April was my first month out of work. I wasn’t sure what to expect – daily sobbing, possibly. Boredom, stress, anger, anxiety. I experienced some of all that, but surprisingly, I feel more relaxed than I have in a long time. Or maybe that’s not surprising, given that I’m not working. And yet, I haven’t had nearly the amount of free time I expected, between daily job searching and applications, career networking events, checking in with friends who are also out of work, and physical therapy.
I’ve applied for a lot of jobs, but given the number of people who are out of work right now, employers are reporting being overwhelmed by applications. Not promising. I’m pursuing teaching certification, with a possibility of teaching English in the fall. I’d thought about becoming a librarian, but that requires an entirely new masters degree, and there are many fewer librarian jobs.
I have had more time for introspection and also time to take care of myself physically. Instead of having to rush back to work after my surgery, I’ve been able to work out every day and build back some of the strength I lost, which will hopefully strengthen my back in the future. Also, the weather is capital-G gorgeous, with flowers blooming everywhere, happy birds chirping and baby goslings waddling around the park (under watchful geese eyes of course). So if I have to be out of work, I’m glad it’s now and not January.
I thought I’d spend a lot more time on the blog, but I’ve focused on journaling instead, and I signed up for a writing workshop in May. I feel like I need to take this opportunity while I have some time. I have no idea how long I’ll be out of work, but time feels like a gift, though it’s not without stress due to our limited income.
I thought I’d have read a lot more this month, but I’m reading at about the same level.
Here’s what I read in April:
- Time Loops and Meet Cutes by Jackie Lau (ebook/ARC)
- Much Ado About Nada by Uzma Jalaluddin (print)
- The Vengeance by Emma Newman (ebook/ARC)
- Spell Freedom by Elaine Weiss (ebook/ARC/audio)
- Happy Land by Dolen Perkins-Valdez (ebook/ARC)
- Be Ready When the Luck Happens by Ina Garten (audio)
- Barely Visible by Kathleen Somers (print)
- Well Matched by Jen DeLuca (ebook)
My favorite reads:
I loved Happy Land, which is about a group of formerly enslaved people after the Civil War who created a community in North Carolina. It’s historical fiction based mostly on real people and events, and the story is fascinating. It’s also a good example of a book where dual timelines work really well, as a modern day family explores their ties to each other and their land. I also highly recommend Perkins-Valdez’ Take My Hand.
Spell Freedom took me a long time to read, but anyone interested in our civil rights history should read it, or at least learn more about the remarkable Septima Clark, who worked with a team of others to establish literacy and citizenship schools around the south so Black people could vote. Her work inspired Rosa Parks and she worked together with Martin Luther King, Jr. to advocate for the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act. It’s both inspiring, and depressing, as we’re in a time where so many advances are being rolled back.
I expected to enjoy Ina Garten’s memoir, and it didn’t disappoint. I was especially interested in her take on cooking shows and how they’d changed over time. I also very much enjoyed reading about her marriage and her thoughts on not having children. It was also interesting timing to read a book about a former fed who turned to something else.
Disappointing reads:
I had some issues with Time Loops & Meet Cutes, though in a lot of ways I really enjoyed it. I’ll discuss that in my next review.
I also had some issues with Barely Visible. While it’s not a perfect read, April was Autism Awareness Month, and with our government saying terrible, misleading things about those on the spectrum, I recommend all books that help people understand autism.
On the blog:
I reviewed Barely Visible, Spell Freedom, The Vengeance, and Happy Land.
Books for challenges:
- Jewish Genre Reading Challenge: Be Ready When the Luck Happens
- Backlist: Well Matched, Much Ado About Nada
- Nonfiction: Spell Freedom, Barely Visible, Be Ready When the Luck Happens
What I’m reading now:
I’ve been listening to Cue the Sun! by Emily Nussbaum, a detailed look at the history of reality television. I’ve also been listening to The Safekeep by Yael Van Der Wouden, which is up for the Women’s Prize (to be awarded June 12).
I received an ARC of Alison Goodman’s The Ladies Road Guide to Utter Ruin, but when I started it I realized I wanted to read the first book instead. I try not to request ARCs mid-series, which maybe I didn’t realize when I requested it. I’m loving the first book and I look forward to reading the second, which comes out May 6.
I also received a lovely advanced copy of Molly Olguin’s The Sea Gives Up the Dead, a book of short stories. I’ll be writing about this one soon.
Every so often I find myself reading way too many books at the same time. This is one of those times.
What’s coming up:
I have one more ARC to read in May, a new book by Mimi Matthews, Rules for Ruin.
What made me happy in April:
Mr. CG introduced me to Tasting History, a YouTube series that I recommend to anyone interested in history and cooking. It’s the perfect blend of both, and Max Miller is funny and engaging. There’s a ton of variety, from medieval cooking to meals on the Titanic to classic school lunch recipes.
If anyone else plays “cozy games” on the Nintendo Switch, I finished up Wylde Flowers and it was the perfect thing to get me through the last three months. Wylde Flowers is a game where you farm, collect resources, and develop relationships with the other characters. You’re also a witch developing powers and helping people with problems. It’s got interesting storylines but it’s very relaxing. I’m on the lookout for something similar (right now I’m playing Little Kitty, Big City but I’m less enthused about that one).
That’s my April wrap-up. I hope you’re enjoying the spring and reading something good!
