Jag: a period of unrestrained indulgence in an activity; spree;
I’ve been on a bit of a reading jag lately. For the past couple of months, I haven’t been able to pick up anything other than popular women’s fiction (and a little middle grade fiction). I have a nice literary title waiting here “On My Nightstand.” I have several memoirs, both serious and humorous, including one which I’ve been looking forward to reading and knew I’d jump to it as soon as it arrived.
I opened it. I tried to read. But my mind couldn’t engage. Instead, the fictitious and perhaps overdramatic lives of women characters living inside novels call out to me: “Read me! Be entertained! Laugh a little, cry a little, forget yourself and leave your brain at the door.”
I’m not being critical, but it really is sort of mindless. It’s been the equivalent to sitting in front of HGTV for hours (which I’ve actually done a time or two as well). I’m not going to psychoanalyze myself either, but I’ve had a lot going on in my life in the last couple of months. I’m busy. I’m tired. Reading is a wonderful escape and hobby for me, but it seems that certain types of reading are more appropriate at other times in my life.
And at this time, I’m loving a simple story that will be resolved in 300 pages. It’s just the thing, and I think that I’ll probably keep leaning that way as long as it’s working out for me.
Check out my recent reviews, and you’ll see. Not only have almost all my reviews in the last 2 months been either light women’s fiction or middle grade fiction, but I’ve enjoyed all of these books.
Do you read by mood or circumstance, going on jags of a certain genre or type? Leave a comment and let me know.
I do this. I had a friend who was murdered several years ago, and afterwards I got over the initial shock, I obsessively read murder mysteries for several months. Usually, like you, I’ll need a break and I’ll read light stuff only for a while. Then, suddenly, I’ll wake up and want something a bit meatier, and I’ll start reading heavier stuff again.
Yes. Whenever I’m away from something for too long (either fiction in general, or light fiction, or meatier fare), when I return to it, I miss it. So I guess it’s all good.
Maybe I am a bit the opposite…lately I am tired of fluff and want a book or substance, whether it is a novel or nonfiction.
Yes, I get there too. That’s sort of what prompted this post. It’s rare that light fiction is what I am reaching for again and again. Usually it’s just thrown in as a little “snack.”