I have a confession to make. Since I finished Firefly Lane by Kristin Hannah a week ago, I have been unable to settle into a new book. I started or picked back up previous books that I have started to no avail. It’s been a bit intimidating to pick my next treasure from my shelves and I’m not sure exactly what’s up. 

Learning from previous experience

I’ve been in this rut before, where I can’t find that sweet spot. I know that it’s not necessarily about the books that I’m choosing but it’s just not the right fit for me right now. My brain is calling out to some voice that I merely have not found yet, and I think that’s OK, I just need to allow myself the grace to find it. (Notice how this is mirroring life a little bit here.) I know that I need to not put myself into a box of what I should read next or having to finish a book that I started, but instead, allowing myself to try multiple things until I find the right thing for what my brain needs right now. 

Finding the right fit

A lot of the books that I’m picking up from the “should read now” pile are nonfiction. It should come as no surprise to me that, given all of the uncomfortable growth and problem solving that we are current experiencing, that I would want to read fiction, to escape into another time and space for those moments that are allotted to reading. And that’s OK. We cannot be learning and growing and worrying about our health 24/7. It’s not healthy. And, for now, perhaps what I need is an escape. 

What does that look like

My escapist literature might look like the next Game of Thrones book that I have yet to pick up, a thriller or murder mystery, or a chick lit book that takes me to a less tumultuous time, I’m not really sure. But when I find it, I’ll let you know. 

What are you reading? Is it providing you an escape or growth or both? 

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