Are you reading more or less?

I may have found a solution for myself. Whilst I'm finding reading physical books distracting - every time the phone pings, or I hear people walking down the lane past our house - audiobooks are helping. Having headphones on helps to block out the intrusive thoughts & anxiety, for now anyway. Managed to listen to one shortish book this week whilst the physical book is still slowgoing.

Less. It's the weirdest thing. Usually a huge reader-but I can't concentrate when I've tried to read these last two weeks.
I thought I was doing ok but subliminally I must be stressed out by this whole thing-the only other time in my life I haven't been able to read like this was when exh and I first split up!

Impressive achievement, nigelwiththebrie. Even without SM I find I’m breaking off from any book every time Sky pings on my phone, or (I was going to say feverishly, but obsessively will do ) checking MN a thousand times a day for online grocery updates and the latest doleful predictions.

Did you enjoy FFTMC? Decades since I read it last.

Oh I can recommend not reading the news or going on social media. It does wonders for your concentration! I have deleted all my social media as it was just making me worry.

I read all of Far from the Madding Crowd yesterday (very apt!) it took me eleven hours. It helps that it's sunny as there's nothing I like more than sitting on my front step with a book and a brew in the sun.

I'm reading less.

Concentration shot to pieces. Too much time spent checking the news... And from this week home schooling 😬

I'm reading much less. I've struggled all of March, but I am trying to spend an hour each day in the garden with a book and without my phone.

Anyone been struggling to read but managed to get past it? Any tips? I managed a bit first thing in the morning.

More. Ripped through The Mirror and The Light, now on The Tenant Of Wildfell Hall, which is a surprisingly modern-feeling and proto-feminist read.

Books are my lifeline.

I bought a wonderful book just before this all kicked off called This too shall pass by Julia Samuels.
I cannot fathom reading it at the moment and I really want to. 😓

I’m bored at times but can’t settle my brain to read.

Oh, Portrait of a lady is ringing bells with me, I think I read that on an OU course. Might have to download it!
Subscribed to Kindle unlimited yesterday. ☺

Far less than I thought I would I have boxes of books all been read and nothing new to read ,my kindle doesn't want to play nice so I'm flicking between MN and GN and trying to find something half decent to watch on now TV

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.

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.

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.

Reading a lot more childrens fiction with DDs.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.