Final Reflections

As the semester draws to a close and we're all (hopefully) locked inside our houses for the indefinite future, I've had some time to reflect on this class and myself as a reader. Having to be responsible for a blog post each week about what I'm reading made me realize a lot about myself as a reader. When I'm at school, I put reading on the back-burner. I read so much for class that when I do have time I'd rather just mindlessly watch Netflix or go be with friends. While I definitely think it's valid for me to do that regularly, I want to push myself to make time for pleasure reading. I'm hoping that over the next few weeks once the semester ends, I'll really rediscover my love for reading. With no deadlines, no assignments, no highlighting potential quotes for essays, I hope I'll enjoy reading again. I really want to see how many books I can read during quarantine, and I'm hoping its some ridiculous number. While it's been easy to think about all the negatives in our current situation, having all the time in the world to read is definitely one positive for me.

During this time, I definitely want to explore genres I haven't read before. I typically stay in my lane and read fantasy or science fiction, so reading more realistic fiction or even moving into more adult fiction in general would be a great change for me. I'm kind of tempted to buy one of those cringey, sexy romance novels that moms read. I've always wanted to read one of those, and now would definitely be the time to pick one up. Especially with all of the Love Island I've been watching in my free time, odds are I'd probably enjoy it.

Continuing on with the reflections, I want to reflect on what this class has taught me. Do I want to go into book publishing? I honestly don't know. This class definitely gave me the inside look into publishing that I was hoping for, but I don't know if it gave me the career answers I was looking for. There are things that are appealing about book publishing, like children's publishing. After reading the chapter on that, I think that would be the area of book publishing I'd be most likely to go into. However, while doing my final project on magazine publishing, I find myself leaning more toward that field of publishing rather than in books. There is a magazine for literally everything, and I like the options that that field could give me. I could align who I work for with my interests. Not only do I love writing and editing, but I love fashion, beauty, movies, music, and traveling too. I think working for a magazine could be a much better way to combine all of these interests, that perhaps book publishing couldn't. Regardless, I'm glad that I have both as options. I know I definitely want a career in publishing, it's just a matter of what field specifically.

I hope everyone is doing okay. I know everything is scary and overwhelming right now, especially with finals on top of everything. I hope you all can find some solace in reading too!