Things came up. And even though I was still reading like mad (thank you, book club), I had to concentrate on other projects over the last couple of weeks.
Being a solo business owner is rough. I have heard for so long that when things get difficult, you just lean in harder. But that’s not realistic. I only have so much of myself to give and trying to give more of something I don’t have will only leave me feeling inadequate and burnt out.
So instead, I’ve got to choose. What needs me the most? And what can wait? I’ve been asking that a lot over the last couple of weeks while I wait for more time to do all the things I value. Thankfully, more time has fell into my lap again and there is less choosing. That makes me incredibly happy, as I feel more like myself when I have a large variety of tasks to do instead of just certain kinds.
And similarly, I feel more like myself when I’m occupying more than one world. And with that, let’s get to the reading.
Reading Social Media News
Here’s a shocker: The negotiations around TikTok have stalled. I’m sure none of us saw this coming at all (*wink wink*). Yes, this means that we still have no idea if TikTok will go away again. Yes, this kind of chaos is nerve wracking. No, there’s not much you can do about it other than hope and pray. I hate it too.
I love when other companies post how they do things. It’s a chance to re-examine what I’m doing to see if there is anything I can do to make myself more efficient and successful. So take a look behind the curtain of Buffer and how they say to put together a social media marketing strategy. You just might pick up a thing or two.
Reading Books, Books and More Books
Past
I was so excited to finally get my hands on James by Percival Everett. I’d been waiting for it for so long, and boy was it a disappointment for me. There was just so much of it that didn’t feel true. And then the fact that the last hundred pages took such a turn from the rest of the book really turned me off. It was like I read two different books, and I wasn’t invested in either. Books like this are so important. I think we should be celebrating many kinds of voices and getting their stories in print. But this one needed some more work to make it a cohesive book, and it’s honestly sad to me that it didn’t get that work. Score: B-
I received an uncorrected version of The Night We Lost Him by Laura Dave, and I will be the first to admit that it was a bad choice for me to read it. I get stuck on mistakes, and this one had a lot. The timeline kept changing. The first chapter didn’t actually fit into what happened. From what I can tell from others who read it, this did not change in the publication, but I still feel awkward grading this on an uncorrected copy. But regardless of the mistakes, it just wasn’t an enjoyable book. It was light, but it was annoying. Someone brought up that it bothered them that it was yet another book about rich people. Yeah, that might be at the heart of it. When the economy starts tanking like it is, reading about rich people is just not fun. And when it’s rich people in a book with lots of annoying issues, it’s just blergh. Score: C-
This is a Love Story by Jessica Soffer is an odd book. I’m super glad I read it because it gave me some interesting ideas of love to think about. But there wasn’t a single moment that I enjoyed reading it, so I definitely wouldn’t recommend it to anyone. When I discussed it at book club though, I enjoyed most of the discussion because it brought up a lot. But the writing was just difficult to get through. It was repetitive and rough to read. I just don’t know what to do with this book, so I’ll just say… Score: B-
Present
I am unbelievably excited about Wild Dark Shore by Charlotte McConaghy. I revisit her other two books from time to time, because they make me want to write. They’re feral and full of fierce feminine energy. And the dystopian notes feel real and like they could happen tomorrow. The way she portrays strength as it lives with vulnerability just makes me want to jump for joy. If I were regularly writing fiction, this is the kind of writer I’d want to be. So excuse me while I let go of all my responsibilities so I can disappear deeply into this book.
What are you reading? What books are you looking forward to?