Hello, fellow book dragons and literature lovers!
It's been a minute, hasn't it? If you're wondering why my usual cascade of book reviews, literary deep-dives, and "Must-Read Mondays" posts has slowed to a glacial trickle... well, let me introduce you to the culprit.
She's tiny, she's adorable, and she's a master of psychological warfare using only the power of loud noises at 3 AM.
I have officially joined the ranks of the sleep-deprived-but-blissfully-in-love club: I became a mom!
The New Reading Reality: Chapter Breaks at T-Minus 2 Minutes
Before, my reading time was a glorious, uninterrupted expanse. I could plow through an epic fantasy novel in a weekend, lose myself in a Victorian-era tome until 2 AM, and treat my 'To Be Read' (TBR) pile like a personal challenge.
Now? Now, my reading experience looks a little something like this:
The Set-Up: Finally, baby is napping. I grab my book, a lukewarm cup of coffee, and sink into the sofa. Ahh, bliss.
Chapter 1 (Page 5): The plot is thickening! The protagonist is about to uncover a dark secret!
The Interrupt (T-Minus 2 minutes): A tiny, whimper-like sound from the monitor. I freeze. Maybe it's just a dream grumble...
Page 7: A full-throated, opera-level WAAAHHH.
The Wrap-Up: Book slammed shut, coffee abandoned, and I'm sprinting to the rescue. Reading session terminated.
Seriously, I think my record for 'longest time spent reading a single page' might be approaching two weeks. I'm currently reading a book that is so good, but I swear I have to re-read the last two paragraphs every single time I pick it up because I've lost the thread!
The Joys of the "One-Handed Read"
My new reading technique is less about comfortable immersion and more about tactical maneuvers. It’s all about the "One-Handed Read."
This is the art of holding a sleeping (or, let's be honest, slightly fussy) baby in one arm while precariously balancing a book or e-reader in the other. It's a high-stakes game. You can't turn the page without risking a sudden shift in weight that might wake the tiny tyrant. Hardcovers? Forget about it. They are now considered heavy combat gear.
But here’s the wonderful truth: even though I've only finished about three books in the last six months (a personal low!), those fleeting moments of reading are now incredibly precious. They are my tiny, rebellious acts of self-care. They are the moments when, despite the chronic exhaustion, I can still escape to another world, even if it's only for five minutes before I have to change a diaper or warm up a bottle.
A Love Letter to My TBR Pile
To my towering TBR pile, I promise I haven't forgotten you. I still gaze at you longingly. Just know that every book I eventually finish now comes with a badge of honor, forged in the fires of sleep deprivation and powered by sheer literary desperation.
To all the parents out there who are struggling to find time for the things they love: You are not alone! May your next chapter be long, may your baby's naps be even longer, and may your coffee be strong.
What books have you managed to finish lately, even through the fog of exhaustion? Drop your latest read in the comments—I need something short, gripping, and easy to hold with one hand!
Happy (and very slow) Reading!
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