Sunday, February 21, 2010

The Sunday Salon: On Not Reading

The Sunday Salon.com

I was a grump today.  I woke up at 2:30 a.m., which is early even for me, and finally accepted defeat and hauled myself out of bed by 3 a.m.  I ate some cereal, planned meals and prepared to head out grocery shopping at 7 a.m.  Then around 5:30 sleep hit and I went back to bed.

I jumped out of bed around 8:30, swearing.  I had tons of baking to do, groceries to buy, errands to run, a meet-up with a friend.  WHEN WAS I GOING TO READ?!  I'd only read one chapter on Saturday and today is The Sunday Salon.  I even had a deep and meaningful post scripted in my head.

I hurried through the stores, ignored the sunshine, griped and grumped.  The day was escaping me and I had to read.

Around noon I left to drive about 40 minutes away to pick up my daughter.  Blasting Arcade Fire with the window down cheered me a little, but Miss Hope cheered me the most.  On the way back home, she sang loudly to Heart songs and giggled a bit.

Okay, today isn't a reading day, but it was going to be a wonderful day nonetheless.  I decided to NOT read today.  To intentionally take a reading holiday.  So what did I do instead?
  • Enjoyed sunshine
  • Met up with a friend for coffee
  • Held Hope in my lap for about an hour
  • Ate Subway with Hope
  • Went for a walk and played on the slides with Hope at a local park
  • Baked Lemon Maple Pecan bread
  • Having a friend stop by for a chat tonight
  • Giving Sam extra hugs when he arrives home from work (to make up for my grumpy day)
Tomorrow I'll be back to reading, but I think I needed today to remind me that there are other things in life besides books.  I read because I love reading, not for deadlines.

Tell me -- do you ever feel the need for a reading vacation?

11 comments:

Brianna Soloski said...

I do. I always feel like I need to finish books in a timely fashion so I give myself a deadline and try to read x number of pages or chapters in a day. But I've decided to quit doing that and just read for the pleasure of reading again.

Yvonne said...

It happens to me when I get overloaded on reviews and I desperately need a break.

Sycorax Pine said...

Argh. Insomnia is the worst. But that Baked Lemon Maple Pecan Bread sounds like the best.

I too often have Sundays like that. In fact, sometimes my Sunday Salon posting and reading is so time consuming that Sunday becomes the day on which I read the least of my novels. But it is no less enjoyable as a relaxing day for that!

Vasilly said...

I've definitely been feeling like I need to take a vacation from reading. I've only read a few books this month and I'm not happy about it. The only time I read nowadays is when insomnia hits and even then it's usually magazine articles. Have a great week.

Anonymous said...

I don't need to plan reading vacations, someone else always plans them for me! So I'm planning the exact opposite for this summer: 60 books in 60 days and God help anyone who gets in my way!

Anonymous said...

I don't know that I ever feel the "need" for a reading vacation, but as someone else mentioned, sometimes this just happens. There are times when the end of the day comes and I've pushed my reading time back until just before bed, then what do you know, I'm TOO TIRED, and I zonk out. It just happens, and as you did, we just have to sigh and take it in stride.

Eva said...

I don't read every day; some days, I just don't feel like getting into a book, so I don't push it. Although even on those days, I usually end up listening to an audiobook at some point. :)

Anonymous said...

I almost always take days off from reading. I hate rushing myself when I'm doing anything and reading is my favorite thing in the world. I don't want to ruin it for myself.

Spending a day with your daughter and hubby sounds perfect for a lazy Sunday (or busy, in your case!)

christina said...

I find the moment I start feeling obligated or guilty that I haven't read yet, is the moment that i need to give myself a break.

'Course, that happens frequently because I am always reminded (when looking at my TBR and adding more to it) that there are so many fantastic novels to get through and not enough time!!

Andi said...

Everyone needs a reading break sometimes. I had one this weekend, too.

Jodie said...

mmmmm Subway. I never really plan in reading breaks, I find life creates its own enjoyable break most of the time but I do enjoy the weekends where I get out and about as much as the ones where I get to read tons. Your break sounds lovely.