Sharon the Librarian: About Me

Showing posts with label About Me. Show all posts

Breaking out of a Reading Slump

I read a lot. You might think that is obvious, but sometimes it needs to be said. My to be read lists and piles are monstrous, and I am also getting recommendations or seeing covers that just demand that I start reading now. That being said, I sometimes get stuck in a serious reading slump. This is when i just cannot get into a book, even one that I know I would normally enjoy, and just keep focusing my attention on other things. The worst time for this to happen (like right now) is when I have just taken inventory of everything I want or need to read and made the attempt to prioritize them.

Have you had this happen to you? It happens to me once and awhile, and I am never happy when it does. However, there are many ways to break out of a reading slump, and some work every time while others are more hit or miss for me. Please share your methods for breaking out of the slump with all of us in the comment section. I cannot be the only one this happens to right?

1. Switch reading materials. After reading a small group of books by the same author, in the same series, or that are similar in genre or format sometimes it gets to be boring, even if I know that if I picked the book fresh I would not be bored at all. I have this problem the most after binge reading a series or newly discovered author. Jumping to something completely different often helps mer get excited about my reading again.

2. Re-read a favorite or tackle a classic you have been meaning to read. When I get in a slump and cannot seem to shake it I often go back and re-read Harry Potter, To Kill a Mockingbird, or The Princess Bride. This might be the perfect time to tackle what ever book you have always wanted to read and just never got around to.

3. Tackle a craft or new recipe. I find that picking up a non fiction book about how to do something or full up with interesting ideas that I might want to try gets me reading, even if it is for only a targeted chapter or instruction. When I need to take a reading break and nothing else has been able to catch my interest trying out a new crochet pattern or reading up on my gardening or crafting interests will get me back into the swing of things and feeling productive again.

4. Read to someone else, or listen to an audiobook. Sometimes even audiobooks do not interest me, but usually listening to a well done audio book with break my slump. It does not always happen, like just a month or so ago I was listening to an audiobook that is part of one of my favorite fluffy romance series, and I just had to shut it off. I still have not gone back to it. However, reading to my children and listening to their audiobook in the car certainly helps.

5. Wait it out. This is never really an option for me, but sometimes it might be the best one. A little DVD binge watching, taking some time to catch up on yard work, taking a hike or drive, or what ever does have your interest at the time. Sometimes those activities will trigger a desire to read more about something you have seen, need to know, or just want to explore further.

Not Currently Taking Review Requests

I am currently not taking review requests. I have far too many books in my to be read pile to continue accepting more at this time. Between the craziness of life, the books I already own, my public library, and my over eager request habit at NetGalley I simply cannot accept more books to add to my TBR pile.

In Case You Missed it..

On Saturday I had my very first guest post. I rambled on about reading series, and the pitfalls and successes that are prevalent in those books. If you are interested in my thoughts, and would like to share your own, please visit Ahmad Darkside's Musings. Here is the first paragraph of that guest post:

I read, and I read a lot. I can find something good and something bad in just about everything I read. This includes my favorite, and least favorite reads. However, one thing that always makes me sad is an idea or series that starts with incredible potential, and then starts to falter. Sometimes this happens early, and you only need to read the first couple books before calling it quits. Other series keep you entertained into double digits before you can finally let go, or simply keep reading because you do not want to miss your big question being answered or the former level of quality returns. There are many series in adult and young adult that have kept me reading well past the point where I was reading more out of obligation than interest, and on rare occasions this has pleasantly surprised me. However, in most cases I either stop reading the series (eventually) or just hope it ends sometime soon.

Netgalley Month- January 2012 Edition

I feel like I read an awful lot this month, but at the same time that I did not read as much as I could have. Here is my reading list, at least of NetGalley books. I will admit to having read three or four library books between these. So at least I know I read more than I am listing here.

Don't Bite the Messenger by Regan Summers (Urban fantasy)
Daughter of the Centaurs by K.K. Ross (Young adult/fantasy)
The Gathering Storm by Robin Bridges (young adult/historical/urban fantasy)
Tina's Mouth: An Existential Comic Diary by Keshni Kashyap (young adult/graphic novel)
Under His Influence by Justine Elyot (erotica/science fiction/suspense) How to Make a Golem and Terrify People by Allete J. Willis (Children)
First Aid for Fairies and Other Fabled Beasts by Lari Don (Children) Hades: Lord of the Dead by George O'Connor (Young adult/Graphic novel) Popular Clone by M.E. Castle (Children)
Dark Sins and Desert Sands by Stephanie Draven (Romance/suspense)
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain (Non-fiction)
Dotter of Her Father's Eyes by Mary Talbot and Brian Talbot (Graphic Novel)
Terrible, Awful, Horrible Manners! by Beth Bracken, illustrated by Richard Watson (picture book)
Tall: Great American Folktales, edited by Donnie Lemke (Children/graphic novel)
Ragnarok by A. S. Byatt (historical, partly biographical part mythology)
Giant Squid: Searching for a Sea Monster by Mary M. Cerullo (children/non-fiction)

So I read sixteen NetGalley books. There were a couple I read the first pages of and decided to shuffle behind others on my list. However, I'll be proud of my sixteen, and hope to do better in the next NetGalley Month.

coming soon

I have several book reviews in my head, but sinus headaches and migraines are preventing me from significant computer screen time. So, my thoughts remain in my head or on paper for a few more days.

At least the kids are better, no more fevers or cold symptoms remain for them. Thank goodness. All will be back to normal soon. I hope.

Sorry for the silence

I just wanted to say that I am sorry for my lack of posting in the last week or so. Colds hit my toddlers, then my husband pretty hard. Then the cold hit me, sinus headaches and migraines included. Which means that when I had enough time to compose coherent thought I had neither the time, thought, or energy to do so. My free time has been spent sleeping and hiding from light and all electronics in respect to the pain in my head. I am on the upswing now, as are the rest of the clan, and should be back to reading, reviewing, and ruminating on my regular pace shortly.

R is for te Real You

Everyone talks about being 'real'. About being your true or real self, and how that is the best way to be. While I certainly agree that no one should be lying about who they are, or pretending to be something they are not, who is the real me? Sometimes I feel like I have several different mes. The daughter, the sister, the wife, the mom, the singer, the drummer, the librarian, the reader, the writer.. and so on. Even in some of those titles there variations. In something as simple as book love there are very different aspects to me. I have a degree in literature, so as one might expect I have a sincere love for the classics. But I also have a deep and abiding love for what others would consider fluff- great romance novels, science fiction, urban fantasy, mysteries, and the bad versions of all of the above that are so bad that they are amusing. I also have a huge appreciation for children's literature and young adult fiction. It is tremendously hard to write a great picturebook- getting a whole story in under forty pages, with only one or two sentences on a page, while still being entertaining and original? Not easy!! So what is my real favorite? All of the above, depending on the day.

The other aspects of myself are just as layered, or at least it seems that why when I try and pin down the real me. I can get it down to four or five of me.. but not one comprehensive me that fits all of my interests, feelings, and activities. Maybe I have issues, but I rather enjoy the ability to shift and change to fit into the very different parts of my life easily. But if I had multiple personalities for real they would not be aware of each other. right? Right??

Do you ever feel the same way? Like there are several different yous that take turns being the 'real you'?

W is for Writing

W is for the why's, where and how you write. Do you write for the money (ha!)? Do you write because you love it? Because you have ideas and thoughts in your head that you just NEED to get out? Because you want to share a piece of yourself with others? Or for some other completely unrelated reasons?

I write for a combination of these reasons. I write because I enjoy it. Because I love to read and learn and want to share the things that I think others might want to know, or books they might want to explore for themselves.A little money for my efforts will always be accepted, of course, but that is not my motivation for my writing. I write to keep myself thinking, challenged and growing as a person. Sometimes I fear that my mind has melted to the same state as my young children, and writing helps my exercise my mind and keep it going. I feel the need to be doing all the time. I always have an article, some creative writing or idea for something floating around in my head waiting to make its way out. I usually also have at least one book on my 'currently reading' shelf, a crafty project and something else going on too. Trying to stay sharp- lol.

Some people have very specific ways that they write. An office chair and desk, music or complete silence, something consistent that they use to frame their mindset while writing. Me? not so much. Generally I am writing articles about books, life and gardening while in my living room being a mom. My netbook balanced on my lap or arm of the couch depending on how crazy the kids are being. When the weather is nice, my spot often switches to outside in a lawn chair between helping the kids refrain from killing each other and scaling the magnolia tree. I love it when I can write outside.My background noise is most often children's music or television as well as my kids- I can quote those Leapfrog videos from beginning to end. And despite some frustrated moments of having come up with a perfect phrase and not being able to get it written right away- I would not trade my time with my children for anything.

My creative writing tends to wait until the younger set is in bed. A glass of wine and going back and editing the beginning of my novels in progress and trying to decide how to wrap each one up tends to go better for me at a desk. No kids, cats or television. Music is a yes, though no set soundtrack for me- it depends on the day and my mood.

What are your writing why's and wherefores?

Y is for Yummy

Y is for Yummy. There are many things than can simply be described as yummy. This time of year my favcorite are the Cadbury Mini Eggs... yummmm. I love those things. But my search for the bag of said treats at work last nigh set off a discussion of food in epic proportions. Other favorites vary through out the wold of chocolate, but I do love some salty foods as well. A hand full of chex mix will satisfy me every time. Fried chicken is my other less than healthy love, especially if mashed potatoes and gravy might come with. By 7:30 we were all very hungry. What did we end up taking about and craving? Tomatoes and cucumbers fresh from the garden. Simply cut up in a bowl with a splash of italian dressing. Gosh, now I'm drooling again.

I miss having an acre garden chock full of goodness, which is what I had as a child. My days on that farm spoiled me rotten. I cannot eat a tomato bought in a grocery store. It needs to be fresh from my garden at best, from a farmers market at the very least. Any fruit or vegetable tastes better when you know exactly where it came from, and what was used to help it grow and stay healthy. I am already craving the rewards from the garden that has done very little but regrow some grass and sunflowers. I want my yummy, yummy veggies.

What food makes you say Yummy? Everyone has one that triggers at least an internal yummmm.

W is for Weeding

W is for weeding. Weeding is a necessity in life, one that most of us do not enjoy. I am not just talking about in the garden either. Libraries weed out material that does not circulate or is no longer accurate or is damaged to the point that it can not circulate. People weed clothes out of their wardrobes that they either cannot or will not wear again. We weed out activities, people, thoughts and other things that are either unnecessary or sometimes downright toxic from our lives. The process is sometimes painful, but it is something that helps the rest of our lives remain healthy and flourish. Just like the weeds can strangle the vegetables or flowers in your garden, the extraneous things we need to remove from our lives can make our minds and hearts weak and fragile. We need to get rid of the weeds in our gardens, and the rest of our lives, in order to reach our full potential.

While there is a certain satisfaction of ridding yourself of the unwanted and unneeded things in life, sometimes it is still hard to acknowledge those things and say goodbye to them. Weeding a garden can be backbreaking work; leaving you sore, dirty and tired. The same holds true for other forms of weeding. However, if we keep up with the weeding, do a little every day or as we notice the unneeded creeping in, then the process can be much easier and almost relaxing. Actually I find weeding my garden, or sorting clothes to remove items that can go to goodwill, therapeutic. Particularly when I know the items that I am removing from my garden or closet can go to good use, the weeds to compost and the clothes to goodwill.

The mental weeding can be much harder. Getting rid of anger, guilt, fear, resentment and relationships that are toxic can be much more difficult that the more tangible forms of weeding. However, these mental or emotional weedings can be even more important. While physical weedings can improve your life in a notable fashion, ignoring your inner weedings can cause much more trouble than ignoring the physical. So, today I am going to find a quiet time and make sure that I have not been ignoring my inner weeds. I am going to look at my heart and mind to make sure that I am up to date yanking out those inner issues and get to work with dealing with whatever I find. Join me?

V is for Victory

V is for Victory. I like to honor the small victories, and have a bizarre tendency to ignore the big ones. I celebrate the victory of both children sleeping through the night with a nice cup of tea or coffee. The victory of them both being asleep by 8 with a dish of ice cream or other suitable treat for myself. I celebrate finishing one crochet project with starting another. I celebrate a successful garden or growing season with planning my next one, and enjoying the fruits of my labor. I try to revel in the little things, because even when the big stuff goes wrong the little victories can still persist. They can keep me going when the rest of the day has me wishing I could curl up in bed and hide.

However, the victories and occasions that other people seem to celebrate I just shrug over and move forward. When I get kudos for anything work, writing or singing related I generally just shrug it off. For as much as I want to do well, and want other people to enjoy or appreciate my hard work, I somehow also do not want to be the center of attention. I want people to think well of me, but in the long run I guess it is not all that important to me. I write, sing, etc because I love it and like to think I have something to share. I am glad that people read what I write, and hope that they like it. And while I want people to read my material, and greatly appreciate any income it brings, most of the time finishing and publishing something is often victory enough for me. I want to sing well when i perform, but more so because I want to do well for me than because I think that the audience will know if I flub something. I know very well that small mistakes, and even same huge ones, can go completely unrecognized in a music performance. When all else fails you can always claim that it was a new arrangement of the piece you were really doing. I am not sure if this makes me a better writer or performer, but I like to think that my love of what I am doing will reign victorious, rather than my lack of technical perfection.

What does it take for you to consider something a victory? How do you celebrate?

Crafty Post

I just wanted to share a few of my recent crochet projects.

This is the jumper and matching blanket I made for my daughter. Here is a close up of the blanket.

The patterns are slightly modified version of patterns in the Loops & Threads Pocket Pals booklet from Michaels.

And here is the project I am making for myself. This is the front panel of my new sweater.

And a close up of the center panel. I am currently about half way through the first sleeve. And am extremely proud that I can crochet this while watching the kiddies and reading a book on my netbook.

Part of my fun for today was a break to take pictures. I also got some shots of my container garden (which I posted on my new garden blog) and my kids (which will eventually make it to flicker and/or facebook.

S is for Silliness

I have been miss cranky pants the last few days, so I have decided that a little silliness is in order today. So, I did my serious stuff before even getting dressed this morning. Cleaned the living room and kitchen bright and early this morning. I think that was just to offset my need for a fun day today, and the fact that last night my supervisor and I got a serious case of the sillies right before library closing time.

I declare the rest of today Silly Friday. I will not stress about anything. I will be silly with the kids. Play outside (if the weather warms up as bit) and just enjoy the sunshine today. I do want to get some work done (I need to finish two books and write the related reviews), but only as a side line to silliness. If it does not all get done today everything will still be here Saturday, and Sunday and Monday and so on. Not the best attitude to turn a profit, but everyone needs a day off for silliness. Since I'm home with both kids and a pile of work it really is not a day off of anything, but I can sneak in as much silliness as I can to remain sane. Tomorrow is a library work day, so I can afford some silly today. Yes it is Good Friday, not really a day meant for fun and giggles. But I am going to anticipate Easter and just enjoy my day.

How do you celebrate a sunny silly day?

R is for Reading

Read, read, read.I have been a big reader since I was little. Family stories have me reading independently at four or five, but I honestly do not remember whether this is simply family exaggeration or the truth. Maybe a combination of the two. However, I was always reading well above my grade level in school, so there could be some level of truth to the stories.

I am very glad that my two and four year old children already love books, and I spend a good portion of every day reading with them. My four year old loves to find and/or build words. His favorite television shows are not about trucks or trains; rather they are about words, letters and counting. I am glad that the love of reading, books and learning will be passed on to another generation. My mom instilled the passion in me, and I am glad that my kids are already showing signs of the same love of reading.

I will admit, and say quite loudly, that most of my reading is not what anyone could call educational. I do read some non-fiction about the people and things that I have some interest and passion about. However, a paranormal romance, urban fantasy, or anything else that is entertaining and distracting from my life is more than welcome. I avoid reading anything that is talked about and read by a large number of book clubs. I read Twilight before the hype, same for Harry Potter and the Stephanie Plum series. I do not want to read a book simply because Oprah has stamped it with her approval, but rather because I really want to discover what happens to the characters and the story on the pages interests me. I prefer to stay with authors that I trust, genres that entertain me, and the occasional book that simply intrigues me by title, cover or summary.

I have access to a wide variety of books, and have diverged greatly over the years. When I was in high school and college I was reading classic mysteries and current science fiction. There were quite a few historical romances tossed in the mix to. Then it was classics and high literature, partly because I was working on my literature degree. Then cooking and gardening related magazines and books as I struck out on my own. Then wedding related items, then baby related items and back to romance and paranormal. Now, I really try to shake things up and read a variety, but keep going back to my favorite authors to follow up on the series' that made me love them.

What do you read? What do you avoid?

Q is for Quiet

I had a few moments questing for a q word, and I decided to go with one that I do not get to appreciate very often, quiet. Any parent out there knows that the moment you want ten minutes to finish a book, do some dishes, hear a news story or simply have a quiet moment you will be desperately be needed for something. Be it food, beverage, refereeing or something completely unexpected, the only thing you can depend on is that it happens just as you are wrapped up in something.

Do not get me wrong, I love my kids. They are insanely smart, incredibly cute and a constant source of comedy (just ask anyone from our church or my son's school). But, there are moments of consternation as well as pure love and enjoyment.In fact, the moment of quiet which inspired this post can late today. I was sitting in the rocking chair with my two year old, who just wanted to snuggle in the chair to fall asleep. My son was already snoring away in his bed, and my husband is still off playing poker with some friends. All the tvs were off, my daughter was dozing off and the cats were doing battle downstairs, but far enough away that it was not too loud. And I started thinking about how hard it seemed to be to simply achieve a quiet, safe moment and how wonderful those snugly moments are.

This week I'm reading a nonfiction book about a variety of people taking very different quests in search for the Garden of Eden. I really want to read this book- but every time I get into it there is a juice or potty or wrestling emergency that must be dealt with. I finally started a crochet project for myself, a sweater with a neat panel in the center of the front and back, and the same holds true. as soon as I fall into that nice, steady rhythm I am needed or someone must sit on my lap. Perchance I do not enjoy the quiet enough when in my office at work, because I desperately seem to be searching for it at home, when I can not find it. If the house is quiet... then I know there is trouble. The longer the quiet, the bigger the trouble. Yet, I seem unable to quit the quest for quiet.

P is for Public Library

P is for of my favorite places on Earth, the public library. Where else can ANYONE have access to computers, the internet, reference assistance, a variety of movies and audio books,programs for children and adults, playspace for the young children, newspapers and periodicals, people to offer reader's advisory and so many books! The BOOKS people!! So many to choose from, and if the one you want is checked out you can put a hold on it and they will coll (or email) you when it is ready for you. If your library doesn't own it (and it is not brand new) they can get it for you from another library. All of this for FREE unless you return something late. Where else do you get this kind of service? I will never understand the people that do not utilize at least one public library, because you can use any one in your state for free as long as you get a card for the town you live in first.

Public libraries have been my home away from home since I was very young. I can still remember the cool circular window I used to sit in and read as a child. Unfortunately that window disappeared in a renovation to allow for more book space, but I loved that window. I loved my childhood library so much that four towns later and more years than I care to mention I now work in the same library I spent my Elementary School years in.

I will never understand the push to limit funding to libraries and the services they offer. People use the library to search for and apply for jobs, for access to things they might no longer be able to afford to buy for themselves. A place to stay warm/cool/dry in bad weather, a safe place to lose themselves in the written word, or just have a quiet place to sit and think. There is just something wonderful about a library. A feeling of peace, but maybe that is just me. I spent two hours working at the children's desk yesterday. First day of school vacation with programs and everything going on. Even in the chaos surrounding me, it seemed peaceful. Not quiet, but still somehow peaceful.

How much do you love your public library? If you haven't been there in a while, go for a visit and remind yourself how wonderful they are, because if federal and state government funding keep shrinking they will be less wonderful in the future. For instance, if Connecticut stops funding for the CCAR program, Connecticut residents can say goodbye to inter library loans, returning books to libraries other than where they came from, and any other service that involves transporting materials between libraries.
Check out your library, join their friends organization, and support them through advocacy to the local government if you want to keep them. Most are already running on minimum staff and budget. If you complain that they do not have enough copies of your favorites, then it is probably because their budget has been slashed to the point where they CANNOT afford to buy more than the bare minimum of desired materials.

I will now climb down off my librarian soap box and get to reading down the stack of books and my collection of galleys awaiting me.

O is for Overboard

O is for overboard, over indulging, and getting in over my head. I go overboard in all my favorite things; my coffee, chocolate, new craft projects, garden buying and ideas, books to read, projects to write and things to learn. I get all these great ideas in my head, all of these great plans, and somehow end up expecting to do more than I actually can. I can blame part of this on life and family, things rarely go as planned when there are young children in the house, and i often forget to figure in the time that will be added to any project by their desire to 'help' me or that I will need to relocate to playing referee, short order cook, and furniture.

Over indulging in books is something I have trouble feeling bad about. I enjoy every moment I dedicate to making the vain attempt to keep up the the to read pile that seems to grow exponentially. For every book I bring home or galley I gain access to and finish, two or three more seem to take their place. It is one way I go overboard that I can fully enjoy, with no guilt other than over the amount of time it might take me to get to something. Same goes for crafting, I never feel bad about having so many projects waiting their turn, only that each has to wait so long to be completed. I am glad to say that I have finished crocheting my daughter's blanket and my son's sweater, a hanging basket support and got started on a sweater for myself last night. Then I have more to do, but one project at a time.

I should feel guilty about going overboard with some of my weaknesses, like the chocolate and coffee. But, I cannot bring myself to feel bad about the stash of chocolate in my desk drawer or how stealthy I have become in sneaking a Hershey kiss or other sweet treat without the kids noticing. My waistline might refuse to shrink because of this over indulgence, but I still figure than if these weaknesses are my worst, than I am doing pretty good. Chocolate and caffeine are my drugs of choice. Coffee replaces the alcohol of the college days. Crafting takes the place of most snacking, it is hard to snack while working with yarn. Books and the internet more than take the place of clubs and parties. If my only addictions are chocolate, caffeine, and things that can only benefit myself and the world around me than I am doing okay.

Where do you go overboard?

N is for NO

N is for no, a word I say a lot at home these days. No, you can not have another treat. No, you can not have cake, pie, cookies, etc for breakfast (not only because there is not any of that in the house, but that is beside the point). No, you can not hang from the ceiling and tear the house apart. Sigh.

However, some nos I have been saying lately, while mainly to myself, are positive. No, I may not have cake, pie, etc for breakfast because we do not have any and then I would also have to share with the kids, lol. No, I will not let other people's negativity ruin the opportunities that present themselves to me. No, I will not mope, pout or complain (too much) when things do not go my way. No, I will not let depression, PMS, anger or frustration over take my mood or my life. I will step up and take responsibility for my choices, my actions and the consequences. I will let go of the things I have no control of, and do what ever I can to improve my life, and the lives of those around me. No, I will never by Pollyanna- but no one needs to know that but me. I am a realist and occasionally a pessimist, but I often keep the negative wrapped up inside and show the brighter side to others. I figure I must do a good job at it, because most coworkers and such over the years have pegged me as a total people person, a sunshine and roses kind of girl. I am not. I could have lived my entire life as a hermit if permitted to do so. Except for work, family and close friends I might have. But no.

M is for Meander

M is for Meander. my mind tends to wander and meander quite a bit. However, I and not usually a person that shops, walks or travels in any way that could be called meandering. I have a goal or destination, I want to get there and get out. I do not meander around the mall *shudder*. I do not stroll or meander when I go out for a walk to enjoy the weather. I still move at a pace that is intent on going, getting somewhere, even if I have no specific location in mind. Now, this gets me in trouble. How? It is hard to walk at that pace with a four year old walking by your side, even harder with a two year old at your side, completely impossible if both are in motion at either side. When they were young enough to put in the double stroller with no complaints it was fine, but now one or both want to walk. So enjoyable strolls are at a minimum unless I have another adult body with me. However, stores with carts are still viable journeys with the kids in tow.

The only time I meander while shopping is when shopping for garden and craft supplies. I am awful when it comes to picking which plants, seeds, and other items I want to use. Then I could wander up and down the aisle or scour a nursery for hours to find just want I am looking for, or to find something different and unique. The same holds true in a craft or yarn store. I love just looking to find a new yarn; interesting textures, variegations, ideas for projects, new crafts too try. Oh, I'm getting the urge to craft right now.. must stop myself and finish tonight's reading and writing. Craft tomorrow.

Did I mention that I mentally meander regularly? As if you had not noticed! That's why you love me.

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