About Me – The Christian Fiction Girl

Hello all!

You may have noticed that my blog posting has become quite sporadic lately. There are many reasons for this. Many of you know that I am a high-school English teacher. This school year has been a challenge to say the least. We’ve been in school full-time for four weeks so far and it has definitely been a unique time. It’s taking a lot of my energy just to get through a single day. In fact, I’m pulling back on how many books I read a month because something in my day has to give. I’m also a mom to a vibrant and brilliant and high-energy nine-year old. I need to give her my time once I get home from a long day of work.

In addition to my very busy life, I am finding that reading is a struggle for me now. Our world has become something I don’t recognize anymore. I feel the call to blog less, be on social media less, and spend as much time with my family as possible. Blogging and reading and social media-ing has been great fun, but it is time to focus more on my family and less on fictional and curated worlds.

So, what can you expect from me in the future?

I’ll post a post when I can. I’ll try to review all the books I read, but I’m definitely not going to be reading as often as I once did. And, I’ll join a street team when I feel the call to do so, but I’m stepping down from most of those, too. It’s time for me to step back a bit on all fronts.

I hope you can understand my current position, and I hope you still read my posts from time to time when they do post. Thank you for being a loyal supporter!

Those of you who have been long-time followers of my blog know that I don’t participate in blog “tag” posts. Honestly, I don’t really participate because I’m super busy. I have a full-time job and a daughter and a husband and chores and a review TBR pile as big as a mountain. But if I had an abundance of free-time I probably would do more because they are fun!

I was recently tagged by Millay from Millay’s Musings to complete The Currently Reading Book Tag. By the way, Millay’s blog is awesome. If you are in need of another good book blogger site, check out her site today!

The Questions

How many books do you read at once?

I typically read one book at a time. Sometimes I’ll try to read two at a time, but I’m not good at that. I get so consumed by one storyline that I forget the other book.

How do you decide when to switch between multiple reads?

My real answer is: I don’t read multiple books at the same time. But, here is the reason why — I can’t decide when to switch. Those who read multiple books at a time, how do you do it? Do you set a chapter amount? Do you time yourself? I’m in awe. I can only imagine how many books I could get reviewed if I didn’t have such a hard time reading multiple books at the same time.

Do you ever switch bookmarks partway through a book?

I primarily read off my Kindle, so I don’t use bookmarks that often. But, when I do read a physical copy of a book, yes! I admit I’m pretty bad about bookmarks. I lose them. This means that I tend to use whatever is hanging around as a bookmark. I have used PostIts, actual bookmarks, pictures, ripped pieces of paper, a sock, an old bill, my cellphone, and many other creative items as bookmarks in the past. You name it, I’ve probably used it.

What time of day do you usually read?

I primarily read at night. I am a full-time English teacher, so my day begins bright and early. Between teaching, grading, attending meetings (so many meetings), and emails, I am too busy, unfortunately, to read during the day.

To those of you who are saying, “What about during your lunch break?” I just want to say that there is no time to eat lunch most days when you are a teacher.

Typically, I can begin reading between 5-6 PM, but that is only if my daughter’s homework is done, dinner has been figured out and made and cleaned up, and any afternoon chores are completed. In reality, I don’t begin reading until about 8:30 or so at night.

How long do you typically read in one session?

This is a really difficult question to answer. I jokingly say that I have adult ADHD. Ever since my daughter was born eight years ago I’ve really struggled to focus. I can do my job and my blog no worries, but sit for a movie? Yeah, not so much! So, it depends on my brain on any given day. I can, and have, read a 250 page novel in one sitting, but I have also taken days and days to read a different 250 page book. Maybe a little is engagement factor, but truly it’s my faux adult ADHD (I say faux cause I’ve never been diagnosed. It’s really just a joke between my husband, friends, and me).

Do you read hardcovers with the dust jacket off?

This is an easy question to answer — YES! First, it drives me nuts when I’m trying to read. Second, I want to preserve it so it doesn’t get any rips or tears or spills on it. Because it hangs off a bit when reading I’m also worried it will get ruined.

What position do you usually read in?

I read in bed! So, typically laying down. LOL!

Do you take your current read with you everywhere you go?

Yes. And not just my current read. I often take one physical book and my Kindle with me as back-ups. You never know what could befall you in your journeys that would make you need a second or third book!

How often do you update your Goodreads profile?

My Goodreads profile? Never. But my feed? Often. Every time I finish a book, the first thing I do is log it on Goodreads. It’s my way to stay on top of my reading to “review on blog” process.