Top Ten Tuesday is currently hosted by artsyreadergirl and has weekly topics for bloggers to respond to and share. Click the link for more info and to read more submitted posts!
This week’s prompt is about “bookish” (I have a real aversion to the word “Bookish” it makes me shudder to use it) achievements or confessions, so here we go:
1. Reading every night before sleep is good for sleep hygiene and is an easy way to keep a reading habit.
2. Reading lots of books every year! I when I first got back into a reading habit in 2021 I read 15 books, then in 2022 I read 30 books, and in 2023 66! I don’t think I’m going to keep the trend and make 120 this year though!
3. Finally embracing audiobooks last year, which is how I doubled my reading! I thought they were not for me because I found it impossible to focus on then, then someone gave me the tip to try 1.5x speed and that changed my life! Now I can listen while I do chores and exercise!
4. My English degree. It was a long time ago now (I graduated in 2009), and sure it wasn’t the most useful topic to study but some of the knowledge is still in my brain and I still enjoy the chance to pick at a good book.
I am still proud of the highest mark I got for an essay on Samuel Beckett that I swear I did so well on because everyone else did the same easy few options and I provided our teacher some variety! I think I got 71 which is scraping a first, whenever every thing else I wrote was in solid 65 (2.1) territory!
5. Having no qualms over not finishing a book! Some people have a bizarre fixation on finishing books they don’t enjoy, I don’t know why when there are infinite other – better – books to enjoy.
6. Reading widely and not sticking to one niche, or reading *only* those books hyped by social media, and that includes comic books! I actually don’t understand how people can stand reading only one genre – especially if it’s a really trope heavy one like pure romance or mystery novels. I would find the repetition really dull after a while.
7. Going to a book club for a just over a year (2019-2020) was a huge milestone for my social anxiety and I absolutely loved the discussions we’d have. It was such a great set of people who were all quite different but willing to listen in a true group discussion. I actually used to look forward more to the books I didn’t enjoy because someone would have some great points to make me think differently! Sadly the pandemic killed it.
8. All the analysis I spent time on for Bunny and All’s Well! I had such a good time picking at those books. I’d love to do this more but it’s so time consuming I reserve longer reviews and analysis only for the ones that get me super excited.
9. Writing reviews for everything I read is important to me. It helps me to consider what I actually enjoy in a story, which helps me choose better books and my memory is rubbish so they’re also a resource to look back and remember what I’ve read!
10. Giving Malazan a try! This series is quite a trek outside of my comfort zone being High Fantasy, and a very long series of very long books known for being dense AF! I’m reading them for love (my partner’s favourite books). I’m currently on Memories of Ice which is book 3 and I’m given myself permission to stop the series here if I’m still not completely loving it!
I’m sorry the pandemic killed your book club. That’s sad.
I have social anxiety, too, so kudos on joining that club! Good for you. 🙂
What word(s) would you prefer to use instead of bookish?
Good question, I think just “reader” – I first came across the overdue of this term “Bookish” on Instagram and TikTok and it seemed attached to a lot of Content focused on aesthetics and about *appearing* to be a reader – buying, making bookshelves look pretty, owning clothing with slogans – rather than actually reading and discussing books. I think that’s why it bugs me so much!
The audiobooks are good for mindless tasks – housework, walking, jogging, sitting on a bus! I couldn’t listen to them for anything that needed more focus. Sometimes I have them on for embroidery but depends what I’m working on.
I am fussy about narrators.. some I wish would not attempt to do accents. I’m sure your voice isn’t grating 😅
I think I got lucky with the people in my book club, which is why I’ve been hesitant to try another one! Plus I’m busier now at the weekend than I used to be! They did keep going over Zoom for a bit but I hated that format, Zoom was way worse for my anxiety!
Thank you 😊
I’m still not into audiobooks. I’m afraid that if I’m also doing something else, say for example knitting, that I won’t be able to concentrate. Also, I’m weird about voices although my voice is grating to a lot of people (it’s high pitched).
An English degree is, for sure, something you should be proud of. I would have loved to have studied English but I’m horrible with proper grammar.
I love that you branched out to a book club and attending for over a year is great. I joined and paid membership dues for our local fiber guild and went to a total of three meetings. This is one of the reasons I’ve avoided a book club. I’m very much an introvert.
Such a great list!
I’m trying to get back into reading before bed too, but instead I keep watching stupid videos every time. Ugh!!
Feeling a little called out for my bizarre fixation on finishing every book I start. I just don’t have it in me to DNF a book. I hope you have a fabulous week.
Here’s my TTT if you wish to visit – https://justanothergirlandherbooks.blogspot.com/2024/10/top-ten-tuesday-bookish-brags-and.html
Learning to like audiobooks was life-changing for me as well (at least in my reading life). I listen to them while I drive, clean, and exercise, which has allowed me to double my reading as well. 1.5 is usually too fast for me, so I stick with 1.25 speed.
Happy TTT!
Susan
http://www.blogginboutbooks.com
The speed definitely depends on the narrator! I usually have a fiddle around 1.2-5 and add what feels best for my brain. I never thought jogging and books would go together but surprisingly it works 😅
Audiobooks have helped me increase the number of books I’ve read. I’ll listen to them in the morning while getting ready for work, while fixing dinner, and doing a few chores. I’ve also taken time to read books in the morning after getting up, before getting ready for work. It’s helped me get through my TBR a bit more.
Pam @ Read! Bake! Create!
https://readbakecreate.com/goals-for-2024-3rd-quarter-check-in/
Sometimes audiobooks are the only reason I exercise. I need to do something while I’m listening, so I go for a walk.