Just wanted to provide a quick update here on why things have been so slow (paused, really) at this blog.
April was shaping up to be a very busy month: I had a lot of work-related things moving around, we were planning on flying out to Minneapolis for a wedding (which means taking 3 kids on their first plane rides and a week of museums and fun stuff). I took the month off from here as I wasn’t really planning to get any reading done, let alone writing about reading.
Then my mother passed away unexpectedly. I found out the day before we were supposed to leave for Minneapolis. The trip got cancelled, I went through a intense grieving process, and we all scrambled to fly to Hawaii for her Celebration of Life (she was very clear the word “funeral” was not to be used, and that she wanted it in Hawaii). Which was nice - it was unexpected, expensive, and hell traveling with 3 children on long flights, but it basically served as a family reunion in paradise, and I feel reconnected to parts of my extended family that have been absent in my life for far too long. My Mom have been really pleased with it.
I think I’ve gone through most of the grieving process by now, but in short: I am exhausted. My life feels derailed, I am struggling with getting back into the work routine, I have debt from a very unexpected trip to Oahu, and my Kindle is collecting dust.
Something in me has flipped from “reading is how I want to relax right now” to “the idea of reading seems far away and tiring”. I don’t know how long it will take to get back to a good place—I did finish a Dresden book on the flight back, and I’m very excited for Waybound (Cradle #12) in three weeks, but aside from that I don’t see any movement happening for a bit. I need to step back, probably see a doctor about getting back on some ADD meds, and kind of rebuild my life back to a point where I feel like I can spend a lot of free time reading and writing reviews.
And honestly? I just want to play Diablo 4 right now. It’s the exact amount of lazy gameplay + occasional focus that feels healing to me. So I’m gravitating towards that for a bit. If you are going to play it, and want to play with me, shoot me a message.
Thanks for understanding. Eventually, reviews will come, ARCs will be read (although probably after they are published), and I eventually will work through this year’s Hugo slate (I still think Babel will easily win). I really like reading and reviewing, but my mind isn’t in the same spot it was in March.
See you all soon.
Really sorry to hear about your loss. That's so hard. Glad that you're taking time to heal and rebuild right now.
Condolences. Having lost a parent myself, I know how complicated and hard that can be. Be well.