The return of the bookworm

My reading life has suffered in recent years. Sometime after the initial shock of life in Covid wore off, I lost interest in reading. Could not focus, did not want to sit quietly with a book, neglected to read the NYT Sunday book review. Books and I parted ways. They were replaced by Netflix and Hulu series, long walks in the countryside, sourdough bread baking, and Zoom conversations with family and friends. Reading has always been central to my well-being, though. And I began to miss the things that reading does for my heart and brain- filling me with new information, quirky characters, delightful plot twists, scenes in faraway places. In December, I vowed to recommit to reading for pleasure. I dusted off my library card, subscribed to a blog that features reading reviews, and started reading the Book Review section of the NYT again. Since then, I’ve completed five books- The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, Signal Fires, Between Two Kingdoms, Fellowship Point, and Demon Copperhead. Up next: We All Want Impossible Things and Lessons in Chemistry. My reading life is alive and well again, and I am better for it.

Thank you, Two Writing Teachers for hosting the annual Slice of Life Challenge. My life would be smaller without writing. I am proud to be participating in my 10th annual SOL writing challenge with you.