What are you reading?

I'm not much of a reader, I just never seem to have the time. I think its one of those things I'd like if life wasn't so busy.

 

I don't get that much time to read these days either, if I'm lucky enough to have some spare time on my hands I can finish an average-length book in 1-3 months, which compared to the 1-2 weeks (relatively) during my early schooldays, is absolutely measly. The shorter snippets of time I regularly get e.g waiting at bus stops or during my breaks is not enough for me to grab hold of a book and fully absorb what I read. I know and have seen some people who manage to read their books like a light switch; constantly on/off whenever they have five minutes to spare, which always confused me. I do think that my phone and devices might be at fault here on some level, because I usually default to using them, texting someone or listening to some music instead of a book, which isn't exactly doing wonders for my attention span, nor fuelling my reading interest. I'm currently pushing myself through some short story collections, which seem to be my go-tos in this situation, as the context of each story and sketch is woven into the individual chapters, and only takes a few minutes to read, which if anything, recommend to maybe try instead of a full book to ease yourself into some of the longer books?.

 

The Chalice of The Gods.

(Just started it so no spoilers please!)

I'm pacing myself because I don't want to rush through it.

 

Trick of the Spotlight - a K-Pop Drama (a Series of Falling Stars Book 1)

 

I'm finishing Red, White and Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston. I've found it so entertaining and enjoyable.

 

And The Mountains Echoed - Khaled Hosseini

 

We the Animals by Justin Torres

 

Don Quixote by Miguel Cervantes. I've been reading this thing for ages, it's turned into part of my bedtime routine. The chapters are short and lead into each other nicely.

The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron. It's a course book guiding the reader through identifying and overcoming the influences that have stifled their creativity, though I admit that description does not do the book justice. I want to succeed in the tasks and growth that this book offers, but it's proving to be a great test of my discipline and committment.

 

I'm thinking of ending things - Iain Reid

 

I didn't engage in any material that might cause people to think I might be gay. Since accepting myself, I figure I need to get caught up so have started reading Maurice by EM Forster. Really enjoying it so far and it's a new feeling identifying with characters like me. One line even read a bit like a call to arms for me "He would not decide himself so much. He would not - and this was the test - pretend to care about women when the only sex that attracted him was his own. He loved men and always had loved them. He longed to embrace them and mingle his being with theirs."

 

Last Night at the Telegraph Club - Malinda Lo

 

communication skills book

 

Would highly recommend the fantasy novella Kid Wolf and Kraken Boy by Sam J. Miller. Takes place in an alternate universe with an interesting, unique magic system, boxing, gay romance, and some interesting ideas about various groups of people working together and using magic to empower themselves when struggling against a society that makes them feel powerless, and eventually changing the world into a better place. I do wish it had been longer and I think it could have been expanded into a full-length novel or even a series.

 

My best friend and I used to joke that in grad school as we worked on our M.A.’s in English, we could easily knock out 400 pages a week in terms of reading, but now between families and work and other obligations, reading time seems to have vanished. In recent years, though, I have been turned onto audiobooks and have discovered that they are a great way to pass the time while driving, doing chores, and shaving. I know it’s not the same as holding a book in one’s hands and scanning the page at an author’s carefully chosen diction, but it does help me to keep up with my favorite authors and with the books my sons are reading in school.

 

I'm reading again The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho.

 

Just finished My Year of Rest & Relaxation by Otessa Moshfegh.

Moving onto Every Vow You Break

 

Lie With Me - Philippe Besson

Have the feeling this book is going to ruin me emotionally