Sunday Salon: Guilt and the Reading Slump (Plus an update on the House)

My reading crazed January has given way to a mild February slump. I went from heavy showers to a light drizzle. In small part, I blame the book I am reading. It's taken awhile to take off. And while I've started a second book in the meantime, I keep returning to first, not yet ready to fully move on--even for only a short while. This isn't the case of not being interested in the first book. I still very much want to read it and am interested to see how events play out and what will happen to the characters. It's just that, as many of you know, I have so much going on right now in my offline life that it's making my concentration on much of anything requiring focus difficult.

I wish more than anything I was in more of a mood to slow down and settle in with a book, but, you see, when I am in high stress situations, my main coping mechanism is to go into higher gear and organize, plan, and try to get things done (add to that the nesting instinct that comes in late pregnancy). And right now, more than ever, is probably when I should be taking it easy--or at least that's what I tell myself (and my doctor). As a result, I find myself irritated that I haven't been reading more. I am not sure my frustration is necessarily a good thing. It's just one more thing I've added onto that heap of stress I'm under. You know what that means. I'm scouring my shelves (at least the books that haven't been packed yet), thinking this and that book look good, giving them a try only to have them wind up back on the shelf. Organize, plan, and try to get things done. Sometimes it works very well but other times, not so much.

While no reader wants to fall into a reading slump, there are times when our reading falls by the wayside for whatever reason--whether you stop reading all together or you just aren't able to read more than a handful or so of pages a day. Reading is like breathing for many of us. We have to read, and when we aren't reading, we go into withdrawal, feel as if something important is missing from our lives, and we become irritable and frustrated. Not to mention we feel guilty. A reader in a slump is a bad reader, we think.

The truth is that most readers go through slumps at some time or another, and we shouldn't feel guilty about it. I'm not suggesting we don't find ways to get out of the slump--we'll all feel better when we're reading again, after all--but perhaps we shouldn't be so hard on ourselves when one does hit. It really doesn't make us any less of a reader.

Does a reading slump leave you feeling guilty?

It just so happens the two books I am reading right now are set in Ireland. Perhaps subconsciously I am holding out until March to finish them--just in time for St. Patrick's Day.

This Week In Reading Mews:

Reading Now:
The Matchmaker of Kenmare by Frank Delaney
Christine Falls by Benjamin Black

Books Purchased:
Before They Are Hanged by Joe Abercrombie - I got this and the third book in the trilogy for my husband--that's my story anyway. For now.
Last Argument of Kings by Joe Abercrombie
Little Princes by Conor Grennan - recommended by my fellow bloggers

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For those who have been following my housing situation, you will be happy to know we received an offer from the city. Yes, finally! To get everyone up to speed, the city is buying several properties in the neighborhood as part of a public safety and transportation project. We've been given notice that sometime in April the city will condemn the properties involved and declare eminent domain. Imagine the fun I'll have telling people I live in a condemned house! Okay, so maybe I'm the only one who would see the humor in that. Anyhow, we've been given our 90 day notice--more or less--and so are now able to actively look for a new home.

I have to laugh because the timing couldn't be worse. As of today, Sunday, February 20th, I am 16 days away from my due date. Technically, the baby could come any time in between now and then or even after. So, well, you can see why I'm a bit crazed at the moment. There's the city to deal with, packing to finish, the hunt for a new house, the loan process to agonize through, not to mention the myriad of financial woes we are having to contend with--the city is buying us out after all and they're not exactly willing to shell out a lot of dough. Add to that preparations for the baby, the usual aches and pains of late term pregnancy, my already restless nights due to discomfort and frequent bathroom runs, work and all that entails, and dealing with the insurance company in regards to the burglary. Oh, and I'm not reading. At least not much.

With all that said, I somehow feel quite calm (yes, even with the craze) and ready to push through it all (in more ways than one!). I am optimistic while being realistic about what we can expect, remembering that flexibility is key. It helps too that the baby coming and the new house are positive changes in my life, however stressful. The process of getting there may not be ideal, sure, but doesn't that just mean I'll appreciate the end products even more? Not to mention it makes a great story to tell our daughter when she's older!

I don't think I could manage so well without my husband, hurt shoulder and all, by my side through all of this. We are each others biggest strengths right now. Sappy maybe, but oh so true.

I appreciate that you all have been patient with me. My lack of reading has spread to a lack of attention to my blog and an inability to keep in better touch with you. I imagine it won't get much better in the weeks to come but don't count me out completely!

Have a great week. May your reading bring you contentment and satisfaction.

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© 2011, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved.If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.