Suddenly, I am reading again.
For several months-perhaps a year-I had not been reading anything. This is very unusual for me. I have always been a voracious reader, and almost always was in the middle of reading a book-sometimes more than one. But over these past months I didn’t seem to be able to concentrate long enough to read a book. I would fall asleep, or just lose interest. It got to the point that I just wasn’t interested in trying any more.
While we were traveling to Virginia and back, I started reading again. No particular reason, although it did help pass the time during a very long road trip.
The last book I finished was The Goldfinch by Donna Tartt. It is nearly 800 pages long. The main character is a young man who is looking back at his very chaotic, dysfunctional life. Except of course, it isn’t dysfunctional to him….it is just the norm.
I represent many teenagers in my job. Intellectually I know that their lives are very different from my life, and even the life of my children. But this book made me realize how the system is seen as the enemy by many kids who are struggling in a bad situation. It is very well written, and won a Pulitzer.
I also read Every Last One by Anna Quindlen. I usually like her books. This one is clearly divided into two parts…Before and After. Her characters’ attempts to deal with grief in very different ways was fascinating and eye-opening. I am still dealing with the grief of a sibling’s death. I could see myself in at least on of the characters.
I’m loving the Kindle that I use on my phone. I have lots of down time, and this lets me pick up a story anywhere, even for a short time. I still prefer books, but I see the advantages to the electronics in some situations. They are also cheaper!
My next goal is to get my library card updated and use the library’s free downloads for books that I may want to read but not necessarily purchase. I see book lists and think that I would like to read many of those books, but don’t need to buy most of them.
My return to reading feels as though I have filled a hole in my life.
Just My Life 
Welcome home to the world of the word.
Please consider reading the millionaire’s books for free….but try to buy books by small, independent authors and help support their efforts.
By: A Simple Village Undertaker on July 10, 2014
at 5:34 am
Oh, believe me, I keep my little local bookstore very busy. One of my favorite things is to stop by there and get their recommendations for my next read. They are great They also have a wonderful coffee bar.
By: chlost on July 10, 2014
at 7:57 am
Glad to hear that….best wishes….
By: A Simple Village Undertaker on July 10, 2014
at 8:21 am
I used to read all the time, too, but haven’t been reading much this past year. That 800 page book sounds interesting, but don’t know if I’d be able to sit still through 800 pages. Anymore I have trouble making it to the end of a long news story! Well, perhaps one of these days something will catch my interest again and get me back on track. I think my work ends up being so mentally taxing that when I’m not working I just want to watch American Ninja Warriors and Netflix!
By: Yael on July 10, 2014
at 3:57 pm
Oh, I know exactly what you mean. I have been barely able to read blogs, let alone write anything. I fall asleep if I sit and read too long. But for some reason, lately it has been better, and I’ve become engrossed in books. No falling asleep—well, at least not much! You’re so active and busy in your free time, I’m not surprised that books have not been keeping your attention.
By: chlost on July 10, 2014
at 5:29 pm
“There is a season for everything”. I’m pleased that you have intervals of not reading too, I thought it was just me being a philistine and watching what my husband calls junk. When life becomes too full or pressured I think we all have to have some down time or vegging out and unfortunately sometimes reading falls off the radar. And when I do read I cannot stop so that affects everything else! Your local bookshop sounds great.
By: sweffling on July 11, 2014
at 4:42 am
I think that the “junk” is the best way to decompress sometimes. That decompression may take several weeks or even months depending upon what is happening in my life. I read “junk” sometimes as well. It serves the same purpose but gives the illusion of doing something a bit better, because, you know, I am reading after all! 🙂
By: chlost on July 14, 2014
at 8:40 pm
I liked “The Goldfinch” very much, though it was a little too long in the middle.
I liked your post about the wedding juxtaposed with your friend’s husband’s horrific illness. Yes, we make those promises when we are young, having no idea at all what we are doing. Some of us find out what those promises really mean; alas, so many give up so early . . . .
By: Nancy, Near Philadelphia on July 19, 2014
at 10:07 am
Interesting…I felt that The Goldfinch was way too long at the end. Up until then, I was okay with the pace. Overall, very good though.
By: chlost on July 22, 2014
at 1:59 pm
I had really been on a roll with reading but the move has taken all my time. I’m hoping to kick start it at the beach.
By: Secret Agent Woman on July 20, 2014
at 7:20 pm
It does take time to get into a book. I tend to read until I am done, and everything else in my life is suspended until I am done. I become fully engrossed in a good book.
By: chlost on July 22, 2014
at 1:59 pm
I’m so glad for you–since books are an unfailing companion. I was surprised by how into THE GOLDFINCH I got. Modern Dickens, for sure.
By: Jocelyn Pihlaja on July 31, 2014
at 11:23 pm