One of the reasons I quit blogging last April was because I slid into a reading slump. (If my reading were a posture, it would be permanently couched, with a book half closed on my blanketed lap).
I got grumpy towards the books I read. Some were okay — others I merely enjoyed — but didn’t want to think about any further.
I certainly didn’t want to write about them.
My thoughts bored me. Blogs caused ennui.
So I will summarize:
Currently reading: Gilead.
Listening to: The Paris Wife.
Gilead may just be the book that makes me want to write about books again. As for the The Paris Wife -- don't like the reader and find I am not drawn to the vapid lifestyle of the Lost Generation. My slump continued for more than 6 months. Nothing has swept me off my feet, made me fall in love. I tried the usual panaceas — returning to mysteries, going to award lists— National Book Award, the Booker. But alas, nothing seemed to push me out of my book funk/ blog funk.
So I gave it a rest.
So I will summarize:
Currently reading: Gilead.
Listening to: The Paris Wife.
Gilead may just be the book that makes me want to write about books again. As for the The Paris Wife -- don't like the reader and find I am not drawn to the vapid lifestyle of the Lost Generation. My slump continued for more than 6 months. Nothing has swept me off my feet, made me fall in love. I tried the usual panaceas — returning to mysteries, going to award lists— National Book Award, the Booker. But alas, nothing seemed to push me out of my book funk/ blog funk.
So I gave it a rest.
And some of my life — the personal side seemed well, too personal.
I haven’t been depressed exactly, but I have been distracted. Doing lots of yoga.Lots of napping.
But I just read Bryan’s one word, and decided to throw my hat back in the game.
My word: Grace. It is the word I choose almost every time I am directed to choose an intention for yoga practice. It is the word I wore on my favorite t-shirt years ago in my darkest hours.
It is a word that links the physical and the spiritual, that comes down to me and lifts up out of me.
I don’t know if grace will help me with reading or blogging. I don’t know if I will blog again.
But for today….. my one word -- GRACE-- is enough.
I hear you, Barbara...after the last month, I've been in a reading slump too, in fact ZERO books read in December. I just didn't feel like it after a coworker unexpectedly died at the end of November. I only felt like watching comedies and so that's what I've been doing. Grace: It's what we all need - and don't deserve.
ReplyDeleteI think I spend too much time reading news and it is so bleak and distorted, it is not good for me. In addition, I know so many people for whom 2015 was a very bad year. For me it was mixed.
DeleteI for one am glad you're …maybe back ? I was thinking recently how I missed your blog posts.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda. I'll see. Responses, like yours, of course make me feel like writing more.
DeleteI haven't read anything since the last week in December. I need to get going.
ReplyDeleteNice blog.
Mine Word is: NO
I need to learn to say NO. I haven't made it official, though, or not sure it is a good word, but I do need to stop overextending myself.
No is a very good word. A primal word.
DeleteVery primal.
DeleteI just said no to something about an hour ago, so I am patting myself on the back. I have to for my sanity.
Love the word you have chosen. It makes me think we should sit back a bit and enjoy the things we have already been given.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about your slump. I can think of a dozen books that might knock you out of the slump, but you may not want suggestions. If you do, holler at me on my blog.