Thank you for talking about this. I’m in a very similar situation-after my English MA, I’ve found it very hard to read for pleasure. I’ve found, for me, it’s easier to read non-fiction at the moment than fiction because I expect that analytical part of my brain to be on whereas with fiction, I want to turn off the “work” mind, but I just can’t. I honestly haven’t completed a book for fun since last January. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve started a million, but haven’t completed any. Just trying to give myself grace and time.
I had a reading slump recently. Mostly because I’ve been plotting an historical romance and I don’t like easy romances but ones accurate to history and with heavy subjects baked in beyond “we love each other.” It takes the fun out of reading the genre even then. I tend not read romance because I am judging everything I read. In other words it’s my job so I can’t enjoy romance anymore. However I’ve gotten into sci-fi because I don’t write it so I don’t have to analyze it as much. I still do because storytelling is storytelling but I feel you.
I try to write romance in my spare time and have a dream of doing it professionally some day, and I worry about what you’re describing! Romance has always been my comfort zone for reading, I’m sad at the thought that if I pursue writing it I might lose some of that enjoyment… but I guess sometimes that’s just the price we pay to pursue a passion!
@@GlutenbergBibleit is the price we pay but in my opinion it’s worth it. Plus, fun is not something static in a human life. We find ways to get it when we need it.
I absolutely needed this video. In January I started an editorial internship and have been reading non-stop for work and for pleasure. March was the first month where I felt like I really burnt myself out and found it hard to read in my spare time. The reading fatigue came with so much inner turmoil and guilt because I felt like by not wanting to read, I was somehow losing an essential part of myself, or proving I wasn’t capable of my job….all of this to say - this video and your wisdom were much appreciated. ❤
Yes that’s exactly how it feels, guilt and a sense of loss! I do find it comes and goes, though - I have these slumps, but eventually they pass and I get back to the feeling of fun and engagement with reading again. I hope you’re enjoying your internship and are able to be patient with yourself while you’re doing all this professional reading!!
This is my first vid or yours and youre so lovely to watch. March has been a hard month ( I think for all) but even a little reading goes a long way. Hope you have a great spring and even a greater April.
Hj! I'm a new viewer and really enjoy your authenticity. Since I'm studying literature I also can't really afford a reading slump 😂 but reading for pleasure hasn't been hitting as hard lately. I'd rather just listen to music right now, which is sad. Anyway, loved the video!
Hello! As a fellow grad student this is so relatable - and in general I love all your thesis writing content, your tik tok on the shitty first draft really really helped me get out of a writing slump this summer, and I just handed in my thesis yesterday, so thank you
The Well of Loneliness was first published in 1928. I have a copy of the book from that year by Jonathan Cape publishing, the first edition, second impression, with original dust jacket, before the book was banned. I found it cheap in a second hand book store. Judging by the price sticker on it, I don't think they quite knew what they were selling!
Oh wow, that’s so cool! I recently picked mine up second hand, it’s also Jonathon Cape - if I’m reading it right, mines a seventh impression from 1929 - our copies are like cousins!
For romance, Ravishing the Heiress by Sherry Thomas! For short, compulsive reads, I would recommend This Is How You Lose the Time War (queer sci-fi romance), O Caledonia (Scotland, teenage outsider, very literary), or The Days of Abandonment (Elena Ferrante, feminist).
Thank you for talking about this. I’m in a very similar situation-after my English MA, I’ve found it very hard to read for pleasure. I’ve found, for me, it’s easier to read non-fiction at the moment than fiction because I expect that analytical part of my brain to be on whereas with fiction, I want to turn off the “work” mind, but I just can’t. I honestly haven’t completed a book for fun since last January. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve started a million, but haven’t completed any. Just trying to give myself grace and time.
I had a reading slump recently. Mostly because I’ve been plotting an historical romance and I don’t like easy romances but ones accurate to history and with heavy subjects baked in beyond “we love each other.” It takes the fun out of reading the genre even then. I tend not read romance because I am judging everything I read. In other words it’s my job so I can’t enjoy romance anymore. However I’ve gotten into sci-fi because I don’t write it so I don’t have to analyze it as much. I still do because storytelling is storytelling but I feel you.
I try to write romance in my spare time and have a dream of doing it professionally some day, and I worry about what you’re describing! Romance has always been my comfort zone for reading, I’m sad at the thought that if I pursue writing it I might lose some of that enjoyment… but I guess sometimes that’s just the price we pay to pursue a passion!
@@GlutenbergBibleit is the price we pay but in my opinion it’s worth it. Plus, fun is not something static in a human life. We find ways to get it when we need it.
I absolutely needed this video. In January I started an editorial internship and have been reading non-stop for work and for pleasure. March was the first month where I felt like I really burnt myself out and found it hard to read in my spare time. The reading fatigue came with so much inner turmoil and guilt because I felt like by not wanting to read, I was somehow losing an essential part of myself, or proving I wasn’t capable of my job….all of this to say - this video and your wisdom were much appreciated. ❤
Yes that’s exactly how it feels, guilt and a sense of loss! I do find it comes and goes, though - I have these slumps, but eventually they pass and I get back to the feeling of fun and engagement with reading again. I hope you’re enjoying your internship and are able to be patient with yourself while you’re doing all this professional reading!!
This is my first vid or yours and youre so lovely to watch. March has been a hard month ( I think for all) but even a little reading goes a long way. Hope you have a great spring and even a greater April.
Maybe we can blame it on the changing season, March itself is sending us all into a slump!
Hj! I'm a new viewer and really enjoy your authenticity. Since I'm studying literature I also can't really afford a reading slump 😂 but reading for pleasure hasn't been hitting as hard lately. I'd rather just listen to music right now, which is sad.
Anyway, loved the video!
Hello! As a fellow grad student this is so relatable - and in general I love all your thesis writing content, your tik tok on the shitty first draft really really helped me get out of a writing slump this summer, and I just handed in my thesis yesterday, so thank you
The Well of Loneliness was first published in 1928. I have a copy of the book from that year by Jonathan Cape publishing, the first edition, second impression, with original dust jacket, before the book was banned. I found it cheap in a second hand book store. Judging by the price sticker on it, I don't think they quite knew what they were selling!
Oh wow, that’s so cool! I recently picked mine up second hand, it’s also Jonathon Cape - if I’m reading it right, mines a seventh impression from 1929 - our copies are like cousins!
For romance, Ravishing the Heiress by Sherry Thomas! For short, compulsive reads, I would recommend This Is How You Lose the Time War (queer sci-fi romance), O Caledonia (Scotland, teenage outsider, very literary), or The Days of Abandonment (Elena Ferrante, feminist).
Great video as usual. I am not reading for pleasure at all to be honest. I m reading just for academia .
More unhinged women genre than romance per se and maybe too close to home with your work reading, A Certain Hunger!
Oo that’s been sitting in my shelf for months now and I haven’t gotten around to starting it yet!