I’ve mentioned this quite a bit on this blog but I am SUCH a mood reader. It’s hard to really define what that means but basically my mood dictates how and what I read…and I just go with it because I don’t really want to force myself to read something I’m not in the mood for because it might make me not enjoy it as much as I would if I was in the mood for that TYPE of book. So I wanted to talk about what it’s like to be a mood reader.
1. I could start and put down 19049304 books in one day because I just can’t quite find a book that suits my mood. Seriously. Sometimes it’s soooo frustrating to pick a new book to read when I’m in a really specific mood. I can even pick up things that I think will be suitable for what I’m wanting and give it a few pages and I’m like EHHH NOT IN THE MOOD or maybe I can’t pinpoint quite what I AM in the mood for. My bookshelves get destroyed in the process and I just get so frustrated in the process of trying to pick out a book.
2. I can’t keep any sort of blogging schedule in terms of review copies. I know A LOT of book bloggers will have their review copies in a nice, neat spreadsheet and they read by release date. OH MY GOD I WISH I COULD DO THAT. If I made a list I would probably abandon it day 1. I know I would. It would make things SOOOO much easier if I could have a process for picking my books (based on release date with older, backlist titles in the mix also) rather than relying on what I FEEEEL like I want. Because sometimes I just plain ol’ don’t know. This is also why I stink when I do my seasonal TBR lists. I try really hard to stick to them but my mood just demands something else so all lists go to shit eventually.
3. My library books often get sent back unread. I get all these amazing sounding books out that I really want to read and I am REALLY JAZZED about them. Flails and all. I’m so ready to read these books when I get them out. But then something happens where suddenly some of them don’t fit what I want to read in the next few weeks. Then I renew and renew but eventually some just get sent back without being read.
4. I could be really, really excited about a book releasing and be DYING to have it..and then not read it for months. This also has a lot to do with my bookish ADD but it’s also a lot to do with my mood. I get soooo excited for a book. Let’s say it’s a really cute romance and I’ve been DYING for it..but I might be in the mood for something really dark that will make me cry. So I’m still excited about the new release but time passes and my mood just hasn’t quite shifted to something cute or maybe I’ve just had a case of bookish ADD with all the billion other new releases. SIGH.
5. I stink at reading books with people. This is one of the worst feelings. I so often want to buddy read or do a readalong with people but if I’m not feeling it right then..I just can’t force myself to do it. I’ve learned pretty early on that I stink at this so I tend to avoid them so I don’t let people down when I decide I’m not in the mood for it but I’m pretty envious when I see people reading books together and I’m like WHY BRAIN WHY DO YOU HAVE TO BE SO COMPLICATED SOMETIMES.
6. Sometimes I won’t read for days or even a week or so. I’ve already admitted, in a post of reader-ly confessions, that I don’t read every day or sometimes longer so that’s no surprise to you but sometimes my mood will make me a) so frustrated that I can’t figure out what I’m in the mood to read so I just WON’T until I figure it out or b) sometimes I really am NOT in the mood to read at all. So I do other things and I’m okay with. I just wait until I feel that pull to read again. I’m not a fan of forcing myself to read when I don’t want to. I read because I enjoy it..so forcing myself to when I’m not feeling it seems like not a good plan for me.
7. I rarely do blog tours because I don’t want to stick to deadlines. I don’t do a lot of blog tours for many personal reasons/preferences but my mood reading is a big part. There is no worse feeling for me when I realize I have a blog tour that I agreed to and I realize I need to read the book by a certain date and I am not at ALL in the mood for that book. You know what it starts to feel like then? Homework. And I haven’t had homework since my last year of college in 2008. And I just can’t handle that feeling.
8. My reading count could totally fluctuate each year. Because I’m a mood reader, and sometimes that means I’m not in the mood to read AT ALL, I never have a goal of books to read really per month or year. I mean, I put a “reading challenge” on Goodreads but I never reach it. Since I just go with my mood, sometimes it means I read 10 books per month or maybe only 3 or 4.
9. I often feel bad about borrowing books from friends because I could take forever to read them. This has happened SO often to me and I feel like a jerk! A friend might lend me a book and I really do WANT to read it but I might not want to read it in that MOMENT. I don’t want them to think I’ve forgotten and I don’t want to look rude or anything. And especially if it’s a fave book they are letting me borrow I feel even worse because I know they are waiting for me to dive in! I promise I’m not rude but just letting my reading mood guide me!
But sometimes being a mood reader isn’t all that bad…
10. I venture into all sorts of genres and types of books. Being a mood reader means I flit from genre to genre, old books, new books, etc. I never know what I’m going to read and you never know what you are going to find me talking about here on this blog. It’s really kind of fun to read based on my mood because I get great recommendations from people! I can ask for a book that will break me or challenge me, make me swoon or make me LOL or make me curl up in the fetal position bawling and I find myself reading all sorts of different books.
11. I often have better personal success with books because I don’t force myself to read it. I give in to my moods rather than keep trying to trudge through a book. Sometimes it could be the book or sometimes it’s just that my mood doesn’t match the book. I’ve seen it happen where I start a book and I’m like EHHHH but then I put it down and start it later when I’m in the mood for it and it totally knocks my socks off. Or sometimes this still happens..
BOTTOM LINE: I really don’t mind being a mood reader though sometimes there are some drawbacks to it. I felt so much less stressed once I realized I was a mood reader when it came to blogging because I was so struggling to keep up with release dates and keeping on top of ALL THE BOOKS. I simply adapted how I did things and my expectations for all this to fit how I read and it’s made all the difference. So that’s things like realizing it’s not a good idea for me to participate in readalongs or blog tours. And it’s helped me to realize it’s OKAY that I’m not a super organized person when it comes to my reading.
So what about you — are you a mood reader or do you try to read based off a list or some other method of your own choosing? If you a blogger, do review copies dictate how you read? I’m curious if anything I’ve talked about is the same/different as your habits!
Alex @ Life in the Pages says
Oh my gosh, I relate to this post so much! You’ve highlighted so many of the problems that go along with being a mood reader, especially with review copies and library books. The ARCs on my Nook keep getting more and more backed up and I tell myself not to request anymore, but whenever I see a new and interesting book pop up on NetGalley I can’t resist! And don’t even get me started on library books; I always return more unread books than read ones. You’re so right about trying to read with other people–I’ve joined book clubs and other reading groups on Goodreads but I’m never able to stick with them very long because if I’m not in the mood for the book the club has chosen for a particular month, I just cannot read it! In the end though, maybe it’s for the best that we’re mood readers. Better to wait until you’re in the mood for a particular book than try to read it when you don’t want to and end up hating it.
Jamie says
YES and sometimes you request the Netgalley books and then you just SO are not in the mood for them!
Book club is typically the only reading I can make myself do BUT I’m ALWAYYYYS reading it at the last minute haha. Sometimes I’ve even been finishing the final pages as book club shows up to my apartment! lol
Alex @ Life in the Pages says
Yup! And then I feel so guilty for not reading and reviewing it right away!
Hahaha, I did the same thing for the brief time I was in my high school’s book club. We had a meeting once in the middle of the school day (during our home room period) and I spent the whole morning frantically trying to read whenever I got the chance. I don’t remember what the book was now, but I do remember not liking it very much, which only made it more difficult to finish. I think I stopped going to the meetings shortly after that. Oops, haha.
Jamie says
Book club is about the only thing I WILL do it for but I always procrastinate!
Tiff @ Mostly YA Lit says
I think I’m a mood reader, too. Usually what happens is that when I need a break from my schedule, I just take it, and I won’t read every day or I’ll go read something else that I’m dying to read. This is also why I’m a re-reader – sometimes I’m just in the mood for something that I know is the perfect dystopian or whatever, and I’ll end up flipping through a book again in one night. It ends up making me do a lot of crazy binge reading to finish ARCs because I’m TERRIBLE about getting to ARCs, but it helps with the book slumping? I wish I could be more relaxed about things like you…
Shay says
My moods sometimes dictate my reading, but more often, my reading affects my mood. If I am reading something that is sad or dark, I have to make sure I don’t let that spill over into my actual life!
Angie F. says
Being a mood reader sounds exhausting. Seriously. I would never get any reading done choosing a book this way!
I’m all about lists and schedules and spreadsheets! And I stick to them! I have to, or else I become overwhelmed by the amount of books in the world I have to choose from. I mean, part of my reading schedule does consist of books that I may “feel” like reading, it’s not all ARCs. I just never get into moods that dictate what type of book I want to read, so I’m always open to anything. I always try to have a list of 10-15 books to read next, so I can shift them around if I do prefer to read something specific, and sometimes the books get completely kicked off the list. So I guess I’m more likely to NOT be in the mood for something rather than IN the mood for something, but I still have to follow a preset plan.
ashley says
I relate SO MUCH to this post. I am a huge mood reader, which goes against most of what I know as a VERY TYPE-A person. But I’ve read WAY less books than usual lately because nothing sounds good. Nothing “tastes” good to me. I have various ARCs and I know I should be reading them, but if they don’t sound good at the time, it’s just not going to happen.
Jessica @ Just a Booklover says
I AM THE SAME EXACT WAY. I go through slumps all the time because I am just not in the mood for, like, anything. And I have the same bad feeling when I borrow books. I obviously try to not take forever and a half, but sometimes I can’t help it. And the LIBRARY BOOKS! Goodness. The people who live with me make fun of me for this all the time. I go kind of cray cray at the library, and then only read, like, two or three of the books I bring home. I can’t help it, though. I’m not going to sit down and read a book when I KNOW I’m not going to like it right now. Which sounds weird, but that’s how it is.
Have you ever noticed that your mood reading effects how you feel about a book waaay after the fact? Like, you read a book in January, thought it was the awesomest of all the awesome, and then in May you looked back on that review and you’re like “Ummm, it was a good book, but why did I praise that thing to kingdom come?” Because I think I get that way about some books. It may just be me, though.
I love this post, Jamie!!!
Sandra @ Sandra's World of Books says
I am a mood reader. I really am a mood reader. And at the moment, I’m in a mood that I just don’t know what the heck I want to read and if I even feel like reading a thing. It’s hard. Ugh. I have some ARC’s around, but I just don’t feel like reading most of them, because meh. MEH. I just want a romantic novel with romance, and I don’t know how. It needs to be romantic from the first page on you know, because in this mood I’ll put my book down if nothing interesting happened after the first chapter. Maybe I’ll re-read Twilight or Harry Potter or something. Maybe I’ll feel better if I do that.
Library books are definitely a problem. Luckily they will stay there. I mean, here you can just reserve them and they put you on the list. That way I could always get the same books back if I feel like reading the book at that moment. I really have a library book around that I have read the first 70 pages off, but well, I should finish it, but nah. I don’t know.
Especially those ARCs. I shouldn’t really request ARC’s anymore. I need to finish them first. Maybe it will happen. But probably it won’t. I still have an ARC from October around, and I told the author that I’m just not in the mood to read it yet, but when I am, I would read it. From ARCs like those, I usually just read small bits from time to time.
Elin Foshaug says
I’m probably a bit the same. Can borrow some books at the library, which I think is interesting at the time. But it ends up that I deliver them back, without reading them. I can borrow the same books another time and then I read them. The books I choose depends on my mood. Sometimes I’m in fantasy mood, sometimes I like more historical books. Other times I like real-life books or romantic books. I also have periods when I do not like to read at all and a book can lying unfinished on my nightstand or in my backpack/ bag for a eternity before I continue reading.
Amanda @ Book Badger says
I tend to just be a mood reader; nine times out of ten I will let my mood decide, but I fell back on a lot of ARC’s lately, so I made myself a list of books I needed to read in the next few months with varied genres and mood read from there. I’m getting there, but I’m slowly gaining this craving to read off my shelf, it’s not good. I also usually have a monthly routine I do with reading and it changes all the time, but it helps me shake up what I’m reading so I don’t get bored with the same things, once again, working with my mood. I think I’m somewhere in between, I mood read from a long list of books instead of from every book I have, it helps 🙂
Stormy says
I could have totally written this post. I am such a mood reader & I’m okay with that! I do sometimes make seasonal/monthly list, but they’re just “suggestions” to myself–I deviate from them all the time and I’m perfectly fine with doing so! I do keep a spreadsheet for review copies, but not so I can read them in order–mainly just so I can remember which ones I have in my possession, since so many are on my kindle. The idea of creating a reading schedule for myself makes me break out in hives, pretty sure. I know some people LOVE reading by a schedule but just the thought of doing it makes me feel ugh and very homework-like. And I probably return as many books to the library unread as I actually read! It’s a 50/50 shot there. Especially with holds. A month ago when I placed a hold I might have been DYING to read that book. . . but when I get it in my hands? I feel very *shrug* about it.
Amy M. says
I couldn’t help but reply to your comment, Stormy. I do the same thing with my ARCs, especially eARCs! I keep a list mainly so I don’t forget the ARCs I have. I also try to highlight the ones that the publication date has past, so I notice it easier. It’s so easy to forget sometimes!
Lolita says
I am a mood reader too and it can be really difficult sometimes. I do participate in blog tours and always mark the date when I have to read a book on my calendar. I usually manage to read the book in time, because I feel bad if I don’t. I prefer it if I get review copies early in advance so I can fit them in my mood reading schedule (which isn’t a schedule at all). Last few months I basically only read review book right after each other due to slow reading and a lot of deadlines. And suddenly it got too much and I picked up some books I was in the mood for and I feel much better now.
I also think sometimes a book get’s DNF’d because I am just not in the mood for it.
I have the same problem with buddy reads, I set one up and then when it’s time to start the book I am not in the mood for it. So annoying! Because I do like buddy reads, but they hardly ever work out for me.
Just like you I am pretty open to a wide variety of genres, which is one of the good things of being a mood reader.
Critica says
Oh my gosh, I guess I never realized how much of a mood reader I was until now. I do all of this stuff! I can never plan out book reviews ahead of time because I never stick to any schedule. That’s why I plan music reviews and just kinda throw in book reviews as I go. XD Being a mood reader is especially tough for me because I usually have some books on my shelf unread that I promise myself I’ll read before I buy any more… But what if I’m not in the mood for any of the books I own? Then I feel bad because if just make myself read the ones I have when I’m not in the mood, I’m not giving them a proper chance. But if I go out and get more books, I’m going to get Book Overflow and be broke. XD
Stephanie B says
Yes, yes, yes to them all. I’m a mood reader too. I can go days without reading and then I’ll pick up a book and all I do is read. And that book I really want to read? Yeah, a lot of the time I end up going weeks/months without reading it. I’m glad I’m not the only person who has trouble with library books! I think I’ve only read one so far this year and I’ve taken out like 15.
Becky LeJeune says
Haha! Yes, I have to agree with almost ALL of these. I do manage to do blog tours and I find it does take some of the indecision that comes from my mood reading out of the equation but the flip side of that may not be a better option. What happens is that if I’m not actually in the mood to read what’s on the schedule, I go into it grudgingly and at least some of the time this means I likely don’t like the book just because I’ve read it at the wrong time.
she says
I’m surprised an animated gif of me wasn’t posted here since I am the exact definition of a mood reader. I’ve just never put it into so many words before. My bed is surrounded by 1/2 or paritially read books that I just wasn’t in the mood for when I started them. It’s like a graveyard.
Amy M. says
This post definitely describes me spot on! I’m a mood reader. Most times I love it! I read what I want when I want. I’ve never had a big problem with it. Although, it does become a problem when it comes to ARCs. It’s difficult to read ARCs by the publication date. I’ve failed multiple times. At first I tried and tried to read the books, but I realized my reviews would always be less than stellar. It doesn’t help that in my mind I also know that if I probably read it when I was in the mood for it, I’d probably enjoy it a heck of a lot more. So I’ve stopped trying to hard. It’s just who I am.
I think also because I’m a mood reader, it’s difficult for me to distinguish myself as a particular type of reader. Some people are strictly YA or strictly adult. Some people just read paranormal while others read contemporary. I kind of read everything and would try everything if it interests me. So when the question is asked what types of books I like to read, it can be hard sometimes.
Bonnie @ A Backwards Story says
I’m like this, too. Right now I am all, HI, HIGH FANTASY, I LOVE AND ADORE YOU. PLEASE MARRY ME RIGHT NOW AND NEVER LEAVE ME. I don’t want to read anything else! And yes, I agree with you…if I don’t have the right book for my mood, I can’t read at all and get SO FRUSTRATED! I try to schedule some reviews, but as soon as I do, I suddenly don’t want to read the book. It’s become an obligation that I HAVE TO READ and I lose the enjoyment. So I don’t do that! I agree with so many of your points, Jamie! We’re both mood readers for sure <3
JB says
I’m not quite as bad of a mood reader as you, but I am somewhat, definitely. The library book problem–ugh, totally understandable. They sound so good when I’m there, but then I don’t feel like reading them when I get home. Ditto with new releases! (Though I usually wait for the library to get them, and I’ve already mentioned how my library stack goes…) However, I’m pretty good at sticking with a book during read-a-thons and such.
Erin says
Great post. Sometimes I am a mood reader, but it’s mainly if someone really huge is going on or I can’t shake off the high of a series I just finished and need more of that genre. Sometimes I’m not in the mood for a certain genre but I typically can get into almost any book
Kaley @ Books Etc says
I’ve been noticing, now that I seem to have a bazillion more review requests, that some books get shoved down the list because I’m not in the mood for it. And also that I’m forcing myself to read a book that I might not otherwise want to read at that point in time because I have to have it reviewed before the tour date or, what I’m struggling with right now for one book, a NetGalley archival date. It’s hard and I don’t know if I put pressure on myself to have books read and reviewed by a certain time or if it really is in the unwritten Blogger Code of Conduct. I totally get what you mean about being a mood reader and I’m glad it works for you for the most part! 🙂
Incredibrarian says
I can’t think of any suggestions, BUT I know what you mean. Now that I’m spent on dystopia, I’ve been in the mood for either historical fiction or country western. Bonus points if a book includes both. Throw in a cute romance aspect, nothing too gratuitous, and you pretty much have the perfect book for me right now.
Holly U says
Yes, yes, a million times yes to this post! I am an absolute mood reader. And I have found that I didn’t enjoy some books as much because I just didn’t want to read them, but I had to get my review in. I hate those deadlines. And sometimes, I’ll pick up a book, read a couple pages, and say NAH. I do that A LOT. But very rarely does my mood ever make mistakes for a book once I’ve started and don’t want to stop. It always knows what I want to read in the moment. 🙂
Quinn @ Quinn's Book Nook says
I’m a total mood reader, too, Jamie, and I can relate to soooo many of these. Especially number 1! Sundays are usually days that I devote to reading. So often I’m looking to start a new book then, and I often feel like I try 5 different books looking for the right one. And sometimes I don’t even find the right one. And definitely no to reading books based on release date. There is no way I could do that! Oh, and I am always returning books to the library unread.
Mel@thedailyprophecy says
I’m a mood reader with a certain schedule, haha. I try to make sure that I read my ARC’s around the right time and I’m pretty good at keeping up 🙂 It sometimes means I post the review a week after publication date, but I still think that it creates a good buzz for the book – and that’s what ARC’s are all about right?
I do get the feeling of not being able to find THE book I’m looking for. I know I want something, but I just can’t seem to find the right book for it. Sometimes I just force myself into read a book, but most of the times I end up doing something else until I can figure it out 🙂 It doesn’t take me very long though. There are few days where I don’t read at all, so most of the times I find a good book the next day.
Christine @ BookishlyB says
I just read Five Days at Memorial by Sheri Fink about how a New Orleans hospital handed the five days post-Katrina for book club. Some of the staff was accused of euthanizing certain patients- it will make you question yourself, our medical system, and your own mortality.
Briana says
I totally GET you. As much as I LOVE the Divergent series, I can’t bring myself to read Allegiant. I’ve had too many people tell me it was bad… which makes me think it really is bad. But I need to finish the series! Help 🙁
Tiffany says
I’m totally a mood reader too! I feel the same way about borrowing books from friends too, which is why I’d rather just check them out from the library and return them unread than have someone’s book for months!
A Canadian Girl says
I’m a total mood reader (and writer) too! I’m always amazed by bloggers that stick to their review schedule of books and have managed to schedule posts months in advance … how do they DO this?! I also tend to return my books unread to the library and sometimes go all meh about books that people are going crazy over. Oh, and because I’m a mood reader, I tend to read at least two books at the same time, if not more.
Julie S. says
OMG I’m so with you on #2 and #7! I don’t bother making schedules anymore, or try to join many blog tours, because I can’t read on a schedule. I have a hard enough time keeping up with book club reads. I didn’t realize that was due to being a mood reader, but it makes sense. I really am looking for a book that suits my mood when I’m ready for a new one. So *that’s* why it is so hard to pick my next read. And that’s why I keep not really being blown away by so many of the books I read. Hmm..
Jen says
I’m glad I’m not the only one
Elizabeth says
All I can say is ME TOO! I learned a long time ago to buy books one at a time and read them immediately. Or else I will never ever get in the mood for them again (or it might take years to get there). I also find myself returning books to the library unread. It boggles my mind when people keep a schedule of books to read or do those TBR jars where they randomly pick a book from the jar.
I actually just finished a book I sort of forced myself to read despite my mood because I had checked it out from the library and didn’t really have anything else that sounded better in my stack. I liked it, but didn’t love it and it took me a long time to get through and I’m not sure how I would have felt if I had actually been in the mood for it… probably would have enjoyed it a lot more!
Melody says
Oh my gosh ! I’m the same as you ! It’s so annoying to not being able to read just because you’re not in the mood to ! When that happens to me I tend to walk aimlessly around the house, not knowing what to do with mt life ! Ahah so yeah, I can totally relate to this post !
Alise says
Great post, and one that is definitely relatable. I do think I used to be more of a mood reader when I didn’t blog because I had so much more freedom (or at least it feels like it) to pick up any book I wanted, when I wanted and not feel bad about it. Love your #1, DNFing is something I tend to do a lot because of my constantly fluctuating moods. That balancing books gif is like 1000% perfect for #1’s purpose!
Haha, I do the SAME thing with scheduling. Tried the calendars, tried the spreadsheets, tried the schedule, but nope. I read things and then I put them into my blog where there is room and… nope, that’s it, ha. I like the IDEA of being organized but I’m pretty sure I’m just not capable. And that goes into why I can’t do blog tours, just like you mentioned in #7.
3 and 4 kind of go hand in hand for me. I think it’s because I just LIKE HAVING BOOKS, OKAY. I love looking at them and being in their presence, even if I don’t read them. So I definitely agree with those points!
I wish I ventured out into different genres as much as you! Although, it seems like that has pros and cons because hello, even more books = more choices 😉 I stick with Young Adult but kind of wish I could venture out. Anyway.
Review copies do pretty much dictate what I read because I feel pretty obligated to read them and while that can kind of be a downer, I don’t think I would trade that in.
Lindsay S. says
I am mostly a mood reader. The biggest problem I have is when a book fits my criteria for my mood and then it either doesn’t deliver what I expected OR my mood changes while reading. Add to that the fact that I don’t like reading more than one book at a time, so then I end up making myself keep reading it, which is not fair to the book since it taints my enjoyment. However I have found some fabulous books by being a mood reader and having to search for just the right book to fit my mood. So yeah. Mood reading definitely has its pros and cons. Great post!
Sofia says
Haha, this was so awesome. 🙂 I also struggle with having a blogging schedule as well as with not reading for days sometimes. But I think that’s all cool, if you’re not mood for reading, why read because it will just become unenjoyable? Thanks for making this post, I think book bloggers tend to chastise themselves about not being a perfect reader/blogger, so it was good to see that we are not alone!
Alexa S. says
I’m a hybrid reader, partly based on mood and partly based on a list. I try to be good and read my review copies in a timely fashion, since I personally feel like I should. But there are just times when I have to give it up in favor of reading something else because my mood takes precedence! I definitely think that it’s okay because reading is supposed to be FUN, and I never want to be obligated to do it. Loved seeing your thoughts on this!
Kelly says
I am sooo this way with so many things. I am the same way about music and it kind of stresses me out sometimes. It keeps me from listening to a lot of new stuff because if I’m NOT IN THE MOOD for that sound or the way it makes me feel then I won’t listen to it. I can just end up listening to nothing but the cure for two weeks because I can’t get in the mood for anything else. Oh well, that’s just the way it is I guess! It makes it feel so much more awesome when you do find what you are in the mood for, like finally getting to scratch an itch.
Jessica says
OMG. I agree with you so much!! I am a mood reader… jump from so many different genres, have difficulty choosing what to read next because I have to gather my mood, and sometimes it leads me to not read., take so many unread books back to the library, won’t even borrow books from people, have so many unread books on me shelf.. seriously just agree with this whole post! Although I can be structured SOMEWHAT. minimually, I like to have a tbr of books I want to get to and do participate in read-alongs but there is definitely a fine line. Actually currently I decided not to do a readalong because I’m just not in the mood for that book and have other things I want to read. I won’t enjoy the book if I force it. Although it does stress me out though when there’s a book I started and I’ll drag it on forever… currently its happening, I started A Tree Grows in Brooklyn in the mid of February got 1/4 of the way through haven’t picked it up since and it took me awhile to get to 1/4… ooi. But I’m not going to put it down I’m just going to read little by little! But this is such a struggle and I feel your pain! But like you said it’s not a huge burden because it’s nice to read books you are in the mood for and none that you obligated yourself to read! I don’t like to force myself too much lol! Great post!
Jamie says
I’m so glad someone else gets like all my points! I thought everyone was going to be like WOW your brain is cray!
Daphne says
OMG, this is like holding up a mirror to myself. Every single point, I was like “YESSSS!” Especially the parts about books you’re dying to read but they they’re released and it’s MONTHS before I pick it up and when I do, I am so completely drawn in, I cannot even put it down. This has happened several times in the last couple years, especially, since we started the blog. And it really kind of makes it hard to review stuff because I request something that I know is a ME book, but then I push it off & push it off & have to re-download because it expired and, in the end, have to get it from the library to fulfill my review of it. Don’t tell anyone I said that. In fact, forget I said that. Fantastic post!
Jamie says
UGh that used to happen to me so much before I got my Kindle (which the earcs don’t expire on). I would do the SAME THING.
Alexa says
I feel like I’ve been on both ends of this. I have been the scheduled reader before where things had to happen at a certain dead line and such but it started to bore me. I found I was only reading new releases and requested books instead of the books that I wanted to fit into my reading piles. I think I’ve become a mood reader but I still have those moments where I will be a dead line reader if necessary.
Great post!
Jamie says
Ah you have the best of both worlds then! SOMETIMES I’m able to do deadlined things when I absolutely need to but I’m hating it the whole time haha
Paige G says
I’m a mood reader too and I hate when I get really excited for something that is coming out in the semi-distant future, put it on hold at work, only to get it and not want to read it. That’s happened to me a lot. I’m also a seasonal reader too. Most of my light and fluffy books or contemporary YA get read in the Spring/Summer.
Jamie says
YES I tend to do that in the summer too! Idk whyyyy!
Britt says
This post so much!!!!! Being a mood reader can definitely be tricky when doing blog stuff. I’ve always been a mood reader, it’s gotten somewhat better since I started blogging. I used to read five books at a time and just pick up whichever I was in the mood for. When I started blogging though, I forced myself to just read one book at a time. I think that caused some reading slumps though so now I just read however I feel like. I’m in a couple of book groups (real life and online) and it can get tricky to keep up with those reads.
Jamie says
I get into slumps quite a bit as a one book girl but recently I’ve been switching between two and it DOES seem to help a little bit because I can just decide to read more of the other if I’m REALLY struggling. Being a mood reader def does make blogging tricky but at least we’ve found ways around it!
Stephanie says
I SO relate to this 100% and you did a great job pointing out all the trials and tribulations. For me, the biggest negative of being a mood reader is that I LOVE to discuss books but cannot successfully do a book club. In theory it sounds great – being exposed to books outside my normal preferences etc… but it always just turns into, I can’t bring myself to read this book and now I’m ashamed so I won’t go to book club. I think it’s the main reason I started a blog, because I can write about whatever I happen to be reading without having it dictated to me and if lucky there is usually someone out there in the wide world who will engage in some discussion about it. And vice versa with other people’s blogs. At least that’s what I’ve been hoping and it sometimes works. It’s maybe not as satisfying as in person discussions but it’s much more suited to the mood reader:) I am currently struggling with the fact that I started The Stand by Stephen King in Nov. 2012 and have read 900 and some pages but I am almost never in the mood to pick it up. But at 900 and some pages in, I am gonna finish that SOB. Someday. When I’m in the mood.
Jamie says
Yeah that is the nice thing about the blogging community..it’s relaxed and so on your time to talk about books. I do well enough with book club myself though I seriously do end up reading right before the meeting!
Hillary says
I am the EXACT same way!!
Jamie says
*fist bump*
Ashley F. says
I am absolutely a mood reader! Today I returned six books to the library, only one of which I finished. I used to feel guilty about not finishing books, but now I tell myself that there are other stories out there that will grab me in the first five to ten chapters.
Sally says
I am sure this must be me you are writing about! Surely no one else feels this way?
You do?
Yaaaaay – I’m not alone!
Amenah says
This post absolutely describes me to the t.
Megan C. Stroup says
I definitely feel you on #3!! Such a problem – especially when I wait weeks (or months!) for a book and then have to get all the way at the end of the line again. Sigh….
Zoë B says
This.
This.
This.
I relate so much to this, and it seems that I hadn’t figured I was a mood reader properly until I read this. Everything makes sense now!
Nine is so freaking true, I have (at least) 3 books that aren’t mine currently sitting on my shelf waiting to be read when the mood takes me. And you’re spot on with the genre hopping, I’ve recently gotten into crime thrillers having no inclination to read them previously but now I love them. Tomorrow I’ll probably read some sci-fi and then a romcom…
Darkowaa says
I’m a mood reader too!! I love this post, most of it explains me to the T! 🙂
Jamie says
😀