Being immersed in a book, curled up on the sofa in front of the fire under a blanket was a common Sunday theme when I was younger, and I have continued to enjoy a good book. However, with my PhD end date looming and work piling up in 2022 and 2023, my reading took a step back. I almost felt guilty not reading an academic research paper, or a book where I learnt something new. I dropped fiction books all together and would pick up a book with a scientific theme, finding my concentration span shorten and leaving it unfinished for months at a time.
So in 2022 I decided to try and read a book a month. I delved into teen fiction and really found my love for reading reignited. The books I read in 2022 were:
Commuting to Cardiff three days a week during most of 2022 allowed me to find some downtime, but even I was surprised I managed to read 12 books this year, what with all the laboratory work and paper reading I was doing.
And then came 2023, the year I set to finish my PhD (to write my thesis). I started strong, reading books by Taylor Jenkins-Reid, and delving into Rob MacFarlene for writing inspiration. Regrettably, I only managed about 3 books this year due to completing my thesis.
And so, better things are around the corner for 2024. I have almost finished 'Carrie Sotto is Back!' by Taylor Jenkins-Reid, then I plan to pick up the half finished sad books, left in the corner, not fulfilling their lifetime worth (dramatic I know- but I feel bad for the books I am yet to finish!).