Well, here where I live, Spring is sprung–weeks early, even. Our lilac bush looks like it will have flowers by this time next week instead of in the middle of May as usual. The dogwood trees, the magnolia trees–all the flowering trees are flowering. The daffodils and crocuses are, if anything, starting to fade. It may only be April 24th but it is very definitely Spring and, allergies notwithstanding, I’m happy to welcome the change of season. What I want to know, is:Do your reading habits change in the Spring? Do you read gardening books? Even if you don’t have a garden? More light fiction than during the Winter? Less? Travel books? Light paperbacks you can stick in a knapsack? Or do you pretty much read the same kinds of things in the Spring as you do the rest of the year?
Oooh my first BTT! I though my answer would be simple...that my reading is affected by my moods not the seasons. But then I really thought about it. Looking back over the last year, my winter reading tended to consist of larger tomes or more difficult reads, whereas my summer reading was a bit lighter (literally). This could be partially due to my moods in those seasons, but I find it more likely that I spend more time indoors during the winter and more time out and about during the summer, hence the need for "lighter" reading to carry around! Having said that, I do find that I like reading natural history books about trees (rather than gardening) in late winter/early spring..perhaps preparing myself for the new greenery?
However, I also work away from home for up to 8 weeks at a time, and usually have to plan ahead and take enough books with me for that time, as the ships I work on don't have the best variety of reading material...i.e mostly old FHMs and Clive Cussler novels. I prefer to take "easier" reads with me offshore, books that I find I can get absorbed in nicely without requiring too much thought if I'm tired after an 18 hour shift or trying to forget about any seasickness in really rough weather. This reading is usually light adult or young-adult fantasy, and I try to take the whole series, because I know I'll need the next instalment immediately!
Also, as I often work abroad, my seasons get all mixed up. The only way I can tell what season it might be is from the weather or migrating birds, both of which have confused me now that I am in the southern hemisphere and its heading into autumn! This is the second uk spring in a row that I am missing due to work...it will NOT happen next year, I've promised myself that! If I do find a bookshop in port while I'm away, I tend to buy whatever catches my eye or something I've wanted to read for a while, rather than anything related to the current season.
Interesting question though. I hadn't really given this any thought before now! Didn't really give a yes or no, rather a bit of both.
Some pics of our current stowaways...the booby on the right of the first picture is definitely curious..the look on its face just makes me laugh! The baby sooty tern in the last picture doesn't look happy, getting no food from mum!
6 comments:
It would be difficult to plan ahead for 8 weeks worth of reading!
I love the colors of your blog.
Happy BTT!
I'm a great reader of YA fiction as well, having taught Children's Lit at University for many years. Very often in the summer I will find myself re-reading the whole of a series in preparation for the next volume appearing on the shelves. It's likely to be Alison Croggon this year, if 'The Singing' finally makes it.
lol, I also love the look on that bird's face.
8 weeks without a bookstore?!?! I don't know how you cope.
A great first BTT post...welcome!
I'm certainly affected in my reading by the seasons. There may not be any rhyme nor reason how I'm affected. January's cold for some reason puts me in the science fiction mood. Spring has me in the fantasy mood but also in the mood to read travelogues and books like Under the Tuscan Sun. The fall always makes me want to read gothic/scary fiction. Hence the way my challenges are set up.
It's something I never really thought about before. I don't think I am, but I am going to check back to be sure! Loving the bird photos, I like the middle one best with the shadow.
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