Wednesday, July 8, 2020
Reading during the Coronavirus Pandemic
I think I'm reading a bit more than I was before the Covid-19 invasion (although I spend some of that reading time perusing the latest news about the coronavirus). I have a couple of questions for my readers. How have the pandemic, shutdown, and lack of social activity affected your reading habits? Are you reading more as a result, or less? Are you, like me, also watching more TV shows and movies (at home)? I'm interested in finding out. Please leave your answers in the comments. Thank you!
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Each week seems to be different for me. Some weeks I'm reading more, other times I can't seem to concentrate and I watch the news more. I haven't been watching too many TV shows since mine are all in reruns now.
ReplyDeleteI guess it kind of depends on what's going on in the world. If something new happens, I tend to watch the news more.
I know what you mean--some days I find it harder to concentrate on reading, and opt for watching (or just listening to) the news. Thank you for your comment, Yvonne.
DeleteThough I am working from home, since this started I have been working long hours. Thus, thus I have been reading less.
ReplyDeleteThis varies from week to week but I am always trying to squeeze in more reading time.
Brian Joseph, I'm glad you are able to work remotely. Because you're such a voracious reader, I'm sure you are still reading a great deal. Thank you very much for stopping by!
DeleteI live in The Philippines. The country locked down early and implemented strict quarateen rules in worse hit areas. Large gatherings are banned and no one goes outside Without a mask. As a result of this The infection rate is way lower than The UK, The USA and Brazil.
ReplyDeleteAs i am 73 and my lungs are weak,I have been outside for only three hours since March 3rd. Two of our adult daughters are back home, one WFH and one waiting to go back to school. We suffer no material deprivation and we like having our daughters home. We can get anything we need delivered. Millions in the Philippines are now experiencing food anxiety so my family and I knows we are lucky.
In the 3.5 months I have gone through slow reading periods, binging on Netflix and Amazon Video. I have made it a practice to read one short story every day. I set aside two very long, 1000 pages plus novels to read. I began reading science fiction and fantasy works for escaping. Some days I follow the news but someday just want to forget it. I also posted on works by writer friends who were in Italy during the worse time to support them.
This month I am participating in a book blog event Paris in July which is getting me back to more reading.
I also read a few set in the Holocaust short stories so I can see how trivial my issues are.
My blog readership has declined by 50%, caused by the closing of schools worldwide.
Mel, thank you for your detailed comment. A short story a day is a terrific goal! (Some days my goal is a single chapter in the book I'm currently reading, but then I end up reading more.) I'm glad that your daughters are at home with you now. My youngest daughter is with us, too, now, which is a wonderful, silver-lining during the pandemic.
DeleteMy best to you and your family!
What a lovely, relaxing photo of you and the pup.
ReplyDeleteWe've been taking the virus seriously and since mid March have been having groceries delivered, using drive through at CVS and curbside pickup at restaurants now and then.
The hardest for me has been not being able to see my children and granddaughters that often and when we do, not hugging one another.
As for reading, except for the first 6 weeks of our new normal, I think my reading has been about the same (10) books a month average. I have noticed more audio books than print which works well when outdoors and before bed. We've also been playing gin rummy and Monopoly as well as watching a lot of Law and Order reruns and some movies as well. It seems we've started going to bed much earlier and rising at the crack of dawn as well LOL
Diane, it must be hard to refrain from hugging your adorable granddaughters! Your reading has been nice and steady. Sometimes I find it hard to sit down with a book, and wait until just before bed to read. We are going to bed earlier, too, although sometimes Words with Friends (and other, random stuff) on my phone keep me up later than I'd like.
DeleteI'm glad you're being careful. Stay well, and thank you for your comment!
Thank goodness for Netflix, Amazon Prime and Hulu and You Tube! I have watched some wonderful shows during the 2 months I was not working. I did read more during this time too. I walked almost daily in my neighborhood. I chatted on the phone more frequently with friends. So overall, my time off for 2 months was a positive one, although the news brought me back to reality.
ReplyDeleteEriko, I know you made the most of your break! :) I'm glad you were able to read more.
DeleteI love this photo of you, reading outside with your dog!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Eriko! It was a nice day to read outside, with a bright blue sky.
DeleteI'm working full-time during the pandemic because I now work in healthcare with seniors, but interestingly, I am reading more books because they help me cope with what I see at work.
ReplyDeleteThat's terrific, Laura! Thank you for stopping by.
DeleteThank you for your visit and comment, Vicki! I'm glad that you're able to read even more now. I'm enjoying Netflix and Prime Video,too. On July 4th, we watched Hamilton on Disney Plus. What an outstanding show!
ReplyDeleteLove that photo of you. I have been reading more poetry and attending more free poetry workshops and readings. My daughter and I love the free musicals and plays that we can watch together and we watched Hamilton together -- she didn't understand it all but loved the music. I have a hard time reading fiction -- I don't have the attention span these days for it. And I'm doing some blog tours for poets to help them promote this summer and fall. I'd love to have you on one if you are interested.
ReplyDeleteSerena.
DeleteI'm glad that you continue to be immersed in poetry. How wonderful to watch shows with your young daughter! We are doing the same thing here in Cali, with our youngest daughter (who also keeps me motivated to read in the evenings, as she often chooses this activity). Thank you for your compliment and comment, Serena.
I'm reading more ebooks and used to watch the news nonstop. Now, just a few times a day, for brief periods. My mood for the day improves if I take a walk in the park early mornings.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your comment, Harvee. A walk is a mood booster for me as well. Take good care!
DeleteIt's so great to hear from you again! I think I'm reading about the same, but listening to less audiobooks without my daily commute (I'm still working from home). I usually don't have much time to watch TV, but with so many events cancelled, we've had more family time to actually watch a show at night and movies on the weekends.
ReplyDeleteIt is nice to spend more time at home as a family, together. Thank you very much for your comment,Laura. I hope to post a bit more often here.
DeleteThis is an interesting question Suko. I found that in the beginning of all this I really couldn't read at all. I couldn't focus on anything. So I ended up reading more nonfiction than anything else. I am getting back to more regular reading habits now but still find it harder to concentrate on serious fiction than it used to be.
ReplyDeleteMelwyk, thank you for sharing your thoughts. I think we are getting more used to the way things are now, although our reading habits may still be affected. Take good care!
DeleteI really struggled at the beginning. Reading more now but still find my concentration isn't what it was but defo much better xxx
ReplyDeleteLainy http://www.alwaysreading.net
Lainy, thanks for adding to the conversation. What a strange experience this has been so far! Lately, I've been enjoying my reading a great deal, but wish I could read for longer periods of time.
DeleteHi Susan and Daisy! I missed this post somehow! I struggled to read at the start of quarantine I was too anxious to read or crochet even. But little by little now I can read and craft again. I did notice I can't read two books at a time now, I need to just focus on one and it's fine. I'm avoiding the news, I will pop in maybe once per week just to get an update but not daily anymore like I was t first. It's too stressful.
ReplyDeleteGlad you are doing well and great picture of you and Daisy! Stay well!
I go in spurts, but am mostly reading more. For a while I was glued to the TV news but now am cutting back, losing interest now I know who's running against who. My hubby watches shows but I mostly read and am listening now to more audio. Your reading companion and you both look cozy sitting out the pandemic. Hope the rest of the year will get less dramatic with fewer dramatic fires, etc. in your area. It's dreadful, but do hang in there, and you are welcome to come live in our boring and uneventful but quiet midwest state.
ReplyDeleteHi, Susan! I've read a lot during the Covid year. I sure hope it's just a year! I met my Goodreads goal this week and have read all of my NetGalley review books. Hoping to read from my shelves the rest of 2020. I hope you're well and look forward to seeing what you're reading.
ReplyDeleteOh my goodness. I can't stop reading. I've already read over 500 books this year.
ReplyDeleteI think at the very beginning I struggled to read but it has came back, I am defo taking longer than before to read. In a book I couldn't put down I would get through it between 4-6 hours. It is taking a day and a day and a half just now xxx
ReplyDeleteLainy http://www.alwaysreading.net