Monday, February 07, 2011

What's On Your Nightstand?

My friend Trish over at Another Piece of the Puzzle participates in a bloggy thing where she talks about and reviews what she's reading. I love reading about what others are reading, but have no intention of participating. I'm just stealing the title!

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


3 comments:

Joanna Barrett said...

Love, Love, LOVE to read! I mostly read children's and juvenile aged books, being a teacher I need to be able to know what's out there for my students. I read books suggested by others too. I just finished the Hunger Games series...could not put them down! (had the craziest dreams after I finished them too). Anyway, right now I am reading the frog prince series (SOOOO CUTE) and the shadow children series, both for 5th-8th grade ages, but I am really enjoying them!

Cletis said...

Just passing through, Gail. I hope your novel is going well. We publish creative writing on Sunday at our place. The rest of the week is social/political commentary. If you drop by, look for the Creative Sunda posts. There are currently 7 or 8.

I like your blog and will drop by often. Where are you in this wide world?

Alicia The Snowflake said...

I love to read! My problem is that once I get sucked in by a book, I don't want to put it down. Right now I am reading Who is My Shelter by Neta Jackson. I love just about anything by her. She has a way with words.

I've missed you my friend!
Hope all is well!