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| Audiobook, e-book, tree-book |
Many of my friends and fellow book bloggers seem to be mired in the same reading slump that I've found myself in-and-out-of since sometime in March. I've just been thankful that it hasn't been a constant problem for me, unlike some I've discussed this with who are still finding it difficult to concentrate on reading. I have run into some, a lucky few, who are reading as much or even more than ever because of extra time they've had at home. But, in my experience, they are the exception to the rule.
So, for what it's worth, I want to share something that's been working pretty well for me for the last ten days or so. It's taken me from struggling to read 50 pages a day to consistently getting 150 or more pages read. I can sum it up in one word: variety.
But not just a variety of reading material. I tried that and found that it didn't do much for me other than make it relatively easy for me to get back into a book I may have set aside a few days earlier. It was still too easy to let myself get bored with a book, especially toward the end, in hopes that I could finish something...anything, no matter how little interest I had left in reading it. I almost always still ended up reading only one book at a time rather than the several I use to have going at any given moment, just plowing on and on no matter the fact that very little was sinking in anymore.
Then I sort of stumbled on the idea of having three very different books going at the same time via three different delivery systems: tree-book, e-book, and audiobook. And this week my page count has more than tripled, even if I haven't completed anything since Monday. But the important thing is that I'm enjoying all three of the books, and I'm enjoying them more than if I were reading each of them singly. Not a doubt in my mind about that.
Anyway, it worked for me. If you are still struggling to get back to normal with your reading, this may be worth a try.
I'm one of the non-strugglers but this is purely because my husband and I live so quietly under normal circumstances and this is just more of the same. There is underlying worry about what's going in the world at the moment but it doesn't affect my reading.
ReplyDeleteI always have several books on the go at any one moment. A fiction, a non-fiction and a bedtime read that isn't too intense is my usual tally. That's sometimes added to with a book of short stories or something else. This way I find I always have something that suits my mood for that particular day. Really pleased that this method is also working for you right now.
Glad to hear that you are not a "struggler," Cath. Variety does seem to be the key, but my mood good so bad at one point that I finally admitted that I was unhappy with all three of the books I had going. And it most likely was not the fault of the books.
DeleteCath, I think I may have just inadvertently deleted one of your comments. I was trying to get rid of another spam comment that the same people leave here about 10 times a day and I think I clicked on the wrong box...yours. Sorry about that.
DeleteNo problem. I think I may have just said that it was understandable that you're struggling to find books that engage you at the moment, given the real life problems you're having involving your father. And that I was sorry to hear that it's still ongoing.
DeleteI struggled for the first week or two, since then I've read more than ever, although not always reviewing on my blog. Like Cathy, I often have more than one book on the go at one time, especially nonfiction. I read nonfiction more slowly, and I switch back and forth between a good nonfiction and fiction that reads more quickly. Glad you've found your rhythm again, Sam.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jenclair. I'm just going to have to be more patient, I think but so far this doing the trick. I haven't increased my reading hours, but I still find that I'm reading almost 200 pages a day instead of the 50-60 I was down to when I hit bottom
DeleteSam,with all that you've had to worry about it's no surprise that intrusive thoughts would interrupt your concentration. I'm glad you've found a way to overcome that!
ReplyDeleteBill, it's been tough dealing with Dad, but I've finally reconciled myself to the inevitable ending that seems to be getting closer by the day. He had a tough week and is growing weaker and weaker now.
DeleteI haven't been on the computer much so I may have missed a post. I am so sorry to hear about your dad. I think that the older one is the harder it is to deal with medical or any other trying situations. You've given him the best care all this time. No wonder you aren't reading like you want to. May his time left be quiet and peaceful for him.
DeleteNan, thank you for that.
DeleteI can't see him right now because of the lockdown at the nursing facility, but he keeps a cell phone nearby most of the time. He calls me sporadically throughout the day or night, though, worried about something from the past that he seems to be reliving. Today it was something that happened (if it ever really happened) when I was a teenager. I can't tell you what it's like for a 72-year-old man to get chewed out by his 98-year-old father. That was an experience I never expected to have. :-)
It seems cruel to not let you see a 97 year old man.
DeleteSo, you have no memory of the incident??? Funny that he would be worried but yet gets mad at you. I would think he would be sorry. But who knows where the mind goes? So very painful for you. I ache for what you are going through.
I think, Nan, that he's taken bits and pieces from various separate incidents and combined them into something that didn't happen. He's doing that even with the conversations he overhears at the facility; it just seems to all get jumbled up into something totally new.
DeleteAnd maybe it is dementia, but it also could be when one has lived almost 100 years, there is an awful lot in his head. But the "chewing out" does sound like a mental problem -they say people with Alzheimers strike out in anger.
DeleteTom's mother is convinced her husband is going to leave her and that she has no money.
Nan, this exact same thing happened to my wife's mother a few years ago and she never mentally recovered from the trauma. The doctors told us then that the oldest among us often have this happen. It accelerates the dementia/Alzheimer's onset for some reason. One of my dad's doctors actually called what he was going through "broken hip amnesia" because it is so common.
DeleteIn dad's case, it's not so much anger as it is worry. He is worrying about everything and everyone that comes into his mind. It's not a good place to be trapped in your mind.
Sam, I struggled the first month after all the closures and found that audio books worked best for me. I always have 2-3 books going for variety. Right now I'm reading mostly eBooks and audios as they both work well with the lights off in the evening. I still have over 200 unread print books on my shelves that I've been meaning to get to. Our libraries opened this week for curb side only pick ups. I'm not going to take advantage of that as I have plenty here to read. My holds are books and audios that will come from surrounding libraries once delivery system gets back up and running.
ReplyDeleteAudiobooks are more of a blessing than I ever gave them credit for before. I sometimes have to take notes about points that I know I won't possibly remember by the end of the book, but that seems to enhance my commitment to the book even more - meaning that I get more out of the book and enjoy it more. There are some really good readers and narrators out there, too, and that really helps.
DeleteWhen I'm in a slump, or finding it hard to read, I agree that it helps to have more than one book at hand to dip in and out of. I'm finding it hard to read long, involved or too serious books right now. But at least I have a stack of new library books to choose from which helps. :)
ReplyDeleteIt's always good to have something to be excited about and look forward to, Lark. A new stack of library books does it for me every time.
DeleteI like this idea because I do find that I read different types of books differently. I tend to read e-books faster than print books and audiobooks slower than both, but since I can listen to them while doing other things, it feels more efficient to "read" that way. I'm glad changing it up is working for you.
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry your dad isn't doing better and that you can't go to see him. That must be horrible. Hang in there!
It is definitely working for me, and for the reasons you just mentioned. With me, audiobooks, slow as they may go in actuality, still feel like bonus pages and books I would probably never have gotten to read otherwise. So speed is not a big consideration with them for me.
DeleteThanks for the kind words about my father. I wish I could see a light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to visiting him. That would help at least a little...but nothing changes.