I thought I’d do an almonst-but-not-quite-mid-month reading update. Why? Because who doesn’t love reading stats.

To recap, in January, I read a total of 48 books. February, I read 18 books.

And how much have I read in March so far?

Okay, so that’s not technically true. I have read emails and the area orientation book and some other documents.

But I have not yet read one book this month.

Okay, that’s not really true either.

I have been re-listening to the Belgariad and the Mallorean series by David Eddings. I don’t count that towards my monthly reading stats because (1) I’ve read and listened to this series about a million times; (Seriously, probably close to a million. Maybe two million.) and (2) at this point, listening to this series, read by Cameron Beierle (who’s a master voice actor), is more akin to meditation or a relaxation session. It keeps me zen, like sinking into a steamy, hot bathtub. I don’t have to think, I can simply zone out and breathe.

But I haven’t picked up a new read at all this month. Not one. And this despite (1) I used 3 credits on Libro.fm to get some new audiobooks, and (2) I finally got the books I mailed to myself here (since the rest of my books are in boxes in a crate in a shipping container on a ship somewhere in the Atlantic Ocean).

Why? Because I’m currently living in a hotel while I look for a place to live. I’m trying to navigate living in a foreign country and trying to learn a new language. I’ve started a new job and am trying to figure that out. I’m trying to go down the list of all the things I need to do when one moves abroad and starts a new job. I, and my colleagues, are trying to navigate the craziness that is this administration with is challenges and drastic changes and just the chaos they’re keeping us in. And if that wasn’t enough, every day, I wonder if today will be the day I will get the fired/let go/RIF’d email that many of my colleagues at other agencies have already gotten.

In other words, life is pretty stressful right now and I’m just doing my best to keep my head above water. I’m basically taking each day minute by minute. And hopefully soon, I’ll be able to focus enough to start reading again.

So, whether you’ve read all the books this month or 0 books, hang in there. You are not alone.