Sunday, July 14, 2019

The Sunday Salon: A Summer Break


I suppose it was bound to happen... June was an outstanding reading month, especially in terms of quality, but now it's July and the dreaded reading slump has become a reality. Ugh. I've finished just one (sadly mediocre) book all month and set aside countless others. Nothing seems to suit my mood.

The busy 4th of July holiday is responsible for some of this, but we're also inching forward with other lifestyle changes and have a long family weekend on the Connecticut coast ahead. Our daughters will join us to help celebrate my birthday. We lived in CT back in the 80s, so I'm looking forward to visiting a few old haunts and exploring some new ones.

Books will be involved, of course. I can't wait to visit R.J. Julia Booksellers. A crop of new library holds has arrived, I've pulled a couple old favorites from my shelves, and my kindle is fully loaded. Something will break me out of this slump soon... I just know it!

What have you been reading lately? How do you deal with a reading slump?

I'll be on a blogging break for the rest of the month and will catch up with you again in August!



The Sunday Salon is hosted by Deb at Readerbuzz.

41 comments:

  1. I hope you have a great time and will be looking for you to return to blogging. I've been in a reading slump a few times, what helps me break it is a humorous or children's book.

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    1. Vicki - I like the idea of a humorous read. Maybe David Sedaris on audio...

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  2. I hope your slump breaks soon! Have a wonderful rest of the month!

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    1. Thanks, Angela. It's been almost 2 years since the last one...

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  3. I haven't had much time to read lately - our calendar is packed again this week. Hopefully things will settle down soon. Enjoy your break!

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    1. Kathy - Summer is always so busy. Reading isn't a top priority, but I sure do miss it!

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  4. Have fun in Conn in July. Should be cooler there!

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    1. Thanks, Harvee. It's been several years since our last visit.

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  5. That's such a wonderful bookstore! I hope you enjoy your time in Connecticut...and happy birthday!

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    1. Audrey - They opened shortly after we moved away, but I love to visit when we're in the area. Hope you're having a wonderful trip!

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  6. Happy upcoming birthday! Your plans sound wonderful. I love visiting favorite places from the past.

    Thanks for sharing, and for visiting my blog.

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    1. Laurel-Rain Snow - Thank you! We haven't spent much time in CT since we moved away, so it will be fun to see how things have changed.

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  7. I hate it when nothing clicks with me. I hate forcing myself to read a book, but I'd rather read something than nothing. It sounds like you are in one of those moods. I usually pull out a book I've been anticipating for a long time. If that doesn't work, I try a short book. Sometimes I do a reread. Audios work, too, occasionally.

    Gosh, I hope something works for you soon, JoAnn. I just reread The Bell Jar and I was amazed at how good it was. It's not a cheery summer read, though.

    Enjoy your time in Connecticut. It sounds lovely!

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    1. Deb - Thanks for the suggestions. I started a new audiobook that seems go so far... hoping that will be it!

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  8. When I'm in a slump, I always seem to turn to NF and audio. Hope you find the perfect book. Have fun in CT, another pretty place in summer. So many beautiful state parks, beaches and lakes.

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    1. Diane - Nonfiction (especially lighter nonfiction) worked for me the last time... hopefully it will this time, too. We haven't been to CT very often since we moved away. I'm sure there's much more development now!

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  9. Have a good time. You'll get back to reading when the time is right. My week in review

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    1. Pussreboots - Thanks. I'm looking forward to a little time away.

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  10. Yes, have a great time and happy birthday! As for slumps, my usual go-to is an old favorite. Lots of suggestions here - you'll find something - maybe at the bookstore. LOL

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    1. Kay - Thanks, Kay. I've never reread old favorites to break out of a slump, but am thinking of revisiting Olive Kitteridge before Strout's new one comes out.

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  11. Happy Summer Break and hope you find some good books at your indie bookstore. I've spent many happy times in central CT where my good friend used to live. Have fun with your family!

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    1. Rita - Looking forward to our time in CT and am especially happy our daughters can join us. I'm sure there will something to tempt me at the bookstore ;-)

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  12. I have not had a reading slump so far this year---amazing! But when I do I just pick a book I already have that I have been dying to read whether it is in my plan or not. Two days ago I picked up my purchased in hard cover copy of Chimes of a Lost Cathedral by Janet Fitch. Oh my, it is fabulous. Enjoy the rest of your July and Happy Birthday!

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    1. You're luck, Judy, especially considering how much you read! It's been over 18 month since my last slump, so this could be worse. Glad you're enjoying Fitch's book and thanks for the birthday wishes.

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  13. I'm joining the 24in48 Readathon this coming weekend with the hope that it will break my reading slump.

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    1. Bryan - Fingers crossed the readathon does the trick!!

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  14. I know you'll overcome your reading slump. My reading in June was so great, and this month has been okay so far. I hope that you have a great trip and a wonderful birthday celebration! :)

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    1. Monica - June was a great month for me, too, so July was bound to be a letdown. Didn't expect it to be this bad, but am sure something will catch my interest soon :)

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  15. Can it really be called a slump if you experience one all year long? LOL! That is kind of me right now. I am being dramatic. I have read some excellent books but few books in total. I am okay with it except I do have a book blog and content needs to come from books soooo...

    Your break sounds good. CT sounds wonderful. Very envious. Have a wonderful time with your family!

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    1. Ti - That sounds like the mother of all slumps, lol! I'm hoping a break and a little time away will help. Hope your reading turns around soon, too.

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  16. I'm there too ... I've finished ONE book in a week and a half. Okay, so there was the 4th and then we went camping . . . but still!!!!

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  17. I hope you enjoy your summer break and that some time away helps to get you out of your reading slump. It helps me to re-read old favourites to get me out of a reading slump.

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    1. Jessica - Thank you. I've pulled out at least 2 old favorites to take with me this weekend :)

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  18. I hope you have a great time in Conn. I think you'll be out of slump in no time. Life is busy and we can become too distracted to read at times, but a good audio will likely get you back. Sometimes lighter fare in summer is good to do too. I'm listening to The Mother-in-Law now by Sally Hepworth ... it seems to fit the bill. Enjoy.

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  19. I've been reading quite a bit, but nothing has wowed me other than Louise Penny's books. I just finished Pachinko and while I enjoyed it (mostly), it didn't knock my socks off as I had hoped. Especially after reading over a half-dozen glowing reviews from my trusted bloggers. Too much hype?? I picked up a copy of an Elizabeth Berg book (Night of Miracles) at the library the other day. She used to be a favorite, but the past half-dozen or so failed to impress me. I read two chapters last night and was immediately sucked in. Maybe I'm ready for some fluff! I have high hopes for this book to thoroughly entertain me.

    Enjoy your mini blogging break. Stay cool!

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  20. You and me both, JoAnn.
    I had a rapturous reading month in June, which all fell to pieces in July. The first stumbling block was my failed attempt to read One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Marcia Marquez. This was a wake-up call to me: Before I commit to reading a novel with another reader, find out what it's about first. I made it to page 58 and could read no further. It was impossible for me, as the person I am and as my past has helped to create, to continue. I felt very badly about it. But onward.
    It has taken a while for me to find my feet again. For a while I just didn't care about reading all that much, though I was doing so for at least an hour a day.
    So I'll be coming around shortly.
    I do hope your stay in Connecticut will be fun. And best of all possible wishes to you, whether you're reading or not!

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  21. Hope you're enjoying your break. That photo is beautiful.

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  22. I hope you are enjoying your summer break and getting you reading mojo back! Can't wait to hear what you've been reading.

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