Books. Great few lines from the first few pages of a book recently bought. Only read the first two pages to get its measure.
‘ Lately I can’t read a whole page of a book. It is frictionless, this sliding of attention. I thought it would resolve once the lockdowns ended, but it did not. It’s as if some kind of lubrication has been applied to my choices. I intend to do one thing, but my unconscious shunts me discreetly away’. From Enchantment by Katherine May.
Currently reading ‘A bright moon for fools’ by Jasper Gibson. Have been reading it for a month now. Katherine May’s description above is extremely apt and accurate.
What words resonate are ‘once the lockdowns ended’. Provokes thoughts to whether lockdowns impacted psychologically. Indeed, it was never a problem to pick up the paperbacks and hard covers inherent of the wonderful sound of slap of wood pulp pages, with a plethora of words printed on hundreds to thousands of those pages and simply suck them into the mind. Exciting fiction, wonderful autobiographical fandom subjects or very dry educating facts. Read, put down pick up the next one.
Still working on the questions ‘Why? What’s changed? When did it start this stopping of the reading habit?’ when, actually, there is no need to question and analyse. Analysis can go live somewhere else for my liking. I don’t want to understand why even the most thought provoking lines read don’t whet the appetite to explore the next pages anymore. Mind does indeed feel as if it is, as Paul Simon sang ‘Slip sliding away’. Start listening to getting to the ‘Bookends’ mindset.
Today? It is mind over matter day. Pages 215 to 347 of the Jasper Gibson will be read. End of what has been an entertaining read. A month spent on an author’s contribution to decent literature is a crime for myself. Okay, petty crime, but one that is committed and leaves you red faced nonetheless.
However, yes, since this those lockdowns. Realising that, in the work situation finding oneself in, the education had to continue. But not in book form. Finding yourself hitting the ground running in a complex situation of different demands on the hospital ward and faced with an extraordinary situation of lack of knowledge. No books read for those couple of years. It was literature off the internet that frightened the mind to core levels. No books of lighter subject read! Impossible! Actually, that’s not true. There was a couple of weeks of needing to escape the worldwide turmoil. It simply happened to be J K Rowling who was picked up and the whole series read in about two weeks in a holiday break. A need to escape non-normality and live in a magical world.
Next up? On the subject of magical, Katherine May’s ‘Enchantment’ sounds like it gives some great insights. Maybe some answers.
Gray Summers 
I love the way book shelves hold along with all the stories, a portrait if our soul.
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That’s a nice observation Richard. I do love books that are fictional stories about book themes. Libraries, secret libraries, bookshops, fantasy, etc. They convey the importance of books in unusual ways. All the best.
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I keep a book with me at all times. I read if a moment or moments allow me to read. There are weeks when reading is unimportant, but then I realize what is happening and get back on course. I have not noticed that outside influences affect my reading habits.
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That’s great practice. I used to carry a book in my bag to work. Sit during a break and read a few pages. Or relax in the VeeDub (camper van). Good to hear you are a fan of reading because of the value of keeping it going. All the best.
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I’ve got books scattered everywhere, and even have some ebooks on my phone when my bags are too heavy.
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It’s a great thing seeing books around and about. Centralised or scattered. I wrote a blog about such considerations. Cookery books in a busy kitchen. Gardening books in the shed. A few next to the settee to grab at. That sort of thing. Love paper books. Did have a Kindle way back with nothing really downloaded. Never felt the yearning for the app on the iPad either. I give a fair few books away. A nurse colleague came and took about thirty nurse theme books for a couple of students we both know. Nice to know that you read outside of the educational theme Brenda. All the best.
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Oh definitely, currently Lee Childs, Philippa Gregory and I can’t remember what else
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That’s a nice skill if you can pick up randomly. It is difficult for myself to remember which story continuation belonged to which previous read. Not read one of your two mentions here. Strange how we drop on authors that truly connect with us. Remember not getting enough of Ian Rankin. Stems from early collective fascination with Enid Blyton and Richmal Crompton. Also as an under 10 years old did readings of Charles Dickens and H G Wells. I pretended I did fully understand the latter two! Nope…😊
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I notice you had Alexander McColl Smith on your shelf; didn’t like his writing
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I recognised the name, but haven’t read anything by the author before. I never read more than about twenty pages of this one. Hence the little note. About four or five of this little row I have started! Don’t have any of his other books. Impulse buy in a charity shop as I never heard of the author. Sometimes I buy because of the title. The word espresso caught my attention. I’ll read a bit more and see if it clicks. Cheers.
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Books shelves or the lack of, speak volumes (pun intended) about a person. I saw a picture the other day of a bookshelf with books grouped by color….. I have 15 pages left of a book. Been stuck there for the last 3 weeks. Victim of the home improvement project.
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Made me smile. I saw a vintage book seller on eBay with blocks of books in the same colour shades for room decor considerations. And yes, DIY does get in the way. As does any work on the house. It’s tidy up at end of day. Good to hear I’m not alone reading pages as you just described. Although once a reader, always a reader. So getting back into the swing of reading should be like riding a bike. Hope your woodwork is going well Danny. Sounds exciting. All the best.
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Woodwork should be done by the end of the month. Reinstalling some handrails tonight – can’t have the wife tumble over the edge or the dogs.
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That’s good to have an end in sight. I’m pleased about the handrails considerations. Shows you are a caring person. 😊
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