A discussion with P.E. and Mari.

P.E.: I watch so much tv nowadays. More than I ever used to. I would say this is common for most college students, if the number of yaks praising Netflix are accurate. What would you say Mari?

MARI: #NETFLIXISLIFE and I understand why. With all the textbook reading it's no wonder there are not many braincells left that are willing to read; even for fun. Netflix kicks in at this point and offers fun without the use of brain. Nevertheless, I'm always pleasantly surprised on my bus rides to school where I see a great many people reading, digitally or using a hard copy book. Readers are a small community and we always go back to reading despite pit stops on Netflix and youtube.  On the other side of the spectrum, there are many more college students who have never picked up a book for fun and so to me that explains the yaks.

Gimme Netflix

P.E.: I think the fact that my commute is walking kills my time to read, because now I'm constantly going from campus to rez. And c'mon, these are college students. Have some faith. For me, it's really like you said. I  just read seventy pages of political science readings. I can't look at another word on the page. I can't. I need my brain to shut down. 

I'm starting to miss books though, like you said, to the point where I'm considering trying just ten minutes before bed. Having that other world to be excited about is so important for who I am. 

MARI: On the bright side, I don't think it's all sadness and dying kittens (I like puppies). People find other passions in university. I wouldn't pick up an economics book if you were to hit me over the head with one before I took economics. But now I find that I am fascinated with the subject and would appreciate reading more about it.

Similarly, I think you've come to find some academic reads that you enjoy. As long as your reading, I don't think it matters what your reading.

P.E.: You are seriously missing out. I did like 1/4 of a unit on monetary relations and now I feel like the shit when I read an article about currency and what that means for exports/imports/capital controls/interest rates and stuff. It's one of those things that is so easily applicable to day-to-day life. /end of P.E.'s economics love rant

And I disagree. Academic reading is different. I never realized how stylistically dry it was until I read an academic text that had metaphors and imagery and fun word play. Goddamn it academia, make your writing more interesting! I think fictional books that you pick for yourself are just so nice. School is making them novel, like little treats too, and I'm so psyched for next week when I get back home and raid the library.

Mari: Rein it in there buddy. My experiences have not been so terrible and I read books to procrastinate still :) I have experienced only two super dry textbook and those were both university custom edition. Overall, I understand others' struggle. I'll keep you in my mind when I go back to reading Mortal Heart by Robin Lafevers! (It's so good!)

Has College put a damper on your reading? 

and most importantly 

What, if anything, are you reading?

I’ve noticed over my reading adventures that I don’t necessarily enter reading slumps out of nowhere. They are actually really common.

I don’t often get into a reading spree where I read 10 books in a row, that happens very seldom actually. Picking my next read is the toughest thing for me. It’s completely up to my mood and what catches my eye. It’s random.

I’m currently in a reading limbo because I don’t know what to read next. This happens all the time despite my 1000 book tbr list on goodreads. But I appreciate it. Sometimes it’s important to realize that yes I do need to make content but I also have to realize that it’s fun. If I’m not feeling in the mood, I can pick up some of the best books and not be able to read past the first page. 

To solve this, I have a slow and steady way of picking my next read. It’s not preplanned, it just happens when it’s time. Basically, I get the calling. I feel it in my gut, a sense that tells me I want to read and what I want to read. It’s not always a title or a specific book. Most of the time, it’s a topic or setting.

A couple months ago I watched Pompeii which rejuvenated my love for Ancient Rome and historical romances. After a week or two of intensive searching I finally zeroed into a book that interested me, was within the topic that I was interested in and was readily available at my library. And tada, we got my 5 star rave review of The Mistress of Rome. 

Reading is a moody hobby for me. I will not read something that feels forced. It’s why required reading always takes me months to finish despite by initial interest.  Reading slumps aren’t really an end to reading for me, they are a time when I stop, recharge and find the next best thing.

In a way this explains my starring system and why I have so many 5 star reads. It's not because I'm easy to please or a high marker, far from that. I read less and love more. Meaning the little number of books I read, I enjoy very much with an occasional hiccup here and there. Most of the time if I’m not sure I will love a book, I won’t read it. That’s just me. Even if it means I don't pick anything else up for a long time after. 

How do you pick your next book? Are reading slumps as prominent for you as they are for me?