So… I’m back. Though I’m not sure I’m ready to be back. I’ve had almost exactly one month off blog reading and writing. Kinda. There may have been a few lapses now and then, but essentially I’ve just skimmed the blog posts coming into my reader and fought the compulsion to visit and comment on blogs; and I’ve really only posted on my blog when a book’s been scheduled for release.
I know blogging is essentially only a ‘hobby’, but I treat it like a job and take it seriously… so it’s felt like a huge relief, knowing I don’t HAVE to blog. (And of course friends and people like my mother will tell me I don’t HAVE to worry about deadlines and publication dates anyway!)
What I read
According to Goodreads I’ve read 15 novels in the last month. As planned I borrowed some from the library which I had no intention of writing about. It was very freeing—reading solely for pleasure and not HAVING to put aside time to share my thoughts after. Of course I did in fact add some short comments to Goodreads after reading four of the five borrowed books anyway! 😉
What I wrote
Ummm… now I look over them I blogged more than I realised…
By Her Side by Lizzy Chandler – a book review
Big Girls Don’t Cry by Joanne Tracey – a book review
My Favourite Books of 2015 – my thoughts on peace in the Middle East #justkidding
TV show: Lost Girl – a review (#dislike)
TV show: Jessica Jones – a review (#love)
After She’s Gone by Lisa Jackson – a book review
2015 – A retrospective – just sharing some of my fave stuff of the year
Try Not to Breathe by Holly Seddon – a book review
Rain Dogs by Adrian McKinty – a book review
Hold On To Me by Victoria Purman – a book review
In addition, over at Styling You I shared some suggested summer holiday reading. (And yes, it’s summer here in Australia!)
What I did
God, it’s hard to remember now, but just the usual stuff including a relatively quiet Christmas. It was my birthday on 28 December so another small celebration. And I stayed in on New Year’s Eve and was even in bed before midnight.
I’ve caught up with a few friends and dined out an extraordinarily large amount over this past month however.
I’ve had some referee checks for a job I interviewed for last year so am hoping I’ll get an offer of part-time work soon. It will be nice not to have to worry about money ‘quite’ as much.
Book bloggers may be interested that I’ve finally bought the Ultimate Book Blogger plugin. I’m still feeling my way and not hugely won over yet as I’m not really sure how much value it’s adding to my posts, but I will persevere with it a little longer.
I haven’t bothered with new year’s resolutions as mine are the same every year and I’m kinda tired of talking about the same crap again and again (and not delivering). But I hope things start to fall into place soon.
What I plan to read
I’m actually not sure… I think Peter May’s Coffin Road is next on the agenda, though I’m a little behind with my reviews so decided I might share some of my upcoming reviews instead…
And that’s about it from me this week.
I’m keen to hear what you’ve been reading over the past few weeks and what’s on your agenda for this next week?
Linking up with Kimberley for the Sunday Post and Kathryn for “It’s Monday!“
January 9, 2016
Even when I try to take a break from my blog, I never truly take a break…I think I am more addicted than think of it as a job…lol. When my blog was down for two days for maintenance I thought I was going to go stir crazy…hehehe. Glad you back and hope you had a great Christmas and Hope this year will be a great one. 🙂
January 9, 2016
Ha! I can relate. And thanks… lovely to be back and looking forward to catching up with everything I’ve missed over the past month!
January 9, 2016
I have been taking a big break from blogging. Nice to clear my mind a little. Although sometimes I think I think more clearly and make better decisions when I am more on the go! Hope you had a great Xmas and Birthday, even if it was quiet. (Quiet is underrated!)
January 9, 2016
Ha.. No, I do appreciate quiet. An activity or two occasionally is nice, but too much and I start to get edgy!
January 9, 2016
Welcome back! You were missed 🙂 Glad to hear you enjoyed your break!
January 9, 2016
Thanks Daniela!
January 9, 2016
Nice to see you back and I think its a great idea to have a month off and come back fresh. Reading solely for pleasure and no sense of having to write thoughts is a must sometimes. Belated happy birthday, hmm one of these human beings who have Christmas and birthday almost all in one. A pain as a kid most likely. I always envy the WordPress bloggers for the ultimate book plug in. Hope you end up finding it helpful.
January 9, 2016
Thanks Kathryn – for the birthday wishes etc as well. I suspect I’m not using the plugin to its capability but am not sure if it will be very useful until I’ve built up a series of posts using it (for search-ability etc).
January 9, 2016
I had an unexpected break in December and it’s nice to be back reading people’s post, including yours. I do think time off is important and sounds like you got to relax which is lovely. Fingers crossed on the job! Have a good week. Emma
January 10, 2016
Thanks Emma. Keen to check out what you’ve been up to as well!
January 10, 2016
I know what you mean about reading and commenting on blogs. I try to keep up with it daily but some days are just too big and they get away from me. I have to keep reminding myself that the bloggers won’t hate me if I don’t comment. And they certainly won’t know if I didn’t read. And they’ll probably forgive me for having a life that gets too busy some times.
January 10, 2016
Same Char. I comment on a few blogs religiously (those of bloggers I feel I know) but have about 100 different blogs in my reader. I read a lot but only comment if I feel I have something to say.
January 10, 2016
Welcome back! I see I missed some posts while you were gone- agree about Jessica Jones. Glad you liked it, and looking forward to the Luke Cage one coming down the road.
Happy birthday BTW and hope you have a happy new year! Love the pics, especially of the water. 🙂
January 10, 2016
Thanks Greg and happy new year to you too! I live right on the water but don’t go on the beach much. That’s something I’m determined to change this year!!! (I might not venture into the ocean as I’m quite shark phobic, but the beach I can do…..)
January 10, 2016
Deb, such beautiful pictures! Perhaps one day I’ll visit Australia. Welcome back! I also take my blogging seriously like a job, and it has taken its toll over the years, but I’ve made changes and determined other ways to approach it so I don’t feel worked to death. I hope you enjoy your new plug in!
January 10, 2016
I think a lot of people underestimate how much work blogging can entail and how seriously many of us take it. It’s easy sometimes for others to dismiss it as a ‘little hobby’ or similar, but it’s far more. Of course there are also a lot of people who really only start a blog as a way to make money and that’s fine as I guess we all want something different out of it. I do however find myself slowly disengaging with an Aussie blog FB community which is very focussed on stats and money.
xx
January 10, 2016
A break is a good thing 🙂 You have some great books on your reading list this week, enjoy!
January 10, 2016
Thanks Shelleyrae. I realise I probably need to be less anal about posting so often anyway and take some time off sometimes without worrying I’ll completely lose my readership!
January 10, 2016
Oh, I really want to read the Lisa Jackson book….and I hope to be reading Missing Pieces soon…next week, perhaps.
Happy belated birthday! It looks like you had a lot of fun during your break…even though you actually did a lot on the blog, too.
I’m glad that you enjoyed Go Set a Watchman…most people haven’t been very positive about it, and I don’t want to read it under a cloud of negativity. It is sitting on my trunk in the office. Thanks for sharing…and for visiting my blog.
January 10, 2016
I didn’t enjoy the Lisa Jackson Laurel and as that’s a few of hers I’ve not liked I think I’ll stop requesting / reading any more for a while. I did enjoy Go Set A Watchman. It had glimpses of the voice of Scout we knew and loved and Lee’s writing is beautiful. It had its faults but really challenged our perception of the characters we’d known for so SO many years.
January 10, 2016
I am looking forward to your thoughts on Missing Pieces. I feel you about the blog. I love it but like you I feel guilty if I don’t reply,and visit folks..so unplugging is a necessity from time to time, It allows me to continue to enjoy without burn out. Happy Birthday. I hope it was a good one and I love all the things you did..thanks for sharing the pictures!
January 10, 2016
Thanks Kimberley. And… I enjoyed Missing Pieces – had to read it in a sitting!
Deb
January 10, 2016
Hi there! Thank you for taking the time to visit my blog, I really liked your posts though and I totally understand with the inability to blog. To me, I take blogging as my favourite past time (except for watching movies) and I used to invest a lot of time in blogging. But as life gets in the way, I was away from my blog for practically a year before I returned, now I’m slowly regaining my blogging momentum. Most of the weekdays I am unable to visit other people’s blogs, but I do hope you will return permanently though 🙂 I love the pictures you took! It seemed that you had a great 2015, and good luck on getting your part-time job 😉
January 10, 2016
Thanks Natasha. I very much agree that it’s good that our blogs change over time. This month is my 7th blogging anniversary and this blog has had a myriad of guises (and eventually merged with another blog I created 6yrs ago!).
January 10, 2016
Don’t fret so much, Deb. A break is always good. I too always forget that blogging is not a job but merely a hobby. I feel like I have to review every book I read, which is not the case! Take all the time you need. I’m happy you’ve been taking a nice little break c: come back as slowly as you need. Happy New Years!
January 10, 2016
Yes, I need to remind myself of that… I don’t think anyone hangs on my ever word (;-) ) so probably need to relax my efforts a little. Interestingly though, when I worked full time I blogged 5-6 days a week – though that was when I had my diet blog and the posts were all very personal (and a bit like mind-farts!).
January 10, 2016
Happy New Year, Deb, and welcome back 🙂 I have to say I agree with your friends, the release dates don’t really matter all that much… And I hope you’ll get your pleasure for blogging back, it’s not good if it feels like an underpaid job 🙂
It sounds like you had a nice holiday, eating out is always nice 😉 even if I love cooking, eating out is awesome:)
Have a wonderful week ahead and happy reading.
January 10, 2016
I don’t eat out at night often Lexxie so that feels like a bit of a treat!
January 10, 2016
I took a similar length break and it was great! I loved not having to do blog stuff but I do feel happy to be back in the blog world again. I’m going to try hard not to get too caught up in it though and do plan on posting a bit less this year. There is a balance between blogging being a funny hobby and a time consuming chore and I’m always trying to hit that middle ground!
Your hols sounds great and belated Happy Birthday! Have a good week and enjoy our books which look great.
January 10, 2016
Thanks Trish and let’s hope both of us can find that middle ground!
January 10, 2016
Welcome back and happy belated birthday! I also took some time off blogging. I think sometimes you just need a break. Love all your pictures up there! Have a great week!!
January 11, 2016
Thanks Grace, it’s nice to be back!
January 10, 2016
Welcome back Deb and happy belated birthday. You actually blogged a heap. I’ve not been completely out of touch seeing some of your IG feed but after being literally unplugged this last week I want more time off lol. I’m looking forward to Missing Pieces and I love the look of All That is Lost Between Us … me and covers 😉
I have Jessica Jones to start on soon, without internet last week my plans to binge watch it went pear-shaped.
Have a great week and happy reading!
January 11, 2016
Oh, I hope you enjoy Jessica Jones Teddyree… I was surprised at how much I enjoyed it!
January 11, 2016
Welcome back, Deb! Happy birthday! I hope you feel rested and refreshed, having given yourself some time off from the blogging deadlines (even if you did blog more than you thought!)
It can take some time to see the real benefits of UBB. I don’t find it a lot faster in setting up an individual post, but I love how it automatically shows links to my reviews of other books by the same author, how I can easily track challenges and set up review indexes, and so on. If you’re able to go back and update previous reviews, that will expand what UBB can link up and index, too.
January 11, 2016
Ah yes, I think UNTIL I get more books reviewed using UBB (or go back and update) I won’t see the benefits… I’ve updated just a couple but can probably make that a little project. God only knows how many reviews I’d have (hundreds I assume)… #eek!
January 11, 2016
It is relaxing to take time away from the blog, isn’t it! I’m slowing down somewhat on mine this year, at least that’s the plan. But knowing me….LOL Enjoy those new books.
My Sunday Post – http://fuonlyknew.com/2016/01/10/whats-new-on-my-bookshelf-142-and-the-sunday-post/
January 11, 2016
I know exactly what you mean Laura – I have these great plans to cut back but then… the books, they need reviewing and before I know it I’m posting more than I’d hoped. However… when I’m on top of my reviews I don’t mind it too much. For me it’s a case of pulling back on my reading a little to allow my reviewing to catch up. It’s only when that’s not the case I feel REALLY overwhelmed.
Well that and any non-book-related blog posting. I’ve cut back a lot on that over the past year or so and am undecided about how much I want to continue to do.
January 11, 2016
I took about 2 weeks in December but I had some stuff planned ahead and of course now I am behind. Sometimes it’s nice to throw in a book and not have to review it. This is one of my favorite hobbies, I used to think of it as a job but when I stepped away from tours and blitz posts It became more of a hobby again.
Have a great week, Deb! Happy Reading!
January 11, 2016
I have to admit I don’t sign up for many blog tours for that very reason… the added commitment! Same with challenges. I see a lot of challenges around at the moment and I know they’re fun but I don’t want to start setting goals I have to meet re reading!
Deb
January 11, 2016
You are going to love the UBB plugin!!!! – Lauren
January 11, 2016
Thanks Lauren – I hope so. I think the benefit comes when you’ve used it more. I’ve had to turn off all of the links at the moment as there’s nothing for them to link to (no old posts using UBB with same author / publisher etc).
January 11, 2016
Great photos! You have a really great eye.
January 11, 2016
Thanks… I’m not generally very visually artistic but I have some lovely views on my doorstep!
January 11, 2016
Happy belated birthday! It sounds like you had a nice holiday and break from blogging. It is nice to not feel the pressure to post and to read at your leisure isn’t it? I meant to take a break at the beginning of the year like I always do, but for some reason it didn’t happen. I am not familar with the Ultimate Book Blogger plugin. I’ll have to look into it. If it costs money, I probably won’t be able to do it, but I like to at least know about stuff like that. 🙂
I have Try Not to Breathe on my to read shelf and hope to get to it at some point. I am glad you ended up liking it.
I see you watched watched and didn’t care for the first episode of Lost Girl. I’ve seen a couple of seasons of it so far and enjoy it. I should add that it is the perfect show for me when I have something to do but want something on the television set that doesn’t demand all of my attention. I agree with you about the writing and it’s not the most believable. It’s cheesy, sure, but I like it on some level or else I wouldn’t keep coming back to it.
Have a great week!
January 11, 2016
Thanks for the birthday wishes!!!
The UBB plugin does cost money (about USD35 from memory) but is only available for WordPress self-hosted sites I think, so not sure if that suits.
I’m about 5 eps into Lost Girl and with a lull in TV options here over the summer break (in Australia) I’m almost desperate enough to keep watching and get through the first season. Perhaps it will improve????
January 11, 2016
Happy belated birthday! I’m always trying to take a step back from my blog, but it never seems to work out that way. Like you, I take this hobby way too seriously but that’s how I am, I guess.
Your books all look good. Enjoy them and have a great week!
January 11, 2016
I remember mentioning the fact I view blogging as a job once before in a weekly post Yvonne and a lot of people responded saying they felt the same way. I do think it’s kinda natural that we want to put our best foot forward – whether it’s in how we write our posts or reviews or how we share them, or even how we build our audience or community. It’s not necessarily a case of ‘write it and they will come’. x
January 11, 2016
I’ve tried just reading a book then rating it on Goodreads without writing a review, but then I feel I *must* jot a few things about it down for future reference and the next thing I know…review. LOL I’m glad you had an enjoyable break and I love your pics! 🙂
January 11, 2016
I did that for the Lisa Scottoline, Robert B Parker and John Sandford books I read over the break (except for one I think!). Like you I decide to just add a note or two, but suddenly there are hundreds of words… 🙂
January 11, 2016
I am a David Baldacci fan, so I definitely want to read the Memory Man. Several books here I hope to read, I hope you have a good week!!
January 11, 2016
Joann, I really enjoyed Memory Man and am very much looking forward to more in that series. He’s created a fabulous character for us to follow!
January 11, 2016
Welcome back, glad you had a nice break. I took a mini break between Christmas and New Years. Lovely pictures, and happy belated birthday.
January 11, 2016
Thanks Nise! Hope you had a nice Christmas and New Year!
January 11, 2016
I feel just like you in not wanting to really be back to normal. I always forget that it’s summer over there! I had a cousin who lived over there for ten years and raised most of her kids there until they recently moved to Canada. Anyway, it sounds like you enjoyed your break. Thanks for stopping by!
January 11, 2016
I feel a little guilty moaning I have to admit as I’m not working at the moment so it’s not like I’ve had to return to work… but having the break from blogging quite so regularly (and reading blogs – probably more so!) was nice!
January 11, 2016
Christmas and summer? Hard for me to accept.
What is the Ultimate Book Blogger Plugin? Off to see what I can find out.
January 11, 2016
It’s something for WordPress sites Deb – a few US bloggers use it and I’d prevaricated for ages before buying it. I know a lot of people swear by it.
January 11, 2016
That’s great you’ve been taking it easy and not worrying about blogging/reviewing. I’m trying be more relaxed and not feel like I have to post or review. I am also make an effort to read my own books this year and not get pulled into reviewing for authors/publishers. Have a great week and Happy Reading!
January 11, 2016
Angela I realised I’d almost only read books provided for review for the previous two years so there were a few books by my fave authors I hadn’t seen. I get a lot from authors I’d read anyway, but a couple (John Sandford, Robert B Parker, Martha Grimes for eg) I never see on review lists.
January 11, 2016
I’ve not ended up reading only review books, but I have stopped reading the books on my TBR or ones I bought. So this year I am making more of an effort to read my books.
January 11, 2016
I love that you were able to take a little time of blogging. Sometimes it’s necessary to get back to that feeling of blogging-for-fun. It looks like you still read some awesome books though. 😉
I also have ‘By Her Side’ on my TBR, so I’d love to find out what you think about it. For me it’s another busy week with work and I hope some down time to read, because I’m not as much ahead on my blogging schedule as I wanted to.
Welcome back 😉
January 11, 2016
Thanks Maureen and I enjoyed By Her Side and even included it in my summer reading list as well as reviewing it on the blog! Hope you get some down-time soon.
Deb
January 12, 2016
Isn’t it awesome getting to read just for you?? It’s so exhausting sometimes trying to read JUST new releases that are relevant. I know that’s what brings in the traffic, but sometimes I just want to pick up a book from 2002!
Here’s my Weekly Recap!
January 12, 2016
Ha! Not sure my new release reviews attract much traffic Tracy but I know what you mean! I’ve missed a few great books over the last few years and really need to try and catch up!
January 12, 2016
Well, I’m just coming back from a year off of blogging, lol. I actually deleted my old book blog, swore off blogging forever, and then spent several months not connected at all with the book blogging community. But I got the itch again, and here I am with a brand new blog (as of last Friday night!). There’s nothing wrong with taking blogging breaks or even longer hiatuses. When it’s not fun anymore, than it’s time to take a step back and just breathe for a while 🙂
January 12, 2016
Hi Sara and welcome back!!! I’m looking forward to checking out your blog.
Mine’s been through several iterations over the past 7 years – started as a blog called “Write About Now” and I just wrote about anything. Then I started a separate Diet Schmiet blog (in 2010), then it became my focus and Debbish was my ‘sometimes’ blog. But in early 2014 I merged the two and decided Debbish was the blog I wanted to keep. I’d started book reviewing by then and I think that’s slowly taken over. God knows if I’ll be here / what I’ll be writing about in another 7 years…. 🙂
January 12, 2016
Hope you had a nice birthday (must suck being sandwiched between Christmas and New Year). Glad you got to read a few books for pleasure – still working that one out myself.
January 12, 2016
Thanks Kathy!