Wow. I thought I was the only one not reading and that is truly terrifying for a word addict. And I am writing from central Canada just an hour's drive north of the US border which is increasingly terrifying, and then there's the polar vortex we've been under that is pushing the temperatures 👇 and the heating bill ☝️How does one stay on the safe side of insanity?
Thanks for your suggestions, Katherine!! Here are one or two others. Francis Weller's book of short essays IN THE ABSENCE OF THE ORDINARY: Soul Work for Times of Uncertainty. Secondly, I participated in a haiku writing workshop recently and discovered that English haiku has been relieved of the 5-7-5 rule. This lit a spark under me and I've been sharing daily haiku with two friends ever since. It's making winterrrrrr bareable.
Priscilla, i found Weller's book so assuring in a strange way, like "so i'm not the only one noticing these huge shifts." i've listened to him on several podcasts/webinars.
and i also discovered the removal of the haiku rules and the new freedom in that. what a lovely gift to be able to share with your friends. have you read Natalie Goldberg's book Three Simple Lines? it is about her journey with haiku.
Ahhhhh. A heart felt exhale. Thank you. Thank you for telling me it’s okay and that I’m not alone in not being able to read — and for offering up some alternatives. I can usually get through an email, sometimes a short story, but a book?? Foggettaboudit!!
I was just thinking of all the changes my body has gone through… I’m disabled… they are many, I feel the worst about not being able to read anymore. I adore books and have, all my life, been a voracious reader, though less so after grad school. But I feel like I’m missing so much important information. It makes me dizzy sick to contemplate it.
So, thank you. Thank you, so much, for being so quintessentially human.
With you on the dizzy sick feeling. It's so hard when a source of comfort feels like it's moving out of grasp. And then so easy to compound it by feeling ashamed of our failings.
I am not having any trouble reading, but it has been really cold here in upstate NY. I love winter but I confess I’m a bit tired of all the gearing up it takes to get the dog out for her afternoon walk (hooded parka- check; handwarmers- check; snowshoes- check…).
As you know, the news here is distressing, to put it mildly, and I can’t decide whether it helps to discuss it with like-minded friends and family or if that just reinforces our sense of dismay and powerlessness. We’ve only had a few ICE raids in our area, but because we have so many Central American workers coming in the spring to work at the racetrack, we are trying to get ready for more.
On a lighter note: so glad you’re enjoying Shrinking! I love it too! Riot Women landed here a few weeks ago and I’m obsessed! That’s one I’ll probably binge re-watch as soon as all the episodes are out.
And I’m so looking forward to re-reading The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating. I think it’s the perfect antidote to doomscrolling.
This is an extremely important conversation, and thank you for encouraging honesty. I realised last year I hadn't picked up serious fiction in years. It's part of the reason why I'm now into my fifth week of daily intentional digital breaks (during the commute).
I'm beginning to feel that the phone dangerously amplifies unsatisfactoriness (or Dukkha for those who prefer) as constant background noise. Yes it's louder before and after usage, or as you say when the phone is in the room. But it's detectably ever-present.
Last week that noise finally started to get quieter. I picked up a novel I had been meaning to read for years, and sat with it without struggling against the pages. Hoping this lasts.
When I struggle to read, I try to just do one chapter only and I prefer books about nature and with prose that is meant to be read slowly. Currently going chapter by chapter in Chasing Fog and enjoying it. Your Feb pick is perfect for this—I adored it!
Love the rise of 'Ritlit'! Am consciously trying to shift my year towards the wheel and away from conventional concepts of time. And February brings us Imbolc, a lovely way to look forward out of the gloom ✨✨
This is a great article from a couple of years back that has some great recommendations. It's how I discovered Katherine Heiny - and for that I shall be ever grateful.
Thank you, the clearing is always a refreshing read, along with novels by authors I already know so no 'getting into their style'. Currently Zadie Smith's 'Swingtime'. Taking off any pressure to read an amount. Lots of aspects of life have become measured and if reading is proving challenging, targets and ambitions can make it into work. I like a magazine, my current joy is the membership magazine of the Lancashire Wildlife Trust (other regional Wildlife Trusts are available in UK, doing much good work and inclusive!!)
Shrinking is the only reason i kept my Apple TV subscription after watching the Andrea Gibson/Megan Falley documentary, "Come See Me In the Good Light." Shrinking is one of my all-time favs. and i just started using the library app, Libby, to listen to books (mainly fiction) and am finding it a great way to explore works i have long overlooked.
what i am finding difficult these days is not so much reading, but wrapping up the threads to complete a piece of writing. so i signed up for The Stafford Challenge...to write a poem a day for a year. William Stafford was Oregon's poet laureate and the challenge honors him. it is about encouragement and community.
anyway, thoughtful suggestions, as always. thank you Katherine.
Totally agree with what you say about reading familiar books, including books from childhood. I read so many books from when I was a kid over and over again and it's so comforting and easy - I especially enjoy rereading children's fantasy novels, like Elidor, The Children of Green Knowe, Tom's Midnight Garden etc - they are such good books too.
Oh, how I needed this! The gawd-awful flu going around found me, days after New Year’s. January became all about getting well, leaving much of my life in quiet havoc. Add in the madness in my country, and my attention is a wreck.
My greatest comfort? LL Bean wool socks. They’re truly like a hug - I swear they’re healers.
Sri Lanka! If you haven’t been there before, you are in for such a treat. I visited a couple of years ago and had some of the best food I’ve ever eaten. The fruit is a wonder too, so many different kinds of bananas. I had no idea. 😂
Wow. I thought I was the only one not reading and that is truly terrifying for a word addict. And I am writing from central Canada just an hour's drive north of the US border which is increasingly terrifying, and then there's the polar vortex we've been under that is pushing the temperatures 👇 and the heating bill ☝️How does one stay on the safe side of insanity?
Thanks for your suggestions, Katherine!! Here are one or two others. Francis Weller's book of short essays IN THE ABSENCE OF THE ORDINARY: Soul Work for Times of Uncertainty. Secondly, I participated in a haiku writing workshop recently and discovered that English haiku has been relieved of the 5-7-5 rule. This lit a spark under me and I've been sharing daily haiku with two friends ever since. It's making winterrrrrr bareable.
Priscilla, i found Weller's book so assuring in a strange way, like "so i'm not the only one noticing these huge shifts." i've listened to him on several podcasts/webinars.
and i also discovered the removal of the haiku rules and the new freedom in that. what a lovely gift to be able to share with your friends. have you read Natalie Goldberg's book Three Simple Lines? it is about her journey with haiku.
Ahhhhh. A heart felt exhale. Thank you. Thank you for telling me it’s okay and that I’m not alone in not being able to read — and for offering up some alternatives. I can usually get through an email, sometimes a short story, but a book?? Foggettaboudit!!
I was just thinking of all the changes my body has gone through… I’m disabled… they are many, I feel the worst about not being able to read anymore. I adore books and have, all my life, been a voracious reader, though less so after grad school. But I feel like I’m missing so much important information. It makes me dizzy sick to contemplate it.
So, thank you. Thank you, so much, for being so quintessentially human.
With you on the dizzy sick feeling. It's so hard when a source of comfort feels like it's moving out of grasp. And then so easy to compound it by feeling ashamed of our failings.
That’s just it, Will. There is so much shame involved.
I am not having any trouble reading, but it has been really cold here in upstate NY. I love winter but I confess I’m a bit tired of all the gearing up it takes to get the dog out for her afternoon walk (hooded parka- check; handwarmers- check; snowshoes- check…).
As you know, the news here is distressing, to put it mildly, and I can’t decide whether it helps to discuss it with like-minded friends and family or if that just reinforces our sense of dismay and powerlessness. We’ve only had a few ICE raids in our area, but because we have so many Central American workers coming in the spring to work at the racetrack, we are trying to get ready for more.
On a lighter note: so glad you’re enjoying Shrinking! I love it too! Riot Women landed here a few weeks ago and I’m obsessed! That’s one I’ll probably binge re-watch as soon as all the episodes are out.
And I’m so looking forward to re-reading The Sound of a Wild Snail Eating. I think it’s the perfect antidote to doomscrolling.
Yes to Riot Women!
This is an extremely important conversation, and thank you for encouraging honesty. I realised last year I hadn't picked up serious fiction in years. It's part of the reason why I'm now into my fifth week of daily intentional digital breaks (during the commute).
I'm beginning to feel that the phone dangerously amplifies unsatisfactoriness (or Dukkha for those who prefer) as constant background noise. Yes it's louder before and after usage, or as you say when the phone is in the room. But it's detectably ever-present.
Last week that noise finally started to get quieter. I picked up a novel I had been meaning to read for years, and sat with it without struggling against the pages. Hoping this lasts.
When I struggle to read, I try to just do one chapter only and I prefer books about nature and with prose that is meant to be read slowly. Currently going chapter by chapter in Chasing Fog and enjoying it. Your Feb pick is perfect for this—I adored it!
I keep returning to Robert Macfarlane’s Is a River Alive right now!
Ahhhh. Is a River Alive? At the top of my list of 2025 favourites.
It’s amazing!
On "ritlit". Can I mention my friend Kiera Chapman's forthcoming book with Lulah Ellender and Rebecca Warren. Coming out in August 2026 with Granta.
The Ritual Year: A New Calendar of Britain's Feasts, Festivals and Folklore.
https://www.foyles.co.uk/book/the-ritual-year/kiera-chapman/9781803512860?srsltid=AfmBOopOZ5ADVdES715Vnh7_iGyJuydVNcdezTmJhjU59AjIGrWRvO11
Love the rise of 'Ritlit'! Am consciously trying to shift my year towards the wheel and away from conventional concepts of time. And February brings us Imbolc, a lovely way to look forward out of the gloom ✨✨
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2024/nov/09/it-will-renew-your-faith-in-humanity-books-to-bring-comfort-in-dark-times
This is a great article from a couple of years back that has some great recommendations. It's how I discovered Katherine Heiny - and for that I shall be ever grateful.
Okay. I have my last "Mrs. Dalloway" discussion Tuesday. Then I'll begin "Enchantment." I bought it some time ago. It's been waiting for me.
Thank you, the clearing is always a refreshing read, along with novels by authors I already know so no 'getting into their style'. Currently Zadie Smith's 'Swingtime'. Taking off any pressure to read an amount. Lots of aspects of life have become measured and if reading is proving challenging, targets and ambitions can make it into work. I like a magazine, my current joy is the membership magazine of the Lancashire Wildlife Trust (other regional Wildlife Trusts are available in UK, doing much good work and inclusive!!)
Shrinking is the only reason i kept my Apple TV subscription after watching the Andrea Gibson/Megan Falley documentary, "Come See Me In the Good Light." Shrinking is one of my all-time favs. and i just started using the library app, Libby, to listen to books (mainly fiction) and am finding it a great way to explore works i have long overlooked.
what i am finding difficult these days is not so much reading, but wrapping up the threads to complete a piece of writing. so i signed up for The Stafford Challenge...to write a poem a day for a year. William Stafford was Oregon's poet laureate and the challenge honors him. it is about encouragement and community.
anyway, thoughtful suggestions, as always. thank you Katherine.
Love all of this. Particularly in these times and in the iciest of winters.
Totally agree with what you say about reading familiar books, including books from childhood. I read so many books from when I was a kid over and over again and it's so comforting and easy - I especially enjoy rereading children's fantasy novels, like Elidor, The Children of Green Knowe, Tom's Midnight Garden etc - they are such good books too.
Oh, how I needed this! The gawd-awful flu going around found me, days after New Year’s. January became all about getting well, leaving much of my life in quiet havoc. Add in the madness in my country, and my attention is a wreck.
My greatest comfort? LL Bean wool socks. They’re truly like a hug - I swear they’re healers.
Sri Lanka! If you haven’t been there before, you are in for such a treat. I visited a couple of years ago and had some of the best food I’ve ever eaten. The fruit is a wonder too, so many different kinds of bananas. I had no idea. 😂