So, I've been thinking lately about just getting rid of the monthly themes and reviewing whatever books strike my fancy. While the themes are a great way for me to structure my blog, I feel like they're limiting what I read as well as making me feel guilty when I get off-track. I have shelves and shelves of books that I've never read that don't fit into any of the themes and there are books I'd like to reread and review that don't either. I am, however, aware that there may be people who actually like the themes, so I'm giving you guys a say.
On the right-hand sidebar you'll find a poll where you can voice your opinion. It'll be open until the 26th of April so you have a little time to mull it over. Regardless of what I decide, you can still count on me to keep reviewing books. This blog has become such a huge part of my life in such a short time and I couldn't see ever giving it up.
-Gabe
Hi, i just found your blog through a comment you left at Cath in the Hat's blog.
ReplyDeleteI think your monthly theme is a unique idea, but I can see how restricting it would be. You could still have an overall monthly theme (say, featuring one or two books per week toward your theme) interposed with reads of your choice throughout the month.
Glad you stopped by, mouseprints.
ReplyDeleteThat was the original plan. Not too many, not too few, just enough to know that there was a theme. I got really carried away, however, because there are so many interesting books that I could read for each theme. I'm a greedy book reader. If I see a book I might even be remotely interested in, I grab it.
I have a few other ideas for how to give some structure to the blog without themes. Picking an author of the month and reading one of their books a week has occurred to me. I also thought about picking one (short) book series every month and reading one of those a week. The other thing I was thinking about was having theme books: Big Book of the Month, Weekly Bestseller, etc. That way I could plan my months in advance but still have enough freedom to choose different types of books.
I can't restrict myself to anything! I have impressed myself with my discipline for review books but every time I've tried structured reading I've failed.
ReplyDeleteI think picking something that allows spontaneous reading choices would be the best idea. On my last week off (pre-blog) I did a horror week. Though that went off track when I read a book that had misleading blurb. I did read 3 horror books that week though.
I think your monthly theme is a fantastic idea but I can see why it's restricting. I know I couldn't do it. If I'm not in the mood to read a particular book then I can't force myself. If I do it takes the enjoyment away.
ReplyDeleteMaybe you could challenge yourself on an annual basis with a broader theme. Last year I challenged myself to try more Scottish authors. This year it's to try more international authors (although so far I'm not doing very well with that because I want to reduce my tbr pile too). It's less restricting and you can read other books that take your fancy in between. Of course it does mean that you are stuck with a theme for a year.
pwb: I've been so surprised by my ability to not only keep reviewing books but to continuously post on this blog every day for a month and a half. I think my fear is that the themes will eventually get way too hard to keep up with and will discourage me from doing either of those things.
ReplyDeleteI tend to chafe under structure (I'm a very spontaneous, live-for-the-moment kind of guy), so I'm no really sure why I'm trying to structure my reading. I guess it seemed like a good idea at the time.
Karen: Maybe this year I should challenge myself to actually read the 8 million books that are on my shelves that I just had to buy and haven't got around to. :) My TBR pile is so huge and it just keeps growing.
I will say that I love knowing what the theme is because I've always liked knowing what's going to happen. Like in everything. It's a control issue :] Anyway, I don't stick to a theme. Plus I really read your blog, just because I like your reviews and other such things you post.
ReplyDeleteI have a control issue too, which is why I originally implemented the themes. :)
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks.