Are you reading more or less?

[tobee]

Just wondering how people are doing with reading with the lockdown?

Lots of people would imagine they'd read a lot if they had enforced home isolation.

But I keep seeing the reality is rather different and people aren't able to concentrate on reading for pleasure as much as they'd hoped.

Just being nosey () but what have you found?

Personally, my fiction reading has almost totally stalled but I wouldn't be surprised if that changed as time goes on.

[RoryGillmoresEvilTwin]

Much less/not at all. I just can't concentrate on anything. I'm also not watching anything particularly on tv.

This is actually annoying me because before this all kicked off properly I treated myself the The Mirror and the Light!

[onemouseplace]

Mine has stalled - I'm finding it difficult to concentrate, plus I have no opportunity for a bit of quiet downtime in the day with my book at the moment due to (a) obsessive checking of the news and (b) the circus being at home.

[onemouseplace]

RoryGillmoresEvilTwin - I'm desperately trying to read The Mirror and the Light but just not getting into it at all.

[wildthingsinthenight]

Much much less. I am an avid reader usually and have loads of books to read but I can't settle to read. Just feel so anxious

[Nuffaluff]

I can’t and I normally read a lot. I was reading The Mirror and the Light but had to stop because I couldn’t concentrate.
I’m now supposedly reading The seven and a half deaths of Evelyn Hatdcastle but haven’t picked it up for two days.

[BeardedMum]

I am reading a lot. I escape into books.

[majesticallyawkward]

A lot less... but more to do with my nocturnal infant than lockdown. I've been on the same page for 3 days now. Every time I pick it up I either nod off or baby wakes (again, because he's trying to break me)

[Portulaca]

Much less. Can't concentrate. Anxiety through the roof. DH struggling too, DC not coping (autism & ADHD). Thankful we have a garden to sit in, at least.

[1wokeuplikethis]

I’m reading more, enjoying the escape. Got into the habit of a bath and early night reading my kindle and thoroughly enjoying the escapism. Always loved Mark Edwards and currently really enjoying Louise Voss (they sometimes co-write)

I’m feeling so anxious in the evenings right now, it’s vital to have something to absorb my thoughts in other than the usual

[tobee]

Wow! Quite a lot of replies in a short time! Obviously people posting on Mumsnet not a problem!

Been trying to decide whether to read something light and gripping or The Portrait of a Lady. But since I'm not actually reading anything, it's kind of a moot point.

Hoping to channel BeardedMum and 1wokeuplikethis soon!!

[Sgtmajormummy]

More books, more films, more music.

I’m supporting DD with her distance learning, so we’ve looked at YouTube concerts, biographies and background documentaries.

She has to give a presentation on the Congo and we’ve watched The African Queen and Out of Africa. I’ve re-read The Heart of Darkness in the light of Belgian colonization and given DD a true but age-appropriate view of forced labour and the Rwandan genocide.

For my own entertainment I’m reading a paper version of Philip Pullman’s Book of Dust and Triestine Itineraries about James Joyce on Kindle.
We’ve been home for a month now (Italy) so the novelty has worn off!
I’m also Spring cleaning and packing for our move in July.
So, in spite of not leaving the house, I’m keeping a healthy mind in a healthy body!

[BadSpellaSpellaSpella]

It was less and I was only picking at easier reads. But in the last week or so im back to normal reading habits.

[TolpuddleFarter]

Much less. Finding it very hard to concentrate.

[StitchesInTime]

I’m reading much less than normal.

Having the DC at home full time means less free time for me to read, even without the distractions of current circumstances.

[ProfessorHasturLaVista]

About the same i.e before I go to sleep. I’ve a lot less patience with books I don’t like though, as I need something to stop my mind wandering.
I’m buying loads of Kindle books, however!
It’s weird, DS is 17 and happy with his online socialising and one walk a day. When I was 17 I would have been made up to have all this time to read and write stories. But now I can barely concentrate on a half hour tv programme.

[Lobsterquadrille2]

I normally read every evening and haven't picked up a book for a few days. I have virus symptoms - could be any virus - and have slept an inordinate amount, as well as having zero concentration when I'm awake. However the mention of The Portrait of a Lady has made me yearn to read it. Love Henrietta Stackpole.

[Cherrypi]

Less. It's driving me mad. I can't concentrate.

[tobee]

Very impressed Sgtmajormummy. I also watched The African Queen the other day! Again.

[tobee]

It would be good is the books threads picked up a lot more traffic again soon to ease people's anxiety!

[ChristmasFluff]

I'm reading lots - and happy to say I panic-bought books at the local book shop before it had to close.

If you are struggling with the Mirror and the Light, I'd recommend listening to the radio 4/BBC sounds serialisation of it - it's made me want to read it, after a slow start even of the serial.

[FranKatzenjammer]

I'm reading much less than usual. I just can't concentrate. Work has gone manic, I am quite anxious, and I'm overstimulated from too much news and social media. I'm in touch with family and friends a lot more than before. Also there is less opportunity to listen to audiobooks now that I'm WFH not driving around. I'm hoping to get back into a good reading routine soon.

[Aroundtheworldin80moves]

Reading a lot more childrens fiction with DDs.

Don't have as much time for my reading since they are here 24/7!

[dudsville]

When i imagined self isolation I didn't realise I'd still be working, and the virus has drastically changed the nature of my job so I've been more busy and then quite preoccupied by the pandemic personally as well. I had 6 or 7 books lined up for this eventuality. I flicked through one, decided it was rubbish, flicked through another a couple of days later, decided it was rubbish. Just as I was really feeling the regret of my book choices I realised it's likely to be me and not them.

[Fanthorpe]

Hardly at all and I’m a two-books-a-week person.

I’m spending my time thinking, communicating with friends, reading online articles about the virus, and on Twitter.

Not proud of myself.

[SurpriseSparDay]

Wondering how old you are, OP. Only because I read Portrait of a Lady in my early thirties and it completely reshaped my understanding of other human beings. It’s really powerful. In an ideal world no one would read it until late middle age at the earliest!

To answer your question, other than Station Eleven by Emily St John Mandel (read now!) in the past week I’ve only left MN to read the headlines or to stare hopelessly at various online grocers’ regretful websites. That phase seems to be coming to an end so I hope I’ll find time to chip away at the hundreds of books waiting on my shelves and kindle app.