This entry is most likely of interest just to me. I have quit all the book challenges. I am simply and positively the kind of person who wants to read what I want to read, when I want to read it. I loved the sound of the challenges and signed up eagerly, but then when I find myself slogging through a book, I say to myself, why am I doing this? Reading is my pure pleasure. I love it. And I want to read "my" books, period. So, remind me of this if I forget and sign up next year for any challenges, okay? :<)
You don't have to apologize Nan. Reading should be for pleasure and not pain.
ReplyDeleteThe new photo on your header could be a real pain in the ... Brrrr makes me cold looking at it. :)
This entry was of interest to me...LOL. I hear you about wanting to read what you want when you want. I say, "Me too!". You've just given my reason for never signing up for them. However, I do think that they are incredibly diverse and creative. I enjoy reading about them.
ReplyDeleteLove the new header. I showed it to friends at work today. We have sloppy rain.
A little bit of me feels exactly the same way about the challenges - I'll just have to see how it goes. I've given myself permission to fail at them regardless. ;-)
ReplyDeleteI do love your new header photo.
Ah, this is always my problem. I eagerly sign up for a challenge, loving the act of compiling a list of theme-related titles, only to read but one or two from the entire list. I'm such a mood reader! And with all the great books I received for Christmas, little gifts of kindness from friends, and several ARC/comp copies from work, I'm too easily distracted to stick to my original lists. Good for you to say you quit! :)
ReplyDeleteGood for you! I went on a reading expedition of my own about ten years ago, and could not understand the prevalence of book clubs and such. I started with Don Quixote and made myself stay with it simply because it was a book I'd heard about all my life and wanted to read. Friends would invite me to their book clubs, but I was too busy with Great Expectation, Pride and Prejudice and all the others I'd put off "until I had time." Now I have time, and I've got a lot of catching up to do yet.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, I loved those books I chose myself!
No need to apologize for dropping out, Nan. Seriously, I feel like doing the same -- and I've honestly considered it. But, instead of dropping out, I decided to just ALLOW myself / give myself permission to NOT finish all the challenges I signed up for. That way, if I finish them, I do, and if I don't, I don't. ;o)
ReplyDeleteEither way, don't feel bad about dropping out. Reading is supposed to be F-U-N!...not pressured. I TOTALLY understand, and say "kudos to you!" ;o)
<>< MizB of the TBR Challenge
That's what I think too!
ReplyDeleteExcept I am teaching literature
to a small group of high school students AND I have a wonderful
group in a Book Club. We're low key though, reading about 2-3 books a year! Otherwise, I read that which
interests me! I know you have that
love too. What's everyone is such a hurry about, even with reading?!
Bonnie
I'm with you, Nan. I gave up my book club this year and also a course on Great Books that I had taken for a few years.
ReplyDeleteIf it is meant to be for pleasure - there should be no 'slogging' involved. Also, I am listening to lots of books on my MP3 player. I enjoyed "Loving Frank" last week.
Once in a while, tell us of something you read and enjoyed.
I also gave up on Knitalongs, and for the same reasons!
I've felt the same way. I signed up and did the Fall Reading Challenge last year - decided afterwards not to do another one. It felt too much like a school assignment and I felt like somehow I letting "someone" down by not finishing. I'm with you - I want to read when I want to read and what I want to read.
ReplyDeleteThis is exactly why I dropped out of a monthly book club years ago. Oh the ladies were nice, and the snacks were great, but there's only so much time in a life, and far too many books on my personal "to read" list!
ReplyDeleteYes, too many 'have-tos' spoil the fun! Life is too short :)
ReplyDeleteI enjoy your reviews of the youth books you read. Many of those are familiar titles that I haven't thought of in many many years.
Jeanne
There are too many wonderful books that we will never have the time to read, that it's just not worth forcing yourself to read books for a challenge.
ReplyDeleteSeeing your porch still under snow does not stop me from imagining how nice it must be to sit in a favorite chair there in Spring and open a good book!
I'm like you, Nan - except I never even signed up to the challenges! I tend to read the challenge, amuse myself by considering what I would read if I were doing them, and leave it at that. Reading time is too precious, and enough is already taken up with (lovely) review books...
ReplyDeleteI am delighted to have gotten so many understanding responses to this post. Thank you very much for taking the time to write.
ReplyDeleteI am also in complete agreement. The only challenges I am interested in are ones I give myself. (Such as, read more fiction by male authors.) Otherwise, I just enjoy reading about challenges.
ReplyDelete