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Do you ever take a break from reading? Is there ever a point where someone asks, "what are you reading?" an you respond "nothing." Do you take a break for a week? day? month?. If you do, what takes the place of reading for that time?

No. I literally cannot remember the last time that I didn't have at least one book going. Probably not since the start of PBT, at least.

There are times when I am not reading as fast or as much as other times or I am reading "easier" books, and those times are usually when I am really busy with work and school, but there is never a time that I don't have a book going.

I know what inspired this question! I never take a break from reading, although Lord knows I love my tv and need to keep up there. There are times where my life just gets so 24/7 busy that I just don’t get very far. The one thing I have noticed is that I would read a whole lot more if I wasn’t trolling Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ looking at reviews and books and hanging with my friends. That cuts into my reading time. So since joining PBT, my TBR has gotten bigger, but the challenges and tags are so great and so inspiring that I am reading so much more. I’m truly interested in these books and topics. And I want to fulfill the tags and challenges. But other interests, singing, writing, playing with kids, sacred conversations of all kinds, I puke to walk and bike, and travel. Film and theater, tennis, skiing, lounging in the pool, out to eat... And to widen another conversation, I think I have never seen a podcast. Is that strange? I do live in a major metropolitan city. It’s just not a medium I have ever picked up. But on vacation, I’m going to watch my very first one!

Never. I always have to have a book that I'm reading. When I'm nearing the end of a book, I start thinking about what I'm going to read next. That being said there are times when I read more and times where I read less. I don't think I've ever read under 20 books a year and some years, I've read over 100.

@Amy, podcasts are listening......there are some that you can also watch, normally called video cast. I do recommend the podcast called What To Read Next. And there is an old one � meaning no more new episodes, called Books on the Nightstand.

I don’t consciously take a break from reading, but I certainly have hit reading slumps. In 2016 and 2017, I had one month where I only finished one book � on avg, I read 8 -10 books per month.
This is partly due to reading longer books, partly due to real life issues (mother was sick so traveling to help take care of her), and partly because I wasn’t finding much super interesting.

Not unless I have a severe book hangover where I can't get over the previous book and decide what I want to read next. But that would only be for a day or two at the most.

The only time I have taken a break from reading was when my husband died and I just couldn't concentrate on anything. Otherwise I basically start a new book as soon as I finish one. It would feel weird to not be reading something.

Nope; never not ever!

I always have something to read, but it isn't always something new. I love to reread old favorites.

Nope.

Probably before shelfari (which I joined almost a year before PBT was around). I'm certain when I was a university student, this was the case, and probably for a while after that, but that was over 20 years ago!

I never intentionally took a break from reading. Of course, when I went back to school for 10 years to get my 2 degrees( with a husband and two children, etc.). Reading was restricted to what I needed for school. Unless I was on a break and then I devoured everything else I could get my hands on! I remember being snowed in one winter break and all I had in the house other than textbooks were 2 sci-fi novels my husband had. I read them even though I had never wanted to read a sci-fi in the past. Turns out I enjoyed them!

Tessa (FutureAuthor23) wrote: "Not unless I have a severe book hangover where I can't get over the previous book and decide what I want to read next. But that would only be for a day or two at the most."

Book Hangover - perfect! That has happened to me too when I just can't pick up another book right away!

NEVER!!!!

The only long break I ever took from reading was immediately after graduating from college but I eventually returned to my normal state of reading for pleasure. Now, I occasionally take short breaks from reading but that usually only lasts for a few days. Sometimes I am just busy or cannot find a book that completely captures my attention. Doing some sort of craft project or outdoor chore usually clears my head enough to try another book.

This year I haven't had a huge book hangover* yet as I am primarily reading books of my own choice, with the exception of designated books for a local discussion group. (*Great descriptive term, Tessa!)

Good question, Jason. :-)

Every couple months I will take a couple days or, at the most, a week to catch up on my podcasts. I listen to Radiolab, This American Life, and Serial.  Or listen to The Great Courses which are recorded college lectures.

That is about the only time I take a break from having a book to read. 

I definitely have had periods in my life where I took a break (during college and graduate school for sure). But have not done anything remotely approaching a break in the past 15 years . . .and can't see it ever happening again!

Thinking about the past, I definitely didn't read much during college or grad school, but I do remember I would go through a lot of books during breaks!
When I got diagnosed with breast cancer, I went on medical disability. I had a lot of plans to read ALL the books --- more specifically, I wanted to read Game of Thrones because I knew that the HBO series would be coming out soon. Unfortunately, I didn't have the attention span to read epic fantasy. I did read during that time, but I read much more "lighter" fare like cozy mysteries, young adult and the lighter paranormal fare.

The only break I ever took was during the three years I underwent chemo. I would read while getting the treatment, but then I would be sick for days, and mostly slept and vomited. Just when I felt better it was time for another treatment. I am never without a book. especially since Kindle readers and Audible books came out.

So glad you are both doing okay Jolene and Linda. :-)

(Comment edited for privacy)

I actually found Shelfari and GR while I was in treatment since I did have extra time on my hands. I also started knitting again, which is something that I enjoyed a lot as a kid.

If I’m being honest, the closest I have ever come to having a break was when my boys were newborns. I still read, but it was at a rate of about a book a month. I’ve never consciously had a break from reading in my lifetime.

Jolene and Linda, I’m so glad you are both well now.

Susie wrote: "Jolene and Linda, I’m so glad you are both well now."
Thank you, and glad Jolene is doing well too, I think we were posting close to the same time, so I didn't see your post until now. I was diagnosed 2 weeks after my mother died of cancer. I had/have Non-Hodgkins Follicular Lymphoma which has no cure, but can stay dormant a very long time. If it does become active at some point fingers crossed that there will be advances.

Lisa A wrote: "So glad you are both doing okay Jolene and Linda. :-)
Feel good, short books and especially re-reads managed to keep my attention during treatments. No heavy stuff though, except [book:Dr. Susan L..."

I'm glad you are okay Lisa. Cancer is a bitch, but it's much better in terms of treatment now and hopefully only gets better.

Lisa, I just saw that you too had cancer. It’s great to read that it was long enough ago that you don’t think of it often.

I don't think I've ever had any significant break from reading since I was a child. Lately I've been playing too much computer games, but I still read more or less daily - maybe have slipped and gone a day, perhaps two, without reading, but it's rare.

Yeah for the survivors --- I know that some others also have challenging health issues. I'm glad that our shared love of reading can help us make connections during difficult times.

Nope! When I have "book hangovers" and don't feel like I can jump into another book right then, I read a few Tintin albums to "cleanse", and then I go back to books! I've always read at least before going to bed, so even during my studies when I had huge textbooks or articles to read, I always had a bit of time set aside to read "for me".

I sometimes take breaks from reading. Not so much breaks from writing as much as having a stronger desire to do something else. I color, cook, clean, visit with loved ones, make jewelry. As the holidays approach, I make gifts, usually jewelry. I also decorate the blank giftbags and make my own giftcards.

If I'm really focused on an embroidery project, I don't read a lot. (Conversely, though, at the moment I'm reading tons and haven't set a stitch since November!)

Other than that, I've nearly always got a book on hand. The only time I can't read at all is if I'm having a severe depressive episode - difficulty reading is one of the things that alerts me that I'm getting unwell. It's a very useful 'tell'!