Ugh. Does anybody else get frustrated when they don't get time to read? I feel "off" somehow when I get on a super-busy spell like I am now, and have to budget my time. One of the things that seems to go by the wayside is my recreational reading time. 
While my TBR pile grows (the dent I make isn't keeping up with the desire I have to read 
), my reading time seems to dwindle. In a family of teachers, heading toward the end of the school year can be a particularly busy time. Plus, my son is graduating, so we're gearing up for that--that also means that yes, I will have to actually dust because the in-laws are coming 
. Plus, I have a May 1 deadline. So basically, at the end of the day, I fall into bed and crash at night--my typical reading time. But as the business stretches on, I'm starting to feel antsy because I'm not getting my reading fix in. Anybody else get antsy like that?
The one bit of fiction reading I'm getting now is with a packet of contest entries I'm judging. I've only gotten through two thus far. One, was fine, but needed some polishing on the pacing (way too much info too soon bogged down the beginning). Though I think the seeds of a good mystery are there. The other was really good, and I could have read on if more of the story was attached.
And it's not that I have a shortage of books I'm eager to read. I'm just trying to be good and get work and family commitments done first. I'll indulge myself later. But I miss my reading!
What's on your TBR pile that's calling to you? (maybe frustrating you, too, that you can't get it read fast enough? 
)
Julie
AT YOUR COMMAND--Blaze, Jan. 08--Romantic Times Top Pick!
PROTECTIVE INSTINCTS--The Precinct: Brotherhood of the Badge mini-series--Intrigue, June 08--Romantic Times Top Pick!
www.juliemiller.org
Hi Julie
I'm sorry that you are not getting as much reading time as you would like but I'm happy that it is because you are busy writing. :)
I've been really busy this last month too. It does frustrate me when I don't have reading time. Usually, I can read on my lunch hour but I haven't had the time to do so in a couple of weeks.
This week does not look like it is a read at lunch kind of week. A frustrated smilie pulling her hair out would be here if I could do one.
Congratulations to your son on his graduation.
Margie :)
Thanks, Margie--I'm a
Thanks, Margie--I'm a pretty proud mama
I think some of my frustration may have to do with spring fever, too. It makes me extra antsy this time of year to do something just for me and take a mini-vacation like I find when I'm reading a good book. I'm busy for most of the year, but though I've slowed down big-time from my pre-writing days, I usually find time to read something. I've been pushing extra hard though to get ahead of schedule since the beginning of the year so that I can concentrate on my son and graduation next month without stressing over any deadlines.
Still... I've got some new authors I want to read, three Debra Webb books (Intrigues and her latest ST), a Jo Leigh Blaze, a futuristic romance from EC (a new genre to me), and tons more in my TBR gathering dust. They keep staring at me and asking, "When are you going to get to us?"
Thanks for commiserating on reader frustration! Hope you get a break at lunch soon and can find time to read and relax.
Julie
AT YOUR COMMAND--Blaze, Jan. 08--Romantic Times Top Pick!
PROTECTIVE INSTINCTS--The Precinct: Brotherhood of the Badge mini-series--Intrigue, June 08--Romantic Times Top Pick!
www.juliemiller.org
Truthfully, I do find it
Truthfully, I do find it increases my stress. I use to read a lot at night, but by the time I put the kids down and get to a book it is often 9 p.m. so sometimes I am hesitant as I don't want to get into something and then have to put it down so I can get some sleep. However, lately as that has been my only reading time, I am finding myself doing the late night reading again.
Cady
TBR--The Born Readers
I agree, Cady.
I agree, Cady. Recreational reading IS a stress-reducer for me. Probably why I'm missing it so much right now.
I understand about late nights and getting the kids to bed. Hope you're still getting some good sleep. I love getting into a book that makes me want to keep reading late into the night. Yet, I hate it, too. Early the next morning when I'm still expected to function and have a productive day, at any rate
.
Take care,
Julie
AT YOUR COMMAND--Blaze, Jan. 08--Romantic Times Top Pick!
PROTECTIVE INSTINCTS--The Precinct: Brotherhood of the Badge mini-series--Intrigue, June 08--Romantic Times Top Pick!
www.juliemiller.org
Hey Julie - I so commiserate with your reading difficulties
I've been known to cut down on sleep so I can read (I get up at 6
a.m.) but unfortunately can't do that for too long or it catches up on
me with a vengeance
Have you thought of dragging short stories and anthologies out of your TBR and concentrating on those, that way even if you can't get a full book read, you can still get a story read when you've a quick spare moment?
Hope you work something out!
I'm running on fumes as I had only one week's holiday last year, but as of June I'll be back to full entitlement (here in France you work up your 2007 leave in 2006 and as I wasn't working then I wasn't entitled to any) and I can feel the accumulated fatigue beginning to get to me. Also there was a change in the bosses at work so everyone's stressed
Hope your son's graduation goes well, congrats to him from me, and good luck with your deadline - if you need anyone for a quick proofread you know where to find me
Hugs
Sadhbh
May's Member of the Month
Dream Team 2008 Challenge blogs
Sadhbh--wow, sounds like a
Sadhbh--wow, sounds like a long stretch of work without a break. And adjusting to a new boss is always stressful, even if they turn out to be a good one. It's just that change, and learning work styles/expectations/etc. Good luck with everything.
Yeah, we're 6 a.m.ers here, too.
So it gets hard to stay up late. But I try to be good. That's a good suggestion about the novellas/short stories. Since I basically only teach writing/grammar anymore, I've been meaning to go back to some of my literature books and read some things in them to see if they still hold their magic for me--or check out some of the short stories I never got to teach. Maybe that's a way to get a dose of fiction in.
Hmm...that's good motivation to spend some time at the bookstore and library looking for intriguing anthologies, too
.
Take care,
Julie
AT YOUR COMMAND--Blaze, Jan. 08--Romantic Times Top Pick!
PROTECTIVE INSTINCTS--The Precinct: Brotherhood of the Badge mini-series--Intrigue, June 08--Romantic Times Top Pick!
www.juliemiller.org
I definitely go through withdrawl
... if I'm not reading. Time to read is more than just time for me. I often find that I'm rejuvenated and / or re-energized, and if I don't get to read I get... let's say Cranky... I get a little (okay, a LOT) cranky! And my family is well aware of my crabby tendencies to begin with (it doesn't help that my b'day's in July so my sign is Cancer / Crab... you can guess the ammunition that my families ~ from and made ~ have had at their disposal.)
As for what I've got sitting on my shelves calling my name? Too much... 'cause I just don't have that many hours in the day.
I usually get up an hour earlier than I have to just for my reading time... but lately I've been reading later and later in the evenings as well, so I'm kinda burning the candle at both ends ~ and in the middle.
Congratulations on your son's graduation this year... do I remember rightly that you had gone to look at colleges? Or is that something that you were planning on doing. That's a big step!
And here's hoping that you, very, very soon, have some quality reading time coming your way Julie!
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
kalyko ~ Reading: One of life's little joys and a much needed reward!
Yes, I am very frustrated
Yes, I am very frustrated right now, knowing I need to do my taxes and wanting to read. I sleep much better at night if I read whereas television has the opposite effect. I think reading takes me into another world and stops my overactive mind from reviewing the day and thinking. Reading is kind of like meditating, some reds, anyhow.
What I most want to read right now are the Medieval historical romances I have piling up, some mysteries and several Intrigues that keep calling my name plus my regular reads. I am trying to catch up but may end up taking a month off and just reading outside my normal reads for fun.
AKA Merri
Family Challenge Team: The Spine Breakers with my dh Glenn AKA Phaedrus
Hi Julie!
I feel your pain! I have to get up at 5 a.m. so if I'm not in bed and asleep by 9 p.m. I'm going to pay for it later. I have an hour long commute, so I have been getting some of my reading fix by listening to audio books during my commute...but that's not doing it for me. I'm not satisfied, I stll need to read. I'm a teacher, and it's a really busy time of the year, like you mentioned, so there's not down time at work to read, lunch time is filled with trying to keep up with grading papers, etc. and when I get home, there's always something to do here. My TBR pile is getting higher and my mood is getting lower because I'm not getting my reading time.
Not only that, but tonight I'm fighting a bit of insomnia for some reason! Off to bed again!
Hugs,
Chy
"Love, true love, is all about giving of yourself, without regard to what you may or may not get in return." --Kate McCabe (A Texas Wedding Vow)
I'm being antisocial at work at the moment by having lunch
in my car alone so I can read, I also arrive fifteen to twenty
minutes early so I can read in the car before I start work, and
destress from the driving that way, it's also a way of ensuring I'm
never late for work, and so can always leave on time. Also on Friday's
I stop work at 1.15 while DH and our other carpooler don't finish until
3.30 or 4.00 and so instead of shopping I sit and read (totally
guilt-free as there's nothing else to do)
You can carve time out for reading when you're really motivated (and I'm a readaholic so my motivation is maxed out)
Hugs
Sadhbh
May's Member of the Month
Dream Team 2008 Challenge blogs
You're right
Sadhbh! I always have a book (or two or three) with me in the car, in my purse....you never know where you may have a minute or two to read a few pages. I usually stop on the way to work at a fast food place for something for breakfast, and while I'm waiting for it to be delievered, I'll read a couple of pages. Now that I'm listening to audiobooks, I listen to them, I almost feel cheated out of reading time!
Hugs,
Marsha
"Love, true love, is all about giving of yourself, without regard to what you may or may not get in return." --Kate McCabe (A Texas Wedding Vow)
Oh, gosh--you guys make me
Oh, gosh--you guys make me feel better, just knowing that I'm not alone in my frustration and stress.
I did go to Waldenbooks last night and looked at anthologies, but nothing really jumped out at me. Nothing hit my current mood, at any rate. I did get a Romantic Times magazine and I'll read through it to see if there's something I want to order.
Any good anthology recommendations? I'm in the mood for angsty emotional romance or romantic suspense. Not too steamy--most of what I saw last night fell into the erotic romance category. I have no problem with steam--it's just not where I am right now. But I do need at least a little steam
. No romantic comedies for me right now. Read a great historical anthology last month, so I've got my fix of that for a while. Will consider paranormal, though I'm not a vampire/werewolf kind of a gal.
I'm smiling--that sounds kind of like a personal ad--never thought of looking for books that way
.
Thanks,
Julie
AT YOUR COMMAND--Blaze, Jan. 08--Romantic Times Top Pick!
PROTECTIVE INSTINCTS--The Precinct: Brotherhood of the Badge mini-series--Intrigue, June 08--Romantic Times Top Pick!
www.juliemiller.org
Julie ... how about ??
there are a few available here at eHarl ...
Heat Wave .... A Wedding in Paris .... Hot Desert Nights .... Snowbound .... A Mother's Love
I think you could get those in eBook too ...
~~ KatherineT ~~ I'm a Harlequin Addict, and I'm proud of it!
~~ Quiet Canadians ~ 2008 Book Challenge Blog
Thanks, Katherine! I'll
Thanks, Katherine! I'll have a look-see at your suggestions.
Julie
AT YOUR COMMAND--Blaze, Jan. 08--Romantic Times Top Pick!
PROTECTIVE INSTINCTS--The Precinct: Brotherhood of the Badge mini-series--Intrigue, June 08--Romantic Times Top Pick!
www.juliemiller.org
Hi Julie!
I have Hot Desert Nights in my TBR ... and it's been calling to me lately ..... that's three novellas, Lucy Monroe, Kim Lawrence and Louise Allen .... I'm not familiar with Louise Allen, though I know she writes Historicals ... and Lucy and Kim write wonderful Presents with heroes that are alpha that are the droolishious kind!
hmmm .... this one really is calling to me now! .. umm, wonder which box I hid it in!
~~ KatherineT ~~ I'm a Harlequin Addict, and I'm proud of it!
~~ Quiet Canadians ~ 2008 Book Challenge Blog