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{the pile waited}

Image from Unsplash: Photo Credit Kimberly Farmer


March 13th
Before the world closed the doors indefinitely
I made a quick stop at our library
grabbed stacks (and stacks) of books and a few movies
to entertain the family during the unknown months ahead.

The pile waited --

I imagined enjoying my time at home, spending hours upon hours
just reading with my feet up, living in a new book a day.
But, for me, I couldn't focus. Fall into a book. Feel lost in another world.
All my attention online had my brain dinging like a pinball machine.

The pile waited --

The extended lease is up on all the library materials in 5 days.
Now I am frantically trying to read and read and read
in an attempt to move my to-be-read books to the finished, completed, 
happily read and ready to return to the library pile.

The pile patiently waited. 

Some books will be pleasantly devoured.
Some books will be a quick read. 
Others will be returned with 
a desperate plea to be checked out again.
June 30th



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Comments

  1. Leigh Anne EckJune 25, 2020 at 5:58 PM

    My reading life took a downward spin after March 13th. Thankfully, it was picked up again. But I wonder if it will ever be like it was?

    ReplyDelete
  2. JulieJune 25, 2020 at 9:50 PM

    Been there! Some books I just had to give up. I am glad the library's open again to check out more though!

    ReplyDelete
  3. elsieJune 26, 2020 at 9:42 AM

    There is this feeling of open time for whatever you choose, but then it evaporates before you have used it. I trust the books will be enjoyed, whether it's a quick read or a slow savor. Read on!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Deb DayJune 26, 2020 at 10:05 AM

    I was the same way. I had no focus when it came to reading. I start one and just couldn't stay with it. Since I was checking out ebooks, I could send them back and try a new one. I gave up for awhile. When I did start back, I started with authors I knew and loved, Kristin Hannah, James Patterson...easy reads. And it worked, but now I may have to go back to my library and and find some I gave up on!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Tammy MulliganJune 26, 2020 at 10:05 AM

    I was so happy to read your post. I did very little reading this spring. I couldn't concentrate on anything long. I loved the way you repeated - "The pile waited."

    ReplyDelete
  6. AnonymousJune 26, 2020 at 10:28 AM

    I can completely understand that the pile waited because the distance learning ate all the energy and attention. My pile of books during distance learning was school related mostly and some for fun. "The Testaments" and "The History of Bees" were my favorites from this time. Now I have a good pile for summer reading. Didn't take any form the library. Bought some and borrowed from friends. "Sing, Unburied, Sing" is the latest best read.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Word DancerJune 26, 2020 at 3:18 PM

    Love this post! I've done the same thing. Piles of books never ending! Most I get to, some take longer to conquer. I hpoe there is a library in heaven!

    ReplyDelete
  8. RamonaJune 27, 2020 at 12:57 AM

    So many of us can identify with you. I'm trying to figure out what to finish before I have to start returning some of my books unread. Library book drops are opening for us and we should be able to do curbside holds pickups. I love to say, " I checked out that book once, caressed it, and wanted to read it." They will be there for us when the time is right. I finally read Where the Crawdads Sing this spring, and Rules for Visiting, Harry's Trees, and now I'm reading the memoir, In The Country of Women. But I didn't have online school to keep me busy.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Ruth AyresJune 27, 2020 at 9:53 AM

    I'm glad you wrote with honesty and specificity. My reading life is always changing -- and I can't blame that on the pandemic. It is an ebb and flow that I've finally decided to accept and embrace. Right now I'm reading memoir like a wolf eats.

    ReplyDelete

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