As the title suggests, it’s been a while since I’ve talked about books on this blog. It probably doesn’t help I’m blogging pretty inconsistently these days, but the point is, when I do blog I focus more on TV/movies. I’ve been reading plenty, but this has pretty much been the okayest year of reading for me so far since I got serious about my reading. Almost everything has been getting 4 stars, which I might have inadvertently been turning the new 3 star into. Technically 3 stars should be average but still enjoyable, right? I think several of the books I’ve read have genuinely rose above that into 4 star territory, but some were probably more like 3’s or 3.5’s, but I always try to focus more on my positive feelings for books than my negative ones. Besides, I read books I hope to like and intend to like. If I’m not feeling a book I DNF it, which thankfully doesn’t happen very often.
But it’s been entirely too long since I’ve read a book that I felt really got into my soul the way I want my 5 star reads to do. When I find that book, believe me, I will discuss it here. The closest I’ve gotten is Better Off Friends, which is the only book I’ve read this year I’m calling a true 5 star, but even it is a little bit of a low-end 5 star, if that makes any sense. (Please tell me I’m not the only one with such complexities and nuances within simple numeral ratings.) I thought A Wrinkle in Time might be for that book for me this year, but then I felt the ending lacked a little something to really take it all the way there for me. And then on top of all that, I just didn’t love Dunkirk (the movie) the way I really wanted to. So dang it, what’s wrong with me?
I’ve been rereading Harry Potter this year though, and reread two other books as well, and those have all still been great. My soul can still be reached, the dementors haven’t quite gotten me yet. 😉 But it can be hard to find those elusive unicorn stories that really check off all the boxes, especially since I’m reading “only” 45ish books a year (a lot compared to many people, but very few in the online bookish community). I have been trying to switch up genres a good bit, so I don’t think I’m too burnt out on anything in particular.
I’m not in a reading slump, not really, but I’m really itching to find that next great story to read. And meanwhile, writing has been hard. How much do I change my WIP of years? Do I keep editing that and try to query it again, or focus exclusively on something newer? Of course, it doesn’t help I’ve been avoiding writing a lot lately too. So I’ll just keep reading and try to keep writing too, and hope that one day something magical sticks.
How’s your reading year sizing up? Do you have any book recs for me that might help make my reading year feel a little better than OK?
It’s funny, but I’ve noticed that books that I would before rate a 3, or 3.5, have been getting rounded up to a 4, too. If I’m honest, I’ve been finishing fewer and fewer books these days, so if I do finish it, I almost feel like it deserves a 4. This year has definitely been a not awesome reading year. I’ve read a few books that I liked, but nothing has been even close to a 5 star read. My GR goal is 45 (lol), but I’m 5 or 6 books behind right now. So…you’re not alone…if that makes you feel any better.
Good luck on the writing! I truly can’t wait to someday read your work! 🙂
Thanks so much, Natalie! That really means a lot to me! I’m sorry you’re not having the best writing year either!
I’ve decided to not focus on reading 100 books this year, so my reading count has also been down (only 34 so kind of close to yours!). I have also been watching more movies too! But haven’t seen Dunkirk yet, though sorry to hear you didn’t completely love it!
I have no experience with writing, but I would say just stick to your gut. If you feel inspired and motivated enough to start something new, then do that! Or yeah, just read for a while and see what happens 😀
But when my writing whimsy wants to work on something new everyday, it’s hard to commit to one project. 🙂 I try to indulge it some though, because I don’t have deadlines to worry about.
I’ve been in a bit of a reading slump as well! I’ve been thinking to reread A Wrinkle in Time too – although now I’m afraid it won’t shine so brightly to me if I read it now as an adult. I don’t have a particular book rec that I think would really captivate you (although I’ve enjoyed my recent reads lately) but Jane, Unlimited by Kristin Cashore is a book i’m really looking forward to. I think I’ll devour it when it comes out. I really hope it lives up to the hype it seems to be getting!
I would be curious to hear your thoughts if you do reread, just on your impressions as an adult vs a child. I did think it was really great in a lot of ways, but the way she saves to Charles seemed really obvious to me, so it made the ending fall a little flat to me. I was totally into the whole adventure though.