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I’m still in the most epic of reading slumps.

I haven’t picked up a book since I lost my job in early March.

And I’ve been thinking about it, and I think I’ve figured out why.

The last time I didn’t read anything for nearly a year was when I graduated from a literature degree, so I was kind of burned out on books I didn’t really want to read anyway, but more importantly, my life changed hugely because I was no longer going to school.

Although I still love books and I’m still buying them and I do plan on reading again as soon as I can, my life has had another enormous upheaval this year, and I think that’s what’s broken me.

In March, my husband had been home from hospital for about a week when we had to move into a more wheelchair-friendly (and expensive) house. The day after we moved I lost my job due to downsizing. So those major events – husband in hospital for two months and coming home permanently disabled, moving house and losing my job all at the the same time? It’s killed any desire I have to read.

At least I can report that less than two months after losing my job I found another one. It’s only part time because my husband still needs me to care for him, do the majority of the housework, fetch him things since he can’t carry anything, and drive him to all of his appointments, but I’m glad I’m working because a) I genuinely love it and b) I get depressed when I don’t work, and after about four weeks of unemployment I was getting depressed. It’s weird, because I do have more free time than I used to, but I’m not using it to read. The first few weeks of unemployment I actually had to start using a day planner because I was busier than I had even been with a full time job.

I would happily go back to full time employment except that obviously my husband’s health and well-being comes first. It’s a very strange position to be in. On the plus side, I feel like I have more time for hobbies than I’ve ever had in the past five years, the kind of hobbies that got pushed aside for reading, like playing The Sims (because it’s such a huge time suck) and developing my nail art.

We’re on a much smaller income now, so finding the money to buy a book is a huge deal. There’s a list as long as my arm and I have to wait until I can find the cash or hope my library gets them in.

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About Nemo

A lover of kittens and all things sparkly, Nemo has a degree in English Literature and specialises in reviewing contemporary, paranormal, mystery/thriller, historical, sci-fi and fantasy Young Adult fiction. She is especially drawn to novels about princesses, strong female friendships, magical powers, and assassins.