I used to be the kind of blogger who sat down and wrote my review of a book within a day of finishing it. Not anymore. I’ve lost my reviewing mojo. I’m still reading – a lot, actually, since I’ve been neglecting the old blog a bit – and every time I finish a book, I make a draft post with the book title to remind myself it’s waiting to be reviewed. But now those draft posts are stacking up and I can’t find any motivation to go back and write reviews. That’s why I’ve resorted to doing mini-reviews a lot lately – it’s easier to write four or five sentences about why I liked or didn’t like a book than it is to come up with a complete plot synopsis and coherent review.
Here are books I’ve finished, but have yet to review:
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan – I read this aloud to my kids.
Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause
Room by Emma Donoghue
Die for You by Lisa Unger
The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume 1: The Pox Party by M.T. Anderson
I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore
The thing is, all of these books are great reads – and Room is brilliant and amazing. So I should be able to come up with something to say, right? When I turn my computer on, I check my Google Reader, look at Facebook, chat on Tweetdeck for a while, read the news, and then open my list of draft posts and look at it. And that’s when my gaze starts drifting to the two books sitting on the table next to me – my current reads – and I decide I would rather be reading.
I definitely need to get caught up, though, as I’ve decided to take the plunge and try NaNoWriMo again this year. Yes, I failed last year – but I had a complete plotline drop into my head while my mind was wandering in church a couple weeks ago, and I’m really excited about this story. So I’m going to attempt it, which means not as much blogging time during November, which means if I don’t get those reviews written in the next week or so, they won’t get written.
I could write one now, right? Except I have already glanced longingly two or three times at James Dashner’s The Scorch Trials and Heidegger’s Glasses by Thaisa Frank, both of which I’m in the middle of, and you know what that means.
Which books are calling to you today?
That’s funny you say you’ve been out of your review mojo lately. I’ve felt that way myself, preferring to keep my nose in my book. Actually, today is one of the first days I’ve been up and around to visiting other blogs. That’s probably been my biggest downfall. Honestly, if you give nice four to five sentence reviews, they can be totally awesome! I just love hearing what someone thinks of a given book.
I’m actually off to keep reading Harry Potter #5, since I’m teaching book #7 over the coming weeks. (Yes, I have to hurry to get caught up.) I’m also reading Writing Jane Austen, which has been a fun book.
Becky @ One Literature Nut´s last post ..Library Loot- Sunday Blatherings
Twitter: booksandmovies
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Becky – we’ve been listening to the Harry Potter books on audio- a re-read for me, but first time through for my kids (they’ve seen the movies, but not read the books) – we just finished Goblet of Fire. Hope you get yours done in time for your class!
There’s no rule that says reviews have to be long or include a plot synopsis – do what works for you and don’t stress about it!
Twitter: booksandmovies
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Kathy – thanks – you always know what to say to encourage me!
Twitter: youvegottaread
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I am in the exact same boat as you! My reviewing mojo is gone. Actually, if I can dig deep and just sit down and start writing, I am fine. But the books pile up, and the only thing that motivates me is when I see my buffer disappearing. I hope I can pull out of this soon, and you too! Even though I like your mini reviews.
Sandy´s last post ..Sunday Salon- My left foot and love for football
Twitter: booksandmovies
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Sandy – I know – on Friday, I sat down and wrote the review for Juliet, Naked as soon as I’d finished it, and it was easy. I need to get back in that habit.
I’m with bermudaonion… I just want to see what you thought of it! Someone’s opinion on a book can decide if and where a book goes onto the TBR pile.
Laura (Bunny Tales)´s last post ..Hello Iowa City!!
Twitter: booksandmovies
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Laura – I think I’m going to start reviewing books as soon as I finish them again, and use mini-reviews to get caught up on the backlog. Thanks for telling me you don’t mind the short one!
I’m right there with ya… Sometimes I’d much rather be reading than reviewing (okay, all the time). I’ve still got reviews from a couple of months ago (or more?) that I should really go back and do. I’ve finished the books and enjoyed them, I just didn’t have it in me to post reviews at the time. I’ve even posted reviews since then…
Twitter: booksandmovies
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Kev – glad to know I’m not the only one!
I’m definitely getting drawn into The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay for my readalong. I know what you mean about “rather be reading” I experience that all the time and then I remember I need to post!
Ash´s last post ..Sunday Salon- Twin Cities Book Festival
Twitter: booksandmovies
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Ash – I wasn’t able to get through Kavalier and Clay – not sure if it was the book or me. I may give it a try another time.
I can relate! I’ve been reading lots of good books and trying to comment on other blogs as much as possible but as usual I am not getting very many blog posts of my own up!
Twitter: booksandmovies
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Kathleen – you never put your blog link in your comments – can you leave it for me so I can visit back?
Sorry about your posting dilemma, I think you post a lot and the mini reviews are fine. Don’t put so much pressure on yourself. You have a great blog. I am currently reading The Historian for the On the Ledge Read Along. It is my first read along and it is great. I never could have gotten through a chunkster so quickly. It is an interesting story but it feels like I have read similar stories like this before.
Twitter: booksandmovies
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Elisabeth – thanks for the sweet comments.
I have The Historian on my to-read list for someday.
Twitter: robnmccormack
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I can relate as well. Mainly reviewing tour books. Should probably do a few mini reviews myself. Glad you are taking the plunge and doing nanowrimo. Will be doing the same right along side you. Buddy me – mytwoblessings.
Robin of My Two Blessings´s last post ..Emotional Intensity in Gifted Students by Christine Fonseca
Twitter: booksandmovies
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Robin – i buddied you on NaNo – I do have tour books coming up, too – I never do mini-reviews for books I agreed to review, only the ones I pick up on my own.
Twitter: BethFishReads
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I go through stages. I’m about 3 reviews behind myself. Oh well, I’ll catch up one day.
Beth F´s last post ..Spotlight On Kate Ledger
Twitter: booksandmovies
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Beth – That’s a good way to look at it.
I’ve been wondering where my review mojo has gone lately, too. When I first started this book blogging thing, as soon as I finished a book I would write up a post before I’d let myself start my next book. Now it takes weeks for me to even start review posts.
Good luck with NaNoWriMo!
Alita´s last post ..Monday Round Up 101810
Twitter: booksandmovies
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Alita – It sounds like this is a pretty common thing for book bloggers.
I feel the same. I really am not motivated to write reviews at the moment. Like you, I’m writing mini-reviews for what’s outstanding bcuz 1) I can’t remember everything that happened in the book and 2) I’m trying to dig myself out of this hole. I decided to write a review for every book I read this year and now I’m kicking myself! Next year, will be different, this I know for sure. I’ve also been thinking about developing a review format, and bcuz I haven’t yet, it’s adding to my stress. Besides all this, I recently purchased a Kindle, so all I want to do now is read! I have to keep reminding myself my blog is fun and not my job. No need to stress. But it’s hard when my “to write” list continues to grow.
Shonda´s last post ..Free to a Good Home – Eve Marie Mont
Twitter: booksandmovies
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Shonda – exactly – it’s not like anyone is grading me or paying me based on whether I write long or short reviews! I’m glad I didn’t join the Read and Review Challenge – I would be a basket case!
Twitter: MargReads
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I lost my reviewing mojo a couple of years ago, and still haven’t found it again. I have SO many half written reviews in draft it isn’t funny! These days I write the occasional review, but most of the time I just chat about books! I’ve decided that I don’t HAVE to do reviews if I can’t be bothered. It’s my blog, and I post what I want to post!
Marg´s last post ..Princess Bride Readalong – Milestone 3
Twitter: booksandmovies
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Marg – that’s a good attitude to have. I used to think it was necessary that I have a post every day or I’d lose my readers, but I’ve found that’s not true, and it becomes too much of a burden to look at it as an obligation like that. I need to find a balance so it starts to be fun again!
I have this problem too. I actually like to write reviews, but I prefer to read, and I don’t normally want to write after work, just read. I never manage to quite catch up on the weekends, so I have quite a backlog these days. I do try to use mini reviews to get SOMEWHERE, but it doesn’t always work!
Twitter: booksandmovies
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Meghan – I know – it’s never-ending! I decided after writing this post that -from then on – I would write reviews as I finished books and use mini-reviews to catch up on the backlog. Since then, I’ve finished two books and haven’t written any reviews. Argh!