Reading has saved my sanity this quarantine. I read so much for work that I seldom have time to read for pleasure. Or, rather, I seldom make time because I feel like I can’t justify it. It’s a luxury and a joy and isn’t life supposed to be about work, work, work, and pushing yourself beyond your limit? Don’t we treasure busyness? Isn’t that the American Way?

The positive aspect about a global pandemic is that we’ve been forced to reevaluate the way we do things. And reading for pleasure has returned to my life.

I joined a Facebook group called The Book Democracy.  Do you love books? Then you belong with us. It’s a place where we can wholeheartedly geek out about everything literary, and it’s just a joy. The best part (for me) is that every month you can sign up for either Book Bingo, Book Tac Toe, or Book Connect 4. You get a randomly generated prompt card, turn in your reads, and an admin marks off your card. It’s forced me to read outside of my typical reads, and I LOVE it.

One book gets to pull double duty and work for any prompt AND the free space.

This month’s reads were:

Devil’s Creek by Todd Keisling (rated four stars and up, AND free space)

Be More Chill by Ned Vizzini (has an adaptation)

Alaskan Holiday by Debbie Macomber (set in the USA)

A Serial Killer’s Daughter by Kerri Rawson (taboo subject)

How Not to Get Shot by D.L. Hughely (by Black author)

Aura Personalities: Our Innate Gifts and Magnificent Potential Reflected in the Energy We Emanate by Staci Sadler (white cover)

Who Fears Death by Nnedi Okorafor (Black MC)

Fear the Drowning Deep by Sarah Glenn Marsh (body of water on cover)

What have you been reading? This has been such a wonderful escape for me, and I felt it nourishing my soul. Does reading do the same for you or is it difficult? I’d love to hear your favorite and least favorite books that you’ve read lately.