yet another distraction.

Normally I would not start another fiction book while reading one already, but I committed myself to reading The Red Tent for a book group discussion this month. I have the worst luck with group reads, and I know better than to join in one. I really do. But every once in awhile, I have to give it another try. I enjoy the discussions that can arise from reading a book as a group. Such discussions can get me to think about a book in a different way and perhaps bring to my attention something I may have missed. For some reason though, I have a difficult time sitting down and reading a group read in time for the discussion. It doesn't matter how much I try to plan ahead. I think my brain automatically sends out signals that I have no interest in reading the book I wanted to read when I first cast my vote for it. Really though, it is not that I do not want to read the book at all, just not when I am supposed to. I don't have this problem with reading books for book tours. So, I am not really sure what the problem is.

It doesn't help that The Red Tent has been one I have put off reading, however many people praise it. If I hear one more person say "it's a great biblical story," I'll run screaming for the door. That's exactly why the book has sat on my shelf unread for so long. What makes it all the more amusing is that the book really isn't a religious book per say. Add to that the fact that I actually like reading books that have ties to religious history to some extent. Religious history fascinates me. So why my aversion to this book for so long? I am not sure I have a rational response to that question. Maybe it's the word "biblical" that often pops up in descriptions (including on the back of the book) that turns me off. Isn't it silly, the small details that can get under our skin and bother us? Or maybe it's just me. I am kind of weird that way.

I am not sure how much reading I will get done today. Anjin and I have plans to see the new Harry Potter movie this morning and that will eat up a good part of the day. I still have household chores I've put off doing long enough. I will fit a little in somehow. I always do.


An Announcement:

Just about everyone's talking about it these days. The dates have been set for this year's Book Blogger Appreciation Week. If you thought it was fun last year, be prepared for a bigger and more fun-filled week this time around. The event will run from September 14-18, 2009. Registration is free. There will be special features, giveaways, awards, and much more. Nominations currently are being accepted for book blog awards. The deadline is August 15th, so hurry on over to nominate your favorite blogs before it is too late. I had a blast last year and discovered many new and wonderful book blogs. I hope you will join in this year!


An Inquiry: I considered reaching out to individual people with this request, but not knowing who to ask and not wanting to put anyone on the spot and making him or her feel like the only answer could be yes, I decided to put it out there to you, my dear readers. I will be taking a two week leave of absence during the middle part of August and was wondering if any of you might be interested in being a guest here at Musings of a Bookish Kitty. I could go dark during that time (and then you wouldn't have so many blog posts to fall behind on), and if no one volunteers, that's certainly an option. I thought it would be more fun to hear from some of you, however. Whether you are a non-blogger looking to try your hand at writing a blog post, a blogger who would like to play in my playground for a day, an author or publicist who wants to reach out to my readers and share a little something about yourselves or whoever, please let me know. I would prefer the topics remain somewhat book-related (maybe even movies or television), but if you have another idea, let me know. You can leave a comment below or e-mail me at literaryfeline AT gmail DOT com if interested. Thank you.

In Reading Mews:

Book reviews posted this past week:
Sookie Stackhouse: Five Years of Memories
Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris (& Sook Stackhouse Challenge Wrap Up)
Short Story Saturday: "Rat Beach" by William Styron


Currently Reading:
The Welsh Girl by Peter Ho Davies
The Red Tent by Anita Diamant


New Additions to my TBR collection:
Richard Stark's Parker: The Hunter by Darwin Cooke (This is a graphic novel that my husband actually bought for his collection this past Wednesday. It is now on my TBR pile. I almost stole it from him before he'd finished reading it.)
Sophie's Choice by William Styron (How could I not add this book to my collection after reading Styron's short story this past week?)
Testimony by Anita Shreve (Many thanks to Wisteria of Bookworm's Dinner for this one!)
God Sleeps in Rwanda: A Journey of Transformation by Joseph Sebarenzi with Laura Mullane (ARC from Atria Books with Simon and Schuster)


Other Posts of Interest This Week:
A Page in the Life with Kristie from Kristie Love Books
Wordless Wednesday: Pitstop at USAF (Part 6)
TGIF: Appearances Aren't Everything, the TBR Room, Friday Fill-Ins

(Many thanks to Florinda of The 3 R's: Reading, 'Riting, and Randomness for allowing me to copy her status report idea. And an added thank you to Anya who helped my husband and I come up with the title of my status review report.)

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