So, there’s a whole global pandemic thing happening and stuff has really ramped up over the last week. I thought working from home I’d have more time to read because I wouldn’t be commuting but it turns out I’ve actually been pretty busy. Over at r/fantasy we’re organizing a virtual convention (which turns out is a TON of work) and I’m also dealing with the annual Bingo Challenge change over.
Outside of that my concentration has been shot. Job security is really uncertain right now–I work for a small business and even though it’s not the greatest job ever it’s a job! I am worried that this pandemic will be the death of the business and that I won’t have a job soon. Business hasn’t completely died, but it has slowed down and if all non-essential places keep closing around different states then that will greatly affect us even though we’re an ecommerce. So, my anxiety has been understandably high right now.
Besides that, I can’t seem to stop myself from constantly checking the news for coronavirus updates, especially because it feels like things are moving really fast. And yet, last week also somehow felt like the longest week ever. I ended up keeping my vacation day on Friday and spent half the day organizing various things online. But, I finally managed to buckle down and finish a book on Sunday. I also finished my audiobook. So, two books. That’s not bad but it’s not my usual speed either and this just puts me behind schedule.
Because of my lack of concentration last week I made almost zero progress on The Scar by China Miéville. I really need to finish this one up quickly because it’s almost April and I need to turn in my bingo card soon! I have to say, at first I was a bit put off by the prose at the start of this one, but I’ve since settled in and am enjoying it now in all it’s glorious weirdness.
I’m just about to start Jade City by Fonda Lee in audio. Finally. Once again, due to my crappy concentration, I was about an hour or so into this last week when I realized I had no idea what was happening because my mind kept wandering off. So, I’m restarting it! Fingers crossed that I’ll be able to concentrate a bit better this week.
Finally, if by some miracle I end up finishing The Scar before the end of the week, I’ll be diving into Riot Baby by Tochi Onyebuchi. this is a novella so should be a pretty quick read. I’ve heard a lot of great things about this book so I’m very much looking forward to it.
In all this craziness, at least I still have books! The one constant in my life. 🙂 Hope you’re all doing well out there, stay safe! What are you all reading this week? How is life? Are you okay? Leave a note in the comments, let’s chat about things!
Way Too Fantasy 
Oh, fingers crossed for your job situation! I know things are hard everywhere right now, and stress levels are understandably high, but at least we have books to read and people to talk to about all this! 🙂
Thank you! It’s really stressful. I hope to be able to get more reading done this week. 🙂
It was a very busy and stressful week! I hope the next one would be better! And finger crossed for your job, too!
The Jade City is on my wishlist since it get out but I haven’t managed to buy it yet… I am curious to know what would you think of it!
Thanks, Susy! I hope you are doing well! I have a feeling I am going to love Jade City. Hopefully will have a good start on that one today. 🙂
It’s definitely been weird and my mind has certainly been all over the place trying to get itself together 😅 Fingers crossed that everything works out okay with your job! I’m currently also reading Jade City and to be honest, I don’t know if I’m in the right mood for it? I keep losing track of what I’m reading and it’s not capturing my interest as I’d hoped 😬 Let’s see how it goes. Hope your reading goes better too!
Yeah, I think a lot us are in the same boat with concentration right now lol. Thank you! Mood can definitely play into it. I’m hoping I’m in the right mood and that my mind doesn’t wander too much while trying to listen this time. Thanks!
Enjoy your reading! I really want to read Jade city as well!
I feel you on getting distracted with audiobooks, I have been as well lately, with all the new things we learn every day about this pandemic.. It is hard to stay focussed on books sometimes!
(www.evelynreads.com)
Thanks, Evelyn! Yes, exactly, the news keeps changing every day so it’s hard to disengage from it. But that makes it tough to focus on other things like reading. Hope you’re able to get some reading in this week!
I feel you on the stress front. I also work for a small business, and while we’re doing okay for now, I’m worried about the future, especially because I have such a nonessential position in the grand scheme of things. But, you’re right, at least we have books! I tried to start a new fantasy this week, but it was so full of death and gloom, and it just felt like a lot on top of already a lot, so I started a contemporary instead, and it’s made everything much better!
Yes, it’s so stressful! And if something happens and he needs to start laying people off I’ll probably be the first to go. It’s just nerve wracking. Hope the best for you! This is definitely a time for reading happier things, I think. 🙂
Right there with you, it’s hard to tear myself away from coronavirus updates, but I’m forcing myself to, because I don’t think its healthy to obsess over it. I decided I’m not worrying too much about review books and so I’m picking up books I’m really excited about instead. That seems to be working! Good luck with your job!
Yeah, I honestly did a pretty good job of not checking too much today, but that’s also because I was super busy between work stuff (we didn’t get a huge amount of sales but we switched over to a new website platform over the weekend and everything is a mess! worst timing ever!) and planning for the r/fantasy virtual convention….I’m exhausted. And had no time to check about the virus updates! Our state did officially close all non-essential businesses though. Glad to see you’re doing some mood reading! Hopefully I’ll be able to do that soon myself, just need to finish a couple more. Thanks, Tammy! Good luck with everything you’re dealing with at the moment too, I know you’re also going through a lot right now.
It’s truly very weird that having theoretically more time to read, now that we’re on lockdown, I should make greater inroads in my TBR, but you’re right – concentration requires an extra effort… Best of luck with your job!!! 👍
Yes, it’s all very weird. Thanks! Enjoy your reading this week. 🙂
I think everyone’s feeling in the same boat, it’s uncertain times right now. It really is amazing how quickly things can change. I’ve been trying to shop from small businesses if I can, though now with our governor’s announcement today, even more things are closed 😦 Now more than ever it’s important to support the community small businesses, so I’m even doing take-out an extra day or two in the week to give my favorite restaurants some business. I know it’s hard to stay positive, but we’ll get through this!
Yeah, we’ve been doing the same regarding eating take out. It’s tough dealing with normal work stuff on top of this, it’s like my job is already a big old mess and now it’s even more and also uncertain how we’ll get through this, our boss was online applying for some sort of grant today. But yeah, at least we’re all pretty much in this together. Stay safe out there!
I’m doing fine! At the moment I’m still grateful to be employed and working from home, though the quarantine has definitely hit how much we have to actually do. Having more reading time is also competing with having more video game time, but I’m still making progress. Should be starting Night of the Dragon today!
Glad you’re doing well, Caitlin! I feel the same way even though my work is super crazy right now cuz we’re switching web platforms for our site so things couldn’t have had worse timing and now my boss seems like he wants to do daily conference calls. I’m a little behind in blog hopping and other blog duties (thank goodness I had a large amount of stuff pre-scheduled) as I’m working on helping run the r/fantasy virtual convention and also r/fantasy is starting a podcast so I’m working on editing that too….I’ll look out for your review though! Super looking forward to that. Cheers! Stay safe out there. 🙂
It’s weird, but working from home made me read less too although I thought the opposite would happen. I’m also working a lot too doing a bunch of stuff. I’m trying to stay busy and not think too much about the pandemic but yet try to prepare for whatever may come later. It’s just a crazy time.
On a positive note, I really like this virtual con you’re helping to organize. I look forward to it.
Yeah, the one good thing about being busy is that there’s less time to focus on the news! I’m so busy but it’s good to be busy in a way, I’m just hoping it doesn’t push my stress too far. Glad you like the con! We’re working really hard on it. We’ve got Carrie Vaughn doing an AMA today. 🙂
I wonder if it’s contagious? The lack of attention thing. I’ve had a really hard time getting through books this week, too, because every time I crack one, it seems like my attention wanders to something and I find myself having to re-read. Here’s to hoping we both can get back in the flow soon!
I managed to finish Riot Baby this week, and it was a little hard to follow, but the writing is beautiful! I thought it was okay, but I definitely will be reading more by the author. I hope you enjoy it if you do get the chance to pick it up this week!
I’ve been seeing A LOT of people talking about not being able to concentrate well lately, so maybe it is! I think part of it is due to the constant news and that a lot of our lives have been upended by this pandemic so we’re all adjusting and on edge. Hope you get back into the groove soon!
I’m really looking forward to Riot Baby, I’ve heard a lot of good things about it. Glad to hear the writing is beautiful! I’m hoping I’ll be able to get to it this weekend. 🙂 Stay safe out there!
I also mistakenly thought I would have more time to read now that I’m working from home… but I don’t. This has just been so very very stressful. And now with unemployment numbers skyrocketing I will be busier than ever.
Glad you are doing okay. And who knows, maybe since it’s an e-commerce your employer will be fine. I’m guessing e-commerce must be doing okay since people are scared to go to physical stores at this point.
So. Much. Stress.
Yeah, I think it all depends, some of our biggest suppliers are shut down right now due to new state mandates so we’ll have to see. Business has been slow the past week. But we also just switched websites so we’re not sure if it’s the site or the virus.
Good luck with everything! I hope you’re able to concentrate and read for fun/relax again soon! Just keep moving forward. It’s all we can do right now. ❤
Thank you! Yep, that much is sure enough true. 🙂
so much uncertainty. I hope things are going okay and you’re keeping safe.
Lynn 😀
Thanks, Lynn. Things are weird but we’re fairly safe–both my husband and I have been working from home. Hope you’re holding up okay. ❤
Thank you! ❤