I’m not sure what it is exactly but I just don’t seem to be reading as many books as I once did.
I remember right after MY MOM died I definitely wasn’t reading. My eyes were tired from crying and I was emotionally and physically exhausted most of the time.
Last year while I was in school I was reading a lot but it was mostly for coursework and not for pleasure. What have you noticed in your own reading patterns? Are you reading more or less these days?
My own unprofessional diagnosis is that it has something to do with my eyes being tired from looking at screens (computer, iPad, iPhone, etc.) all day. Thoughts on that?
It’s been almost six months since I started working for California Faith for Equality and while I’ve read a few things, it is nothing like the quantity I used to read. I’ve determined that 2013 will be a year I read more. I will, of course, continue to update this page where I keep track of what I’ve read.
Have you read anything fabulous lately?
Rabbi Eleanor Steinman 
The best reading I ever did was the summer of Ellie (2011) when I read through most of the 11 books you left with me. They were so different from one another and I loved them all for different reasons… and it’s unlikely I would have picked up any of them if you hadn’t handed them to me. Recently read and loved: Annabel by Kathleen Winter, The Forgotten Waltz by Anne Enright. If you haven’t read Gilead by Marilynne Robinson I highly recommend it. For goofy fun, The Red Book. Not finished yet but loving The Children’s Book by AS Byatt.
I’ve been reading a lot lately. Best way for me to get reading is to join a book group. I joined one last year and it has been a wonderful way to read, meet some really great women and develop some new friendships. I also read with a professional group, more slowly of course. And then there’s always the audiobooks for those long drives and commutes – you live in LA, you must sit in the car a lot. Check out my blog, rabbilnw.com for a list of what I’ve read recently.
Well Rabbi I found Yellow Birds and Sweet Tooth to be excellent. For English teachers of the world, yes the tiles should be underlined. Ahh but how on a blog response.
I find that if a book engages me then I cant stop reading it. Then I can go a long time and not read much at all. I understand you’re feelings about the electronic media we are all engaged in constantly, but I actually think its about making time for just this purpose.
I thought that a book club would create that time, and perhaps the ensuing dialogue would be engaging as well — -not so…..I did join a book club, but still didn’t make the time to read the book 🙂 The conversation is indeed robust, and I learn something each time, and I have made some new friends, but maybe its the genre of the books that were chosen, or I still am just too busy. My favorite time to read is on an airplane – so maybe I’ll just be travelling more this year.
A friend turned me on to Daniel Silva. (Historical/Geographical Fiction) Fast reads and grabs you from page 1. I gobbled a few up on the beach in Barbados. A great way to read!
Was that friend me? I’ve been reading Daniel Silva for years! Love ’em!
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This is a little prosaic, but have you had your eyes checked lately? And were you specific with the doc about the reading? There are muscles in our eyes that can get very tired if an eyeglass prescription isn’t quite right. Those muscles get so tired that they sort of lock in place and need to be dilated to get a valid eye exam.
Good suggestion! Thanks.