I identify myself as "a reader" but the truth is, I used to be a reader. I rarely read anything independently or for myself anymore, meaning I read to my kids and for my kids. But because reading used to be a big part of who I was and what I did, I still believe that I read a lot. Especially in the summer. I get all sucked into the must-read summer reading lists of bloggers and I start ordering books from the library like I did in the old days. I genuinely believe that I'll be reading what I take out of the library in the coming months. I maintain a fixed and false belief (that I am a reader) even when confronted with facts that speak otherwise. That is the definition of delusional. And that is me.
The past several summers I have done very limited reading. Experience tells me I will not read these books this summer and yet...
I can't let go of the fact that I'm not a reader anymore. I just can't admit that it isn't a priority for me anymore or that it's not possible for me right now.
So here it is the first week of June and I have my summer reading list all lined up!!!
Abandonment to Divine Providence
, Jean-Pierre de Caussade, SJ
Jane and the Twelve Days of Christmas
, Stephanie Barron
The Complete Stories of Flannery O'Connor
Bruno, Chief of Police: A Novel of the French Countryside
, Martin Walker
The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing
, Marie Kondo
What are you going to read this summer??
So here it is the first week of June and I have my summer reading list all lined up!!!
Abandonment to Divine Providence
, Jean-Pierre de Caussade, SJJane and the Twelve Days of Christmas
, Stephanie BarronThe Complete Stories of Flannery O'Connor
Bruno, Chief of Police: A Novel of the French Countryside
, Martin WalkerThe Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing
, Marie KondoWhat are you going to read this summer??
I just heard an interview of someone who couldn't say enough about Flannery. Dark, I hear, but very good. Thank you for reminding me that I wanted to read it.
ReplyDeletePretty sure you can still call yourself a reader. This just isn't the time of your life that it happens all that much. The kids will get older. They will stop asking you to read to them. Eventually, you'll have plenty of time to read again. I took a long break from reading, too. Now, I'm back to reading several books a month.
Thanks for the encouragement, Christine!
DeleteMicaela from California to Korea is leading a discussion on O'Connor this month. She's assigned a short story for each week and then hosts a Facebook discussion. If you're interested the FB group is the Stella Maris book group (I've really enjoyed it! You should check it out!)
I've got the same Flannery collection sitting, unread, on my bookshelf. Maybe we should hold each other accountable this summer!
ReplyDeleteMolly check out what I wrote above and come join Micaela's book discussion group!!! She's assigned four short stories, but I could definitely see myself picking out a few more to read before the book has to go back to the library.
DeleteI have read that Flannery collection cover to cover three times ... and I keep thinking that a fourth is past due. :)
ReplyDeleteI am not going to lie, I get about 50% of my reading done hiding from my kids in the bathroom. :-P My kids are still too young to homeschool yet so I don't have that particular demand on my time.
I've definitely found myself sitting on the edge of the tub reading before!
DeleteSame as I commented above - if you' want to chat about O'Connor, check out Micaela's Stella Maris facebook group - she'll be hosting chats on four short stories this month :)
I just read a profile description I wrote of myself in which I claimed to be a reader…and I had the same revelation that I am totally delusional ;) I *used* to be a reader. I *want* to be a reader. But to currently claim that I am one is probably way off the mark. The women's group books are pretty much the only adult books I read nowadays...
ReplyDeleteMary, I'm glad to hear I'm not the only one :) :)
DeleteIt's funny how having lots of younger kids has changed me - it seems like setting aside past loves, like reading a lot, is part of the sacrifice of motherhood for me. I hope I don't lose my reading muscles in the meantime thought :)
I just picked up the Tidying Up book a the library today! It's been on hold for ages. Finished "The Nesting Place" last week, I highly recommend it. Also reading one about holding on to your kids, I can't remember the title. Are you going to post updates about which you like best?
ReplyDeleteI just started it last night - it's in such demand at the library they won't let me renew it, so I have to hurry up! When I first ordered it, I was 89th on the list and I waited a few months to get it!
DeleteI look forward to hearing what you think! I'll check out The Nesting Place and if I finish any books this summer I'll definitely blog/brag about it :)