Let's Talk Slumps

Adventure Time

I have been in a real reading slump since late 2014.  Yes that's right, 2014.  For a book blogger and a life-long reader, this long of a slump is really defeating.  This isn't to say I haven't read any books.  I definitely have read quite a few over the last year and a half (I even managed to review most of them :O).  But the volume of my reading and the enjoyment I get from reading has taken a slow descent.

I can pretty much pin point where the slump started and when it got really bad.  In January 2014, I was promoted at my job.  This job, in general, is my first "big girl" job.  It's a full-time career with the potential for continued growth.  It's in a field I find fascinating, but is also full of high stress situations.  And when I got my promotion, I had only been working in my previous position for 6 months.  So I felt more pressure to "perform". This led to me being very stressed and tired at the end of each day; I had no desire to do anything, let alone read.

Luckily, I was still in graduate school and that required me to read as I was getting my degree in Library Science.  Yay, a reason (beyond wanting to, because at this point that wasn't a good motivator) to read YA/Children's lit.  This had me on a good path; not as productive as previous years, but still reading. Then two major things happened: (1) I graduated from graduate school; and (2) I got my second promotion to a Team Manager, which is essentially being one of the bosses in my office.  This led to almost a complete halt on my reading.

I'm not exaggerating that I have so far only read 4 full books this year, when in the past I well surpassed 50.  This has led to me being in a slight depression, further fueling my lack of passion for reading.  It's been a whole big mess, but I think I'm finally coming out of it.

I know I'm not the only one out there who has felt the same, so I thought of some things that have helped me deal with this, and have finally turned it around.

1. Mix Up the Genres - I typically read young adult, and a lot of sci-fi/fantasy within that umbrella.  However, I mixed it up, and not only changed genres but also switched "age levels" moving to adult fiction.  I read more magical realism and contemporary fiction with some suspense thrown in.  Now that I "cleansed" my palette, I'm ready for young adult again.

2. Re-Read Favorites - I have three books that I consider my go-to favorites: Sandry's Book (Circle of Magic, #1) by Tamora Pierce, Searching for Dragons (Enchanted Forest Chronicles, #2) by Patricia Wrede, and Hard Love by Ellen Wittlinger.  I can re-read each of these books, and they bring me to my happy place.

3. Change Up the Visuals - Comic books were a big thing for me at the end of last year; my sister has always been a big collector, but now that we both have steady, well-paying jobs, comics have become a thing for me too.  I love sharing this with my sister, and I know that comic books count towards reading, but when I talk about my slump I strictly mean traditional books.  I've been devouring comics like crazy actually, which I think has helped jumpstart me on the path back to reading books.

4. Plan a Time to Read - Scheduling reading time has really gotten me back on track.  I know it may seem weird to make it an action item for my day, but I work really well with structure and I'm use to reading for school.  So I make a point of having a designated reading time each day where, no matter what, I read.  It can be for 5 minutes or it can go for two hours (depends on the book), but I end up reading each day.

5. Remember That Reading is Fun - This is the most important  piece of advice I took for myself.  I had to remember how much I like to read and why.  One of the MAJOR ways I am doing this is that I, along with one of my good friends Erin who blogs at Uniquely Geeky Girl, started a book club.  It's called Gone with the Book Club, and it focuses on YA books.  I'm really excited about it because while I can obviously geek out over books with all of you and on social media, doing the whole community building, face-to-face thing is something I miss.

So there you have it, my woe is me reading slump tale.  I'm trying to get back into the swing of things not only with my reading, but also with my blogging.  Hopefully I succeed and I'm back to the Eli you all know and love.

If you've ever experienced a book slump, let me know in the comments what you did to snap yourself out and hopefully if you're in a slump, my suggestions can help a little!

Tweet

Let's Talk About It - Amazon VS Hachette

I'm not sure if you're all aware, but Amazon is once again throwing it's weight around when it comes to publishers and the books it will carry.  This time the dispute is with Hachette Book Group.  There are always disagreements between retailers and publishers.  The publishers want to make a profit on of their product, and the distributors do as well, but also want to be competitive with other retail outlets for said product.  That means, usually being the lowest priced.  When it comes to Amazon, you'd be hard-pressed to find a bigger retailer, especially when it comes to books.  This is what makes it such a difficult situation for everyone involved, when the two sides, retail and publisher, cannot find common ground that works for all.

Below are some articles by people far more intelligent and grasping of the situation then me.  For a quick overview, check out the L.A. Times article, I found it to be the easiest to understand.  The School Library Journal article is pretty comprehensive, and then of course I have the three articles with some big names (John Green, James Patterson, and Malcolm Gladwell; the latter two are actual Hachette authors) speaking out against the situation.  Then for funsies (and for serious), Stephen Colbert (who is also a Hachette author) brings the situation up on The Colbert Report which witty commentary.

Amazon and Hachette: The Dispute in 13 Easy Steps (L.A. Times)

Authors John Green and James Patterson Stuck in Midst of Ongoing Battle of Amazon vs. Hachette (School Library Journal)

John Green Criticizes Amazon.com in Book Dispute (AP)

James Patterson: ‘If Amazon Is the New American Way, Then Maybe It Has to Be Changed’ (Vulture)

Malcolm Gladwell ‘Surprised’ to Become an Amazon Bargaining Chip

The Colbert Report
Get More: Daily Show Full Episodes,Indecision Political Humor,The Colbert Report on Facebook

Tweet

TFAT: Bookish Questions

Just for fun, I thought I'd answer a few Bookish Questions.  I love these kinds of things, so I encourage everyone to complete them as well and link your posts in the comments!

Question #1: Do you have a certain place at home for reading?
       I have a armchair in the corner of my bedroom with a drafting table, that's kind of my little reading nook/computer nook.  The drafting table is a portable one, so I can fold it up to store it away and just curl up in my chair.  It's a nice quiet place to read. But I can read anywhere.

Question #2: Bookmark or a random piece of paper?
       I have a pretty good bookmark collection, but I don't always remember to stick one in my current book.  When that happens, I'll use anything, but most often it's a receipt dug out of my wallet.

Question #3: Can you stop reading anytime you want or do you have to stop at a certain page, chapter, part, etc.?
       If I'm really into a book I won't want to stop, but I can stop anywhere.  I don't have a particular place or requirement.

Question #4: Do you eat or drink while reading?

       I'll have a drink nearby, but I rarely eat anything while reading; I wouldn't want to get the pages all dirty.  I also make people who borrow my books follow this rule too.

Question #5: Can you read while listening to music/watching TV?

       If I'm reading for school sometimes I have to have silence, but if I'm reading for fun, other noise doesn't bother me.  I zone all the things around me out, and if I can't that usually means I just can't get into a book.     

Question #6: One book at a time, or several at once?

       I have several going at once, otherwise I'd never get any read!     

Question #7: Reading at home or everywhere?

       I read all the places!  I always have a book in my bag because if I'm waiting for anything I whip it out.

Question #8: Reading out loud or silently in your head?

       Reading aloud bothers me to no end, unless it's poetry.

Question #9: Do you read ahead or skip pages?

       I am an awful read the last page/last chapter person.  But it never bothers me, because it is the journey I love.

     
Question #10: Breaking the spine or keeping it new?

       I try my hardest to keep it new, unless I own a couple copies then I break the spine like crazy!  Or if I'm reading an ARC (unless it's a signed ARC), then I don't care as much.

Question #11: Do you write in books?

       If I have multiple copies, if it's for school, if it's a line I can't get out of my head.

Tweet

Thoughts From an Acute Triangle: Getting Over the Blogging Blues

Thoughts from an Acute Triangle is a feature where I discuss things related to books, authors, reading, or just me.  This is a place for me to be a little brainy or a little silly.  The conversation is always open for comments and if there is ever a topic you want me to discuss, please leave a comment!

I've been in a slump lately. For a couple months now in fact. I've been in a blogging slump. I haven't really posted consistently, or really commented on anyone else's posts. I've been feeling apathetic and drained. This has made me sad, which in turn made me even less likely to post. But at the same time I have loved this time. A time where I didn't feel obligated or trapped. I could read whatever I wanted and really enjoy reading agin. But it became a vicious cycle, and I've been slowly trying to rally. I love book blogging, even if it's only for myself. I want to continue doing it.

Writing this post is helping.  Just writing something about books, even if it never makes it on the blog, has been helping.  I posted my first Waiting on Wednesday in over 3 months yesterday (click the link to see it!).  Before that I had sporadic posts: a new bookshelf tour, asking for help with book reviews for The Florida English Journal, and three Blog Tour Stops.  But, hopefully, moving forward I ca get back in the swing of things.

So to gather some techniques, I went to that all-encompassing, vast repository of knowledge: Google.  And I googled "How to get out of a blogging rut".  Here's some helpful sites I found.

• The SITSgirls offer these 5 gems to help you out.
• Tiny Buddha offers wise words for all you rut needs.
• A Quirky Girl offers these quirky tips
• Brand Camp offers some building blocks to dig you out of the rut.

And as I've come through the other side with some bright eyes and bushy tails, I offer this nugget: It is okay to be selfish. It is okay to take a break. It is okay to stop doing something. It is okay to start again. It is okay to still love patiently. And it is okay if you're a little scared. Take a step in a direction and commit.

So I'm committing again.  I took a break, which turned into a three month long selfish claiming of time.  But I've taken a step back and realized that I love this, and I'm going to keep doing it.  Even if I'm a little scared that I'm going to fail again.  But nothing tried, is nothing gained.

Tweet

Cover Love

Cover art is one of my favorite things about physical books.

I like to put the books into categories, and talk about them.

What are some of your favorite covers? Do you have categories? 

Do you have pet peeves? Let me know!

Books mentioned:

The Fault in Our Stars

Everything You Need to Survive the Apocalypse

Hourglass

Hereafter

Wolves, Boys and Other Things that Might Kill Me

The Mockingbirds

Sisters Red

Zombies VS Unicorns

Tweet

New Adult: The New Genre on the Block

I'm probably behind the times in talking about this, but I just discovered this new genre through a book I recently read, Royal Street by Suzanne Johnson.  While researching for my review, I saw that this book can be considered "New Adult".  I didn't have any clue what that meant, but after I did a little research, I thought it was such a great idea!

Obviously not a new idea in terms of writing, but definitely a new idea in terms of marketing, New Adult is a line that was first pursued by Dan Weiss, Publisher at Large for St. Martin's Press, and his Editorial Assistant, S. Joe-Jones.  Weiss is a veteran in the publishing world, bringing to the world the Sweet Valley High series, among other things.  He saw a niche that was being underutilized and felt he could really develop something new for readers.

Basically, New Adult tends to center around protagonists who are between 18 & 26 years old.  They are usually in a transitional period where they aren't children, but haven't quite established themselves in their adult lives.  This means that they could be entering college, graduating, starting a their first career, or entering that first serious relationships.  It's a lot of "firsts", but in a way that is different from what a teenager would experience.  I like how Kristen Hoffman put it in her article, "New Adult: What Is It?", "As the saying goes: old enough to know beteer, but still too young to care" (2010, para. 3).  She goes on to say, in reference to herself and friends, "It's a strange time, because we're technically adults, but most of us feel more like overgrown kids" (Hoffman, 2010, para. 2).  This sentiment, I feel, perfectly encapsulates the need for this genre.

As a "20something" myself, I often feel like I'm in this constant battle, trying to figure out where I fit in now that I'm not in high school, but also when I'm not an adult with a mortgage, a husband, and two kids.  I think New Adult is a great opportunity for people n the same type of transitionary period of their life to tell their stories and write books about characters reflecting their lives.

There are some great books out there that could already fall into this genre, and an opportunity for more and more to be added.  Some of my favorite "adult" books I would re-categorize as New Adult: Juliet, Naked by Nick Hornby, Something Borrowed by Emily Griffin, Prep by Curtis Sittenfield and Psych Major Syndrome by Alicia Thompson.  Obviously there are a ton more examples, and the genre is ever expanding to include books in all realms, not just contemporary (Royal Street is a good example of this).

I think this is an exciting new genre and a great addition to the book world.  The fact that more publishing houses are starting a New Adult line means more opportunity for readers and writers.  I like that the publishers are realizing that there are still needed distinctions.  Not to pigeonhole but to expand.  There are some interesting sites that you can check out if you want to learn more about New Adult: NA Alley, 20 Something Reads, and Confessions of a Twenty Something Fiction Writer.  All three have really good resources and book recommendations!

So what do you think?  Love New Adult?  Hate New Adult?  Needed niche or superfluous addition?  Let me know your opinion in the comments!


Reference:
Hoffman, K. (2010). New adult: What is it? Writer'sDigest.com. Retrieved from http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/guide-to-literary-agents/new-adult-what-is-it

Tweet

DNF Reviews: Yay or Nay?

Lately, I have been reading many blogs which post DNF reviews.  For those of you who don't know, DNF stands for "Did Not Finish".  This is in reference to a book that, for whatever reason, the reviewer couldn't or wouldn't finish.  These reasons can range from "I didn't have the time, but I still liked it" to "This was the worst book on the face of this Earth".  Usually, at least for the ones I've encountered, they tend to land in the later category.

From what I can surmise, a DNF review serves the purpose of allowing a reviewer to tell exactly the reasons why he/she could not enjoy a book.  Characterization, writing, world development, the list goes on.  I can see the benefits to this.  It's always nice to read the other perspective on a book.  For instance, I loved a book I just read, Immortal City by Scott Speer, but a blogger I greatly admire didn't enjoy it at all.  See, people have a difference in tastes.  It happens.

However, with many DNFs that I've read, and this is no way pertaining to all DNF reviews, they turn into bitch sessions or "let's-tear-this-author-down" reviews.  Granted, that is part of freedom of speech, but I have to wonder, who does it benefit?  It doesn't benefit me to read some vitriol spewed rant. It does benefit me to read the logical reason why a person didn't finish a book.  This actually gives me reasons, not hate, to consider.

I understand that sometimes people really dislike a book.  I mean really dislike.  But let's face it, somewhere someone LOVES the book you hate (in addition to the author who probably worked really hard on it) so having some respect and decency when one writes a DNF is just good manners.  And while one has the right to review any book regardless of pages read, is it really fair to do so if they've only read 10-20 pages of a book?  Personally, I don't think so, as one can't possibly be informed on the actual content of the book.  But then again, I don't write DNF reviews period.

I guess the point I'm trying to make is that I understand the place for DNF reviews.  I think if done constructively and in a civilized tone, they actually benefit readers, and perhaps even writers in their future endeavors.  I think it's when they cross the line into hate reviews that it isn't necessary.  Negativity like that doesn't reflect well on anyone.

What do you think?  Do you write DNF reviews?  Do you think they serve a good purpose?  Do you hate them with a fiery passion?  Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

Tweet

Thoughts from an Acute Triangle: Book to Movie Adaptations

Thoughts from an Acute Triangle is a feature I started where I discuss things related to books, authors, reading, or just me.  This is a place for me to be a little brainy or a little silly.  The conversation is always open for comments and if there is ever a topic you want me to discuss, please leave a comment!

Let me know what adaptations, or just movies, you're looking forward to!

Where I got my shirt - http://teeraiders.com/
Unfortunately it was one of those limited time/limited printing deals, but they are always having awesome shirts up, so I'd still check it out!

CHECK OUT MY GIVEAWAY OF STARTERS BY LISSA PRICE - http://bit.ly/GzFZX9
---------------------
Movies Listed:
The Hunger Games
Goodreads -- http://bit.ly/GFjIdT
IMDB -- http://imdb.to/GFiwHu

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
Goodreads -- http://bit.ly/GJnb4A
IMDB - http://imdb.to/GJnfRO

The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Goodreads -- http://bit.ly/GFlls0
IMDB -- http://imdb.to/GFl4Fq

Mirror, Mirror
Goodreads - http://bit.ly/GJmxE5
IMDB - http://imdb.to/GJmJTY

Snow White and the Huntsman
Goodreads - http://bit.ly/GJmxE5
IMDB - http://imdb.to/GJmSqt

The Great Gatsby
Goodreads -- http://bit.ly/GFkBD7
IMDB -- http://imdb.to/GFkMOK

On the Road
Goodreads -- http://bit.ly/GFkXcU
IMDB -- http://imdb.to/GFkWFX

The Hobbit
Goodreads -- http://bit.ly/GFlqvN
IMDB -- http://imdb.to/GFm2Br

Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Sea of Monsters
Goodreads -- http://bit.ly/GFmLTj
IMDB -- http://imdb.to/GFmOyq

The Forest of Hands and Teeth
Goodreads -- http://bit.ly/GFn1BL
IMDB -- http://imdb.to/GFmWy2

Ender's Game
Goodreads -- http://bit.ly/GFmksa
IMDB -- http://imdb.to/GFmzmY

Tweet

Thoughts from an Acute Triangle: Let's Talk Book Giveaways!

Thoughts from an Acute Triangle is a feature I started where I discuss things related to books, authors, reading, or just me.  This is a place for me to be a little brainy or a little silly.  The conversation is always open for comments and if there is ever a topic you want me to discuss, please leave a comment!

One of the things I love love love about the book blogging community is how very generous everyone is! I mean, there's a giveaway every time you turn around!  And I, just as much as the next book lover, really appreciate it!  The thing I don't appreciate is jumping through hoops to enter.

Now don't get me wrong, I understand that you want to get something back for being so generous, but sometimes too much is too much.  I know that if I am confronted by a list of 8+ things to do to win one book, I don't bother.  First, because it is too much to keep track, and second, because I just feel like simplicity is best.

To get the most out of your giveaways, you should concentrate on the aspects of your blog you might want more attention on.  For instance, instead of having GFC follower, Twitter, Facebook, Tumblr, Goodreads, comments, blog posts, sidebars, tweets, and email, focus on 2-3 that need more focus.  GFC, Twitter and Facebook or tweet, GFC, and blog post, etc.  These are more than enough, and focuses all the awesome influx of people one gets during a giveaway.

After the required & suggested entries, the next part that irks me is how I have to enter.  Comment entering is annoying to me, usually because people aren't specific about what to leave, especially when there are extra entries.  If it is clear then I try to not complain, especially when I'm the one benefiting.  But, as I've done commenting in the past before I was Google Docs and Rafflecopter savvy, I know first hand how hard it is to count all the votes.  And I know I probably missed something.  So in that respect, I never know how accurate comment entering is, especially when there are a ton of extra entries.

My two favorite ways to enter are the ones I mentioned above, Google Docs and Rafflecopter.  Both are organized and clear.  For Google Docs, I can have the form open in one window, and the giveaway/extra entries open in another so it is easy for me to fill out.  With Rafflecopter, there are awesome buttons they add for things like tweets, following on Facebook or Twitter, and you can make your own.  If I had to choose, I would go with Rafflecopter as my favorite because it is just so so easy to both enter as the follower and edited/moderate as the creator.

I just think that with the overly complicated giveaways, blogs loose more followers than they gain.  I think it's important to concentrate on content, and the areas you really want to highlight, rather than bumping up followers with so many required or extra entries.

Those are my thoughts on the subject.  Leave me a comment telling me what your opinion is!

Tweet

Thoughts From an Acute Triangle (4)

Thoughts from an Acute Triangle is a feature I started where I discuss things related to books, authors, reading, or just me.  This is a place for me to be a little brainy or a little silly.  The conversation is always open for comments and if there is ever a topic you want me to discuss, please leave a comment!

I was up at 3am with some crazy insomnia.  This is what results from it.

A. Age: 23, nearly 24, which I really can't believe.  Am I too old to have a sleepover with cookie decorating?
B. Bed size: Twin...I need a new grown-up bed, but they're so expensive!!
C. Chore that you hate: I don’t like any chores. Only fun stuff please. I’m like a petulant child.
D. Dogs: Beagle/Bassett Hound mixes!  That's what my baby is.  Beagles are my family dog as well; Wooh Beagles!
E. Essential start to your day: Snooze button, snooze button, and more snooze button.  Then some juice.  Then some really obnoxious gangsta rap.  Yeah weird, I know.
F. Favorite color: I really enjoy bright colors but not neon bright: yellows, pinks, blues, & greens are my favorites.  Recently though, I've gotten really into gray for nail polish.
G. Gold or Silver: Silver has always been the go-to jewelry for me.  However, I do own some gold for those outfits that you just need gold for.
H. Height: 5'11&a half.  I'm JUST under 6' and I'm kinda pissed about it.
I. Instruments you play: I play the trumpet and the oboe.  Very different things to play, but I'm just so talented.
J. Job title: Graduate Student/Bookseller.  Not that I make too much money doing either, but that employee discount is one hell of a benefit.
K. Kids: Nada.
L. Live: Tampa, Florida, U.S.A  When it's nice outside, I love it.  When it pours for days I loathe it.  Alas, weather.
M. Mother’s name: Michele. With only ONE L; Don't screw it up.
N. Nicknames: My parents were very adamant that I be called Elizabeth growing up, but my best friends were always allowed to call me Lizzie.  Nowadays I answer to Elizabeth, Liz, Lizzie, Eli, or The Mayor...that one's a long story.
O. Overnight hospital stays: Huh...Why would the people who created this tag include this?  But just for the record, the only time was when I was born.  I turned yellow; it was a problem.
P. Pet peeves: I don't have enough time in the day, but really nasally voices are the worse, which I realize people don't have control over.  I'M SORRY MY PET PEEVE DISCRIMINATES BUT YOUR VOICE IS ANNOYING!!!
Q. Quote from a movie: "Carpe diem. Seize the day, boys. Make your lives extraordinary." - John Keating (Robin Williams): Dead Poets Society
R. Right or left handed: Right is might.
S. Siblings: Older sister (28), who you've had the pleasure of meeting in my VALA videos.  Younger brother (15), who has also made a cameo in a video or two.  Love 'em.
T. Time you wake up: Well since I work very irregularly (which is so annoying), and my classes are on-line, I sleep 'til 10am.
U. Underwear: Ummm, another weird question.  1. Why wouldn't you wear them? 2. I wear hipsters.
V. Vegetable you hate: TOMATOES ARE THE BANE OF MY EXISTENCE.
W. What makes you run late: Reading and blogging.  Oh and Youtube taking forever uploading my videos!!!
X. X-Rays you’ve had: Head and feet.  Not going to discuss why.
Y. Yummy food that you make: Also known as Yummy Food Others Make Me: Pumpkin Bread, SuperChocolate Brownies, and Stuffed Porkchops.  Damnit, I'm hungry now.
Z. Zoo animal: Penguins and owls all the way.  I also really love bears.  They look so cute, but can kill you so easily.  Same with tigers.  Stupid predators with big teeth!!

Okay, now that that's done I suppose I should go to bed....If you do this, link it below!  GOOD NIGHT!!

Tweet

Thoughts from an Acute Triangle (3): The Banned Books Week Edtion

Thoughts from an Acute Triangle is a feature I started where I discuss things related to the book field.  This is a place for me to be a little brainy.  The conversation is always open for comments and if there is ever a topic you want me to discuss, please leave a comment!

Let's talk about Banned Books Week, in particular this pleasant article from USA Today contributor, Jonah Goldberg, in which he claims Banned Books Week is just "hype".

Now this might enrage me a little more than others, as I am a member of the American Library Association and studying to be a librarian, but I feel like this article is simply an attack against the ALA and librarians as a whole.

Goldberg writes, "Banned Books Week is an exercise in propaganda" (2011).  Is it propaganda to promote the intellectual freedom of our society?  Is it propaganda to try to stop individual citizens from applying their opinion and views on every other person within that community?  No, real propaganda is thrown in your face each day when you watch television, when you pick up the newspapers, and when you turn on the radio; Because if you know the definition then you would know that propaganda is a form of communication that is aimed at influencing the attitude of a community toward some cause or position so as to benefit oneself.  I don't think promoting propaganda is what the ALA is doing with their news articles and their highlighting of banned books.  The only thing they possibly gain from it, is the promotion of intellectual freedom and the importance of reading.

Goldberg additionally states, "Indeed, it's a staple of nearly every major newspaper to at least let the American Library Association air its dire warnings about the growing threat to the freedom to read" (2011).  Well let us walk back in time and examine why there would be such a fierce position against the threat to the freedom to read.  In 1933, Nazi German authorities started to synchronize professional and cultural organizations with Nazi ideology and policy.  On May 10, 1933, university students, under the guidance of Joseph Goebbels, Nazi Minister for Popular Enlightenment and Propaganda, burned over 25,000 volumes that were deemed "un-German".  This act ushered in an era of state censorship and control of the culture.  Now you might think I'm being ridiculous, but the censorship of books is the first step to this horrendous act.  And book burning still takes place in America, typically by the American right, which is just as much of a problem as Goldberg claim's the "American left" is (2011).

But I think the statement that Goldberg wrote, which made me the angriest was: "As an educational enterprise, it denigrates the United States as a backward, censorial country when it's anything but.  It demeans parents and other citizens who take an interest in the schools" (2011).  Now I don't believe he understands what the ALA does, but it is conveniently outlined within the ALA Code of Ethics.  Principle II states: We uphold the principles of intellectual freedom and resist all efforts to censor library resources.  Furthermore, principle IV states: We respect intellectual property rights and advocate balance between the interests of information users and rights holders.  The point is not to demean parents or other citizens, and the point is not that librarians feel the U.S. is some police state, but it is a fact that with the censorship, a limited amount of people are trying to dictate what other people should or should not read, and that is an infringement on their rights.

So with that said, I will continue to fight for peoples’ right to think what they want to think, say what they want to say, and read what they want to read, and yes that courtesy includes Jonah Goldberg even if he doesn't seem willing to extend the same courtesy to others by supporting a movement which is so important.

Tweet

Thoughts from an Acute Triangle (02)

Thoughts from an Acute Triangle is a feature I started where I discuss things related to books, authors, reading, or just me.  This is a place for me to be a little brainy or a little silly.  The conversation is always open for comments and if there is ever a topic you want me to discuss, please leave a comment!

This segment of TFAT is along the same lines as the last installment: books and making time to read them.

As I'm sure many of you bloggers know, it takes up time to keep a blog going.  I love it, but it definitely takes up time, because not only do I have my own posts (like this one here), but I love to read and reply to what my fellow bloggers are posting.  This is how you create friends, generate ideas, learn about all the new stuff going on.  I really really really love book blogging, but I sometimes have to force myself to make time in my schedule to do it.

This summer I've been lucky (and unlucky) to not have any university classes.  You'd expect this to open up a lot of free time to read and review books.  I can tell you it hasn't.  There are several reasons for this.  As I stated last time I'm kind of in a reading slump, but additionally I started working a lot more, which is good for the bank account, and bad for the reading.  I'm also part of the Black Belt Club at my Dojo, which eats up three nights a week, with training and weapons class.  Not to mention my personal writing.  That takes up so much of my time.

I also love television.  I realize many people probably think that TV is a waste of time, but I love it!  I think screenwriting is such a different animal than prose writing and I've wanted to write for a show like Community or Glee.  Something fun and bright.  Due to this love, I watch a lot of television, sometimes making notes, sometimes just being delighted in the story telling.  But ether way it eats up a large chunk of my time.

Through all this, I also have a LOT of friends.  Not tooting my own horn, just a fact.  And because they're out of university as well, they all want to hang out.  Dinner, movies, bowling, drinking, clubbing.  Lots of time taken away from reading.  And I don't want to tell them no and try to explain why.  It's such a weird conversation to have with people, "Oh I can't come out tonight because I'm taping a vlog talking about books"  or "I can't hang out because I have to get this review written even though I don't get paid".  Unless you do this, or you love books you really won't get it (At least as far as I've seen).

So through ALL that, I am having such problems keeping up with my reading and reviewing.  I don't know how to fix them either!  If you have some suggestions PLEASE leave them in the comments!!

Tweet

Thoughts from an Acute Triangle (01)

Thoughts from an Acute Triangle is a feature I started where I discuss things related to books, authors, reading, or just me.  This is a place for me to be a little brainy or a little silly.  The conversation is always open for comments and if there is ever a topic you want me to discuss, please leave a comment! 

Today I'm going to wow you with my thoughts on book slumps: why, where and when I get them.


Let us begin.

This summer is the first summer since I started university in Fall 2006 that I do not have a summer class.  That is due to the fact that I graduated with my one degree and only have a portfolio due for my second.  No classes needed.

This poses a problem in the fact that I am COMPLETELY BORED OUT OF MY MIND!!

Now many of you, especially those still in school or with full-time jobs, are probably booing at me right now.  Who wouldn't love a summer of practically no responsibility?  Who wouldn't love a summer with endless time to read.  Well that's the thing, I am one of the weird ones people.  When I don't have academics to focus on my brain goes"Duuuuuhhhhh."  And damnit I have books to read!!

For instance, I am taking part in a book tour where I have only 7 days to read a book.  Now I know in the grand scheme of things 7 days is a lot of time, but like I said I'm going through what I'd call the EPIC SUMMER BOOK SLUMP OF 2011!!!

I have about 5 reviews to write, 6 books to read, and my many posts to keep up with.  Not to mention job, family, and social obligations.  With all of that, my brain has gone on "La La" mode and I'm having a hard time switching it back to "Go Go" mode (did those modes both sound like 70s dances or what?)

This is causing major problems in my motivation and creativity levels.  So if you guys can offer any help, or just want to vent about similar frustrations I am ALL ears!

Tweet