Tuesday, November 19, 2019

Top Ten Tuesday: Now & Then

Top Ten Tuesday is a meme hosted by That Artsy Reader Girl. This week's topic is...

Now & Then!


This week I was tasked with reflecting on my reading life and how it has changed. I am comparing how I read now to how I read when I first started pleasure reading again back in 2013. I really have adopted quite a few changes, and it was interesting an interesting topic to ponder.

  1. Contemporary Reader - Once upon a time I was more of a mixer. I think I attribute this to the fact that I was mostly reading my daughter's books. I kept reading a mix for a while, but I found the most success with contemporaries, and now the majority of the books I read are contemporary fiction. 
  2. Fiction Only - Before I started pleasure reading again, I read almost no fiction. That's right. I had jobs, that required me to keep up with changes. I was reading a ton of programming language and architecture books, and later, many, many science and teaching theory books. I am really happy to be reading fiction again, because it allows me to escape from my own life for short periods of time, and it's something that keeps me sane. 
  3. More Pages, No Better - When I was reading less, I used to feel shortchanged if a book came in under 400 pages, but these days, because I read so many books, I am ok with a shorter books, and most of my books are between 300 and 400 pages now. 
  4. Speed Reader - I think I read faster, but I believe it's because I am reading more contemporary fiction. I find these books slightly easier to read. I mean, I spend a lot of time just trying to figure out how to pronounce the names in most fantasy books, and I slow my reading every time the name pops up on the page. Not sure if I am reading any faster, but it seems that way. 
  5. Roll the Dice - I think I take more chances with my reading too. When I read less, I needed every book to be a hit, and I would stick with authors I knew or really hyped books. Now, I am reading 5 - 6 books a week. I can afford to take a few chances, and they have really paid off for me. 
  6. More Middle Grades - I was ok being an adult YA reader, but when my daughter tried to push middle grades books on me, I scoffed at her. It took very few middle grades books to change my mind about them. I thought they would be way too young for me, but these middle grades authors do a wonderful job covering some deep and tough topics, and they do so in a way that is accessible to even someone was old as me. 
  7. I Stand Alone - Because I used to read more SFF books, I was always reading a series. By moving to contemporaries, I now read mostly standalones, and I am good with that. There are many that are companions, but I no longer have to wait a year to find out what comes next, and that is a plus in my book. 
  8. Write the Review - I now write a review for every book I read. They are not always super long, but I capture some thoughts with each book. Once upon a time, I used to just leave a rating, but now I realize how stars alone do not tell the full story of how much I did or did not enjoy a book. 
  9. Tell Me a Story - I once said, that I couldn't understand why one would listen to audiobooks, if they were able to read a story. Ha! Now I listen to audiobooks almost every day, and being able to "read" this way has really helped me make a dent in my backlist. 
  10. E-reading - As I get older, my eyes get worse. Therefore, I read mostly ebooks now, where I can control the font, whereas, I read way more physical books before, you know, because there were no ebooks when I was younger. 🤣

How has your reading life changed?
Let us know in the comments!

54 comments:

  1. I mostly stick to my comfy genres now too-I don't experiment much out of the comfort zone! I'm a pretty fast reader too so that can let me zoom through a good book quickly. I also like to review everything I read.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't feel guilty about reading mostly my favorite genre. We read for fun, right? We should read what works best for us

      Delete
  2. I'm so glad I got into audiobooks in the last couple years. It really makes my commute more interesting!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I love filling the space with an audiobook. They help with my anxiety, when I am doing chores outside of the house too.

      Delete
  3. Yeah I still read all the real books that I can before my eyesight goes caput! Lol. I did notice myself making my font just a tiny bit bigger on my kindle during my last read there...whenever that was! Lol. I never thought about genre having a role in reading speed. I guess that makes sense. I'm a slow reader apparently and I read paranormal and fantasy reads! Or mysteries and thrillers, so there's a lot of detail and such there but that's why I enjoy them!

    Here's my Tuesday Post

    Have a GREAT day!

    Old Follower :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think it is the fact that certain genres have so many details you have to take in (and hard names to pronounce), and that slows me down. It sometimes makes reading feel like a chore to me, which is probably a good indicator, that the book was not the best choice for me.

      Delete
  4. Nice "now & then" reflection! I couldn't really think of much for today's topic, so I skipped it :)

    I also love MG books. I've found so many that are thoughtful, well-written, and touching. In general, I like them more than YA books.

    Happy TTT!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. This topic felt like a discussion to me, and I probably have mentioned many of these things before, but here it is, all in one place.

      It's funny. I used to defend my listening to certain bands by noting that the artists were my age, so why didn't I feel that way about MG books? I mean, they may be targeted to a younger audience, but the people writing them are my age and bring that to their stories.

      Delete
  5. I’ve really gotten into audiobooks this year because I can listen at work on slow days. I still have a problem with getting distracted and losing the plot, but I’m getting better at paying attention!

    Aj @ Read All The Things!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Same. That is why not all genres work for me. I stick primarily to contemporaries, particularly romances, and they are really easy for me to follow, even if I am not giving 100%

      Delete
  6. great post. i am still trying to get the hand of audio. i am easily distracted. i too use ereaders a lot more. i love physical books, but they are becoming harder to read unless i am in bright light
    sherry @ fundinmental

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes! I need so much light. We went to this fancy steakhouse, not too long ago, and my dad and I were excited, because the menus were backlit and we could actually read them.

      Delete
  7. I used to not listen to audiobooks either, but now I'm embracing the fact that I can listen to a book while washing the dishes.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It's the best! I feel like I am really using my time well, when I am "reading" a book and cleaning.

      Delete
  8. I share a few of these! E-Readers for the win! Review writing, book lengths, taking chances... Yep.

    I'd say I'm still a mixer but only within certain genres... It's rare now I branch out from my chosen few!
    Audiobooks have only become a thing for me this year but I still don't listen to many.
    Series are my favourites over standalones.

    And I think I read slower now than I used to. Or maybe I just read less so it feels like my reading speed has plummeted? I don't know. That one is hard to gauge.

    I liked this topic! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I didn't notice the speed thing right away. I think I started noticing it, when I began utilizing a weekly TBR. I select by publication date and book length, and when I noticed more variances from the schedule, when an SFF book was involved.

      Delete
  9. I know I read much more widely now and this is partly due to other bloggers all round the world showing me what they're reading and also because ebooks make it easier to get hold of indie author and small press works. Like you, I'm happy to take a chance on books that I might previously have overlooked.
    I'm starting to run into the font size problem over the past few months and should probably get myself to an optician soonish. I've got this Pat Barker trilogy paperback that I really want to read but the print is teeny tiny :-(

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think ebooks have been a blessing of sorts to publishing and allow more authors to realize their dream. I love the idea of that. I have reading glasses, but I hate wearing them. My arthritis in my hands is getting worse too, so holding a physical book is painful as well. I am ok with ebooks, and love how they make books more accessible to me.

      Delete
  10. I think I'm a little more of a contemporary reader now as well! I'm still more mix, but I've been reading more and more contemporary when I used to read no contemporary at all because I just hated the story most of the time.

    I definitely read a lot more eBooks now, especially since there were very few eBooks as a kid if any and I definitely couldn't afford to get them when they just came out. I love how I can control the font on my phone, along with the screen dimness, which really helps at night.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Whoo hoo! *high five* I often feel alone as a contemporary reader. I get that physical books look really pretty and all, but ebooks just make reading easier for me, and like you said, all us so much more control.

      Delete
  11. Oh wow, I'm glad you're back to reading fiction! I'm incorporating a little non-fiction now, but fiction is definitely my main. And good job on reviewing everything you read! I still don't do that.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I wouldn't say every review is through, but I capture some thoughts and feelings on all books. I only really finish books I am enjoying, so why not leave something out there if it will play a role in another person, perhaps, picking up that book?

      Delete
  12. Oh I forgot about audiobooks! That's relatively new for me - I really struggled with them at first btu it's been a game changer. And using my library!

    Karen @ For What It's worth

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I don't listen to a ton, but I get through at least 2 every week. That's over 100 books a year, and some books have even worked better on audio for me.

      Delete
  13. I guess my reading has changed. I started listening to audiobooks, reading on a kindle, and writing reviews at around the same time. I think that one of my biggest changes over the years is that I have gradually shifted to reading more review copies than anything else but I think I am ready to scale that back some. I do think that I read faster with some genres than others but I still like to mix things up. It is fun to look at how we change and grow over the years.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I also read more review copies, but that's because I just started blogging. It's the perk for me, but I still want to read backlist. I seek balance though.

      Delete
  14. Love my ereader and the biggest change for me in the past five years is audio. I am listening over 50% off the time now and love it. I read all genres and just follow what I am feeling. DNFing for me was a huge win.. once I mastered that little tool I was able to explore.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I have always been comfortable with DNFing. I think I used to do it a lot when I was a kid too. My library was across the street from my school, and I would stop each day to get a book. If I wasn't feeling it, I would return it and get another. Audiobooks have made tackling my backlist a lot easier, since my listening time is totally separate from my reading time.

      Delete
  15. I'm definitely with you on reading more books on my e-reader. I still read some paper copies but I love being able to increase the font size with the touch of a button.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. As much as I hate to admit it, I need that bigger font and I hate wearing reading glasses.

      Delete
  16. Wow... these are some major changes Sam! I’ve read several of these posts today and it seems you’ve made the biggest changes to me. It’s good you know what you like though. ♥️

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. True. This is my biggest hobby and what I spend the most time on. It's something I have a lot of control over as well, so I am going to do it (cue music) my way.

      Delete
  17. I've actually tried a few Large Print books lately, and they are definitely easier on the eyeballs. I also just started listening to audiobooks again. I don't have a great system for that, but checked out some books on CD to listen to in our car.

    This was a fun prompt and post!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Some of those large print books are thick. My arthritic hands can hardly handle a regular book, but big fonts own my heart. It's a great way to spend a drive. I used audiobooks a lot for long car trips, and my car auto connects even for short jaunts.

      Delete
  18. Oh yes, Audios have changed my reading life entirely -- I can read more than one book and I never thought that would happen!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's how I do book juggling too - one book, one audiobook.

      Delete
  19. I wish I could speed read! And I love reading on my Kindle so much. I'm the same with Audiobooks. I love them now!
    Genesis @ Whispering Chapters

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Both have made such a huge difference in my reading life.

      Delete
  20. I've somehow become more of a contemporary reader... and I don't know how. I still read a mix but not as much as I felt like I used to. I used to read way more fantasy and I miss it a little. I need to mix up my reading more. I had to smile at you moving to your ereader more simply for the ability to change font size so it's easier on the eyes. That'll be me soon enough and I'll totally get it. I mostly prefer my ereader as it has a backlight so I don't have to worry about the room getting too dark on an evening to read properly.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I used to read way more fantasy, but I don't miss it. My eReader is great during my morning commute too, because of the backlight. It's dark when I waiting at the bus stop

      Delete
  21. I actually became more of a sci-fi/fantasy reader after blogging, but a lot of these I definitely agree with. I am also seriously impressed that you write a review for every book! I don't think I could do it, for I would die hahah. I usually PLAN to, tbh, but then... exhaustion I guess! It's so funny how our reading changes over the years!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. If you saw some of my non-blog reviews, I am not sure you would be that impressed, but I think it's important for me to record a few thoughts about every book I read, and that it's especially important if I really loved it. I like thinking my thoughts mights have pushed someone to try this author, who gave me a wonderful reading experience.

      Delete
  22. I do read more e-books now, but still read a ton of physical books. I read a lot more mysteries/thrillers these days. And I love MG. I definitely read more of those.

    -lauren
    www.shootingstarsmag.net

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I thought this was a great exercise to get me to examine my reading life. It's great that you are branching out into other genres, though I am doing the opposite. LOL

      Delete
  23. Well Sam since blogging my reading habits changed too! Specially the genre I read as now I read scifi (I never did before) and listen to audiobooks (never did before) all thanks to all of you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Really? You tried audiobooks because of me? That's awesome, because I originally didn't embrace them, but now, I love them!

      Delete
  24. Ah this is a great post! I'm so glad you're a contemporary reader most of it all, just like me, and that you feel like you read these faster than fantasy, for instance. I've been realizing the very same thing right now, as I jumped into a new fantasy book and somehow, it takes me way more time to get through it haha :)
    Lovely post! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It isn't like I didn't enjoy any of the fantasy books I read, but I was surprised by how much slower I read them. I have enjoyed fantasy books in the past, but contemporaries just will always win if I pit them against each other.

      Delete
  25. Interesting that you did almost a 180 from nonfiction to fiction. I read very little NF and when I do my tastes are very particular. And the way you used to prefer longer books... I love that! I see people commenting all the time about not liking longer books or being intimidated by them. And I don't get it. There's more there to enjoy! :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I used to only read for work. So, when I was programming, it was programming books to keep up with changes in technology or work through new architecture, and when I was teaching, I read textbooks, books on teaching and learning, and books written by scientists. Now, I pleasure read. When you have a limited number of books at your disposal, you want them to last longer, and longer books simply last longer. Now that I am so deeply entrenched in the reading community and have more venues for getting books, I want to read all the books, and I can't get through as many when they are longer.

      Delete
  26. It's fun to look back on how our reading has changed, right? It seems like you've gone through a lot of major reading changes!!

    Nicole @ Feed Your Fiction Addiction

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I feel like I have come full circle, when I compare my reading now to my last high volume stint, which was when I was a teen. My library was located across the street from the high school, and I stopped in every day on my walk home to get some books. They were almost always contemporary romances.

      Delete
  27. It's always so interesting to take a moment to see how our reading has changed! It is hard for me to imagine you as someone who didn't read fiction, let alone any contemporary. It's cool that you take more chances now and have expanded into middle grade as well. I think me reading middle grade is a new addition for me too and it is so surprising but I love it!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yep. I read a lot of professional texts, journals, etc. You have to keep up with stuff in certain fields. Middle grades have been wonderful! Those books always leave me in a happier state than they found me.

      Delete