The girls in Maine
Yep, it’s me, Stephanie, the book blogger who fell off the reading / blogging wagon the last few months. Each Sunday that has gone by I’ve contemplated writing a post on this old blog, but other things have always distracted me. It didn’t help that I had little to write about. Yes, reader, I became (for the most part) a non-reader these past months. I can hear the audible gasps over the computer screen from all of you die hard bibliophiles. It all started in the fall after reading The Night Circus. It was one of those books in which I enjoyed so much, that I knew the next book I would pick up wouldn’t compare, and I was right. I must have started and stopped four or five books after the wonder of The Night Circus and slowly, like Jonathan Gourlay (the author of In the Land of the Non-Reader) I fell off the reading band wagon.
After a week of non-reading, I said to myself that I was busy. So busy. Too busy, really, to start a new book. After three weeks of non-reading, my brain felt a bit numb. I told myself that I was working so hard that I couldn’t engage with a book. I fell, instead, into a steady diet of Netlix, Hulu, Skyrim, and the NFL. Like an addict in the early stages of recovery, I felt a euphoric at being released from the bitter yoke of my addiction. As a non-reader I felt free to happily non-think all day.
Just like Mr. Gourlay, I spent my free time in front of the tube instead of deep in a good book. I discovered some great television, like AMC’s The Walking Dead and ABC’s The Middle. I re-watched the first season of Downton Abbey in anticipation of season two on PBS. When I wasn’t not-reading or watching new shows, I was spending time with my kids during the holidays, traveled for a long weekend getaway up to Maine, bought a piano and wrote. Wrote a story that has been floating in my head for over a year and now, over 10,000 words later, is sitting on my laptop waiting for more. Will this turn into a manuscript? Only time will tell. I’ve also been trying to come up with some ideas for small home businesses, since my youngest will be heading to Kindergarten in September and it would be really nice to make a little money without having to work full-time outside of the house. I think I’ve got a great idea running around in my head, one that my book blogging friends would really like, and will let you all know when it comes to fruition.
This isn’t to say that I gave up on reading totally. I did squeeze in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (which I loved) and went to see the movie with my girlfriend. It’s one of the few movie versions that lived up to the book. I read Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings and remembered why I find her such a remarkable woman. And now that the busy holiday season has ended, I’m starting to get my reading groove back. I’m currently in the middle of the ultra-creepy The Night Strangers by Chris Bohjalian and am already planning which book to download to my Nook next. Am I back to blogging again? I’m not quite sure. I miss being involved with the book blogging community (and so appreciate all the e-mails / comments from my blogging friends I’ve received in my absence). I guess I just need to see where 2012 is going to lead me, personally and professionally, before deciding if I’ll be back to the blogging pace I’ve kept up over the past five years. In the meantime, I’ll be checking up with all of you on GoodReads, Facebook and Twitter. Thanks again for checking in with me guys and “Happy Reading!”
Nice to hear what you have been up to. I, too, have not been very active on the blog lately. Slowly trying toget back.
Thanks Mari for leaving a comment. I miss blogging, but life just gets in the way sometime! I do have a book review in the works so hope to post it soon!
I too have watched more tv then read but hopefully it will be back to reading more now that winter has set in. I have done the same things, started books and can’t get past the first few chapters because I just didn’t like them or maybe gave them a chance. I can’t wait to hear about your job ideas. Have you considered Avon? They have a lot of great products out there now. Can’t wait to hear about the writing either!!!!!!
Nice to see your post come through my reader this morning. Can’t wait to see what your work-at-home venture will be!
Mary – If you have any good work-at-home ideas please share them! I’m not quite sure that my idea is a profitable one so it is in the VERY early stages to say the least!
Happy New Year! I just started The Night Circus. I gave it to my best reading friend and she DNF’d it, so I’m a bit nervous. Everyone seems to have loved it – I thought it would be a good gift choice.
So Care, how has The Night Circus been this week. I really loved the descriptive language of the book and hope you are enjoying it too.
You’ve been missed! It was good to catch up!
Thanks Dana – I miss catching up with other blogs as well!
I think there must be something in the air — I have run into several, including myself, who have taken a break from the books. But I am hoping to get back into the game again soon.
I am so excited to hear more about the writing – and the work opportunity from home. It sounds as though 2012 will be a year of opportunity!
Molly – I haven’t written at all since before Christmas – I really must get back to it. Hope you are doing well.
Well, like Molly said, you are not the only one. Sometimes, you just get out of the mood for whatever reason. And that is OK. Good Lord, listen to everything you have going on! And 10,000 words…that is huge. Your adoring readers shall all collectively forgive you while you do great things.
Sandy – Believe it or not, 10,000 words don’t amount to all that many pages! I hope though to start making time again for more reading a writing this year!
I can relate to your blog post. Due to the craziness at work, I wanted to take a week or two off from blogging and it ended up being about 3 months! I’m slowly getting back into my blogging groove. Don’t push yourself back into it. Sounds like your story is begging to become a priority!
So nice to see you here again, Stephanie, even if it ends up that you are just popping in! I’ve always enjoyed your book reviews, and I totally understand how life can take you away from the computer. The fact that you are writing a story is really exciting, so glad that you are pursuing that. Also, the idea of a home-based business is something I’ve been thinking about as well. Gianna will still be in preschool next year, but I’ve really been thinking about starting something from home. Let me know if you need any help with your business ideas!! xo
Wendy – maybe we should chat about at-home businesses, as to be honest I’m sure I would be in over my head, having almost no knowledge on getting one off the ground. I just want to be able to work from home and to be home when my kids get out of school each day.
I’m glad to see you back on here! My life is pretty busy right now so I can relate.
Howdy stranger…it’s good to hear that you’ve been productive in other ways. And Maine looks like it was gorgeous!
It was nice to see a post from you!
Stephanie! How nice to see you pop up in my timeline!!
I had a bookclub last night, and my friend, Joanna, turned to me and first asked, “How many books did you read last year?” When I responded with, “Only 87, I came in under my goal.” She paused a moment, and asked, “Doesn’t your brain get tired? Don’t you need a break from all that reading?”
Yes, Joanna, I do…and I took it. As we all should when our brains tell us to do something else…or nothing else.
I think it’s wonderful that you took your break from reading and decided to WRITE. I wonder if I sometimes use reading as my excuse NOT to write.
Even more than that…you weren’t spending time with your family with your eyes on a book. Instead, your eyes were watching your family…your little one is going to Kindergarten! Oh my goodness, you know all too well how fast time is going to fly!
I am glad you checked in…book or no book.
I think you are right Alison, I absolutely use reading as an excuse not to write. I haven’t written anything since before Christmas and really must get back into the swing of things!
You’re back! I was wondering what happened to you, although I knew you were alive, thanks to FB. I think it’s great that you stepped away for a while. Sometimes we all need a change of pace. Like Alison, reading (and blogging) have been my excuses not to write. It’s definitely a good use of your time. I keep hoping I’ll be inspired to write again, soon, but I do think it might require stepping away from my blog.
I was so happy to see this post, Stephanie! I really do understand about the blogging slump (and potential end, if it should come), but I love seeing the pics of your girls and am glad we’ll be able to stay in touch thanks to FB, if you do decide to quit blogging. BTW, this is a fabulous shot. I love beach pics, especially those of people walking along the shoreline. And, I totally understand about the reading slump after The Night Circus. I loved that book!! I finished it earlier this month and I know it’ll be one of those (like The Book Thief) that will haunt me forever. I loved Bailey, Poppet and Widget!!
I’m anxious to watch Season One of Downton Abbey. I’m always so late to these tv parties!
I’m so excited for you about your writing! I love to read, but have never once considered writing a book. Well, maybe one on grief, but I don’t think I could really do that–emotionally and skillfully. But my hubby’s just finished another nautical annotation and now I’m begging him to get back to the mystery he started a few years ago. I want to know what happens to Steve!
But back to your potential manuscript. If you ever need a beta reader, you know who to call. 
I can’t wait to hear what you have in mind for a small home business. Keep us posted, ok?
You’ve been missed…
Lesley – If I end up with a finished manuscript you’ll be one of the first to read it!!
Stephanie I am so glad to see you back! If you are looking for inspiration I highly recommend The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss, I have loved the first two in this series of 3 and am sad to be finishing book #2 at the moment. I rarely read series books back to back, I always like a breather book in between, but in this case I started #2 five minutes after finishing #1. It may look like a fantasy sort of story but it really isn’t at it’s heart.
http://www.amazon.com/Name-Wind-Kingkiller-Chronicles-Day/dp/0756405890/ref=ntt_at_ep_dpt_2
Add “Revenge” to you tv watching list. It’s the only show I watched this season.
Also, I am happy to see you in my google reader once more!