Wow, what a difference a month makes, huh? At the beginning of March, obviously people were talking about COVID-19, but now we're in the midst of a pandemic. I've never experienced anything like this, even in the days after 9/11. Here in New Jersey, we have been hit really hard. We're currently under a stay-at-home order and most non-essential businesses are closed. At the beginning of the month, we were seeing daily totals of new positive tests in the 30s, and that sounded like a lot; now we're at over 2,000 new positive tests a day.
Talk about bad timing - I put in my two weeks' notice at the beginning of the month and was planning to start a new job, which had all been in the works since February. Right after my last day, the governor closed all businesses, so now I'm in this weird limbo state. The start date for my new job has been pushed back indefinitely and my old job wouldn't let me stay on. I'm waiting to see if I qualify for unemployment. I hate even complaining about this, since so many others are in much more dire circumstances, but this is just where I'm at right now.
So, I'm just waiting it out at home: doing lots of reading, working on this impossible jigsaw puzzle, cleaning and organizing the house, trying not to eat something every time I walk into the kitchen, and getting outside for walks when the weather allows. My husband finally got the order to work from home, so at least I'm not alone all day. I have a lot to be thankful for right now, and I hope you're all staying safe and healthy!
The Books
The Clergyman's Wife // The Gifted School (audio) // The Other Side of the Coin // The Status of All Things
Dark Matter (reread) // Twice in a Blue Moon (audio) // The Floating Feldmans (review to come) // A Study in Charlotte
Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore // Ella Enchanted // Letters from an Astrophysicist (review to come) // Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (reread)
The Sword of Summer (audio) // 5K Training for Beginners // This Is How It Always Is // Charlotte Walsh Likes to Win (review to come)
The Prenup (review to come) // The Book of Essie (review to come) // On The Island (review to come) // The Lager Queen of Minnesota (audio)
The Overdue Life of Amy Byler (review to come) // All Your Perfects (review to come) // Rewrite the Stars // A Hundred Suns
Someone We Know (audio)
The Posts and Reviews
Can't-Wait Wednesday: All Your Twisted Secrets
Mini-Review: The Keeper
Quotables #16
Can't-Wait Wednesday: Universe of Two
Backlist Fiction/Nonfiction Mini-Review
Top Ten Tuesday: My Spring TBR
Can't-Wait Wednesday: So This Is Love
Retellings Mini-Reviews
Down The TBR Hole #9
Can't-Wait Wednesday: The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires
Audiobook Mini-Reviews
Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Signs It's Obvious That I Love Books
Mini-Review: The Keeper
Quotables #16
Can't-Wait Wednesday: Universe of Two
Backlist Fiction/Nonfiction Mini-Review
Top Ten Tuesday: My Spring TBR
Can't-Wait Wednesday: So This Is Love
Retellings Mini-Reviews
Down The TBR Hole #9
Can't-Wait Wednesday: The Southern Book Club's Guide to Slaying Vampires
Audiobook Mini-Reviews
Top Ten Tuesday: 10 Signs It's Obvious That I Love Books
So, how are YOU doing? What's your current situation?
Things are really crazy. It's stil all so unreal to me. My 15 Y/O brother's school is closed until May 3 at least but even so I'm not sure it'll open then. I've never seen anything like it either. Anyways I hope you and your family are doing well. Hope you get to read a lot in April and do your puzzle. ♥
ReplyDeleteWhoa, May 3?! Around here they are closed until April 17 and I guess they will re-evaluate at that point.
DeleteWow! You really are in a state of in-between. Hope it gets sorted out for you soon. You got a ton of reading done though. I am jealous! I did re-read Harry Potter with my son this past month and I found it really comforting/fun to revisit. I look forward to your reviews!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Christina! I have had a lot of free time!
DeleteI can't even formulate the words to express how I feel about your situation. It sucks. That's really stressful. I know I will have a job at the end of this, as my company is still operating, but I am worried about many other businesses. Will they reopen? Will they be able to rehire all their former workers? ((HUGS)) to you.
ReplyDeleteAww, thank you so much, Sam, you're so sweet! I know, I wonder what our economy will look like. Even just days after it started, it seemed like the struggle was beginning for small businesses.
DeleteSorry about the job stuff. I’m in a similar situation. I was partway through the hiring process for a new job when they closed and decided not to hire anybody. I don’t want to go back to my old job, but I might have to. I just don’t know when.
ReplyDeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
Aww, that stinks, Aj! I hope things work out when everything gets back to normal.
DeleteUgh, that's horrible about the job situation. What a terrible state of limbo to be in. :( I'm amazed at all the reading you did in March. And I'll be looking forward to your reviews of On the Island and All You Perfects. (I never did manage to write a coherent review for AYP.)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Tanya! I really threw myself into reading near the end of the month, I just didn't feel like doing anything else!
DeleteIt's definitely some crazy, scary times right now! I'm sorry to hear about your job situation. That is some bad timing and has to add some extra stress and worry for you right now. I hope it'll all work out soon!
ReplyDeleteI'm currently technically unemployed, with no end date in sight yet... We're also all in lockdown, with all non-essential businesses closed.
Hope it'll all get better soon and you and your family and friends are safe and healthy!
Thanks so much, Lindsey! I'm grateful that we are in a situation where for now my husband can take care of us both, but I just want some resolution.
DeleteBest wishes to you!
You did really well, reading-wise! I'm sorry about your job situation. Hopefully your new job will either hire you soon or you'll find something else.
ReplyDeleteWe're doing fine. Dh is working, sometimes from home (he can do everything from home but his boss isn't really down for that). I homeschool, so nothing's changed there, except our coop meets on Zoom now.
Thanks, Brooke! I'm glad that you are maintaining some stability and normalcy.
DeleteOh, no!! That's awful about your new job! My daughter has found herself in the same situation only, thankfully, her new employer is not delaying her start day. They're even letting her being remotely. On the plus side, you read a TON of books in March.I'm guessing your April totals will be even higher. Take care!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, JoAnn! My new employer is being so great about the whole thing. I can't really work remotely right now since I need to learn a whole new position, but they are keeping in touch and looking out for me.
DeleteSo sorry about the job situation right now. Who could have planned for that, right? Glad you're able to get out and take walks and it looks like your reading is moving right along. Take care of yourself!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Kay! Haha, right?? It's like a one in a million situation, at times I wonder if this is the universe's way of telling me I should have stayed at my old job!
DeleteWhat awful timing with regard to your job status. I hope everything works out for you soon. Look at all these books you read! Sending you good thoughts for April. Stay safe <3
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for the kind words, Alicia!
DeleteI'm glad you are getting so much reading and puzzling done, but I hate this situation for you. Hopefully we can all be together soon and you can partake in our office lunches and Ladies of KCO events!
ReplyDeleteI know, but it's no one's fault! I'm looking forward to officially joining the team!
DeleteOne month really does make a difference. I remember seeing New Jersey's numbers go way up--I'm so very glad to hear that you are doing okay! I'm so sorry to hear about the work situation--that is so frustrating and I think complaining is totally fine. We all have different things to deal with right now and they're all totally valid.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you read a ton of awesome books, though! I see quite a few that Ive been meaning to check out! Harry Potter sounds like a good one to pick up right now, haha. I'm glad you and your husband are home and safe, I wish you the best!
Thank you so much, Jordan! All the same back to you! Yes, things are getting bad in NJ; we are now up to over 4000 new cases per day, which seems unimaginable to me, yet here we are.
DeleteWe really are in crazy times! I hope everything works out with your job and that everyone's lives can return back to normal soon! I feel like this is when all my book hoarding is paying off. I read The Book of Essie a couple years ago and I really enjoyed it! I will definitely be back to read your review. A least we have books to get us through this time!
ReplyDeleteCrystal Book Snob
Thanks so much, Crystal! Yes, very true - I definitely won't be running out of books any time soon!
DeleteI hope you liked All Your Perfects as much as I did :) can't wait to read your review.
ReplyDeleteBeena @ Beena Khan
It was a tough read, but I did enjoy it!
DeleteSo sorry about the job situation love. I hope things get better <3 I understand the Limbo state. I was going to enroll for my degree in education but colleges are currently closed and admissions delayed. I'm not sure when that will change. Here's hoping things get better for us all lovely.
ReplyDeleteAww, Uma, I'm so sorry to hear about that! I'm with you, fingers crossed!
DeleteOh no I'm so sorry to hear about the job situation :( I hope things will sort themselves out. I'm sending you all the positive vibes <3
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Marie!
DeleteIt really is a crazy time we are living in. I'm so sorry to hear about your job too. Being in limbo like that is definitely no fun and i Hope it resolves itself soon for you.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Suzanne!
DeleteThings did change a lot in a month. Sorry about the limbo state you're stuck in. It does kind of feel wrong to complain about things when others have it worse, but others are always going to have it worse. Your worries are still valid <3 That is nice that at least you're getting to spend time with your husband! Stay safe <3
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the kind words, Kristen!
DeleteWow you had a great reading month! Looking forward to reviews. Sorry to hear that things got all messed up with your new job. Hope you are hanging in there during all this turmoil. We've been in quarantine here in Ontario over a month now. No end in sight..
ReplyDeleteThank you! I think I will be at home until at least the end of the month!
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