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How’s everyone doing this week? We’re living in a very strange time, truly experiencing something historic. The quarantining, social distancing, and working from home have became the new normal, but it feels nothing like normal. Our first week of providing distance learning was undoubtedly the hardest week of my teaching career. We had so many problems and glitches in the system as millions are all trying to access the same materials at the same time. Publishers websites could not keep up. Top that off with hundreds of emails from kids and parents and I pretty much was on the computer all day every day, working much, much longer days than normal. That left very little time for reading, but I’m hopeful this week will go more smoothly and I’ll be able to have more time with books.
Stay well and let me know what sort of books you’re reading right now. I know many of us are on the hunter for simpler, lighter books to hold our interest right now.
Hosted by Kathryn at Book Date
Last Week’s Read
- I only finished one book last week, but it was a really good one. The Beauty of Your Face by Sahar Mustafah is about the life of a Muslim woman and a terrifying encounter she has with a shooter at the girls’ school where she’s the principal. It started off slowly, but the further I got in her story, the more I liked it. It won’t be for everyone, but it was great for me. I’ll have a full review next week.
Currently Reading
- Last week was a rainy one, so several days I couldn’t get out for a walk, so that and no driving really hurt my listening time. I’m trying to find new ways and times to listen to books, but still have about three hours left in American Royals by Katherine McGee. This YA royal soap opera is easy to listen to and well done, too. I’ve found that the further I go, the more I enjoy the characters. It’s great for where my hear space is right now.
- Emily Neuberger’s debut, A Tender Thing, takes place in the late 1950’s and tells the story of Eleanor, a naive 21-year old woman who leaves Wisconsin to follow her dreams of Broadway. It’s sort of an old-fashioned story, but the synopsis promises it will take an unusual turn, as Eleanor is cast in a controversial new musical. At 25%, I’m finding it easy reading that I’m looking forward to getting back to.
Likely to Read Next
- With the libraries all closed, I’m happy to have a lot of April e-galleys to choose from. St. Ivo by Joanna Hershon is one of those books. This book is supposed to have a lot of suspense to it’s story, but much more, too. This line form the synopsis intrigued me, “Over the course of three hot September days, the two couples try to reconnect.” I like stories of strained relationships and short time frames also often work for me.
- Like A Tender Thing, Perfect Tunes by Emily Gould also takes place in NYC and its story revolves around music. This one features a mother and daughter and the secrets between them. I’ve already heard good things about Perfect Tunes, so am really looking forward to it.
I bet the distance learning thing is a nightmare for teachers too. My kids are starting virtual private tutoring this week, so will see how that goes.
And I think you’ll really like Perfect Tunes! St. Ivo looks intriguing, but man I hate that cover!
I don’t get it. Are your kids’ normal teachers just on an extended vacation or have they been laid off?
I agree about the cover of St. Ivo, but I liked it pretty well. (Though I’m not sure you would!)
I hope things go more smoothly for you this week.
I can’t even imagine what teachers and students are going through right now. To have to immediately start doing distance learning like that – it’s crazy! I hope the system smooths itself out as the days go on.
Audiobooks have been great for me, too – listening while I do chores!
It has been crazy and a VERY steep learning curve for everyone, not just teachers, but kids and parents, too.
Minnesota students and teachers begin distance learning today. I hope everything goes smoothly for them all. I’m so, so glad to be retired. Come see my week here. Happy reading!
Retirement is sounding really good right now. Instead most days I feel like my brain will explode with all the new things we need to put in place. Ah, well. It will keep my brain young.
Sorry you had a tough week. I hope the glitches get worked out as people get used to what’s happening. A lot of my friends are teachers, and they’re working a ton of hours to get everything set up for distance learning.
I finally know why friends that have worked from home for years have complained that you never leave your job. It’s so true, but I suspect many of us are finding that out these days. (At least the lucky ones.)
I hope your distance learning teaching is going better this week. Seems so hard! Your rain reminds me … that I once lived in Seattle … for a couple years I was in the Green Lake area …. then a year in the Lake Forest Park area. Are you anywhere near there? Hope your skies clear.
I actually live in Tacoma, in the OldTown/Proctor area. The forecast for next week is sunny, so that’s a plus.
Glad to see this about The Beauty. I have it on my shelf and couldn’t decide whether to read it or not.
I’m sorry it’s been so bad at work. You’re a hero for doing it. Hopefully, you can get some time to relax next week, but I know it’s not going to be what you wanted.
It was so great talking to you this morning, Catherine. Please stay safe. Your area is scary right now.
I’m spending much more time on the computer too. I tried to remember to take breaks a bit more frequently this past week and I think it helped. See what I’ve read at Girl Who Reads
Breaks are essential. Some days I’m good about it, but others I’m not. I need to find a way to make them more of a priority.