When Did My Reading Habits Change?

 

Hi guys! I've been thinking about this topic for awhile now, but it basically boils down to the fact that I am not the same reader that I was when I started blogging three years ago. Heck, I'm not even the same reader I was a YEAR ago!

 

So... what in the world happened to me?

 

 

1. I became a distracted reader.

 

 

I used to be able to sit down and power through books. Nothing would distract me. It was me and my book and that was it! However, lately while I'm trying to read, I find myself getting up to do other things, mess with my electronic devices, etc. I always feel like I have a million things to do, so I can never just settle in to read. Unless it's the end of the night and I tuck myself into bed. That is when I get my best uninterrupted reading done.

 

2. I became a mood reader.

 

 

I used to be able to power through books. I could read book after book in the same age group or genre. I could pick up anything. Mood was never a factor for me. Until now. I've found myself simply not in the mood for some books and therefore, I won't read them. I'm having this problem with Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson right now. It's not that I don't like the book, because I do. I am definitely intrigued. But I don't want to read it right now. And I don't want to force myself either because I'm afraid that will hinder my enjoyment of the book overall.

 

3. I'm no longer good at planning out what I'm going to read.

 

 

I used to follow my schedule and spreadsheet like a champ. I can be quite OCD at times, so I like following a certain order. I am such a list maker, but I can't just pick and choose off my list, I like to go in order. However, that is also something that doesn't work as well for me anymore. I think it goes back to being a mood reader, so if I make a list of books to read and I'm not in the mood, then the list becomes pointless for me. Also, I don't like feeling pressured to read either. Just knowing that I HAVE to read it over WANTING to read it causes a problem for me. I could love the book. But I have to choose it on my own time.

 

 

Thoughts? Are you the same reader you once were or have you noticed things similar to mine have also happened to you?

 

 

 



Authors and the Impact They Have On Readers

 

Hi guys! I completely did NOT plan on sitting down and writing this, but after having three of the SE-YA in the Boro Book Festival Authors come into our school yesterday, I really felt inspired.

 

Yesterday authors from the book festival went to 19 different schools in our county to talk with students. At our school we had Katie McGarry, Helene Dunbar, and Colette Ballard and wow, what a great day it was!

 

Photo credit: Brian Seadorf, BHS Library

 

1st period one of our English teachers brought her creative writing class to hear the authors talk about their writing process, what it's like to finally get published, and talk about the journey of writing in itself. It was so fantastic!

 

I was fortunate enough to moderate the next panel where the authors talked more in depth about their books, why they write young adult, and share some awesome personal stories.

 

However, the coolest part came after. Seeing the kids interact with them and get so excited about their books and writing made my heart SO HAPPY.

 

A few English classes came to listen to the authors talk, but I also brought my Spanish class. I had talked to them about the authors previously, but not all of them are readers. One of my boys in particular, surprised the hell out of me when he came to me with a copy of Katie's Dare You To  in his hands and asked if he could run to his car because he thought he had $$ out there. He ended up buying the book and I think he got it signed too. Cool, right?

 

WAIT FOR IT....

 

Later on, I ran into him in the hallway and he had the book IN HIS HANDS and was like, "Ms. Mangi! I'm already on page 72! This is so good!" Yeah, I get a little teary-eyed just remembering it. The only book I had ever seen him with was 13 Hours by Mitchell Zuckoff. So to see him clearly enjoying Katie's book was everything.

 

 

These authors have the power to change lives. We all know this, as I'm sure we can't count on one hand all the authors that have changed OURS. Katie said it best when she said, "It's tough to be a teen these days." And I completely agree. There are so many outside factors that they have to deal with: broken home lives, abuse, drugs, bullying, hunger, feelings of despair and loneliness... and much more. They want to see they are not alone. To see a character going through hell themselves and coming out on the other side gives them hope.

I just had to share this with you all.

I know when I read Golden by Jessi Kirby a couple years back that I was forever changed by that book and the message it had to give. I would have done anything to have that book in my hands when I was a high schooler.

 Is there a book that completely caught you by surprise and changed your own life? Do you agree that authors have a huge impact on their readers?

How I Deal With Reading Slumps

 

Hi guys! So, I don't know about you all, but I'm the QUEEN of reading slumps! It usually happens when I'm reading too much and get burnt out. But I also get slumps when I read too much of one type of book or age group.

 

 

If I'm reading too much and I get burnt out, I usually need to take a reading break and do something else: catch up on my DVR, do some blogging, blog hopping, etc. I got so burnt out last year and it got to a point where I NEVER wanted to read.

 

I am one of those people who can't just read book after book after book. I need a break in between- usually to write my review. I don't do well when I put reviews off, because I forget things about the book I was so passionate and excited to talk about. So, because I need a break in between books (if I finish a book early in the day, I can usually start another that night or if I finish an hour or two before bed, I'll wait to start a new book the next day), and that has helped keep me from reading too much and getting burnt out.

 

If I'm reading too much of the same genre (which I tend to do- I read A LOT of contemporary romances), I find I need to switch it up. If I've read a few contemporaries, it's time to do a fantasy or a sci-fi book. The same goes with my age groups. If I read a YA, I typically try to pick a NA/Adult book afterwards. Sometimes I need the more adult feel and sometimes I flat out need the sexier content.

 

When you read too much of the same genre, I feel like it starts to blur together because so many of the same elements are there. So, it's nice to go from a contemporary romance to a historical fiction book, or something of that nature. It's like every time I read another genre, it's all shiny and new!

 

 

 

Teresa and I used to host a reading challenge called Jumble Your Genres, where each month focused on a different genre. I really liked that reading challenge and I don't know if anyone does something similar, but I may need to do something like that next year because it's so easy for me to fall in the contemporary romance hole!

 

So, that's what helps me! What about you guys? How did you deal with reading slumps? Do you switch genres and/or age groups to help you out?

 

 

 

Looking Ahead and Making Some Changes

 

Like most people, I do NOT do well with change. I am a very routine person and a creature of habit. So when you throw a wrench in said routine, I'm all...

 

 

However, after a slower blogging/reading year in 2015, I decided something HAD to change in 2016. I was at the point where I was just done. I didn't want to blog anymore, didn't want the pressure I placed on myself to get books read in a timely manner, and just didn't have the motivation to sit at my computer and do ANYTHING with blogging.

 

In short, I wanted to quit.

 

 

However, deep down that's not what I wanted. So I needed to take a break, sit down, and really think about what I needed to do to get back on track. How do I get excited about blogging again? What do I need to do differently this year?

 

I've seen my biggest issue on many of everyone's Top Ten Tuesday posts this week. To be pickier with books we request. I'm tired of the obligations of ARCs. I don't want the stress. I want to read books when I want to and not have to keep to a schedule or deadline. I have completely thrown my schedule and obligations out the window and yeah, I feel a bit guilty, but it also feels SO GOOD.

 

 

I got bored with my blog. It was memes and reviews. I had stopped with the blog tours, cover reveals, blitzes, etc. They were time consuming and again- OBLIGATIONS.

 

 

So, I started thinking about the original features I already had- my Music Monday and Tasty Tuesday. I feel my Tasty Tuesdays have gotten some good feedback, but my Music Mondays not so much. So, I decided it was time to revamp.

 

 

Thus, The Monday Musts were born! Every Monday I will be showcasing my three musts- Must Read, Must Listen, and Must See. This way I can still feature music, but keep it in more of a bookish setting. My Must See can be ANYTHING. Sometimes it will be bookish, but sometimes it won't. So I like that freedom. I am going to include a Linky so I hope some people will join me in doing this!

 

 

Next up is W...W...W... Wednesday, which is not an original feature, so I won't take credit for it. I did tweak the original version a bit though. Instead of the last question being "What are you reading next?" I made it "What are you waiting to read?" I don't always know what I'm reading next and I don't want that pressure.

 

SO! I have 2 new features that I am really excited for! They are low maintenance, which is nice too.

 

 

In addition to the GR challenge, I signed up for 4 reading challenges this year!

 



 

RIGHT?! At first I thought, "Wow this is a BAAAAAAD idea." But, then I got excited thinking about all the books I could tackle with these challenges. Not only would they help me read books I've been meaning to get to, but I'm hoping they'll motivate me to read PERIOD. I read 9 books last month y'all.

 

9!

 

That's a crazy low number for me. So, here's hoping these reading challenges will be a good thing and give me a little boost!

 

 

FINALLY, I want to do some collaborations with other bloggers. Whether it be joint reviews, read-a-longs, discussions, etc. I want to do more fun posts like that. Maybe I should even open up to doing guest posts, reviews, etc. I just want to connect more with the community and people I love so much. I can't be on Twitter as much as some others because I'm a teacher and there is zero time during the day to take breaks and chat. But I crave that social connection.

 

SO! Whew. That was a lengthier post that I anticipated. But it felt oddly cathartic to get that all out.

 

 

 

What do you guys think about the changes I plan on making?

 Or about my new features? What brings you to my blog? What do I do that you like and/or would like to see more of? Are you as excited to take on 2016 as I currently am?

 

 

Hi everyone! So, it's been awhile since I've done a discussion post, mainly because I've been busy, but also because I haven't had anything to say that hasn't already been said.

 

Well. Today I've got something to say. And I don't even care if I piss people off because of it.

 

 

 

Today I want to talk about something called RESPECT.

 

In light of a certain book's release this past week, it comes as no surprise that social media has been inundated with reader opinions. And you know what? That's great! There's nothing more exciting than discussing your feelings over a book than with other bookish friends!

 

HOWEVER. There has also been a lot of negativity and belittlement over those who may not share your opinions. Instead of maintaining a respectful 'agree to disagree', we have passive aggressive tweeting about how ridiculous you are if you read and judge a book based on the 'ship' or romance.

 

EXCUSE ME?

 

WHO THE FUCK ARE YOU TO JUDGE ME?

 

My reasons for loving a book are my own and no one else's. And to make others' feel shamed or afraid to express their opinions is absolutely WRONG and that makes you a damn bully.

 

Yeah, I said it. YOU. ARE. A. BULLY.

 

Fuck that shit.

 

If I don't agree with an author's direction in a book that is my right. I don't have to explain myself to you. And I don't have to defend my reasons for disliking it either. My opinion is my own and that's that. I would never tear someone down or make someone afraid to speak their mind just because they didn't agree with me.

 

We need to learn to agree to disagree and stop making others feel like shit because they may not be a part of the majority.

 

 

 

 

 

 



Social Media and The Impact It Has on Blogging and Reading

 

Hi everyone! I'm back with another discussion post! I don't really plan on when I'm going to do them, they just kind of happen. A conversation yesterday between a few of my blogging besties and myself really got me thinking about social media (namely Twitter) and the impact it has on the blogging community.

Recently, I saw someone (I can't remember who!) ask what made readers buy a book: reviews, GR, Twitter, etc. Quite a few people said Twitter was their preference, with reviews coming behind. I can definitely see the appeal of Twitter. It's quick and to the point, and if I see someone raving about a book, I'm more likely to check it out. Sometimes you can miss reviews, but Twitter is a constant source of updates and info.

With Twitter being such a huge entity and with people being more likely to check out a review from a tweet, it's a pretty consuming thing on a daily basis. I feel like I'm so out of the loop sometimes because my social media is really limited while I'm at school during the day. There are times when I don't really actively participate in social media and then it feels like I'm losing my presence. Does this make sense? There is SO much going on with Twitter that if you drop off the planet for a few days, it seems like it's sometimes hard to jump back in.

I've especially felt this recently with the whole #booksfortrade going on. I realize with YABE having shut down, there's not really a place to do it, but I feel like Twitter is inundated with it and being someone who is not participating, I have to admit I'm a little over it. My feed is so consumed with trading that I'm missing the actual reviews and chatter about what books are must reads!

Oftentimes because I'd rather read, blog, or comment after work instead of getting on social media, I feel that distance more than ever. With so many people primarily using Twitter, does this make blogs and reviews less important? If you don't have as much of a presence on social media and then try to get involved again, do people still pay attention?

Just some food for thought. What do you think? I realize this covered quite a bit, but it just seems like Twitter is so different lately and I'm not sure if that's a good thing or not...

 

What Blogging Has Done For My Life

 

I don't normally do this personal of a post, but I felt it was time. A few conversations with good friends have made me want people to understand just how much this community has done for me... and how it may have saved me too.

 

For those of you that may not know, 4 years ago I lost everything to an apartment fire. And I mean EVERYTHING. All I got out with were the pajamas on my body, my dog, and my car keys. No shoes, no purse, NOTHING else. My boyfriend at the time had the sense to grab our cell phones, but that was it. It was pretty awful to say the least.

 

And yet, it was a blessing in disguise. I had been with my boyfriend since 2006. (The fire occurred in 2011) Things between us... weren't great. And they hadn't been for quite some time, but I was a very selfish person who couldn't afford to live on my own and needed help paying bills. I know I cannot live my life with regret, but I did (and still do at times) for a long time. After my boyfriend broke up with me earlier in 2006, that should have been it. Instead, we got back together that summer and ended up moving in together a year or so later. Things were great for awhile, but then they weren't. He was not the type of guy I needed in my life. He wasn't a bad person by any means, but was content to live a stagnant life. He wasn't very ambitious and we wanted different things, but had gotten to a point where we were comfortable together. I had known him since 3rd grade and was one of my closest guy friends, so it was hard to let go. After the fire, I had to remain where I was to finish out the school year and he moved back in with his parents. While we were apart, it gave me such perspective, so one weekend while I was visiting, we both called it quits. It began as a mutual thing until a week or two later the 'I miss you' texts started coming in. I made the decision to cut him off cold turkey and therefore severed a 10 year friendship in the process. After being together 5 years (and being miserable and unhappy for about 3) I decided it was time to start a new life and move on. So that's what I did. There is much more to my story, but I will spare you the messy details. I am not proud of the person I once was, but I can definitely say this was a learning experience and I have grown up a lot in those 4 years.

 

I thought things would be great and that life would have so many things in store for me. I moved back home, started at a new school, and thought I was making new friends who I would really click with. Unfortunately, things didn't truly click for some reason. My excitement quickly faded and I felt so lonely, only having my parents to hang out with. I tried to reconnect with a few friends from high school, but it seemed like too much time had passed and they were already locked into their new lives with their own group of friends.

 

I turned 30 this past year and I have so many fears that I'll never find love, never get married and have kids, or just have someone to help shoulder the burdens of life and growing older. It's very disheartening, but blogging has helped quell a lot of that pain and loneliness. I feel my life has drifted into a very stagnant place, where I'm not going anywhere. I am not happy with my job and desperately want out of teaching. I don't know for sure that a career change will even make a difference, but I just feel the teaching profession is not where I'm going to find life long friends or a romantic relationship. This profession mainly consists of women and I have noticed a lot of them are already married with kids. It's hard to find people who have the time to go out for drinks.

 

Reading and blogging became an escape for me. I was not happy with my life, so I read about fictional ones. I made all these great blogging friends, started reading all these amazing books.... this community has helped bring me out of a pretty dark, hopeless place. There are times where I still succumb to that darkness, but being able to interact with my blogging friends seems to help pull me out quicker lately.

 

Things are still not the greatest in my personal life, but I have made so many friends through blogging that I talk to on a daily basis and that really helps fill the void of my lack of friendships here where I live. There are still nights where I get really lonely and sad because I have no one to call and go out with. I know that I need to put myself out there more, but after being in a relationship with a homebody who NEVER wanted to go out and socialize, I fear it's been extra hard to be that vibrant, outgoing girl I used to be.

 

I see so much pettiness in the community at times, with jealousy over ARCs, attention, and feeling the need to compete against others. I started this blog to help me remember the books I was reading, but it turned into so much more. I have made some of the most valuable friendships I wouldn't trade for the world and even though I don't get to see them face to face on a daily basis, I always know they are a text away if I need them.

 

So. Without blogging, I honestly don't know where I'd be. It was a great time filler for me and helped keep my mind off of the fact that it was the weekend and I was once again hanging out with my parents (who are awesome, but not exactly the best people to go out with if you're looking to maybe score some male attention!)

 

Thank you to all of you who have commented on my blog, befriended me on Twitter, fangirled with me over book boyfriends. You really have no idea the impact you've had on my life and I am so thankful I have met you all.

 

xoxo



Finding the Balance

 

I have been meaning to write this post for quite some time now, but never quite found the time. (HAH. That's amusing considering the nature of this post.) Now that my daily schedule has become even more insane, I am really struggling to find balance.

 

I work a full-time job. I have a dog I have to take care of and walk. I am now working out at the gym daily. Some days I have to cook. Sometimes I have to clean. I also need plenty of sleep because I deal with high schoolers on a daily basis.

 

Those are the mundane day to day things. As for the more fun things, there's reading, commenting, blogging, interacting via social media. And then there are times when you just need to go out and be among other human beings. Grocery shop. Meet a friend for lunch. Go to an event. Eat out.

 

I'm sure you can see my dilemma.

 

I. Am. Stressed.

 

 

When I get overwhelmed, I tend to shut down. Instead of motivating me to work harder and faster, I throw in the towel. What? I have 5 books to read and review? Yeah, Imma sit here and watch tv. Oh, I haven't done my commenting in days? I'm going to sit here and stare at Twitter and talk to people.

 

I know it hasn't helped that I've been in a bit of a funk lately. So that makes all these things even more difficult to do.

 

But GUYS. I LOVE reading. I LOVE blogging. I LOVE reading and commenting on other blogs. I LOVE interacting with you guys on a daily basis! I just need to figure out a way to balance it all, because right now it's not working for me. I don't like feeling like a bad blogger because I haven't had the energy to get everything done.

 

Tonya helped big time with my blogging. She plans out her blog posts for the week on the weekend. That has saved me ALOT of time at night so I can read and comment. I know some bloggers choose a day to comment and go on a commenting spree. I like that idea but too many blogs to read at one time is a little overwhelming to me.

 

Here's where you all come in! I'd love to hear your thoughts about how YOU ALL find a balance with all of these things. I know a lot of you have jobs or are full-time students so you're probably not in that different of a situation.

 

Thoughts?

 

 

 

 

 

 



The effects of being both a YA reader and teacher

 

Hi guys! I've been wanting to do some discussion posts for awhile now, but never seem to really have the time to sit down and do them. Since I'm on currently on Spring Break and I had this post idea come to me, I decided let's do this!

 

Most of you know I'm a teacher. For those of you that don't though, I am a high school Spanish teacher at a really large high school. I mainly teach sophomores and juniors, but I do have some freshmen and seniors sprinkled in. With that being said, I spend more time with teens 15-18 than I do actual adults my own age.

 

 

Every year I learn new slang and new trends, but for the most part- it's the same old, same old. Kids are trying to fit in, find their way, figure out their future. You've got the really good kids who are focused on studying and doing well. You've also got some kids that just don't give a shit about school and just want to go about their daily lives.

 

Being a witness to all of this, I have a really hard time with YA books that aren't realistic. I have read several YA's where I was left shaking my head because there is no way a kid would say the things they did or do the things they did. I do understand that some authors want to maintain a more appropriate, clean novel- but let's be real. Those aren't for me.

 

I love YA authors who aren't afraid to include sex in their books. Because let's face it- KIDS ARE DOING IT. It doesn't have to be graphic, but it doesn't hurt to acknowledge it's happening either. I also appreciate YA authors that aren't afraid to use language in their books. If you guys only knew how many times my kids slipped with shit or fuck....  And that's in class. Out in the halls? Forget it.

 

 

In short, my YA's have to be believable to me. Especially since I work with teens every single day of my life and I know their crazy antics and see all the many different sides of them. I have come to really appreciate authors whose characters are flawed and not perfect. Most high school teens are not these strong, self-assured characters we so often read about. They have their moments of weakness, of insecurity. Even the best kids make mistakes and do things they shouldn't.

 

I have such an appreciation for authors who capture authentic teen voice. Those are the books I prefer to be reading. I can't take books that are prettied up or who use unrealistic dialogue. That is me though. I know if I were a teen reader, I would roll my eyes at that.

 

Rachel Harris, Emery Lord, Katie McGarry, Heather Demetrios, Ann Aguirre, Melissa West, Leigh Ann Kopans, Jennifer L. Armentrout, Paula Stokes, Trish Doller (just to name a few) all do a fabulous job of writing authentic teen voice in my opinion. I have also heard Miranda Kenneally mentioned as well, but haven't personally read any of her books yet.

 

What about you guys? Do you like more authentic YA's that aren't afraid to push the envelope so to speak? Or do you think that YA books should be censored? Let me know what you think!