Hello! Long time no reading, how is everyone? I have been absolutely swamped with work and haven’t had any time to blog, or read, or write, or well… exist. I definitely never used to appreciate how much time off I’d had in previous jobs and how impactful decent breaks are to a person’s mental and physical wellbeing. Thankfully I’ve had a little break this week, only five or so days but it’s really helped. So, what bookish topic am I discussing today?

My reading habits have changed!

Ah, would you look at that? A change in lifestyle will change your habits, who would’ve thought? (Honestly, I hadn’t).

Reading one book at a time

I used to pride myself on being able to read two, three, four, sometimes five books at a time and still be able to enjoy them fully and not get the plots confused. It didn’t make me read the books any faster but I found it was the most practical and enjoyable method for me at the time. Now, I barely have the drive or brain capacity to even think about reading more than one book at a time. I find a book I like and only have motivation to finish that book before starting another.

I think this is because now I’m so busy and have limited free time when I do have time to read a book I want to fully immerse myself in it. Floating around multiple fantasy worlds just feels too jarring when I only get 30 minutes (or less) to read every day.

No urge to buy books… sort of

I used to buy books as if they were going out of stock forever. I couldn’t leave a book shop without buying at least three books, which was mad because I’m such a slow reader and would often buy 10 or so more books before I’d finished the first ones I’d purchased. Now I just don’t feel like buying books nearly as often or as many. I think this is for two reasons.

The first reason is I don’t have an active bookstagram anymore and with that the urge to over-consume books has gone away. I’m not posting hauls, or as many pretty photos anymore so I just don’t need to buy the latest releases in order to milk the algorithm for all its worth. I’ve done a few clear-outs the past few months and most of the books I’ve been unhauling are really pretty and popular releases from authors I don’t particularly like or read at all. But, the book was an anticipated release by the community so I bought it. I still have an Instagram account (hey, hi, hello click here to see) but its not a dedicated bookstagram anymore so I’m not bothered about getting loads of likes or engagement (still plenty of book snaps though). No need to buy loads of books without an incentive from social media!

The second reason why I’m buying less books relates back to the only reading one book at a time habit. I don’t have the urge to buy the book because I know I won’t be reading it for ages. Problem is I still love visiting bookshops and being around books just brings me joy. I feel a bit guilty if I spend a while browsing all the titles just to walk out without buying anything. Then I end up with a weird urge to buy but have no idea what book to get. Sometimes I’ll carry one around the shop only to put it down before I leave.

Joe Abercrombie is taking over my life

I don’t think Mr Lord Grimdark can write a bad book. I started reading The First Law trilogy back in January and now I don’t want to read anything else. I just want to read his entire backlist until there are no more books of his to read. In the past I’d like to space out a series by reading other books in between, now I want to binge a whole series. Normally this wouldn’t be a problem but I’d already agreed to book tours, buddy reads and book clubs before I started the series, now all I want to do is read bloody Abercrombie! Even now I’m supposed to be reading She Who Became The Sun by Shelley Parker-Chan for my local book club but can’t because Abercrombie’s Last Argument of Kings is right there, sat on my desk, judging me because I haven’t picked it up yet.

So that’s how my bookish habits have changed recently. I’m not seeing the pay off yet but I do think these habits will help me complete more series and ultimately reach my reading goal sooner.

QOTD: Have you noticed a change in your reading habits recently?