Who could have predicted in January that by March, many of us would be in lockdown and quarantine, our lives completely changed by a worldwide health crisis? The COVID-19 pandemic has affected our social lives, jobs, education - you name it! Things are opening up in my area, but the past almost 7 months of staying at home have had an impact on what I read and how I read.
- I'm reading more books than before. The day before the stay-at-home order came down in my state, I left my job to start a new one. It had been in the works for weeks, and I never anticipated that I wouldn't be able to start my new position. But, that's what happened - it was a month before I could actually start, so I had a ton of free time. I'm working fewer hours than I was at my last job, too, so even after I started, I still had a lot of free time, and since everything was closed, it was the perfect excuse to stay home and read. It seems like I'm finishing a book every couple days, or even less sometimes!
- I'm reading more romance and rom-coms. I used to be an occasional romance reader, but since the pandemic started, I'm finding myself drawn mostly to romances and rom-coms, over everything else. They're the perfect escape - light and fluffy, with a guaranteed happily ever after.
- I'm listening to fewer audiobooks. Audiobooks were the key to my work commute, so when that ended, my ability to get through audiobooks went down drastically. I still listen to them on walks or while I'm doing chores, but it's taking me way longer to listen to each one.
- I'm reading more ebooks. It was so fortuitous that my sister got me a Kindle this past Christmas, because it has been a lifesaver! My library was closed for months, meaning my main source of physical books was no longer available. But, I still had access to a huge collection of ebooks, and I've really taken advantage of it.
- I feel like I'm retaining less. Sometimes I almost feel like I'm reading too much, too quickly, and I'm not really retaining much about the books I'm reading (it means my reviews have gotten a lot shorter, too; I've been relying on mini-reviews and quick reviews). I don't know the exact cause of it; maybe it's due to anxiety or distractions. But, I still find the act of reading very comforting, so I'm not that worried about it.
Have your reading habits changed during the pandemic?
Those are interesting changes! I am definitely listening to more audio books b/c I have less time since my kids are home. I am definitely gravitating towards more rom-coms too!
ReplyDeleteYes, anything light and fluffy, I am here for it!
DeleteI am not really reading more, because I find knowing I have more time (without the commute), I waste more time, but I am consistent in my numbers. I have always been about the lighter side reads, but am even more so now. I also find I DNF or set aside more books, because of where my head is at the moment. Now, I wonder about your retention problem. That's interesting.
ReplyDeleteYes, I definitely waste a lot of time, too! I actually don't think I've been DNFing as much, but I'm avoiding anything heavy.
DeleteThis is a great idea to step back an look at how things have changed. Reading more is definitely a benefit! Fewer audiobooks makes sense, I wonder if a lot of people are noticing a decrease without commutes and work to add that extra time. And I totally feel you on retaining less--I think about some books I reader earlier this year and I feel surprised at how little I can remember--and it's definitely impacting my reviews, as well. It's like pulling teeth sometimes to get those reviews out.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely! If I don't write my reviews right away, it's really difficult. Yeah, it would be interesting to know if audiobooks as a whole are down, or maybe people have more time to listen now?
DeleteI feel like I'm actually reading less than before. Maybe because of more anxiety, I don't know. Sad :(
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry, Stephanie! I think a lot of people are in your shoes with this one.
DeleteI'm not really reading any more than I was before which is kind of surprising. I guess I'm just finding other ways to occupy my time. But my audio book consumption has definitely slowed down. With no commute I now mostly only listen when I'm getting ready in the mornings and getting ready for bed at night.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's taking me so long to listen to audiobooks that sometimes I barely finish them before I have to return them to the library!
DeleteKindles are a lifesaver huh? And my reading has actually been down, I think for various reasons, but at the same time when I DO read it is more relaxing? And sometimes a perfect escape is just what you need. I find myself, especially with the holidays approaching, wanting to read more cozies and stuff like that.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad that reading is still an enjoyable activity, when you do find time for it, Greg!
DeleteI don't know that I've been reading more this year, but I have definitely been reading a lot more ebooks! I generally read a lot of ebooks anyway, but with libraries and bookshops closed I've been reading even more. That's great timing that you got a Kindle last Christmas!
ReplyDeleteAnd I've definitely been leaning more towards light and fluffy books this year too. I think that's what a lot of us need right now!
The Kindle really saved me! I would have been doing a lot of rereading otherwise...
DeleteGreat post and a very relatable one. My experience has been quite similar, especially reading more because I had so much free time (and because I can't stand to turn on my TV anymore because of politics, haha). I've definitely been drawn to lighter reads than I typically would pick up and I think it's about comfort and mood lifting. I also feel like I'm struggling to retain what I'm reading so definitely interesting that you're experiencing that as well. I have had a really hard time focusing, not just with my reading but also with my blogging and with bookstragram. I'm just all over the place and can't figure out why, but you're right. It's probably just stress and being so distracted by all that's going on right now.
ReplyDeleteAs much as it stinks, I'm glad to know that I'm not alone in some of my issues! I definitely agree about the comfort and mood lifting of lighter reads!
Deleteahh, yes. During the beginning of the quarantine, I did start quite a few books as well. The free times really did push me to read more. If I don't have much physical books, I'd probably get into my ebooks as well.
ReplyDeleteIn some ways, it has been nice to have more time to read!
DeleteInteresting observations. I’m working fewer hours, so I’m reading more than I did last year, but I’m reading less than I did in previous years. I think I’m wasting a lot of my reading time by screwing around on Pinterest or watching Netflix. :)
ReplyDeleteAj @ Read All The Things!
Yeah, since we have about a million streaming services, I definitely waste a lot of time watching tv!
DeleteInteresting post, and definitely very relatable! I also find myself reading way more (already reached my Goodreads goal like 2 months ago), and I listen to a lot less audiobooks because the commute fell away. I definitely also retain less, and I feel my lack of focus not just when reading but with other things as well, like some days I just spent hours mindlessly scrolling through social media before realizing so much time had already passed.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like we definitely have a lot in common right now!
DeleteI am reading SO much more. I already met my goodreads goal. I think escaping into a book, like I did as a kid, is something I'm doing more now. It's almost like I've fallen in love with reading all over again. I'm a writer and I think many of us can get cynical (read: jealous) when we are reading other authors, especially those who have found commercial success. There's SO much I hate about this pandemic, but finding my reading groove again is the one good thing that's come out of it.
ReplyDeleteIt's nice that we can find a silver lining in this whole thing!
DeleteI feel like I've been retaining less as well. Some of the books I read back in March I've mostly forgotten...
ReplyDeleteOh, definitely!
DeleteI relate to almost all of these! I am definitely reading more and I need it as an escape from work, which seems to never end while working from home!
ReplyDeleteYes, it definitely feels like with access available all the time, I should be working more! But, you have to know when to take a break.
DeleteI have actually been reading less for some reason. As an extrovert, the quarantine has been hard for me and I think I've been restless and fidgety which makes me less productive :( But I'm so glad to hear you've been reading more <3
ReplyDeleteI can totally understand that, Uma. Thank you!
DeleteOh gosh, number 5! That's me, but all the time regardless of pandemic lol I think the pandemic has changed my reading in that I am reading a bit more (not a lot) and I'm reading a little more out of my YA comfort zone (again, not a lot lol). I am listening to more audiobooks though! I think it's because I took up house projects so I listen while I do those haha
ReplyDeleteI totally agree with reading outside my comfort zone, in that I'm reading more romance than before. I've kind of transitioned to listening to podcasts, since they're shorter than audiobooks.
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