Hey guys! It’s time we have a chat. I had a lot of good responses with my My Reading Struggles post, so I thought I would do another super personal reading update.
Reading Update
I have been going through a reading slump so badly that I haven’t read in about two weeks. I usually can read about 2-3 books a week, so reading nothing is really unlike me. It’s more than a reading slump seems like, it’s been days where I honestly don’t feel like picking up a book.
I have also been having really bad anxiety. I’ve had it under control for a while now, so for it to come back full force has been really hindering me.
Not only is the usual anxiety back, but it’s also brought up some issues with social anxiety. I have become a hermit and that seriously sucks. I had the opportunity to go to the SJM book tour on Saturday but couldn’t go because the thought of going made me break out in a sweat.
For any of my bookish friends who deal with anxiety, how do you deal? I guess… I’m writing this post for advice and to have an outlet to let it out.
TBR Bookshelf
Now to the other part of this post, this is my TBR bookshelf. Anytime I receive an ARC or go on a book buying binge, this is where they go. As you can tell, It really needs to be taken care of.
My purpose of showing my shelf is to see if anyone would like to read one of these titles with me. Maybe reading with someone will help me get back on the reading train. It will also help me clear off some books. So, let’s take a closer look at them!
If you have of these titles and would like to read them together, please let me know!
If you’ve made this far, well thank you! I always get nervous about putting personal things on the blog.
Do you have any of the same thoughts or problems? If so, how do you deal with it?
Thanks for reading! ♥
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Books and Blends 
I don’t have any of these to read, but I have read the Morgan Matson books, Starry Eyes and Illuminae. They were all really good. One idea is to go back and read a book you know you love to get you back into reading. Or you could pick up a humorous memoir. That helps me sometimes.
As for social anxiety, that sucks. Maybe start with a small outing with a close and trusted friend and build up from there. When social settings make me anxious or nervous I anyways remind myself that 99% of the time people aren’t thinking about you. They’re thinking about themselves. I also like Rachel Hollis’ saying that other people’s opinions of you are not your business. Does any of that help?
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Thank you so much for your advice, I truly appreciate it! I’ve been listening to Phoebe Robinson’s new book on my communte to work and I think it’s been helping.
I’ve always suffered with social anxiety and when it comes back, I always clam up and it takes forever for me to get used to going out or making friends.
I’ve heard a lot of good things about Rachel Hollis’ book. I really need to order it
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I just listened to her podcast this morning on fear. She had a little bit on it about anxiety. I guess she has a complete podcast about dealing with her anxiety. Might be worth checking out!
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I will! Thank you so much for all your advice 🙂
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I’m currently making my way through my TBR shelves and have just picked up Renegades!
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Awesome! I’ve been wanting to pick that one up since the next book is coming out
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thats why I finally picked it up!
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Have you started reading it yet?
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Yeah, about 250 pages in atm
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How is it so far?
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its pretty good!
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Lovely post! I would be down for reading Starry Eyes, COBAB, or Illuminae with you! ❤️
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Thank you so much Kelly! What about Starry Eyes? I’ve heard so many good things about that authors writing.
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I’d love to buddy read that one with you! When would be a good time to read it, love? 🙂
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Anytime is good for me Kelly! My schedule is wide open.
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Okay! I can start reading it once I finish A Conjuring of Light and Kingdom of Ash! ❤️
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Awesome! Just let me know when you finish! 🙂
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I am nervous about putting on personal stuff too. I hope there will come a day when I will go book shopping like this. I mostly buy stuff online.
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There is so much support in this community so I feel like you would get a lot of good feedback if you do.
Also, I am the queen of online book shopping. With sites like Amazon and Thriftbooks, I’m always ordering something.
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I’m so sorry your anxiety is so bad right now as well as your slump! 😦 I hate that the last few months have been so tough on you with reading and all. I’m also sorry you had to miss the SJM event! I wanted to go to her Atlanta spot for Tower of Dawn last year but I skipped it due to anxiety, too, so I feel you. 😦
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Social anxitey sucks so much. I’m hoping I can still get my book from the event from the bookstore that hosted it.
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I hope you can, too! I just got tickets to go meet Leigh Bardugo in February and I’m hoping my anxiety doesn’t strike up when it comes around.
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I hope it doesn’t either! If it does, message me!
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I hope things get better for you Kayla! I totally understand on the anxiety/hermit issue, and I struggle with that at times too. The best cure that I’ve found is to make myself go somewhere – even it’s just to Sonic for a diet coke – lol! I know it’s hard, but in my experience I’ve always had a good time once I get out there!
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I’m going to try and make myself do something this weekend!
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Whenever I have anxiety, it makes it hard for me to read as well so I try to do other activities to distract myself. Sometimes reading brings about intrusive thoughts because I’m sitting there quietly and I think it makes it harder for me to drown thoughts out. So…if I’m in an anxiety-related reading slump, I watch Booktube, rewatch my favorite TV shows, organize and clean. I
I tell myself reading is for fun and it’s not a race. I try to have fun doing other things. The hard part is having to face my thoughts. I have to ask myself questions: What do I think is wrong? Why do I think this is wrong? Ok, I AM okay. This person loves me. I am worthy. I do not take up too much space. I matter. Sometimes redirecting your thoughts to something positive helps… I say sometimes because anxiety doesn’t always work that way. But I try.
I hope you feel better. ❤ ❤
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I am so sorry that you have been been in a massive slump! I didn’t read for 16 days last month. Sixteen. And even now I still feel kind of slumpy if I am being honest and it sucks. I re-read a book I remembered enjoying a few years ago and that finally did the trick, and I have been fortunate to have no timely review requests. November is pretty much all buddy reads and I hope I don’t fall into a pit of despair.
When I don’t feel like reading I focus my free time on other hobbies. If I am being honest, October was really hard for me because I was also deep into a depressive pit and didn’t feel like doing much of anything. I did play some video games though and that is fun for me. I hope you find something fun to do.
Regarding the anxiety, I can relate so hard! For me the answer was the right anti-depressant that also addressed the anxiety, but I still have issues and panic attacks so I have a prescription for something if I feel panic coming. I have also found that a calming night routine (bath with light music, candles, bath bombs and a book with no obligation tied to it), a bit of meditation, and evening tea help. Perhaps try to find a self-care and calming routine for yourself? If you ever need to talk, my DMs are open! xoxo
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