Remember my post about distractions? Well, I’ve decided why I’ve let myself become distracted in February. It’s because I don’t like to be told what to read, lol.
This month I had three books I needed to get read for various reasons.
- My friends and I are hosting a party for Ally Condie to celebrate Reached and so I needed to have it read by February 22. That’s only two days from now. Guess what I haven’t done? Yeah, I haven’t even started it.
- My book club’s book this month is The Scarlet Pimpernel. I adored the movie with Jane Seymour and Anthony Andrews and I’ve wanted to read this book for such a long time. My book club meets tomorrow. Yeah, I’m only 7% done with the book.
- I wanted to show my support for Jessica at Books: A True Story with her Star Wars month and read a book. I love the Star Wars books I’ve read in the past and I know I’ll enjoy the book I chose to read, especially since I’ve already read it and I wanted to read it again so I could finish the trilogy. Yeah, I haven’t even started that book either.
I know I haven’t started/finished any of these because I have to read them on a time schedule. It reminds me too much of my high school days and being forced to read books for a grade. I hardly ever read the books assigned in class (only three that I can remember). With all the others books, I just failed that portion of the class or used the movies and Cliff Notes to help me get at least a passing grade. For shame, I know.
Sadly, I feel like I’m going into another reading slump because I’m trying to “force” myself to read these books by the time I need to. I don’t want to be in a slump again because I enjoy reading too much. So, I’ve decided to follow one of my main bookish goals for this year and quit forcing myself to read anything. I’m going to read what I want when I want.
Because of this, I’ve resigned myself to the fact that I’m going to have to spoil myself about Reached so I can still participate in my party on Friday. And, now I just need to decide if I keep going to book club or not. I love the people in my club and I love spending time with them, but if I’m not going to read the books, then it may not be plausible to go anymore. Sigh.
About Jenni Elyse
Blogger. Reader. Movie watcher. Social media addict. Crocheter. Time waster. Animal lover. 
Oh, don’t give up on book group! My book group there is usually at least one (of the three that come) that doesn’t read the book. Often more. It’s all about being there with your bookish friends and chatting books of any/all kinds. And yeah for reading what you want and when you want it. I’ve been kind of reveling in that myself lately
That’s what I’m thinking. If I don’t mind being spoiled, then I’m going to keep going because I love hanging out with the ladies too much and I love talking about books in general.
Not keep coming? What, wait???
You know I’ve heard LOTS of people say that they don’t like book clubs for the very reason you are saying, that it feels like an assignment and a time deadline and such and such. And I get it because I feel like that too.. sometimes. Anyway, I hope you can keep coming, as long as you don’t worry about spoilers now and then. Yes? Okay?
That’s what I’m thinking. I’ll just come when I don’t mind being spoiled, like tomorrow. I already know the story of the Scarlet Pimpernel, so I’d just come to enjoy your (and everyone else’s) company.
I totally know how you feel. That’s why I almost never finish the reading challenges I sign up for — I get all excited about reading a list of titles, then it starts to feel like an assignment so I never finish! I do schedule reviews, though, because otherwise I wouldn’t get to a big chunk of the books I’m given to review. So, yeah.
I’m not sure what to do about reviews and blog tours yet. I probably just won’t sign up for any (reviews) that required deadlines and I’ll limit myself on blog tours.
I am in my first book club now and I’m totally experiencing this. I keep wondering if I just don’t like the book? It’s just not the right time for me to read this book? Or if it’s just because I have a deadline. Reached ended up being my favorite btw I hope you get to it and have fun celebrating with Ally
I will read Reached. I want to read Reached. I just want to read it in my own time at my own pace.
Blogging should be fun – not work. Once it becomes something you feel obligated to do it is work. I am sorry that you are feeling this way and can completely relate right now. Maybe we should do lunch and/or a pedicure?
I agree completely. And, it’s getting better now that I’ve decided not to read those three books, right now at least. I’m sorry you’re feeling this way too. It’s definitely no fun.
Lunch or a pedicure would be fun. Saturdays would be my only day I could do it. Work, unfortunately, takes up most my time.
This post sounds like something I could have written, Jenni! I also don’t like to be told what to read. I made it through it in high school but rebelled against college (which is probably why I didn’t finish. I couldn’t study what I wanted to/when I wanted to.) I have another wild month of reading ahead of me for March, and then for the rest of the year, I’m treating myself to less review books and more “me” books.
Great post!
Oh yay for after March! I hope you enjoy your “me” books! That’ll be so fun!
I’d be heart broken if you didn’t come to book club anymore but I understand reading obligations making reading miserable. I really hope you keep coming. No one minds if you don’t read or finish the book.
I’ve actually decided that I’m going to keep coming. I just like hanging out with y’all and talking about books in general.
Stick through it! Maybe pick up a book that you really, really wanted to read? Or maybe reorganize your books and maybe something will pop out? I totally understand going through slumps! Though, I always have a tough time with book club books … it seems that whenever I am on a deadline for reading a book, I lose interest! It doesn’t happen for all books, but it definitely has happened. Good luck! I know you can pull through!
Oh, I will stick through it. I’m just not going to read on deadline anymore and I’m going to read what I want not what everyone expects me to read. I think that’s definitely going to help!
Why are you so good at writing posts that I totally relate to?
The only reason I ever get in a reading slump is if I have ARCs that have to be read by a certain date. I know it makes me less cool to not read the newest thing out there, but being told what to read sucks! When I have books I “have” to read, I try to read them way in advance so it doesn’t feel like I have to. I also make a list of about 4 books a month to choose from (a mix of an old book, a new book, a review book etc) and read them in whatever order I feel like. Sometimes I just read the whole list because I’m too lazy to pick different books lol. And it’s totally fine that you didn’t read a Star Wars book! I am having epic fail on my Darth Plagueis read-a-long. I made a month long schedule and I can’t even keep up with it LOL.
Reading them way in advance may be something I need to do for my book clubs books. There are so many books chosen that I’d love to read, but I just don’t want to be dictated when to read them, lol.
And, yeah, I know what you mean about being too lazy to pick different ones. But, I also do a list to just so I have some to choose from.
And, I’m sorry you’re having a hard time keeping up with your schedule. I’m glad you’re liking the book, though. I will read it some time. Just don’t know when, lol.
I have the same problem… but it doesn’t just apply to books. If I feel forced into anything I start to get upset and push back. But reading deadlines absolutely remind me of high school and college lit. classes. Not fun, not fun at all! Although on a side note, The Scarlet Pimpernel is not the same as the movie, and is one of my all time favorites. Who am I kidding?! It’s one of my favorite books, movies, and musicals!
Yeah, I’m the same way too, Kayla. Maybe that’s why I’m not going to church as regularly as I should right now, lol.
Glad to hear you love The Scarlet Pimpernel so much. I’m going to keep reading it now that I don’t have to have it done by a certain time. I’m excited!
And, I just barely found out it was a musical! I had no idea!!!
My thing with bookclubs is if I want to read the book and I read it then I participate in the bookclub, but if I’m not really interested in the book or don’t feel like reading it I don’t. Reading is for enjoyment. You shouldn’t have to force yourself to read. Read books you want, get behind on your reading schedule, get excited about the books you read, and most of all enjoy reading.