I used to be an avid reader, hung out daily in multiple GoodReads book clubs, and (am still a) a GoodReads librarian.
I breathed books, and the world would end if I couldn't read a few chapters a day. My reading goals remained consistent at 52 books a year (a book a week), but I generally read between 80-120 full-length books a year, plus lots of indie "shorts" (100 pages or less).
My favorite books were cozy mysteries, especially ones where pets were involved.
I didn't just -read- them, I made detailed interaction charts between people, noted times and places, tracked motives, and considered every book a personal challenge to solve the murder correctly ASAP.
... my husband would tease me and say even when I was "relaxing", I could never let go of my "type A personality", lol
Sadly, that changed a few years ago when I got ill. My lung problems often cause low oxygen levels, making it difficult to concentrate. It stopped being fun to read because I could no longer concentrate and wasn't able to solve mysteries like I used to.
For about 3 years there I didn't read at all outside of RPG rulebooks.
Last April, I started reading again.
After 3 years of being misdiagnosed they finally found the thoracic spinal tumor and removed it (yay!).
While in the hospital I didn't have much to do for the first month except roll from side to side - never allowed to lay on my back for 4 weeks ugh!
That was the time I started drawing and reading again.
I read "lightly" now. I can't follow any long involved 500+ page thriller books because my mind isn't able to keep up. I might try a cozy mystery again someday though.
I last left GoodReads with around 1,800 books on my "to read" list - which feels pretty overwhelming, yikes! I have to remember it's not a "to do" list, it's a "to enjoy" list.
FICTION
Right now I am playing through a "choose your own adventure" android app called "Choices: Stories We Play" and reading "It Lives Beneath" a Horror/Ghost Story. It's the second book in the "It Lives" series, and I'm really enjoying it.
NONFICTION
My favorite books, which I read and re-read over and over is "How to Be Sick: A Buddhist-Inspired Guide for the Chronically Ill and Their Caregivers" & "How to Wake Up: A Buddhist-Inspired Guide to Navigating Joy and Sorrow" & "How to Live Well with Chronic Pain and Illness: A Mindful Guide" by Toni Bernhard
I love her writing style, it's very personal and intimate - as if she's writing a letter to a friend. All three of her books speak on the subject of dealing with chronic illness and all the baggage that comes along with - but more then that, they speak of living a life of peace through acceptance of that we cannot change (something I've never been very good at). What I take away from the readings is encouragement to keep going, and a renewed sense of determination that I can get through it, whatever my "it" happens to be at the moment.
