Every fortnight, I perch at my desk to write a blog post, and often there’s a book waiting to be discussed.
This week? Not so much.
I haven’t finished a fiction book in over two weeks. Considering I usually read multiple books a month, this feels… strange.
Lately, life has been fuller than usual. It hasn’t overflowed with dramatic events, but with the steady accumulation of responsibilities. My regular family routine keeps me busy, but over the past few weeks several unexpected extras have landed in the middle of carefully planned days, pushing everything else further down the list.
You know how it goes. One thing takes longer than expected. Another task appears out of nowhere. A phone call needs returning. A project for someone else requires attention. Before long, it’s dinnertime and you wonder where the day went.
I’ve also had some longer days, which means by evening I’m more tired than usual. Instead of falling into a chapter or two before bed, I’m falling asleep on the couch.
But wait, there’s more! Another strange thing has been happening. I’ve started calling it my “Gone Fishing” experience.
You know those old movies where somebody important vanishes from town? Concerned people visit their home or workplace looking for them, only to discover a handwritten sign hanging on the door:
That’s how my desire to read feels at the moment.
Not gone forever. Not broken or abandoned. Just… gone fishing.
I have plenty of books waiting for me. Several ARCs and new releases from authors I enjoy. Stories I’m almost certain I would love once I started reading them… but starting feels harder than it should.
Even when I have a spare half hour sitting in the school car park waiting for pickup time, I find myself busy with something else. Browsing online. Researching a project. Organising a shopping list. Tackling another small task that feels more productive.
Meanwhile, the books patiently wait.
While this may be related to my iron levels (which are increasing with each blood test, praise God!), perhaps my brain is craving rest rather than new information, even information wrapped inside a lovely romance novel.
Whatever the reason, I’ve decided not to fight it too hard. The books will still be there tomorrow… and next week… and during the school holidays.
(FYI, there are only twenty-two days until the school holidays. Not that I’m counting or anything. 😉)
I’m looking forward to having some breathing room. Hopefully in the form of a slower morning or a quieter afternoon, settled on the couch, spending time with my fictional friends again.
Because I know they’re waiting.
When I remove my “Gone Fishing” sign from the door, I suspect I’ll be right back where I belong, happily turning pages and wondering why I ever stopped.
Until next time,
