Freak out, man
Strange, upsetting times, and honestly, it’s getting pretty darned hard to maintain.
I usually have more than one book going at a time, unless possibly a novel and a short story anthology/collection.
But now I have five going, and it’s slow progress on each:
- THE CASE OF CABIN 13 by Sam McCarver
- THREE WORLDS TO CONQUER by Poul Anderson
- A huge collection of The Thinking Machine stories by Jacques Futrelle
- QUEEN OF THE PULPS by Laurie Powers
- and I’m just starting TO HAVE AND HAVE NOT by Ernest Hemingway
- Oh, and when nothing else seems to work, I’m rereading a few old graphic novels in the FABLES series.
You having trouble reading, and finishing, anything?
Tip the Wink 
I’m reading slower than normal because of vision problems. Was supposed to see a retina specialist Monday but the Dr has closed down until early April. I can read better has the day goes by. Probably read about 80 pages yesterday. Reading both The Katherina Code by Jorn Lier Horst and Silver by Australian writer Chris Hammer. Remember not caring much for that Hemingway. Always preferred his short stories. Probably read the Poul Anderson back in the 60’s but don’t remember it.
You’re eye problems have been in my thoughts, Steve, and I did see your eye person had delayed things. I’m hoping in next week you can get in and get a positive diagnosis!
I’ll bet you did that Anderson in the 60s, that’s when I bought and read it too, but I pulled it out for reread when looking for simple, enjoyable, easy in this stressing time. I decided to try the Hemingway because I’m not sure I ever read it, though I’ve seen the film (Bogie and Bacall) several times. I think TCM will show it sometime in April.
XFinity dropped TCM from my cable. Moved it to s mostly sports package for some reason. Probably won’t get into eye doctor until mid april at the earliest although the virus is really picking up steam here. My daughter works in a nursing home, in the kitchen. They have had 9 positives as of last night. I was diagnosed with macular degeneration in my left eye. They said it was caught early. I was supposed to see a retina specialist.
Steve, we were able to just add TCM without the package, but it’s $10/mo. I watch just enough to justify that, I think, but we’ll reassess after the 6 month period.
These are stressful times, and I think that does make for difficulties in concentrating. I’m finding that, for me, it helps to forgive myself and just do it one book at a time. I think we need to be as compassionate with ourselves as we ought to be to others.
Margot you are so positive and comforting! Thank you so much, that’s good advice and I’ll do my best to follow it.
I read when I go to bed, but some nights I’m too weary. I’m more inconvenienced than bothered by the plague but that could change if shortages continue for more than a month. Good thing I’m a house mouse in the first place.
Same here, Bob, but Barbara is starting to get itchy to get out and about. So far, just grocery shopping once a week, if needed.
I am reading more because I am not able to flit around. Although the quality of what I am reading is not terrific. I usually like to alternate crime and literary fiction. Now it just seems to be crime. Oh and the terrific book on movie musicals, of course. Just reading about Al Jolson, Bing Crosby, and Elvis Presley, whose musical films dominated the 20th century.
I’m trying to read a variety of things, but I think I should take Margot’s advice (above) and just try to read one at a time. With things so stressful, we worry about you, Patti.
My reading is better, at least for now I am able to concentrate on that. But not much on other things.
I hope concentrating on one book helps you out, Rick.
Better is better than nothing, Tracy. One of the things that’s driving me nuts is the Buffoon-in-Charge daily contradicts himself, stumbles through idiotic proposals and flies in the face of the medical evidence, what of it there is. I haven’t decided about the one book, but I’m mostly reading the mystery novel.
And his ratings improve. Go figure.
I just ignore Trump because he doesn’t say anything useful. But I was very happy to talk to my sister (in Alabama) and hear that she strongly dislikes Trump. (We never talk politics.) Also I had not been able to reach her for three days, so very relieved to hear her voice.
I finished a mystery novel (Tiger in the Smoke by Margery Allingham) but now I may just try to finish some non-fiction books I have been reading.
When I can’t finish a book, I put it aside knowing I’ll back to it sooner or later even though it may take me years to get back in the mood.
During this isolation I find that I am reading three books at a time — one in the bedroom, one in the living room (and the car if we go out on an errand), on one on the computer. Right now my bedroom book is Rex Stout’s THE PRESIDENT VANISHED, my living room book is Italo Calvino’s COSMICOMICS, and I just finished my computer book, Eric Frank Russell’s DREADFUL SANCTUARY, and will be starting Kenneth Grahame’s THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS.
WIND IN THE WILLOWS is one of my favorite books, period. Have you tried William Horwood’s Willows books? THE WILLOWS IN WINTER, TOAD TRIUMPHANT, THE WILLOWS AND BEYOND are all really good.
Rereading The President Vanished is on my comfort reading list. And also The Wind in the Willows. I recently got an annotated version that I think will be fun.
Yes, oh yes. I just noticed the calendar this morning and couldn’t believe it is just one week since we got back from Florida. In addition to everything involved since then – shopping, cooking, putting everything away – I was sick the last three days. Not Covid but a stomach flu and it was really bad for a while. No sleep, feeling miserable, etc. I am finally feeling more human this morning, though not back to normal completely. The doctor told both of us it is possible with with this and Jackie’s head cold that we had been infected with a mild version and got over it, but we don’t know for sure.
So yes, even before being sick I was not getting much reading done, generally just short stories. But I suppose we’ll be stuck inside and eventually reading will come back.
Jeff, I’m really sorry to hear you both have been sick, especially your thing, since that’s a pretty awful set of symptoms. I didn’t know there was such a thing as “a mild version”. Glad you’re both feeling better.
Being a homebody, I don’t think of it as “being stuck inside”, I’m always glad to be home.
I’m reading up a storm, mostly Big Fat Books. This is the perfect time to read long books and get total engrossed while the coronavirus pandemic rages. I’m also listening to a lot of music CDs that I’ve had stacked up for years. Wonderful music! I’ll be reviewing some of it on my blog soon. What are you listening to?
George, since you retired you’re always reading up a storm! I haven’t been listening to a lot of music, but some Hayden – I have a set of the complete symphonies – and the Hank Mobley Mosaic set I got not too long ago. I also listened to Steeley Dan’s Aja album last week.
Which I really enjoyed.
I listened to a collection of Steely Dan’s greatest hits last week. I have a stack of Hayden symphonies around here somewhere. Compilation CDs are in heavy rotation here. I’m distressed by the rise in new coronavirus cases. We are far from the peak!
Yep.
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