a mercy, a healing–
Autumn is a king’s progress
largesse lies ripe on the land
up, down the furrow your midas touch
rains gold,
rainbows are from your glance
Fall of rain, evenfall, all all is blessing!
~Daniel Berrigan
I have a book review scheduled for this week, which could mean the start of something!
I caught a blog post by Karen at Booker Talk recently that spoke about what to do when you don’t feel like writing book reviews. It was rather comforting and the comments were very helpful. I try to remember I am doing this blog because I want to, so what does it mean when I don’t?
I was a bit worried that I was just going to stop altogether, but now that my mom has settled in I realize I had lost my rhythm of reading and writing, because other priorities had come to the fore. But a rhythm to our days is emerging and as a creature of habit and routine the flow was missing and I had to wait until a new routine emerged.
At any rate, it’s Fall and this season brings many events that always get me excited.
- RIP (September and October): My plan for this year is to concentrate on collections by two authors, HP Lovecraft’s short stories in September and HG Wells in October, particularly his collection called, The Stolen Bacillus and other Incidents. I really want to reread The War of the Worlds sometime and maybe this will be the time, but I am not sure. I have had these compendiums by both authors on my Kindle for years, so it’s time to get to them!
- Witch Week in October (31-Nov 6), is always an intriguing experience. Hosted by Chris and Lizzie this year’s theme is ‘Treason and Plot’ and I can’t wait to see what they come up with!
- Narniathon-Not until November, but Chris at Calmgrove has graciously offered to create a Narnia Chronicles reading event: Read one book a month and discuss in the comment section of the blog post. What a joy to read these books as a readalong!
I am well behind my Goodreads Yearly Challenge, but I *have* been reading. The highlights of the last three months, include The Fruit of the Tree by Edith Wharton, Sister Carrie by Theodore Dreiser, China Court by Rumer Godden and The Order by Daniel Silva.
Wishing you all well in health and safety as we go into Fall and Winter. Rest when you need to.
“The most valuable thing we can do for the psyche, occasionally, is to let it rest, wander, live in the changing light of room, not try to be or do anything whatever.”
― May Sarton
Relevant Obscurity 
This post was just what I needed.
My daily routine was happily disrupted by 2 new kittens!
After running around after “these toddlers” I was too exhausted to concentrate on a book.
Your reading lineup sounds like the change I need so I may join
RIP and Banned Books. Also…glad to hear that other bloggers
Come to a point that I struggled with….keep reviewing or just stop.
I have a lot of your reviews to catch up on!
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Thanks Nancy. It’s always nice when people can relate to what you’re experience 🙂
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I have a recent annotated collection of HPL’s short stories — and was quite keen on his work in my early 20s, though less so since — so may well be dipping into this for RIPXVI.
Thanks so much for mentioning Witch Week and Narniathon, I hope these will be enjoyable (and indeed enjoyed!) for anyone even remotely interested in the areas they cover! And I hope they help you get your book mojo back. 😊
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Thanks Chris, I am so excited to read these these books in a group. I know it will be good and a great experience.
I have only read one novel, but several of his short stories. He was a weird guy and I am not sure what the pull is for me, but it’s worth pursuing!
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I recently felt the same way you have about writing reviews. I recently post my first review in months. I chalk it down to losing motivation and thinking that I don’t have what it takes. I totally agree that it’s about finding a rhythm. It feels so good to be writing again.
Interesting that you plan to read HG Wells in October. My book club is reading War of the Worlds. It’s a reread for me and I loved it the first time around.
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I am glad you started posting again, that gives me hope.
I was so surprised when I read War of the Worlds for the first time, because it wasn’t anything like what I thought, which was influenced from the films. I hate to admit that! Now you have me thinking I really should read it in October!
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Thank you for the May Sarton quote and the link to the Booker Talk post which I will go and have al look at. I’m trying to keep up with the posts I follow to make sure I don’t lose touch altogether but the reviews that need to be written are piling up!
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I sometimes find this all so stressful, so I was glad to hear I wasn’t the only one. But there must be a remedy. I am determined to find it! Yes, read that post from Booker Talk, I think it might help.
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I found it very useful and the comments as well, as you said.
I think I didn’t realise how much time it would take and how difficult I would find it to write posts and so didn’t make any sort of commitment to it which clearly I need to do. I think starting a rough post when I start a book and taking brief notes as I read might be a good idea, rather than having to start from cold when I’ve just finished reading.
It’s reassuring to know not everyone just rattles off brilliance every couple of days!
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As I reflect on this for myself, I believe my issues with blog posting began a couple of years after I started my blog when I saw someone talk about an “editorial calendar,” which meant posting regularly on specific days. I thought that meant that was a serious blog, which of course, I wanted. Until then, I posted several times a month, but not on specific days and when a post organically developed. I am a slow reader and I like to think a lot before I start a post. I do take notes and begin to form what I want to write as I am reading, but I started feeling pressured by regular posting. In the beginning my blog felt so much easier and fun to do, until I thought I had to do it “better.” I am now weaning myself out of this kind of thinking in order to enjoy blogging again. But boy, it is hard! That’s why I, too, found it so reassuring to know many of us struggle in similar ways 🙂
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I think of the most brilliant posts in the middle of the night and have them all written in my mind and then completely forget by the morning!
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I can relate!. With me, it’s when I am walking. I am so brilliant during my morning walks 🙂
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Ooo, I’ve read only a few of Lovecraft’s works, and I did enjoy them. Am curious as to what you’ll think of them. Will keep my eyes peeled, that’s for sure!
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Hi Stuart
My first Lovecraft was The Case of Charles Dexter Ward and that hooked me. I have read several short stories and liked them, too, but this time around I think I want to read the Cthulhu stories.
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