I would die! No, but seriously, I. Would. DIE.
Ok, ok, maybe that’s a bit extreme, and it does occasionally happen that I go a full week without reading, however that’s by choice more or less, real life interferes notwithstanding. I can’t imagine a scenario where I would be forbidden to partake in my favourite hobby… Oh wait, I can, my honeymoon aaaand I still snuck in an hour here and there when hubs passed out drunk after overindulging in the free booze. Eventually he just gave up on trying to rein in my addiction altogether because I was monopolizing the TV remote, and forcing him to watch anything and everything that wasn’t sports. That’s true love for ya, it’s about outlasting your partner. Ha! Nah, in all fairness I was the alchie during that vacay, and we didn’t spend much time watching the boob tube. *wink-wink*
I’d probably resort to some long lost past time that I’ve neglected ever since reading & blogging entered my life. Maybe make a puzzle, take another crack at that origami swan, or heaven forbid clean the house, although admittedly the latter wouldn’t be nearly as appealing without an audiobook to listen to. I’m almost positive that my good mood would go out the window; I might start binge eating to help fill the void, and would most likely develop an unhealthy obsession with counting down the days until my punishment was over. You’d think I was quitting crack or something! Is it normal to get the shakes just thinking about it??
There is however a slight chance that I might lose it completely, and decide to hunt down the person responsible for ruining my life, and kick their freaking ass! Desperate times call for desperate measures. So, let this serve as a warning to anyone who’s ever thought about taking books away from a junkie, unless you have a death wish—DON’T DO IT!
On a sadder note, my good friend Julie from Yummy Men and Kick Ass Chicks’ last post will be this Friday, and she’s hosting a fab giveaway for her final hoorah. Go say goodbye to this wonderful blogger!
Have a bookish question you’d like Rabid Reads to weigh-in on? E-mail me, and be sure you include your blog URL (if you have one), so we can give you credit!
Owner, designer and main blogger behind Rabid Reads. Avid book reader, snowboard bunny, video gamer and Supernatural fan. I love all things paranormal, werewolves especially. Oh, and I’m Canadian, eh!
My oldest son, at 7 years old, told his grandmother, “If Mom doesn’t read, she’ll die.” Out of the mouths of babes. I do alot of other things too and I try to limit my reading now so it doesn’t interfere with my family time but I can’t even imagine not reading. Well, I can. When my Mom passed, I didn’t pick up a book for 5 years. It made EVERYONE unhappy. But it passed and I’m back to reading but not as obsessive about it now.
Some people are TV junkies but my Guy is with yours, if I’m not reading, we’re fighting over the remote! LOL
So no, I can’t imagine not reading for an entire week.
Your son was wise beyond his years at that age! Not letting reading interfere with my RL is something I battle with on a daily basis. It’s becoming easier though as I get older because I’m realizing the value of family.
I’D PROBABLY REMIND MYSELF TO BREATH.
I don’t think I’ve ever tried to do a whole week without reading. and I don’t I will try in the future. I wouldn’t make it. I’m sure of it. But to answer your question, I’d probably do a HP marathon.. or watch Season 1-10 of FRIENDS 😀
Paula M. recently posted…ARC REVIEW: Hemlock Veils by Jennie Davenport + Giveaway!!
I guess if you can’t read, you might as well do the next best thing, watch movies that are based on books. Smart woman! I wish I could have thought of that.
First, that person who forbade me to read for a whole week will die a thousand deaths first, and then this wouldn’t be a problem. Easy!
Lol. Oh I don’t know…maybe write that next Great Canadian novel? Catch up on Game of Thrones? I’m sure I can think of something else. This is a tough one, though. I’d probably have the shakes.
Joy (Joyousreads) recently posted…[463]: The Coldest Girl in Cold Town by Holly Black
I was trying not to kill anyone in this fictional scenario, but a thousand deaths does have a certain appeal to it. LOL! Writing would be a good way to go too, if you can’t read stories, might as well make your own.
Yummy men and kickass chicks is ending !!!! 🙁
Can I hibernate or better yet , I’ll be listening to audio books. You only said reading . *maniacle laughter*
I know! I’m going to have to come up with my own questions from here on out. Sleep ’til it’s over, that’d be an excellent coping mechanism.
I think I’d have to resort to beating up the person who tried to forbid me to read my books, actually! A whole week is just not possible at all. Really, what would I do while my family does their thing? I only watch a few TV shows, but I have them on demand, so I can do that whenever… but reading is like breathing. I would not last a whole week without.
I was snorting at your definition of true love, Carmel! Outlasting your loved one *snorts again* yeah, that’s true!
Happy Thanksgiving, and happy reading 🙂
Lexxie recently posted…Review: Coming for You – J.A. Huss
I love how the majority of us normally passive peeps would bring on the pain if ever this really happened. Happy Thanksgiving!
I think people have given up on my not having a book around. I may have to smack someone if they tell me I couldn’t read. I even brought books with me to the Philippines when I was on vacation..lol. I have books with me everywhere I go..that is what I like about having an ereader. 🙂 Don’t be taking my book away! 🙂
Stormi recently posted…Review of Deceived
Again with the violence. Hehe! If we can’t read books, I guess we should just hit the person who took ’em away with the biggest hardcover we can find.
Wouldn’t happen. I have a smart phone to sneak a few words in, paperbacks all over, and a will power with no match. If I am not reader for a week there is something worse than a book ban going on.
Nathan ( recently posted…Tough Travels – Bugs
What if the same a-hole that took all of your books also snagged your smartphone. Then what??
Pretty sure I would go nuts–reading is like breathing for me. I can’t live without it! I would just stew about it the whole week, watch way more TV than I should and other unproductive activities which would drive me nuts. Although I would probably sleep more 😉
You’re the third person who’s compared reading to breathing. That settles it, stay away from our books!!!
I would be insufferable until the person who forced me not to read gave up and gave me a book. 😉
In all reality, I’d end up watching TV or writing (does that count? Can’t read? FINE I’LL MAKE MY OWN STORIES) or, like you, rediscover some other hobby. Maybe cook.
Amanda recently posted…Spirited Away by Angela Campbell {Kelly’s Review}
That’s not a bad strategy actually. It’s similar to my approach during my honeymoon. Annoy, annoy, annoy until they hand over the books!
I will have a bit of that coming up when my mom comes to town for Christmas. There won’t be much reading. There will be more TV and doing family like things. I will squeeze some reading in, but little listening which is almost worse.
Melanie recently posted…Review: Tainted Blood by Karen Greco
This is why I have a love / hate relationship with holidays. Spending time with family is great and all, but boy am I happy when they leave!
I just went almost a month so I guess i would survive lol but I routinely go a week without reading these days. I read about a book a day for a week then take the next week off with the exception of one or two novellas.
Then when I get twitchy and NEED to read that’s when I pick up a book. It’s helped with reader burnout.
If I could read a book a day I’d be more inclined to take breaks too. Unfortunately that’s not happening, so no time-outs for me!
I’ve had days where I just don’t read. Sometimes I’m just not in the mood to read so I just don’t. There’s nothing wrong with that but if someone were to tell me that I just can’t read for an entire week because of whatever….Than I would probably go crazy. Reading is what keeps me sane.
Lily recently posted…{Blog Tour} Transformed by E.V. Fairfall
It’s one thing to make the decision not to read, and quite another to be told that you are not ALLOWED to.
I don’t know about not allowed, but I haven’t read a book for almost a month! This little dictator takes up all my time lol
Julie S. recently posted…That’s what HE said Thursday- November 27, 2014
Oye! Don’t tell me that. I’m both dreading and looking forward to being in the same boat in another year or so.
i would rebel simply. i can’t stand order so unjustified like that ( because nothing can justify such an order) so i would rebel hopw i don’t know but i’m the only one who can, decide for myself if i need a reading break or not
miki recently posted…Mist (Midgard 1) by Susan Krinard
Admittedly, it’s an obscene proposition, but we’re talking hypothetically here. 🙂
“heaven forbid clean the house, although admittedly the latter wouldn’t be nearly as appealing without an audiobook to listen to”
And that is me right there. But as to the actual question… I stayed up way late with my hubs as we’ve been bingeing on Arrow this week and by the time he was ready to be done I was half asleep. So I didn’t read when we got in bed and I had a terrible time falling asleep. I felt guilty! As if my book was going to be jealous or something. lol
Rhianna recently posted…Book Blast: THE ACADEMY: THIEF by C.L. Stone [Excerpt + giveaway!]
Book guilt is the worst! However, if you’re going to forgo reading for an entire week, Arrow is a decent substitute.
It’s like being sick and having to stay on the couch, normally this would be a good thing, but having to do it makes me miserable. Normally I’d be fine not reading for a week (unless I was mid book) but being told I couldn’t? No way!
Yes the shakes are completely normal. *nods*
Molly Mortensen recently posted…Princess of Thorns By Stacey Jay
The idea of being sick and getting a day off is WAY more attractive than the reality. Same deal for reading, except 100x times worse.
Hmmmm…if someone I demand that I do it, I would not be a happy camper. Buuuuuuuut if I was in a book I’ve been known to take a week or two off to help my reading situation. But for the most part….I’m not sure that I could take a week off from reading because I was trying to change things up. That would never happen.
Cristina recently posted…Hear Me by Viv Daniels
A week over never hurts, especially when you are struggling with your reading mojo, just so long as it’s self-imposed.
..watch tv 😉 I got this tv-series I STILL have not watched, and it has been 3 years
blodeuedd recently posted…Author Interview and giveaway: Paige Tyler
Oh my! And, here I was thinking that that was just a TBR problem, apparently it transfers over to TV too.
Well, if someone would try to FORCE me to not read for a week, it would not end up nicely for them AT ALL, because even if I have had reading slumps when I haven’t felt like reading at all, and I’ve been watching up on watching shows, discovering new shows and binge watching more TV shows, I have never been told I cannot read when I want to!
But I’m thinking that whenever I get Lasik done to my eyes, I’ll end up not being able to read OR watch TV for a few days, and I’m not sure what I’ll do… I’ll probably go nuts and will became unbearable!! I’m gonna need suggestions for that!! O_O
Great question Carmel!!
Pili recently posted…Ink & Batter #9: Ensnared by A.G. Howard!!!
Listen to audiobooks!!! It’s one thing to go cold turkey for your own reasons, however being told to do so is a whole different ball game.
Oh, easy. I would take the week to try and make a dent in my video game pile. Because if there’s one thing to rival my TBR pile, it’s my TBP pile – to be played. And then I’d love to get some personal creative writing in. And maybe do some art again, or paint some miniatures. Or maybe do some crocheting, which I picked up earlier this year. Yeah, I have too many hobbies.
Mogsy recently posted…Tough Traveling: Bugs
Ah, yes. It’s been far too long since I’ve done any serious gaming. I used to log hours upon hours, but I gave it up when I started blogging. I miss it sometimes…
I’d be going crazy without reading for an entire week lol!
Talk about cruel and unusual punishment, eh??
LOL I would be really sad but well I can do TV shows and movies, it’s fun too.
I can only watch so much TV before I get bored. It’d be an ok substitute for a few days, but not a whole week.
I’ll be honest, I feel weird if I haven’t read for a day! I think the most I’ve done recently was a weekend and that’s because I was away on Scout Camp so was with my friends constantly (this is 18-25 year old Scouts), any longer than that and I’d have to read something!
I’d find a way to read! It’s too horrible to think about being banned from it!
Laura recently posted…Blog Tour: Claiming Carlos by Rachelle Ayala
I need my daily fix, even if it’s only a chapter or two. Whenever I know I won’t be able to pick-up a book for a couple of days, I usually binge. LOL!
Oh this is very interesting. See, if you asked me this question last year, I’d say JUST KILL ME NOW I’D RATHER DIE THAN GO THROUGH A WEEK WITHOUT BOOKS, but then again, this year has been crazy hectic for me and last week I only managed 1 book. So, if I had read none, I think I’d be okay with it because I just simply had no time, lol.
Melanie (YA Midnight Reads) recently posted…Discussing Through Midnight (47): More Importance of YA
That happens to me sometimes too, so I usually plan on having a quiet weekend on the couch with a few good books to make up for it.
This sounds like one of my nightmares. I often dream that I lose my eyesight..and before audios it would freak me out..I need to read like I need coffee. Let’s hope this and the zombie Apocalypse never ever happen!
kimbacaffeinate recently posted…Sugar’s Twice as Sweet by Marina Adair
What a horrible nightmare! I’d wake-up screaming if ever I dreamed that, and would be inconsolable. I’m thrilled to have discovered audiobooks too because at least now I always have a plan B.
Gosh I know I wouldn’t die but boy would it be torture!
I don’t even know what I would do. If it was summer I guess I would be outside as much as possible and if it was cold out then..I don’t know, movie marathon maybe? I don’t know. I am getting all twitchy just thinking about it.
kindlemom1 recently posted…Blog Tour Promotional Post and Giveaway: The Many Lives of Ruby Iyer by Laxmi Hariharan
It’s not as scary of a concept during the summer, because like you said, you have way more options to help fill the void, but during the colder months? Forget it!
*shudders* I’d like to see who would be foolish enough to try to tell me what I would or would not be allowed to do, I’ll tell you that :)) Even my mom gave up when I was a wee bit kid (and she’s the second most stubborn person I know, after me, of course). Not sure if you’re the whole signs thing, but I’m Taurus :)) We’re well known for how impossibly stubborn we are 😀 And with good reason, too.
The only way someone might keep me away from reading would be to entertain me with something fun enough to keep my attention the whole time… *flutters eyelashes* Anyone is welcome to try, of course 😀
Livia recently posted…The Tears of the Rose by Jeffe Kennedy
I’m an Aries which is an equally stubborn sign, so I’m right there with ya. LOL! It’d have to be a REALLY good distraction to keep me interested for a full week.
Couldn’t do it. I can get in reading slmps but I at least still try to read even if it doesn’t last long
Kristina D recently posted…Turkey Day Randomness
I haven’t had a reading slump in a few years now. *knocks on wood* And, I’d like to keep it that way!
If I wasn’t allowed to read for a week, I’d use my spare time for video games! As it is I go back and forth between them when I’m not working. 🙂
Kelsey recently posted…Review: Darkhouse by Karina Halle
I’d have to battle #1 for the PS4 remote because he’s currently hooked on the newest Final Fantasy game.
You can just kill me now, lols. No seriously, I would not be a happy camper if I couldn’t read for a whole week.
sharonda recently posted…Book Sales, #99 Cent Deals, Freebies, New Releases and PreOrders
It’d make for one rough week for sure. Pass!
I have withdrawals when I go too long without reading!! Like now I’m having withdrawals — we hosted Thanksgiving at our house this year, & so I’ve been so busy with all that & haven’t had a chance to read. Hoping to remedy that this weekend though because I think the withdrawal is making me cranky, LOL!! 🙂
Haha! Yes, holidays are a battle because you can’t have your nose in a book when you’re hosting. I love spending time with my family, but after a day or two, it’s good to see them leave.
I think it would be really hard to go a whole week without reading as well. I’ve done it before because of regular life stuff getting in the way but for it to be someone else who tells me I can’t read would be harder to swallow.
Alexa recently posted…Lick by Kylie Scott *Alexa’s Review*
I have no problem being resigned to my fate whenever I have a hectic week ahead of me, but yeah, DON’T forbid me to read, or you’ll pay. Just saying.
I would do lots of art and play video games like crazy probably World of Warcraft or maybe a new game entirely probably instead lol
Sorry to hear your friend isn’t going to blog anymore!!
Tabitha recently posted…Review: Zombillenium Vol 2 & Betty Blues
This question isn’t so tough for peeps like yourself, especially given your recent reading slump. No fair!
I am such a busy body! I have many hobbies, but reading is truly my passion. I would probably write more and make jewelry. I get so busy with my site and reading my jewelry supplies seem to gather dust these days!
Annie Slasher recently posted…Audiobook Review ~ Voodoo Plague by Dirk Patton
Blogging can be such a huge time suck, and I often contemplate quitting so that I can read just for me, but then who would I talk books with?? 😉
Oh I would be so sad! But maybe I’d actually get caught back up on blog visits. And that stack of drafted posts. And maybe *flails* clean the bathroom. Gah. That. Yes. We’re not even going to think about a week of no reading. lol
anna (herding cats & burning soup) recently posted…Unwrapped (Silver Creek #3.5) by Maisey Yates
I know the right answer would be to use my free time constructively, but instead I’d most likely spend it moping about.
If I wasn’t allowed to read for a whole week, I would lose it too! I mean, I spent my whole life reading, so actually trying to go through a whole week without reading is something that would drive me insane! Well, I always have the internet, but it’s not the same unless I was chatting with other fellow book lovers about books we’ve read together.
Ronyell (a.k.a Rabbitearsblog) recently posted…Garfield Will Eat for Food by Jim Davis
Does reading articles / blog posts on the internet count too? Egads, I didn’t even think of that. That would be SO much worse than just giving up books. I really would die. LOL!
Reading is my sanity so I’d go completely mad if it was forced on me, in saying that though I recently went 3 weeks without reading whilst on holidays and we were so busy I barely thought about it but the moment we were back on that plane I opened my kindle 😉
Otherwise I’d spend some time taking photos – my 2nd favourite hobby.
A great post!
Sharon – Obsession with Books recently posted…Review: The Hit List by Nikki Urang
Disney’s the most magical place on Earth, so who needs books when you get to hang with Mickey! Airports, and flights would be pure torture though without ’em.
Oh man, it’s one thing if I choose not to read for a week. But to be forbidden from doing it? I would go crazy! There is just no way.
Cynthia recently posted…Reading Mania Thursday
I’d probably throw a temper tantrum that’d put most two year olds to shame. Hehe!
I would hate it if I couldn’t read for a week, but it wouldn’t destroy me. I have enough other hobbies to fill in the gap, so I think I would watch even more TV shows/movies 😀
Mel recently posted…Monthly Recap. November.
Lucky you! Reading and blogging are my two main hobbies at the moment, so I’d be completely lost without them.
I would try to catch up with backlog of tv and movies me and hubby want to see, and also the board and video games we haven’t played emough
You’re as calm as a cucumber about this whole thing. How do you do it??
I’m not fun to live with if I can’t read! So my first question would be, do audiobooks count as reading? If they don’t, then I’d be OK (not happy but OK.) I would sit and knit while listening to audiobooks. Who am I kidding, I would do pretty much everything while listening to audiobooks.
If audiobooks were verboten too, I’d have to resort to tougher measures. Like rewatching all the British mysteries I have on DVD. Or (gasp) actually sitting down and writing some of the stories floating around in my head. And knitting. If I can’t read, knitting is my sanity-saver.
And at the end of the week I (and everyone around me) would heave a huge sigh of relief. Then I’d plunge into a binge read and wouldn’t surface for days.
Lark recently posted…Sunday Post – 11/30/14
Life’s just not worth living without books! The world is a much better (and safer) place when I get my daily fiction injection, just ask my husband. 😉
Not gonna happen! I started when I was 4 and never stopped. If I don’t have a book I’d read anything else that can be read and I won’t be happy. Everyone knows it and no one stands between me and my books, safer that way 🙂 On a sad note, I didn’t know about Julie :(((
kara-karina recently posted…The Postman Knock #104
I’ve been reading for as long as I can remember too, so answering this question was a bit weird, I had to really visualize it. It sucks that Julie had to give up something she loves, but she’s trading it in for something she enjoys even more.
I actually unintentionally did this earlier this month when I took a trip to visit family. I took my ereader, but only turned it on a few times. Turns out I can social with people and go to bed early and wake up feeling refreshed. That’s all fallen apart since coming home, but it’s good to know I can do it, lol.
Sarah recently posted…November 2014 in review
Obviously your family isn’t as annoying as mine! j/k I try to make a point of tabling my reading when they visit, but it’s so hard.
Honestly, I don’t think it’s ever happened! I definitely slowed down my reading for fun in my first year of university, but I was still reading fiction every day. If I really couldn’t read, then I’d probably go running a lot to alleviate the stress from not knowing what the latest was with my favourite fictional characters.
Danya recently posted…Review: These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner
My dogs would probably be ecstatic if I took a break from reading because they usually end up benefiting from extra attention whenever there’s a lull in my responsibilities.
LOL I’m with you, Carmel. Just reading the question had me hyperventilating. 😉 My first thought was I would die…or someone else would. While nothing that extreme would happen (maybe) I would probably have to lock myself away as NO ONE would want to be around me. I laughed at your comments about your honeymoon…pretty sure I read on mine. I know I too could take up a up a hobby that I’ve let slide since I began blogging but somehow I think it just wouldn’t be as satisfying. So I second your “DON’T DO IT” for anyone who might try. 😉
Bookworm Brandee recently posted…**Release Day Blitz & Giveaway ~ Hansel Part 4 ~ Ella James**
We’d have to hang Do Not Disturb signs around our necks to give peeps a fighting chance of not getting their heads bit off should they attempt to talk to us during a no-books week. Your comment made me feel better about reading on my honeymoon. Hehe!
I would got anxiety, that is what I would do! 🙂
Glass recently posted…Bookish Problems #16 – All About DNF
Panic attack!!! I need my fiction prescription.
I am trying to attack my emails and saw this one. I have been in the hospital with my daughter for a week and a half. I thought maybe since I couldn’t work I could sneak in some reading time while there. But, she was way too sick (PICU for 1/2 of the stay) and I couldn’t leave her side. So, I was panicking about not reading. Not that I missed it, but was worried about the tours I had signed up for in December. It wasn’t gonna happen. I had to bow out of quite a few. Even now that she’s home, I am no where near the reading I used to be. And I can’t concentrate when I do read. The impending bill has me hyperventilating. I am almost in full panic mode with not reading much and a sick teenager. (they are the hardest to take care of) Anyway, I would totally understand anyone who went a week without reading. I look forward to being able to read normally again!
So sorry to hear about you extended hospital stay; I hope your daughter is doing much better. How stressful! Real life happens to all of us, and most authors & tour organizers understand that just so long as you give them a heads up. Fingers crossed that things get back to normal soon. *hugs*
A few years ago I was actually in a situation where I had zero access to books or any electronic distractions for 48 hours. I seriously almost lost it. So an entire week? Put me in a padded room, otherwise I probably wouldn’t make it. Or I could go like you and end up completely psychotic and murderous. Either outcome sucks. So hopefully that never happens to either of us!
Leila recently posted…A Year Without Buying Books (I May Actually Die) – Show Your Shelves Some Love Challenge 2015
I can’t stand being separated from my eReader or iPhone for very long. I need to mentally prepare myself when I go on camping trips and such. It’s a little ridiculous!
To quote you, “I. WOULD. DIE.” my friends all know my as the girl who reads. I even bring books to parties lol. But seriously, I would probably resort to my other love, watching TV. Maybe rewatch The 100 since I’ve been obsessed with that show recently.
Audris recently posted…November Wrap-Up & December TBR
That’s the only correct answer to this question IMO. I haven’t watched a single episode of The 100 yet, although everything I’ve heard has been good. My PVR looks like my TBR. LOL!