Media Round Up: Slump

[forestofglory]

I try to post a media round up at least once a month. Last year when I started making these a regular part of this journal I had easily enough books and shows to talk about that I could post a reasonable length post about every two weeks. In 2020 posting once a month feels like a stretch.

Today looking at what I’ve read and watched since I last posted and seeing how little it is just makes me feel sad and frustrated. There’s things I want to read, things that I own even but I haven’t read them. I’ve also basically stopped watching anything unless I’m watching it with other people. Which means that I’m not watching much of anything. September has been particularly difficult with the fires and everything. I’m trying to be gentle with myself about this but it's hard. Reading has been part of my identity for a long time. If I am not reading who am I?

Here are the things I did get through this month:

The City of Blue and White: Chinese Porcelain and the Early Modern World by Anne Gerritsen — This really interesting history book combines the history of the global demand for blue and white porcelain made in Jingdezhen with the history of the production of that porcelain. I love how it connects areas that have traditionally been studied separately

Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger — I loved this modern with magic YA novel about a Lipan Apache girl who can summon the ghost of animals. There is an adorable ghost dog, strong family networks, including an alive mom, friendship, and cool mix on magical traditions. Also the main character is aroace, so romance is not the focus. I’ve enjoyed Little Badger’s short fiction before, so I was excited to read this her first novel. I love how community is a constant theme in her work!

Sleuth of Ming Dynasty, episodes 20-26 — Bedtime has been a bit difficult for the kid lately and that’s cut into our time to watch TV together, so we’ve not made much progress. I confess that I’m having trouble following the overall political plot at this relatively slow pace.

Comments

[isis]

I know how you feel. After the pandemic really kicked in, I found myself completely unable to focus on reading. Anything longer than a news article, any fiction at all. It wasn't until late in the summer that I was able to read again, and it's still been much slower. (And you've got the fires as well!) Hang in there.

[forestofglory]

Thanks, my reading has been slower than usual this year, but last month was especially bad.

[lunabee34]

*hugs*

I feel the same way. I have so many tv shows on my to watch list, and I genuinely want to watch them, and somehow never get around to it.

[forestofglory]

Thanks.