How Has The Pandemic Impacted Your Reading? (4/19/20)

[Marc]

What impact has the pandemic had on your reading? Are you reading more or less? Are you reading different selections than you might otherwise? Trouble concentrating or distracted?

[Kathy]

Trouble concentrating. Having lost my job, I am adjusting to a new lifestyle. I am so near retirement (5 years) that this is probably permanent. I just have to decide what I want to do going forward. On the bright side, my family and I are healthy.

[Whitney]

Sorry to hear that, Kathy, that's horrible timing (not that there's good timing to be laid off), Good luck finding your best path forward!

[Hugh]

I am reading more on Thursdays and Fridays (normally going out nights) and maybe a little less on Tuesdays thanks to a regular zoom chat. So my numbers are maybe 10% up on this time last year. Still have 30 books in the to read pile so no shortage of unread books yet.

[[deleted user]]

Sorry to hear about your job, Kathy.

I have had trouble concentrating and have been reading much less. My job has become much more intense because of the pandemic and I am working long hours, from the couch mostly. When I'm not working, I want to be outside walking or weeding or doing anything but looking at words. Most of my media consumption has been episodes of Star Trek. Watching competency is relaxing, and I can engage with it as little or as much as I want.

[Tamara]

I'm stuck. I usually check out 5-6 books from the library about every ten days. I was heading out to get my usual quota when I got the message the library had closed. So I've had to rely on books I have at home or books I can find online. I've been re-reading some classics--books I haven't read in years. I just finished Oblomov about one of my favorite couch potatoes in all literature. An absolute delight!

I'm so looking forward to the library opening. But I shouldn't complain. I know there are a lot of people who have it much worse than I do.

[Marc]

I can only imagine the trouble you're having concentrating, Kathy--that's a pretty huge upheaval in one's life. My brother just got furloughed--for now, the social safety net seems to be kicking in and working for him and his family. I hope you all remain safe and healthy.

I seem to be reading less (not too much so) but also having a lot more trouble writing about books (either in reviews or in GR discussions). My thoughts are elsewhere. Getting outside to walk or weed has also been something I find relaxing/needed.

[Sam]

Tamara wrote: "I'm stuck. I usually check out 5-6 books from the library about every ten days. I was heading out to get my usual quota when I got the message the library had closed. So I've had to rely on books I..."

In the U.S. many libraries are closer but have continued lending through their ebook service, usually Hoopla or Overdive.

[Whitney]

Sam wrote: "In the U.S. many libraries are closer but have continued lending through their ebook service, usually Hoopla or Overdrive"

This remains a great service for people whose libraries are closed to physical lending (my library has Hoopla and Overdrive, also Kanopy for movie streaming). My library has been beefing up their ebook collection for just this reason.

I've also been having trouble concentrating, and finding audiobooks to be a good way to still get some reading in. Also available from most libraries.

[Tamara]

Sam wrote: "In the U.S. many libraries are closer but have continued lending through their ebook service, usually Hoopla or Overdive...."

Yes, i know. But I don't know how to set it up. I need someone to walk me through it to help me set it up. I tend to freak out when it comes to setting up something new. I have no idea how to "borrow" a book online. As soon as the library opens, I plan to ask one of the librarians to help me set it up and show me how it works.
Thanks, anyway.

[Vesna]

Tamara wrote: "Yes, i know. But I don't know how to set it up. I need someone to walk me through it to help me set it up...."

If you have a library card, it should be simple to sign up on Overdrive.

On this page:
www.overdrive.com/account/sign-up
click on sign up using the library card and it will take you here:
www.overdrive.com/account/select-library

Once you are there, it will ask you to locate your library by its name or zipcode. Your library will then show up, click on it and you will be prompted to type in your library card number. I don't remember if there are any additional steps afterwards (maybe to verify e-mail or similar) but it should be very simple. Good luck!

Kathy, I join others in sending you my warmest thoughts. It's comforting to know that you and your family are at least in good health in such difficult times.

[Tamara]

Vesna wrote: "Tamara wrote: "Yes, i know. But I don't know how to set it up. I need someone to walk me through it to help me set it up...."

If you have a library card, it should be simple to sign up on Overdriv..."

Vesna, thank you so much. I tried your suggestion, but my library wasn't on Overdrive. However, your message inspired me to try to figure it out. I got on the library website and followed the instructions. They're on something called Axis 360. It was so easy. I'm in and can now read all manner of wonderful e-books. Thank you so much.

I don't know why I always freak out trying something new when it comes to technology. Once I figure it out, I feel like such a twit for being so foolish. Anyway, I have access to library ebooks now, so thank you, again!

all best, and stay safe.

[Tamara]

Kathy wrote: "Trouble concentrating. Having lost my job, I am adjusting to a new lifestyle. I am so near retirement (5 years) that this is probably permanent. I just have to decide what I want to do going forwar..."

Kathy, I'm so sorry. I have just now read your message. I join others in wishing you the best. Try to stay positive. I wish you and your family continued good health.

[Kathy]

Thanks, everyone. It has been a difficult time for all of us. I feel guilty complaining when so many have much worse problems than I do. I like the idea of getting out and exercising more. On the bizarre side, Georgia (Gov. Brian Kemp) has announced that the state will be reopening this Friday. I am not sure what exactly that means.

[Carol]

Tamara wrote: "Vesna wrote: "Tamara wrote: "Yes, i know. But I don't know how to set it up. I need someone to walk me through it to help me set it up...."

If you have a library card, it should be simple to sign ..."

When you’re accustomed to viewing yourself as generally competent, it’s uncomfortable to be in a position where you not only don’t know what action to take, you don’t know where to start, how long a time commitment you’ll need to make to the solution, and don’t want to ask dumb questions. Avoiding that aggregate, unpleasant feeling and allocation of time without a guaranteed payoff can seem more efficient in the short term. I’ve heard. From friends. :)

I’m glad your options are expanded. Powerlessness is zero fun.

I’m reading less, working a ton more and am easily distracted (mostly because I’m tired). I miss my library but have no shortage of books. I would typically have taken a vacation this month and am missing that change of venue and time to breathe and explore. Still I’m quite grateful.

[Carol]

Kathy wrote: "Thanks, everyone. It has been a difficult time for all of us. I feel guilty complaining when so many have much worse problems than I do. I like the idea of getting out and exercising more. On the b..."

I’m sorry about your job loss, Kathy, and empathize with the frustration that is job hunting while invisible. Hopefully, Georgia’s plan will mean, come spend money in Savannah and Atlanta while Georgians who want to stay home are permitted to do so. I fear that it will force workers to return to jobs in hotels and restaurants that put them at risk.

[Emmeline]

I'm surprised to be reading more. I don't know how, since I no longer have a commute, still work and have two toddlers at home. The benefit of the toddlers seems to be that I don't fixate on the news... just check for updates a couple of times and forget about it. We're also not allowed outside, so there's not much chance to do anything else, I guess.

I'm sorry for everyone who's suffering from the crisis.

[Franklinbadger]

Emily wrote: "I'm surprised to be reading more. I don't know how, since I no longer have a commute, still work and have two toddlers at home. The benefit of the toddlers seems to be that I don't fixate on the ne..."

Me too, Emily. I used to read 2-3 books a week because I had a nice long commute. At the moment, I'm either working or looking after my preschooler. She's not keen on going to bed at the moment, because the upheaval has made her anxious, so she's generally up late and then I'm working well past midnight because I want to keep my job. I'm a single parent so there's nobody else to step in and give me a twenty-minute reading break.

Honestly though, I can't complain. We're busy and happy (apart from a bit of cabin fever). Thinking of those of you who are having a difficult time!

[LindaJ^]

I'm reading more audiobooks because I'm walking 5-8 miles a day. I'm reading far fewer print books because I can no longer sit at a coffee shop for an hour every morning and read. I just cannot do that at home. Our state is on a three step opening process and my county is currently in step 2, known as yellow. The only good thing about yellow is that the state stores are now open and I could replenish my supplies for Negronis! I'm not ready to dine inside a restaurant or be anyway there are lots of people - visiting my indoor farmers' markets is no longer fun.