I have been doing a lot of thinking lately. As you can plainly tell by my lack of posts and my constant complaints about my lack of posts, this blog just isn’t working the way it used to. I am having a really difficult time reading anything so my content naturally suffers. And then I get frustrated. I love this blog and I love interacting with all of you and I don’t want this to be something that stresses me out.
I tried to just take a laid-back approach until the reading came back. But the reading hasn’t come back yet.
Then I thought about it some more. I’ve accepted that my life is in a big state of change (baby, theoretical new house, etc). So why shouldn’t my blog reflect that? I’ve started cooking and baking more – maybe I should start joining in the Weekend Cooking discussion over at Beth Fish Reads. I actually have been reading some baby/parenting books – why not discuss those? Maybe I’ll talk more about my other interests – music, television, running, dance. I still want to review books – and I still plan on reviewing every book I read. But after narrowing the original blog a few years ago to fit what I thought a “book blog” should be, I think maybe it’s time to expand my topics again.
So I don’t really know what I’m going to be doing. Maybe I won’t end up doing anything differently. But don’t be surprised if you see some changes around here.
my books. my life. 
I went through that phase where I was trying to make my blog a “for real” book blog even though that’s not what I was originally going for, and I sure don’t have the reading volume to sustain it even in the best of months. Sure, I wanted books to be the focus, but I wanted to be able to go on about my life when I felt like it, too, so I gave some of my blog back to my life and it’s been nice. It’s so much better when you’re blogging about what you want instead of feeling guilty and forcing content that isn’t really tops in your mind just to have a post. Hope you enjoy your bloggy freedom!
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Don’t stress. Your blog is just for fun, right? Me, too. I try to remember that when I have difficulty posting as often as I’d like.
Here’s my
Sunday Salon: Odds and Ends. Hope you will stop by!
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I will read your blog no matter what content you post! I think you are a very interesting and funny person 🙂
This is just me, but I also love cooking/baking (or rather, learning how to do so) and I think you should join the Weekend Cooking discussion! Especially now with your new standing mixer =D
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I don’t think any of us feel you have to be a book blog only. I love the idea of posting about your cooking adventures, the process of buying a house, the birth of your baby and the joys of motherhood, etc. Of course you will still read, but probably less adult books and more kid books, and all of that is awesome. I’m just interested in whatever is going on with you. The last thing that should happen is for you to get stressed out. My vote is to do what is fun for you!
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Yes, join Weekend Cooking. It’s so much fun. I think there are very few people who can read enough and post new content everyday. I’ve been following your house adventure on twitter and I think that could be an entire series of posts!
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Good idea – don’t stress! I’m looking forward to hearing about everything that encompasses “The Life of Michelle” here on this blog. 🙂
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I totally agree with Sandy. Do what makes you YOU. I love blogs like Trish from Love, Laughter and Insanity that balance books with all the other things in life that keep us busy. I love reading cooking posts and even baby posts even though I don’t plan to have one of my own for a very long time. And I agree about Weekend Cooking – I only manage to post about once a month or so for that, but it’s SO fun.
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I’ve always had a hard time focusing my blog. It used to be primarily for books, but over the last two years it’s become more and more other stuff. My friend Tim says he likes blogs like that, because it makes people 3D. I, for one, can’t wait to hear all about the other stuff going on in your life! 🙂
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Good for you. I’ve struggled with blog slacking frequently over the years and have come to the point where as long as I’m writing about whatever wants to come out, that’s good enough for me. Looking forward to reading more!
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I went through the same thing when I was pregnant and almost hate to say that I’ve never gone back to “normal.” There’s just too many other things to do when baby comes.
I say expand!! You might even find your audience broaden as they get to know you. My favorite blogs are the ones that contain mostly life stuff (but are still book bloggers…go figure).
Plus Weekend Cooking is awesome. It’s become the day I most look forward to blogwise. Both writing and hopping.
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Hey, your blog is called “My Books, My Life”, right? Nothing wrong with more “life” and less books for awhile. My blog has always been a mixed-up place, and it doesn’t seem to have scared off too many people. Blog however it feels right to you!
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The blogs that I visit most frequently, are the ones that best represent the person behind the blog. If you find yourself needing to take a break, you certainly shouldn’t have to ask to do it. Just do it! If you feel like posting about cooking…do so. In my mind, my blog is mine and I do with it what I want. You should do the same! No guilt, just fun.
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I admire your honesty and cannot wait to see what changes you have in store. After all, you did include the phrase “my life” in your blog name.
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