Last week was so hectic. Between homeschooling and my growing workload for school, I didn’t have enough time to finish even one book. Since I wasn’t able to finish a book, I didn’t really have anything to blog about. The end of the semester is over a month away so I think it’s time to change the way I blog.
Partly inspired by Bryan’s idea to unplug twice a week and the blogging styles of both Bryan and Deb, I’ve decided to change the way I blog. This will still be a book blog but in a pretty informal way. This blog is going to have the feeling of a commonplace book. I plan on sharing my library loot, favorite passages from what I’m reading, photos, book reviews, and anything bookish I can think of. It takes the pressure off of trying to constantly review books when I barely have time to finish them. I’ve also decided to try unplugging at least once a week. I’ll probably unplug on Saturdays and Tuesdays.
I’m borrowing the format of the rest of this post from the lovely Kim (Sophisticated Dorkiness).
Currently// 9:25 a.m.
Place// At my desk. It’s the only place to get any work done right now.
Eating// Half a pancake. I really don’t have an appetite right now.
Drinking// Coffee of course.
Reading// I’m reading but I’m not finishing anything. I’m currently in the middle of P.S. Be Eleven by Rita Williams-Garcia.
Watching// The Kitchen Cousins on HGTV. My family loves this network.
Listening// I was trying to listen to The Revised Fundamentals of Caregiving by Jonathon Evison but I can’t get the audiobook to work on my phone.
Blogging// Who knows? I’m really going to try to get my review of Half-Blood Blues done this week.
Promoting// Bloggers Recommend, a monthly newsletter. Every month bloggers recommend some of their favorite upcoming reads. If you’re looking for fantastic reads, this is the newsletter to subscribe to. Plus, I’m on the advisory board.
Writing// In my new art journal. I love having a new journal in my hands to write and paint in.
Researching// I have several experiments due next month so it’s probably time for me to start doing some research.
Hating// Meat right now. My family and I are tired of eating meat so I need to start looking at vegetarian cookbooks. Any recommendations?
Avoiding// I was avoiding homework yesterday but now that’s probably what I’ll spend the day doing.
Anticipating// The end of the semester.
What are you reading today?
1330v: Thoughts of an eclectic reader 
Hi Vasilly. I like the idea of unplugging a few times a week too. There’s just not enough time for it all and blogging is meant to be fun and stress free.
I’m avoiding housework too 🙂 I’m reading A Murder at Rosemund’s Gate, which is pretty decent so far. Happy Sunday!
Housework is no fun. 😉 Happy Sunday to you too! 🙂
I think unplugging a few times a week isn’t a bad idea. I also like just blogging for you: blog about what makes you excited to get up in the morning and blog about it. As much as we all love books and reading, that’s not always what we want to write about, you know? It’s definitely not always what I want to read about! I like reading about other parts of everyone’s life and interests. Have a wonderful Sunday!
So true, Lu! I hope you have a wonderful day too.
I really like the idea of thinking of a blog as a commonplace book. Hope the change makes life a little easier for you 🙂
Thanks, JoAnn! I hope so too.
I’m glad you can join me, even if it’s only once a week. I learned last night that I might not make it all day, but even if it’s for most of the day, that’s pretty good and on Wednesdays, I can’t go completely cold turkey as I work at the library late in the afternoons and into the evenings.
As for your comment: “Plus, I’m on the advisory board.”, well, la de da. 😉 I guess we better pay attention then, huh? Again ;).
LOL!
Like the commonplace book idea. A good way of taking the pressure off from having to do full reviews….
It is! A few bloggers already treat their blogs as commonplace books and it’s really nice to read.
Any others you wd recommend who follow this approach? I’m intrigued.
Yay for changes! And commonplace books are some of my favorite things, so I’m 150% behind you on this idea. 😀
I’m currently reading two fantasy books, but I REALLY want to start one of my non-fictions instead. Maybe I can power read through this David Sedaris book today? Hmmmmm.
Sounds like you have a good plan. I like the idea of unplugging!
I think it’s wise to go partially internet free with such a busy schedule! More time to do other things, including reading.Good luck with the plan and let us know how it goes~
I like the Moosewood cookbooks, but also Jeanne Lemlin’s books, like Simple Vegetarian Pleasures, and a new book by Crescent Dragonwagon, Bean by Bean. Good luck with unplugging and with your homework/homeschooling!
The Moosewood books are great – and I LOVE Passionate Vegetarian by Crescent Dragonwagon.
Good for you! I’m thinking of taking a more casual approach to blogging as well and not try to post every day, just when I have something to say.
Change seems good, especially if it refreshes your outlook. I just finished “The Burgess Boys” yesterday — pretty good. cheers. http://www.thecuecard.com/
I think a casual approach is a great idea 🙂 Post about what you want, when you want. Whatever keeps it fresh and fun for YOU. Just stick around ok? 😉
Nice way to blog and I like the idea of taking some pressure off! I am much more relaxed with my blogging these days and it’s been a good change
I tried the unplugging thing once a week for a while. Couldn’t do it. Once the weather warms up and I can sit outside away from the computer I’ll read more.
Seems like everyone is in some kind of blogging flux these days! I’m glad you found a new plan that will work for you. 🙂
I just got The Revised Fundementals of Caregiving on audio!! It came from Paperback Swap in CD form 🙂 Looking forward to it. Looking forward to your new blogging style too 🙂 It’s the same style I try for too.
I think your new plan for blogging sounds wonderful! Anything to take the pressure off and keep it fun is a good idea in my book. I’ve been tossing around the idea of unplugging a few days every week too…but sort of worry that I don’t have the discipline. I’m on the computer so much for things related to homeschooling–and once I’m on, I find it so hard to stop myself from “just checking my email real quick” or “just taking a quick look at twitter.” I really need to learn to control those urges.
I don’t think any of the blogs I follow have gone to the commonplace approach so, I’m looking forward to seeing what it looks like and how it works for you. We do need to change our approach to blogging to keep our own interest and our reader’s as well. Hmm… you’ve got me thinking!
I unplug at least over the weekends, and sometimes on Friday too. It’s a good thing, it really is. And if you are looking for a really good cook book, I suggest Mark Bittman’s How to Cook Everything Vegetarian. It’s a huge book, with lots of great recipes, and Bittman has a very easy style and approach. I love his books, and have three different versions: the everthing version, the vegetarian version, and the international version.
I like your new approach to blogging!! I will be excited to see how it goes!!
I like the commonplace book way of doing things — often it’s more interesting to read.
I learned to cook vegetarian from the Moosewood Cookbook and Laurel’s Kitchen.
I’ve been unplugging for a while now and am much more relaxed about book blogging. I’m also playing with the idea of a tumblr blog for photos and things unrelated to reading. Glad you are taking care of yourself!
Not even about taking the pressure off but enjoying the reading no matter where your mind is at the time. Life can be so demanding and stressful sometimes that we all just want to lose ourselves in something without as much thought as reviewing requires. And other times we want to think more deeply. Having no rules or expectations for ourselves in blogging gives us that freedom to enjoy our books as our own happiness dictates. And I like that. I hope it suit you.
I love your idea to change your blog. I feel that sometimes we, as bloggers, get so caught up in the idea of reading-then-reviewing that we lose some of the enjoyment of simply reading, looking at the books, reading them at our own pace. I think I will let myself be inspired by your changes. The unplugging sounds good, too. 🙂
I think you have to make your blog work for you. We’d rather see you blog about more stuff than not blog at all 🙂
Good luck with your new goals. 🙂
Sounds like a neat idea: I’m curious to see how the new format plays out for you!
The magazine “Vegetarian Times” has a good basic cookbook with recipes that will quickly allow you to adapt them to make them your family’s “own” (the magazine is cool, too). Nava Atlas has a great Family Vegetarian Cookbook too (and a nifty newsletter) and there is a series of cookbooks for kids by the Moosewood folks, our fave being “Honest Pretzels” but there are too others, as well, which work better for younger kids (with less text for instructions and some with illustrations instead of written directions). Ohhh, don’t get me started! *grin
Good luck!