This & That: February 7, 2023
This & That: February 7, 2023
Experiments in reading one book at a time.
Hello, readers!
Happy February! This month gets a lot of crap, but seeing as it contains my birthday as well as my daughter’s, I don’t think it’s so bad. It may be cold and dreary most places, but that just makes for cozy reading.
Below, I have a couple thoughts on a small, but impactful change I’ve made in my reading life this year, a few books that’ll make ya say “Brrr,” and a few great links to get you through your week.
Something I’m Thinking About: Reading One Book at a Time
For the first time in my adult life, I’ve been experimenting with reading just one book at a time.
It used to be that I would read non-fiction in the morning to wake my brain up and fiction at night to wind down. Or I’d read certain books in fits and starts, with other things sprinkled between, and then end up with four or five books on my nightstand and in my consciousness concurrently.
Without intentionally doing so, I’ve been reading one book at a time here in 2023.
I wouldn’t have thought that it would change my reading satisfaction that much, but I’ve quite enjoyed it!
One perk that falls into the “duh” category is that I’m finishing books quicker. Devoting all my attention to a single title means that I’m getting through individual books more quickly, even though my overall reading time hasn’t changed. The hits of bookish dopamine that accompany finishing something are coming more regularly.
Another perk is that I’ve felt more fully immersed in what I’m reading. Be it fiction or non-fiction, letting myself be pulled into the setting and lives of the characters has been almost like watching a movie in 3D, where before I’d been watching in 2D (distractible and not all the way in the experience).
I don’t know if this is just a phase or a permanent shift in my reading, but I’m going to intentionally keep it up for a while and see what happens.
Do you read just one book at a time? Or do you dabble between multiple books? I’d love to hear.