I have done something this week which I don't normally do...ever. I DNF'd not one book, but two. The first was the audiobook that I have been trying to listen to for weeks. I just didn't have the mental space to be working and listening to that book. The other one is book that I have been trying to read on my phone through the library app. It just didn't work for me. Maybe if I had been reading a book I was loving it would have been different.
I did decide that I was going to start reading Turn of the Screw by Henry James. Normally I don't read the starting book for Six Degrees of Separation, which I will be posting this weekend, but it is also the perfect read for the RIP XV challenge (that might be a clue to what my Six Degrees theme is going to be!). It is a bonus that the intro was read by Richard Armitage (which equates to aural bliss) and the main story is being read by Emma Thompson, which is very comforting!
I also started reading Letters from Berlin by Tania Blanchard. I have not read this author before although I always intended to! So far, I am enjoying it, and I do find the idea that all of her books are based on her family history fascinating!
I'm watching...
We finished watching the first season of Warrior Nun this weekend which is another option for RIV XV.
Now we are thinking about what to start next. There are so many options, it's almost too hard to choose.
Life
You know that we have been in lockdown too long when you suddenly have to become the husband's hairdresser. I was very, very nervous! I am not sure it's even but he's happy! AS for me...it's at least another month before I will get to the hairdresser.
I mentioned last week that we are starting doing some study. One hour in to a two year course and I was already saying I couldn't do this. It wasn't helped by technological difficulties. Hopefully they are sorted now and I can get on with it, although the first subject is quite introspective which I am not sure I was expecting, or ready for.
As I have mentioned we have been under strict lockdown for the last 6 weeks in the hopes that our COVID numbers would reduce, and they have. Our restrictions are being reduced a bit, but we are still supposed to stay within 5kms of our home, so we still aren't really free to do what we want to do, but hopefully we will get some more freedoms soon. In the mean time, I am creating a mental list of the places that I want to go when we can go for a drive.
Top Ten Tuesday: Spring TBR
Why I Love: MItchell James Kaplan on Why I Love Dreaming
The Second Wife by Gill Paul
Weekend Cooking: What I Baked in September
Bestsellers Around the World - South Africa and Australia
I'm curious about your (2) DNFs? I try to give myself permission to do this more often than ever before.
ReplyDeleteBoth were library books that I was using different apps for and it just didn't work for me. I am usually very bad at DNFing but this time I did due to lack of interest.
DeleteI too am much better at not finishing books I'm not enjoying. Comes with age I think. I want to spend my old age reading books I like or love, not ones that are boring or annoying me. Good luck with RIP.
ReplyDeleteIt's a good goal to have Cath.
DeleteI'm listening to a book right now that would have DNF'd but it's for a freelance assignment. I'm struggling. I'll have to turn to something fun and reliable after.
ReplyDeleteHopefully you can get to something fun soon BFR
DeleteI cut about 10cm off my hair this week, so now I have a bob again, its just too thick when it’s long for warmer weather. I have to get my oldest to neaten up the back though since I can’t really see it.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a great reading week, and I hope more refs can be safely lifted soon.
I can't wait get to the hairdresser!
DeleteI haven't had a haircut since Feb. 20. Luckily I wear my hair in a bob that is just becoming a much longer bob. I have become much better at DNFing books. If I'm not enjoying it, I quit reading or listening. Life is too short for boring books! Come see my week here. Happy reading!
ReplyDeleteI've been a couple of times but it has been a bit awkward,Kathy. A lot of sitting around in the car while the colour set and things like that.
DeleteOur hair places have been open since April but I still haven't gone to get a haircut. I'm not sure how seriously anyone is taking precautions. I'm working from home so it isn't like anyone is really seeing me.
ReplyDeleteThere are pretty strict rules here, or at least there was before we went back into lockdown. I am sure there will be when it all reopens too.
DeleteJust a comment from a veteran of 'returning to study'. It is normal to feel overwhelmed, but you are not alone, there will be others who feel the same. #CrucialDifference They will give up, but you will not. (They will probably blame C-19.) Trust me, your brain will settle into it and all will be well.
ReplyDeleteBut... all study at home is the same: you do need to devise a set routine that is cordoned off from the rest of life. I am doing Latin at home by correspondence at the moment, (something I hadn't studied since 1966, so I definitely know about Rusty Brain). If I don't do what I'm supposed to do every day (except on weekends) I lose some of what I've gained. Little and often is better than long catchup sessions. So make a time and stick to it, no matter what's on Netflix!
I look forward to seeing pics of your graduation:)
You are right Lisa
Delete. We have talked about making a schedule but now need to take the next step which is to actually do the schedule. And that means I need to not work so late every night.
5km isn't very far! I hope you are able to get out and about a little bit farther before too long.
ReplyDeleteIt really isn't Les. I think the furthest I have been from home in 6 weeks is about 2kms.
DeleteI am sorry you had two DNF books this past week. I gave up on the audio I had started earlier this year because I just don't have time to listen. I do want to go back to it when I have time to tune everyone out--but at this point I'll have to start over when I do.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you are enjoying Letters from Berlin! It sounds like something I would like.
I hope you are able to have more freedom soon. The county in which I live is opening up a bit--restaurants are being allowed indoor dining and gyms and movie theaters are re-opening. All with limited capacity restrictions.
I hope you have a great week!
We should get some more freedoms soon. I hooe!
DeleteOoooh, I will have to check out LETTERS FROM BERLIN and the author's other books. I love family history!
ReplyDeleteWow, your lockdown is really intense! I hope it works to rid you all of COVID. Things have really relaxed here in the States, although masks are still required everywhere and social distancing is still being recommended, although not necessarily followed all the time. My younger kids are heading back to full-time, in-person school after their October Break next week. It's crazy. I'm still being cautious and mostly staying at home, although I have been to the hairdresser a couple times since COVID started. I hope things start to loosen up for you, if only so you don't go completely stir crazy. I know I would and I'm a big-time homebody!
It has been really intense Susan! We are mostly doing okay, but there are days when there are signs of stir crazy!
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