Ch-Ch-Changes

Posted on | August 23, 2010 | 37 Comments

You may have noticed that my blogging has been somewhat sporadic of late. This has been for a myriad of reasons; I have been busier than normal with several projects and a busy calendar, which is going to become even more chaotic over the coming months. However, I have also been a bit of a malcontent when it comes to blogging. I doubt that it is anything more sinister than being slightly overwhelmed by a backlog of reviews and a lack of inspiration and motivation to catch up but I have been struggling a little in finding the joy I once did in my book blog.

So, changes are afoot at Paperback Reader. Nothing ominous or shocking, don’t worry. I love my website and I don’t intend to stop posting but I do need to recapture the passion I use to have for blogging. To begin with I want to return to my roots, as it were, and read from my own collection more. I have a strong background in English literature and I have a deep desire to read some classics (inspired, in part, by The Classics Blogger Directory that Amanda of The Zen Leaf has generously implemented). I will still read modern fiction but I am craving those older books (some no older than earlier this century and others several centuries old) that have been languishing on my shelves whilst I succumbed to the temptation of review copies and recently-published titles.

Becoming caught up in new titles has been an unexpected by-product of book blogging and it is something I have enjoyed; discovering new-to-me authors and following literary prizes and the organic buzz of the blogosphere has been fun but I miss my pre-blogging reading. I used to have the freedom to pick up books on a whim from my bookshelves and I am desperate for that level of choice once more. I am fifty pages from the end of my current read (a reread, no less, which I also rarely have time for anymore) and have absolutely no plans after that. I have freed myself from any thoughts of “Oh, I must read that Booker longlisted title or such-and-such a title for this deadline or that” and succumbing entirely to whim. I have many, many books on my bookshelves -classics, prize-winners, hyped books, cult classics, off-the-beaten track titles- that have been sidelined for too long and it’s time I return to the stacks. I intend no disparagement of new titles but there are books I own (some for several years) that are established classics and have stood the test of time; I feel less inclined to run the risk of newer fiction that I do for books that I trust are beloved by fellow bibliophiles for a reason. That’s not to say that I won’t be rushing to read the new Michael Cunningham/Haruki Murakami/Jeffrey Eugenides novels as I will but they are favourite writers and I know they will be worth the reading time.

Life is too short to not read the books I have been wanting to for years. Although I have been interspersing those reads with more recent ones, finding a balance on my blog between old and new, it has been more of juggling-act than reading for sheer pleasure. I’m sure I am not alone in feeling the need to immerse myself in quality literature, good stories and comfort reading without any pressure and the added insurance that it’s a book I am likely to love or escape in.

Creativity and inspiration will, I hope, return to my blog and I have some ideas for new features and the revival of old favourites to regale you with. I don’t foresee the shift in focus in Paperback Reader being too perceptible really to anyone except me but it’s important to me that you understand why I am going to be reading more for me than any outside influence. My posting style won’t change -although it will hopefully become regular again- but it should reflect the enthusiasm and enjoyment I have for reading and writing.

It is time to dust off some neglected books on my bookshelves* and blow away the cobwebs.

*a new bookcase has been built this weekend that I will be sure to share with you soon.

Comments

37 Responses to “Ch-Ch-Changes”

Novel Insights
August 23rd, 2010 @ 2:15 pm

Enjoy dipping into your own collection more and savouring those oldies but goodies!
Simon T
August 23rd, 2010 @ 2:21 pm

I remember making this decision after about 18 months of blogging! Which seems to be about where you are in timescale, am I right? I got tired of feeling guilty about not reading review books, whilst having hundreds of my own books I wanted to read… and so I turned to them instead. I think it’s definitely the right decision, Claire – we’re not paid to do blogs, it shouldn’t become an obligation – it should just reflect our joy in reading! It has meant, in my case, that I get offered fewer review copies than I did before, and turn down a lot, but my reading life is much happier than before. More power to you, my dear
Stujallen
August 23rd, 2010 @ 3:22 pm

I have felt same way ,now tend to mix older and newer books ,I feel guilty that I have a lot of books on my shelves that I ve not read but will get to them one day ,all the best stu
sakura
August 23rd, 2010 @ 3:31 pm

It is a balancing act, isn’t it? I sometimes get overwhelmed by the sheer number of books I have and not enjoying my reading because I feel pressured to read something within a certain timeframe. Sometimes I miss the old days when I had none of that. But this is your blog, and as Simon T says, you should enjoy your reading time! Good for you, I say. Looking forward to seeing your choices!
Verity
August 23rd, 2010 @ 3:32 pm

I think this sounds like an excellent way forward Claire – reading should be fun! And I can’t wait to see a much bigger picture of your delightful new shelves.
Laura
August 23rd, 2010 @ 3:54 pm

I can really relate to this post! When LibraryThing introduced its Early Reviewers program, I was briefly caught up in it but after reviewing 2 books and disliking both of them, I began to reconsider the whole review copy thing. Because it just wasn’t FUN. And, like you, I felt there were so many titles out there, some published ages & ages ago, that I very much wanted to read.

I no longer request LT ER books, and I never got involved in similar efforts run by publishers. In fact, it’s unusual for me to read anything published in the current year. I think there’s a distinct segment of the book blogging community that really enjoys that — and I’m glad to read their reviews as it helps me identify books I would enjoy.

I think readers like you and me define another segment of the blogging community (and really there are probably an infinite number of segments here, and no “official” definitions …) I share your interest in classics and while I love reading prizewinners, it’s more about “catching up” on literature I’ve missed over the years, not about reading this year’s nominees. So with that in mind I also registered with Amanda’s directory. Classics bloggers unite!
Mark David
August 23rd, 2010 @ 4:01 pm

I support you in your decision. I, too, have recently fallen out of the blogosphere and lost both will and inspiration. But I can assure you that you are right to think that going back to your “roots” will help revive that lost feeling. Blogging is a labor of love (yes, even when we’re ranting), so it is when we talk about what we love that we are writing our best.

Looking forward to the fresh, new posts you’ll soon share with us
Darlene
August 23rd, 2010 @ 4:13 pm

I requested one book for review and that was all it took for me to feel some sort of pressure to deal with it in a timely fashion. While it was a fun experience I remember thinking ‘careful what you wish for’! Your blog has provided me with so many insights into the sorts of book that I love such as classics and those by twentieth century authors. Glad to know there will more of that coming down the pike, Claire!
Amy @ My Friend Amy
August 23rd, 2010 @ 4:25 pm

yup, yup, totally understand! My reading time was recently decreased like by 75% percent which has forced me to make a similar change. Also I just want to be able to read a little less, enjoy that and not feel rushed through books. Good luck Claire!
Jenny
August 23rd, 2010 @ 4:33 pm

I completely understand too. With me, it’s not even so much that I’m inundated with review books (I rarely accept books for review), as that I just have so many sparkly new books on my TBR list that I neglect the ones sitting on my shelves at home. I know I reread less than I once did. A few times a year, I give up reading anything new and just go tearing through my old favorites. It’s lovely and refreshing. I hope your shift in focus refreshes you too!
Rachel
August 23rd, 2010 @ 5:26 pm

Phew! I was worried you were going to say you weren’t going to be blogging anymore! What a relief! I am delighted that you will be reading some more classics and revisiting your bookshelves – as I don’t read much modern fiction I will be pleased to read more reviews of books I am likely to own and need a push to read.

I know exactly how you feel. When I started getting review copies it was very exciting, but now I have several on a pile upstairs and the guilt and pressure I feel to read them removes all the pleasure of having free books to read. I also like to be able to dictate my own reading rather than having it dictated to me. So enjoy your liberation!
Steph
August 23rd, 2010 @ 5:58 pm

I definitely felt burnt out from ARC overload during my earlier days of blogging, when I was so voracious to get my hands on books that I lost focus for a bit and found my reading less enjoyable as a result. Thankfully I’ve really cut back this year, and as a result am sticking to my own schedules and my own reading whims, which have really helped a lot. I think it’s good for us bloggers to pull back and reevaluate every so often rather than falling into a rut.
Nicola
August 23rd, 2010 @ 6:21 pm

I admire your honesty in this post. I always say that the best book blogs are non-competitive and come from a pure love of reading. I only dip into contemporary novels from time to time. By the way, I’ve always wanted to title a post Ch-ch-changes after the David Bowie classic!
Simon T
August 23rd, 2010 @ 6:33 pm

I want to add – yours is one of my favourite blogs, and you’re one of the loveliest people I’ve met through blogging, so I’m so pleased that you’re carrying on – like Rachel I had a brief “oh no!” moment when I started reading
yvonne
August 23rd, 2010 @ 7:07 pm

I have only been blogging for a short while, but I am already beginning to feel constrained by it all. I find that I get panicky if I don’t blog every day. Also I am not getting so much enjoyment out of reading a book, because I am always thinking about how the review is going to sound, what quotes to use etc. I have decided to only read the books I want to, be they new and popular, or something I have had sat on my shelves for ages. What’s the point of reading something you are not going to enjoy, unless you are professional and getting paid for it of course. So good for you, do what your heart tells you, not your head!!
Emily
August 23rd, 2010 @ 8:29 pm

Amen, sister. Life is too short to put up with joys being transformed into obligations.
kimbofo
August 23rd, 2010 @ 8:46 pm

Good for you, Claire. It’s important to find a balance that works for you. I try to review two old books for every new book, but it doesn’t always work out that way. But I have become very good at not feeling remotely guilty about my reading or lack thereof. It’s a hobby, not a life or death commitment!

Actually, one of the reasons why I’m looking forward to going back to university so much is reading 20th century classics that I’ve never gotten around to, such as Ulysses (help!), Woolf’s back catalogue and a whole heap of other modernist novels.
Teresa
August 23rd, 2010 @ 9:55 pm

Breathing a sigh of relief that this wasn’t an “I’m not blogging anymore” post. And I totally agree with your choices. I think I’ve mentioned before that for me as soon as blogging starts to feel like drudgery or work then it’s time to rethink my priorities. I try to limit my review copies/obligations to one or two a month, which feels right to me. Everyone’s different, though, so we all need to figure that balance out for ourselves.
Kinna
August 23rd, 2010 @ 10:22 pm

Completely understand and support your decision. The best blogs are the ones where the blogger feels free to read what s/he wants and also blogs when s/he wants to. Glad you will be sticking around and looking forward to you mixing it up.
Susan in Texas
August 23rd, 2010 @ 10:47 pm

Good for you! Glad to have you back – I missed you while you were away and am grateful you aren’t giving it up. The pressure to “read for others” is what keeps me from public blogging. That and the pressure to actually get it done on a regular basis.
Tony
August 24th, 2010 @ 12:02 am

Wuss

No, really I can understand what you’re saying here; if you get showered with books by publishers, you’ll struggle to read anything else. I also prefer reading classics which have stood the test of time rather than a new release which some random strangers (or the Booker panel) have said might be worth reading

Luckily, I’m only being sprinkled with free books at the moment, so I still get to read some of my faves
diane
August 24th, 2010 @ 12:58 am

Are we spiritually connected? I was just thinking the same way. Why can’t I just read books I at one time desperately needed, instead of being obsessed with the latest books to hit the stores. SAD REALLY! Good Luck!
Becky from Page Turners
August 24th, 2010 @ 4:50 am

reading on a whim is the only way to do it
Nymeth
August 24th, 2010 @ 7:57 am

I know how you feel, Claire. I’m sure your new focus will be wonderful, and I very much look forward to seeing you post more regularly again!
Dot
August 24th, 2010 @ 10:20 am

Good for you Claire, it’s a fine line isn’t it juggling review copies and those books of your own that you really want to read. At the end of the day you have got to enoy doing it as that is what it is all about!
Simon (Savidge Reads)
August 24th, 2010 @ 11:16 am

I have noticed a slight lack of inspiration all around the blogosphere. I think the simple thing is blog when you want and what you want to blog about.

I am currently reading to deadline for a certain project, however in between I am reading some old books I have wanted to for ages, some comfort reading, some new books by favourite authors (Kate Atkinson) that I couldnt wait to read, some dipping into of short stories. Its been really nice.

We all need a droop now and again to give us a kickstart and let us rethink. People will follow you no matter how much or how little you post, and if its all from your personal choices I think your readers get to know the blogger even better.
Paperback Reader
August 24th, 2010 @ 11:51 am

Thank you all so much for your support. I knew that you would understand and that some of you would feel similarly (Simon T, it is a relief to know that the same happened to you at the same eighteen month mark and that you made same choice). I feel freer now that I have made the decision and look forward to enjoying reading and blogging once more.
The Blue Castle | Paperback Reader
August 24th, 2010 @ 1:13 pm

[...] The satisfaction and excitement I had reading The Blue Castle on a whim was at the root of my decision yesterday to do such things more frequently; I could not in any conscience deprive myself of future [...]
JoAnn
August 24th, 2010 @ 1:20 pm

Good luck implementing your changes, Claire. I think a lot of us have felt that way….so, return to your shelves and enjoy reading!
Vasilly
August 25th, 2010 @ 3:29 am

Claire, I think you’re reading my mind! I feel the same way about blogging and reading right now. School is keeping me too busy to blog and read right now. Good luck. I hope your passion comes back soon.
Jackie (Farm Lane Books)
August 25th, 2010 @ 2:33 pm

I really hope that you manage to enjoy reading/blogging again now you’ve made this change. I also felt the pressure of accepting ARCs after about 18 months. I’ve cut back a lot, but am still drawn towards the new book section of my library – I just love reading new books
Jodie
August 26th, 2010 @ 3:06 pm

Great idea to read the books you want to (sounds so simple doesn’t it, but as you know it int always that easy). I’m looking forward to seeing older books pop up here and hope you find your joy of blogging returns. Is this in any way related to Booker list fatigue? Some bloggers seem to be having a hard time with some of the books on there this year.
Amanda
August 26th, 2010 @ 3:22 pm

I feel exactly the same way, which is why, in part, that I DID start that classics directory. For me, I had a double-whammy of blogging and discovering that there WAS some modern books that I liked, almost two years ago, and I’ve been sort of running ever since. I’ve gotten bored, though, and have been going back to my roots. I’ve culled about 350 books off my shelves this summer and donated them in pieces to Half Price Books. I’m changing focus, and will probably be changing the way I blog over the next few months as well.
anothercookiecrumbles
August 27th, 2010 @ 4:07 pm

Best of luck implementing your changes, and hopefully, you’ll rekindle your passion for blogging soon enough

I think I’ve been mixing up my reading a fair bit – not reading too many new books on the trot, and reading some of the books that have been gathering dust on my shelf. I’m targeting getting the unread books on my shelf down to ten by the end of the year, so hopefully, that’ll help! Not sure if it’s a realistic target, but…
Recent Acuisitions | Paperback Reader
September 6th, 2010 @ 9:05 am

[...] over the last month. A number of these, if not all, have transpired from my recent desire to return to my reading roots and the above reflect my true and yet diverse reading tastes. Very few of the titles are actually [...]
BuriedInPrint
September 7th, 2010 @ 8:34 pm

It’s such a constant readjustment, isn’t it?! Regardless of where a voracious reader gets new books, whether review copies or not, it’s so hard to read everything. I really struggle, too, with the backlist/new book balance, not only the classics, but the slightly older contemporary literature that it’s so hard to make time for when there is something new and shiny beckoning. For instance, the new Jonathan Franzen and Michael Cunningham novels; I’m sorely tempted by both of these but I’m dabbling in these authors’ backlists now. Perhaps unfashionable, but good reading! I hope the joy floods back to you quickly.
LifetimeReader
September 19th, 2010 @ 2:14 am

How wonderful! I know this comment is quite late for your post, but I am thrilled to be finding so many bloggers interested in reading the classics. Right now I am stuffing my face with modern books (AS Byatt right now)–but starting 1/1/11, I’m starting a big classics project. I’m looking forward to seeing what you read!