Things have escalated really quickly, haven’t they? I don’t know what the situation is in your country, but the UK has gone into full lockdown today. I think most of us are in the stage of finding it surreal – unless we know somebody directly affected, of course, and then it’s all too real. I’ve not been outside my house and garden for a week, and the only human contact I’ve had has been virtual or (at a safe distance) with neighbours over the fence.
If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably had a few people say that you can finally read all your books -I’ve been saying it to people too. There’s definitely no shortage of books to read around the house. At a conservative estimate, I have over 1500 unread books.
And then there are the lists of books to read during lockdown, appearing in blogs and newspapers and so forth. They’re great, and Rachel has put together a wonderful list.
I hope you’re finding the lists helpful. I hope you are able to get down to some books you’ve been meaning to read.
But I’m writing this for the readers who are struggling to work out how to read at all.
I certainly have plenty of time to read, though I’ve also been having an unprecedented number of phone and video calls. But I am finding it difficult to read anything very much at the moment. I sit down with a pile, intending to change between them and have a nice evening of reading – and I’m only a few paragraphs in when I realise that I haven’t taken in anything. My mind, like all of our minds, is on coronavirus. About what the future looks like.
And it’s not just that. It’s the scary amount of choice, and the scary amount of time. Usually I grab something and read it on my lunch break, or after I come home from something, or for a few hours on a Saturday. Now I have seemingly endless time and seemingly endless options. It’s overwhelming.
I’m trying different things. I picked a light 1920s book. I picked non-fiction essays. I picked Pride and Prejudice. And I am getting through things, slowly. I’m even enjoying them – Lucy Gayheart, the Willa Cather I’m currently reading for the next episode of Tea or Books?, is brilliant. But it’s not coming easily.
And I wanted to share this to say – if you haven’t worked out how to read at this moment, that’s OK. It will probably come as we get used to this new normal. And if it doesn’t, that’s ok too. Your mind is doing all sorts of backflips and cartwheels. There’s no guilt if nothing is distracting you.
There’s also no guilt if you have to go to a pile of Agatha Christies, or re-read books you loved as a child, or only read magazines. If you’re not using this opportunity to read War and Peace, don’t worry. Reading can be a wonderful lifeline at the moment but if – like me – you’re finding it a lifeline that sometimes gives way, and you just need to watch Netflix for a bit, then know that I’m in the same boat. For now.
Same. Haven’t picked up a book since Thursday – it’s so strange. Hopefully we’ll settle into a reading routine soon.
I do hope so, Sakura – I’m getting there
I’m hearing this a lot right now. Somehow, this whole thing isn’t disturbing my reading so much. I’ve been working from home but because of the financial situation with my organization, they’re putting me on unpaid leave for two months starting April 1st. Plus, my husband is getting fired from his job, but they’re going to pay him until the end of June. So, I’ll be going back to work when he stops getting paid, and can claim unemployment himself. What this is doing to me is that my house is getting to be very dirty! But reading… yeah, I can read just fine!
Glad to hear you’re able to keep going!
I feel exactly the same, I have so many unread books and I do WANT to sit down and lose myself in a good story – but I just can’t, yet. Like you say this will hopefully become the new normal and I look forward to the day when I don’t wake up with a jolt of nerves – and I can give a book my full attention again. Thank you for a great post, it helps, a lot!
Thanks Louise! We’ll get there.
That strikes a chord. I was just wondering about my own inability to curl up with a good book during these long empty, sunny days. At first I decided that my attention span must have been so shortened by modern technology that I can no longer hang on in there long enough to care about Emma Woodhouse or Jay Gatsby or Mrs Dalloway. But then I turned to Ngaio Marsh (which I’m reading on your recommendation from some time back) and Saki. Murder/mystery and zany comedy. Surely they should work? But no. I keep reverting to the latest mini-series recommended by my What’sApp groups. I watch and I watch and then I fall asleep, which I think is a main aim of many of us these days. I will get back to you, Emma and Jay. Promise. Eventually. But for the moment I’m being soothed by a Netflix story of horse-whisperers…
You will get there, one day! For now, Netflix is definitely a good salve.
Well said. My brain has been shifting an overwhelming amount of information around for the last two weeks, and I’ve also been spending way too much time “anxiety scrolling,” but I am now trying to focus on controlling only what is in my control… and pushing onward in my to-read list for some much-needed change of pace.
Thanks Alisha! I have just stopped reading the news at all now, now that I’m doing all I can.
Thank you for this Simon. My work has increased with all that’s going on, but theoretically I still have time to read. Yet when I sit down I can’t concentrate on reading. I’m hoping it improves, but if not, Netflix here I come…
God bless Netflix, for sure.
We are all responding to this crisis in our own way. It is so huge that we need time to adjust to it. I am finding it good to split my days up into different activities, locations and moods. OK, so I’m retired…I know it’ll be different for those of you with jobs.
I spend some time each day in the following ways: household tasks, new (more frugal but tasty) meals, in the garden, writing my book, writing my 2020s journal, knitting, painting, DIY, praying, contacting friends and family, watching the news, listening to the radio (4 and 4 extra), listening to music, daily exercise and reading!
I’m reading Angela Thirkell’s The Headmistress…to discuss with a friend, and Elizabeth Rostova’s The Shadow Land. Oh, and at bedtime, The Assassin’s Cloak. And, although I don’t spend long with any of them (at a time) I’m really enjoying them AND find myself laughing!
Keep doing different things, carry on reading and de-stress every time you need to!
My best wishes to all readers. OVWretired
Well said, Mum!
Simon, this is such a great description of the situation right now. It is overwhelming and never out of one’s mind. I am hoping my brain will settle down.
I did go check out Rachel’s list and she has two things on there I will be trying soon: The Miss Read books and The Provincial Lady books.
I am so pleased to hear that you have at least 1500 unread books. I have about the same number, so a huge back stock available. People gasp when I say that. Plus all my husband’s books I haven’t read yet, which probably adds at least 300 (only counting the ones I am interested in).
Thanks Tracy – Diary of a Provincial Lady is one of my all-time absolute favourites. I do hope you enjoy!
Totally taken up by “ The Professor “ . Brontë joins me for all my meals and has proven to be the ideal companion during these trying times…..with me when I get up in the morning and waits patiently by the fireplace in the evening.
Glad it’s working!!
As John Lennon once sang “Nobody told me there’d be days like these / Strange days indeed”. I probably ought to have tracked down a more literary quotation. I wish you and all your readers the very best in these extremely difficult times.
Thank you David!
I know exactly what you mean, Simon! I am carrying around several books, but finding it difficult to actually finish them. I am managing some, and I am trying to post a review each day – a mixture of brand new books and older discoveries. “The Other Bennet Sister” by Janice Hadlow is a huge book so is absorbing much time; I’m glad I got a copy in a trip “Up North” a few months ago!
Oh that’s an interesting one, Julie – I saw your review the other day. Maybe I’ll track it down when my reading brain returns,.
I thought I’d have more time for reading now I’m working from home. No such luck as work just takes longer now. I haven’t read anything for days.
Sigh :/ Yes, my work is busier than ever, but all these empty evenings which would usually be filled…
Thanks for this Simon – I’m not actually reading as much as I thought I would. Being at home is somewhat distracting, and the lack of a dividing line between home and work is actually making it hard to work out when I should be working and when not. Plus like you I currently have so many choices and think I should be reading more than am. I need to get involved in something – but not sure which yet. I will get there I’m sure…. These are strange times indeed – stay safe inside with Hargreaves!
Thanks Karen! And yes, Hargreaves is definitely great solace at the moment.
Your post resonates with me. When I do find the right book I am taken to a different place and am not worrying at all about the current situation. I am finding a Mrs. Pollifax book and An Irish Country Doctor work for me this week. Plenty of British TV shows too, the Art Dectective with the charming Bendor Grosvener is a great and soothing series.
Thanks Terra – and soothing TV shows are very apt right now. I’ve been binging Brooklyn 99.
Working as hard as I usually do running my Department and delivering teaching to final year undergraduates remotely. In some ways (many actually) it doesn’t seem too different from normal other than a lack of human connection with my colleagues, plus cancelling my holiday plans and not being able to visit my mother who is not well and lives in Scotland while I reside in London. Reading as much (or as little) as usual, listening to quite a lot of music and, of course, practising my flute. I now have lessons via video link which seems to work pretty well. I am seeking out my friends who are free-lance and doing my best to provide them with employment at a distance since I am extremely fortunate to be well paid and not (yet) in any danger of my job terminating.
Take care, Peter
I’m glad flute lessons are working remotely! Yes, like you my income isn’t affected, for which I’m very grateful. Trying to work out how best to support others.
I’m realising how important my commute was to my reading habits. It usually gave me about an hour of reading time each day and now that I’m working from home I’m struggling to build time back into my schedule. I’ve been good at structuring work and exercise and household chores but the reading is challenging.
And then the act of actually reading and settling my mind down to it has also been tough. I think I’ve finally made the breakthrough but last week – my first week working from home and being in self-isolation – was really challenging. No comfort reads helped – it needed to be new material that my mind really had to focus on and distract me from the anxiety I was feeling. Now everything has calmed down for me so hopefully it will be easier to read whatever I want.
I do hope you get there, Claire. I’m finding that my mini commute is affecting the podcasts I listen to, but that’s about it – but I’ve only had a fifteen minute commute recently.
Sound advice, including in the comments.
Take care everyone:)
Thanks Lisa, you too
So glad I’m not alone! I’ve started several different books, but can’t settle. They can’t all be rubbish so it must be me. My daily routine isn’t that different as I work from home (except that I’m now sharing ‘my’ office with my partner!) but I can’t stop checking the news feeds. We’re currently hiding out in the Middle Ages via BBC 4 history documentaries — pestilence, war and torture as escapism…
It helps to know we’re all on the same page, doesn’t it?
“The Power of Now”, by Eckhart Tolle might be of some help. It’s a guide for day-to-day living and stresses the importance of living in the present moment and transcending thoughts of being weighed down by the past or fearful of the future.
Thanks Lelly!
Thanks for this post, Simon. I’m in the same situation. Plenty of time, plenty of books, and I can’t concentrate at all. This too shall pass.
Until then, stay safe, everyone!
Thanks Gillian! Indeed it will pass.
Thanks for this post, Simon, I’m glad it’s not just me. I’ve had a fair bit of trial and error with my reading since last week, as I’ve been struggling to focus, and my mind has inevitably kept wandering back to Covid19. Oddly enough though, I have begun to feel a bit better since the UK’s lockdown status was confirmed on Monday night, I think it was the waiting I couldn’t handle. I had a better reading day yesterday, but my mind still can’t cope with anything more demanding than Vintage Crime and genteel women’s fiction, but at least I am reading something. I hope everyone is keeping safe and well during this difficult time.
Yes, it definitely helps to have firm rules, doesn’t it. Hope your reading brain returns!
Oh Simon….get out and take a walk! It’s one of the best things you can do for your physical and mental health.
I can now that I’m out of self-isolation, and it’s been lovely!
This is a lovely post, Simon. Thanks for the solidarity. I am working remotely from my parents’ house about five hours from my own. I brought 50 of my own books with me! Just having the books around me is comforting even though my reading has been all over the place. I have been rereading a lot of children’s books that I hadn’t read for years, so a unique mix of old/new. I was in the middle of two books, The Indispensible Composers and Gentian Hill, but I haven’t picked up either in over a week. Not sure why not, but I’m trying to let go of any self-criticism and remind myself that I’ll read them again when I’m ready. Take care everyone!
Thanks Elizabeth! Picking this fifty must have been a mix of fun and fraught…
Walking does help! As for reading, whatever you can concentrate on… My husband and I read aloud together, a habit we formed during a brief stay in another city and have kept up since we returned here. On my own or with Paul we/I have recently read a Michael Innes, D. L. Sayers’s The Nine Tailors, The Bronze Bow (a YA novel by Elizabeth Speare), The Grandfathers by the excellent Conrad Richter, and the gospel of John. All highly recommended, especially the latter! Am also making snail’s progress through the delightful American Senator. As a convalescent does with food, perhaps we need to take small bites of whatever sounds tempting, and trust that our appetite, and happier times, will return. God bless!
Oh that’s lovely. And yes, Bible is definitely helping! I am grateful to be working for a Christian company where prayer can be part of the working day.
I am a key worker going off to Addenbrooke’s (Universit hospital here in Cambridge) each day but since this virus has reared its ugly head I have been working at home 2 days one week, 3 days the next … when not working or washing my hands I am reading some of the books that are here … how many? ah, have lost count … if indeed they ever have been counted … always have a fiction underway as well as a non-fiction … right now The Green End to Nowhere – The Life of an English Village – Bryon Rogers and W Somerset Maugham’s Cakes & Ale which I have read before, years ago … I think he is terrific … great short stories …
Oh I’ve had Cakes and Ale forever and not read – maybe that’s one to try at the moment.
Simon, I am just a silent follower of your blog but today I wish to thank you. You perfectly described my own situation and obviously struck a cord with many of us. Your words had an uplifting effect on me, it is comforting to know that many of us react in a similar way and it makes me feel connected to all the people out there who are struggling and worrying and hoping for better times to come.
My best wishes to you and all the others -stay safe and well!
Thank you so much, Caroline, that’s lovely to hear
Gosh, what a sensible and needed post, friend. I’ve been reading some, but honestly I’ve been doing a lot more watching The Repair Shop on Netflix than anything else. I am trying to get into a good routine of reading for some period of time before and after work, because I know I will get very sad if I let myself go TOO long without some books.
Thanks Jenny! I have only seen one ep of The Repair Shop and it was so pure and lovely that I should try that again.
I’m having a hard time concentrating and reading for extended periods as I used to do. I can only read in bits and pieces, my attention span is shot. I’m watching a lot of Food Network.
Makes sense! We’ll get there
I’m right there with you. My inclination right now is to reach for anything funny, anything light, anything escapist – and I look over the hundreds of books on my shelves, and I’m just like, NOPE EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THESE IS DEPRESSING AND SCARY, CAN’T BE DONE! Plus, I’m finding I actually have less time to read now than I would have had the world proceeded as normal (which is bizarre, but just the fact of my work/study circumstances). So, let’s all just do what feels good and manageable, and get by the best we can. Sending you socially-distant elbow bumps and hope your family is safe and well! ❤️
Aren’t our brains frustrating sometimes… but we’ll get there. And a long distance shout hello to you!