So, last week my reading was total crap. I didn’t even make huge progress with audio most of the week because I didn’t start working on my new dollhouse project and work has been too busy to concentrate on audio while filing paperwork. At least I managed to listen to some over the weekend and finish up my audiobook. I’ll take that progress, than you very much.
I don’t know why but I guess I just wasn’t in the mood to read most of the week. A few days I was hit with pretty hard waves of anxiety/depression–which is honestly really normal this time of year. I always seem to get hit hard when the seasons are changing. Sometimes the depression works in my favor with reading but because of my high anxiety my concentration was shot and it made it really hard to focus on anything. I did try. It just didn’t work out.
Honestly the week was kind of a blur and I don’t remember much other than one night we ordered ramen for dinner and it was delicious. And then the weekend hit and I had PLANS but then my husband got sick.
Anyway, I did manage to finish a two books, the latest Vampire Knitting Club book, which I read in between other things since I wasn’t making much progress with them anyway and it required VERY minimal effort, and the audiobook I was listening to. Huzzah.
So, for the third week in a row I’m still reading The Unbroken by C. L. Clark. I am really loving this book. It’s got a lot to say about colonialism and its impacts on people and cultures and the characters are interesting, etc. I’m just really sad that my focus has been off and I haven’t been able to devote more of my energy to this one because it does require some effort–it’s not fluff! I am about halfway through and hopefully can finish up this week.
I’m also still reading The Ruthless Lady’s Guide to Wizardry by C. M. Waggoner. Now this one threw me for a loop when I started it because of the way the main character speaks and thinks, she has a very stylistic way of using words and that made it tough for me to get into at first. Also, the main character is not very likable. However, I’m about a quarter of the way in and I think she’s growing on me. Hoping to finish this one up this week as well. *crosses fingers*
In audio I just started The Heart of Valor by Tanya Huff. This is the third book in her Confederation series. I’m slowly working my way through Huff’s backlist and this is the latest series I’m enjoying by her. I am not a fan of military sci-fi but I’ll tell you what, Huff makes me enjoy it. This is a relatively quick listen and I hope to finish it up in no more than two weeks–sooner if I get more listening time in.
That about sums things up for this week. What are you reading? Leave a note in the comments, I’d love to chat!
Way Too Fantasy 
Sorry to hear about your depression, I hope it doesn’t last long. I’ve been feeling melancholy myself lately and I think for me its just knowing we’ve been secluded from family for a year now with no clear end in sight. Good luck with your reading!
Yeah, I’m sure that has played a part as well. I do think things will start looking up soon though!
Thanks, Tammy! Hope your spirits pick up as well.
Lisa- I had to switch books at the end of the week, and I ended up reading half a book yesterday! I hope to be reading The Unbroken soon too.
Yeah, sometimes it’s just not the right mood to read a book. I think these will work out, I’m making more progress with The Unbroken. Hope you enjoy that one, can’t wait to see your thoughts on it!
The funny thing is that most of the time it works out and that book that I put aside turns out to be pretty good the second time! Ha!
Same! That’s why I don’t mind setting them aside for a bit and coming back to them.
Enjoy your reading!
I’m still reading Rhythm of War and Fool’s Errand!
(www.evelynreads.com)
Those are both pretty hefty, hope you enjoy!
This time of year is always challenging for me, too, on the depression front. Being aware of the seasonality helps, and I’m always careful to maintain the base-minimum of my self care routine (using my planner, writing regularly, and exercising (for me!)). And then watching what I’m reading! A tough/downer book at this time of year can have a disproportionate impact on me.
Yeah, I try to avoid downer books during certain times of the year especially for the same reason! I’m trying to work on my own self care right now, that seems to help a bit, just taking one thing at a time and doing something little for yourself.
The seasonal change, together with the difficult times we’re living in, does affect us deeply, indeed, and I’m sorry that you have been hit hard by it all, so I hope you will be able to leave it all behind you soon and dive straight back into the books you love đŸ™‚
Thank you! I think once Spring is firmly under way I’ll start feeling a lot better. đŸ™‚
I’m reading Ripped From the Headlines!: The Shocking True Stories Behind the Movie’s Most Memorable Crimes by Harold Schechter. While it’s interesting, it’s not something that draws me back to it every night. So yeah, I feel ya on not feeling like reading much this last week.
Huh. It sounds like it may have some interesting stories but I totally get it–books like that I have to read piece meal haha. Hope your reading starts picking up soon!
I hope to start The Ruthless Lady’s Guide to Wizardry sometime this week…. and hopefully finish at least one of the many books I’m currently reading.
Yeah, I am really hoping I finish one of my current reads this week too haha. You may end up finishing The Ruthless Lady’s Guide before I do LOL!
I’ve been meaning to try that Huff series. It’s right up my alley. I think I’ve been nervous it won’t be as good because it’s older…
I’m enjoying it a lot! Of course, I don’t have much to compare to because I don’t really read any other military sci-fi LOL
It’s also been taking me forever to read right now. I lingered over two books for the last week and a half until I finally just stayed up until 1AM last night finishing one of them. It’s been a weird vibe all around, too, so at least everything’s being wonky all at once?
Yeah, it’s *very* strange. I’m hoping that I just get a vibe and go on a reading binge soon so I can finish up these couple of books lol.
Just finished The Unbroken this morning, looking forward to comparing notes!!
Hopefully I will finish it this week. We’ll see. LOL
Hopefully starting the Unbroken soon. Hopefully! You know what they say about the best laid plans.
Lynn đŸ˜€
LOL – I do know about that. Good luck! Hope you’re able to start it.