Ever since starting my novel last spring I have been reading more. Coicidence? I think not. It has been like rediscovering a lost friend I haven't sat down with and enjoying a cup of coffee together; make mine a mocha caramel, nonfat, no whip, please. But I digress.
I am currently reading fiction; specifically young adult and middle grade fantasy and sci fi. For research ... as that is where I see my audience for my own work in progress. But once I started reading, I found myself branching out. Back into the nonfiction works I love and have read so much in the past. And some adult fiction too. Mysteries ... cozies, the english type way back when, along with a few american, modern day cozies. I even picked up a chick lit novel, on the recommendation of a blog review and loved it! Stayed up til 2:30 AM for that one and I don't think I've done that since before #1 son was born. A long, lost friend indeed!
But I know when and why I stopped reading. It was after #1 son was born. That whole first year of him not sleeping thru the night. Being sleep deprived for months on end, I didn't have the strength or ambition to read. I was just surviving. Getting by til things got better. Four Years Later! By the time, we figured out his sleep issues and had him on the right meds to help him sleep, I was dealing with his disability diagnoses and my own grief. When I did pick up a book it was pretty dry reading about Angelmans Syndrome, and I rarely had time even to do that.
In between then and now, I did think about reading. About finding a novel to dive into, but life seemed so busy. Well, I'm here to tell you its still busy. There is always something on my to-do list that could be tackled, but I guess I've finally figured out that life isn't just about my to-do list. So I'm giving myself permission to read. During the day, the evening or until 2AM.
So how 'bout you? Do you read? Have you ever stopped reading? Why? I love to hear other peoples stories. And tell me --- What's on your nightstand right now?
On my nightstand:
The Prophecy by Dawn Miller
Kingdom's Dawn by Chuck Black
The Power to Change Your Marriage by Stormie Omartian
Romancing Your Husband by Debra White Smith
The Wisdom of Menopause by Christine Northrup
