Reading in Public No. 106: Three little tweaks bringing joy to my reading
Hey readers,
I’m trying something a little different in today’s Reading in Public. Sometimes I find myself musing about book related concepts—reading habits, topics making literary news, book trends, etc.—that are interesting to me, but not something I want to write a full essay on. I think I might occasionally round up these musings into short little offerings rather than trying to expand into something greater. So today, I’m sharing some quick thoughts on small tweaks that are helping my reading life.
It’s also that time of year when I answer your reading queries! Are you experiencing an issue in your reading life? Are you in need of a good book? Is there something making news in the literary world you’d like me to explore? Drop them in this form and I’ll get to as many as I can!
I’m eager to hear what you’ve been thinking about in your reading life! Here’s what’s been working in mine…
Reading long books
Last week I finished The Morning Star and went straight into The Song of Stork and Dromedary. Typically I wouldn’t go right from one doorstopper to another because I start to fret about all the books I’m not reading when I’m consumed by a tome. But I’ve really been trying to read the books that are calling to me so I went for it. I know you all know this, but there is something so grounding and magical about being immersed in a long book. My evening reading is an easier lift because I’m not having to choose new books and reorient myself in them—I’m slipping back into a familiar world night after night. I’ve also been enjoying thinking about these books for days on end. I had almost forgotten about that particular pleasure of reading a long book, you get to move through your days consumed by a story, desperate to get back to it. Because reading is my job, I typically finish most average length books in 2-3 days. That’s great for reading a lot and of course it’s fun to devour books, but there’s something wonderful about spending a week or two thinking nonstop about a particular literary world. I’m not sure how much longer I’ll be on my big book run, but right now it’s saving me.
Taking a pause on consuming book content.
I have been talking about books online for over 12 years now and for each and every one of those years, I have consumed all of the book-related content. Bookstagram, podcasts, newsletters—I want it all. It’s not even about recommendations exactly, I just enjoy reading book reviews and listening to other readers talk about the books they love and hate! But I have to admit that my relationship to consuming book content has changed now that books are my business—and it became especially difficult after my dad passed away. I had a few really ideas I was excited about developing this year, and I have had to pause or scale down all of them. The fact that I’m able to pivot when other aspects of my life need more time and care is a true blessing, and I’m glad I’ve been able to give myself and my family the time we’ve needed. But it’s also been hard to watch other people pursue cool new things—some of which I’d love to do too—as I slow down for a spell. I’m not a competitive person by nature so it took me awhile to recognize that this professional dissatisfaction was coming from a comparison trap.
But talking it all over with my friend over lunch a couple weeks ago helped me clarify why I was feeling such unfamiliar feelings and she game me the permission I apparently needed to take a pause on all taking in other people’s work. I just need to keep my head down and work at my own pace right now to get back in touch with the balance and goals that feel right for me. I’ll assuredly be back to reading and listening one day. Over lunch, Laura started telling me about her new season of Slow Read covering Outlander. I immediately expressed interest in joining before she kindly, but firmly told me not to do that! I don’t think I’ll ever fully lose my interest to know what everyone is reading and what they think about it, but the break has been hugely beneficial.
In the last few weeks unplugging from my constant stream of book content, I’ve noticed that I’m more attuned to my own reading taste and have an easier time selecting what I want to read next. I’ve been taking more personal recommendations from friends and using my time online to actually discuss what I’m reading. And as for my business, without constantly hearing about what other people are doing, I’ve been able to think more about my own work in a fun and positive way.
Listening to character-driven literary fiction on audiobook
Audiobooks have been a struggle for me this year. In seasons past, I’ve relied heavily on audiobooks to keep me reading in busy seasons, but this year I cannot get into them. I’ve been trying to diagnose the root of the problem to no avail, and I think I mostly need to let it go—it’s just not an audiobook time of life for me. However, I have noticed a pattern for what is working on audio, even if I’m still listening much less frequently than I used to. I listened to both The Things We Never Say by Elizabeth Strout and Whistler by Ann Patchett each in a couple of days and while I didn’t end up loving either book, I kept choosing my audiobook companion over podcasts while I was immersed in them. I’ve realized that right now, this type of character-driven literary fiction that isn’t getting fancy with language or structure is exactly what I need for my audiobooks. Now I’m in the middle of Julie Buntin’s Famous Men. It fits my qualifications—a focus on one character, literary but not overly complicated—and it is so good! I don’t expect I’ll totally break my audiobook rut, but at least I’ll know what to look for when I do need one. Let me know if you have any recommendations!!
Tell me your thoughts! What little habits have been working in your reading? What’s making your reading life better these days?
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Happy reading!
