reading without full comprehension on a slow sunday

 

current table view

I’m doing a slow read of this book, and deeply working through the philosophical points that are made. I thought I’d throw up a quick post in case anybody else does the same thing…

I don’t always understand every single thing I read when I read it for the first time. That’s certainly true of this work.

It won’t stop me from continuing on. Some believe it’s a waste of time to read things that you don’t fully comprehend on the first pass-through. But, I disagree. Some of the beauty is in feeling my mind being stretched through the work as I make connections to other works that I’ve previously read. It sets me off down a rabbit hole, which can be quite fulfilling.

My cup run it over, and I’m busier than I ever care to admit… I’m not a person who glorify busy and I longer await the days when I have more time for deep rest and relaxation, however, I still don’t consider it a waste of time. I’ve enjoyed every second of it.

Off to get a few things done, but I hope you’re having a restful and calm Sunday   

Happy reading ☕️

poetry pause :: humility : mary oliver

 

stock photo: simon berger

Humility

Poems arrive ready to begin.
      Poets are only the transportation.

Mary Oliver

early morning table: writing and reading

my morning table

I have had a pretty rocky start to the new year, but it's just forced me to do more internal reflection. 

My daughter gave me some Mary Oliver poetry books for Christmas and I've really been enjoying starting my day with the poem. I have some literary goals for 2026 and by the end of the week I'll make a post about them. 

I've been so utterly exhausted that I've only been taking time to calm down my central nervous system, and read when I can. 

I started this year off with about seven current reads… I'm learning every year just how valuable I find this way of engaging with my books. If you've been here for a while, you know that I don't chart my reading, and any digital way. I'm never aware of how many books I've read in a month, or season, or a year. 

What's funny about that is I really enjoy watching people wrap up their books! Maybe I'll change and go back to counting some in the future, but for now, it feels really easy to just have as many books as I won't going at a time. 

I let the novels tell me what demands my attention. If my heart feels pull to a certain story, I'll stay with it for a while. 

Although I haven't been able to get much sleep, my morning, start very much like the photo above. The kitchen table with steaming, hot light, roast, coffee, my journals and agendas, and my common place notebook, a few e-readers… And a stack of books (not pictured).

I'm off to have a pretty intensive day of academic work, caregiving, cleaning, cooking and reading… I hope and pray that your new year is off to a great start and that you're able to find what touches your soul in the books that you read this year. 

If this next sentence resonates with you, I challenge you to accept it… Ignore everything you see on the Internet, including me. 

Read whatever calls see you.  

Happy frosty January reading, ☕️