I chose this dreary dark photo because a majority of days here in the Los Angeles area looked like this: sunless, rainy, cold days. Despite my worries about freezing night temperatures decimating my red apple ground cover, I am beyond grateful for all the rain. Also though feeling like a shut-in some days, I loved having the time to read.
The biggest blessing was finishing a lovely little translated novel that proved to ignite a breakthrough in my writing. I have returned to the only stratagem that keeps me writing: no email, no internet when I first get up. Just coffee, journal entry and writing. I am at the end of two weeks of this plan and the writing is going well.
I also had a week of moody depression just before that breakthrough and almost decided to give up this blog. (I noticed a few of my blogger friends had similar thoughts, one of them even did give up blogging, hopefully only temporarily.) As it turned out, I missed all the wonderful connections on books and reading that come from keeping my blog going and following other blogs. So, a compromise. I will be writing shorter reviews and otherwise just keeping up the best I can.
Stats: 12 books read. 11 fiction. 7 written by women. 1 poetry. 2 for My Big Fat Reading Project. 1 historical. 1 middle-grade. 1 translated.
Authors (lots!) new to me: Sonya Chung, Keith Gessen, Elaine Dundy, Fiona Davis, Lisa Ko, Unai Elorriaga, Kate Moses.
Places in went: In the USA, New York City, Detroit, Chicago. Korea, Great Britain, Russia, Basque Country.
Favorite reads: The Loved Ones, The Leavers, Plants Don't Drink Coffee
Least favorite: The Address
How was your reading in February? What were your favorite reads? How is your weather?
I *do* hope you decide to stay around. I only just found you!!! [grin]
ReplyDeleteOK, I will. Thanks for the encouragement.
DeleteSo sorry to hear about your depression. I am glad to hear that you are feeling better. I
ReplyDeleteI would hate to see your blog disappear. However, I also sometimes feel the urge to reclaim the time that blogging takes.
Here on Long Island we had a mild February. But March has brought us some snow last night and the threat of a much bigger storm tomorrow night,
You read an impressive bunch of books in February.
Thanks Brian. It was just a seasonal mood swing. Probably you are like me and would not dream of doing a shoddy job of it with the blog. I like how we bloggers all keep each other going, reading, learning, thinking, and cross-pollinating it all. Stay warm and one of these days spring will be here, right?
DeleteI, too, am glad you've decided to carry on. Who else would introduce me to those authors I've never heard of?
ReplyDeleteWho else indeed? I love it so much when you and other bloggers do the same!
DeleteI've had several days of those dark day of February feelings as well. Cabin fever forces me to get out and do something every few days. For me, retail therapy helps. Here's to a happier March Judy.
ReplyDeleteWell, I got some new socks and dining room placemats but my retail therapy mostly involves books. Ha Ha. Yes to a happier March for us both.
DeleteI'm sorry you've been depressed and I hope March will be a better month for you. I would miss you if you stopped blogging, so I'm pleased you're keeping it going. That's an impressive list of places you visited in your February reading!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Helen. I did travel well, didn't I?
DeleteI can't believe how well you described ur Chicago weather this past week!! lol I'm going to look into Sung. I had some great reads as well: https://wordsandpeace.com/2019/03/01/2019-february-wrap-up/
ReplyDeleteHaving lived a good part of my life in NJ and MI, I know that weather well. Glad you had great reads last month too. Somehow, I thought you lived in Ohio.
DeleteJudy, I am sorry to hear you have been suffering with moody depression - The gloomy weather can often get me down too, so my mum got me a S.A.D lamp. While most of February was pretty dismal here too, we were really lucky to have a gloriously sunny half term week. I hope the weather picks up for you in March and happy reading!
ReplyDeleteYes I fell prey to it this year. If we have another February like this next year, I will look into one of those lamps. What a sweet thing for your mum to do. It is STILL raining but I have learned to get out in my yard for a while on any sunny day. Happy reading to you as well, Jessica!
DeleteMy blogging break has been a year in the works, Judy, though I made the decision overnight while in a fit. I've been attracting unwanted attention for a blog that is primarily about books and movies (hacking attempts, veil threats...) I don't think it's worth it.
ReplyDeleteAs always, I'm in awe at the amount and quality of the books you read. You (almost) make me want to join your Reading Project. :-) At the rate I've been reading in the last two years I doubt I'll make any significant progress. I'm trying to adjust to that super-slow reading pace and choose wisely the books I tackle so I enjoy/love most of them.
I'm glad the writing is going well! I hope you do decide to keep blogging as I love reading your reviews. Also, looks like you had a wonderful reading month and got to travel all over the world!
ReplyDeleteThanks Carrie! So glad you love the reviews. That means a lot.
DeleteOhh please don't go anywhere with your blog Judy! I've just returned from the trip to NYC and so I'm just getting back to your great reviews. I think March will be a better month weather-wise than Feb. Your new writing regimen of no internet in the morning is a wonderful idea .... full steam ahead!
ReplyDeleteI came to my senses. I would miss interacting with you and all the others who comment. The return to writing discipline is going well, so far. Thanks for your encouragement.
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