March was a miserable month for me, thanks to the man who sprayed his germs all over the carriage of the Didcot to Oxford train as I was on my way to meet a friend. That horrible hacking cough became all too familiar. What I thought might be a nasty cold turned out to be proper flu which laid me low for weeks, deprived me of my appetite for food, the savour of that quintessential British comfort – a nice cup of tea – and, worst of all, my ability to lose myself in a book. Many were started, few were finished. Of those the only one I’m not reviewing was dug out of my ancient proof pile out of desperation: S. J. Watson’s Second Life. I’d enjoyed Before I Go to Sleep, not usually my kind of thing but it suited a plane journey perfectly and was satisfyingly taut, reminding me a little of Christopher Nolan’s film Memento. Second Life with its premise of the dangers of engaging in a secret life online seemed to offer an easy way back into reading – untaxing but compulsive. Sadly, it was no match for Before I Go to Sleep – its twists were somewhat predictable and its coincidences stretched all credibility – but it was hard to put down and I did finish it which felt like a triumph at the time.
It’s the small acts of kindness from friends and family that get you through the miseries of life, both major and minor. In this instance one of those friends is a blogger pal – Marina Sofia who blogs at Finding Time to Write. A little while ago I’d commented that I’d been having trouble tracking down Michelle Bailat-Jones’ Fog Island Mountains which Marina had mentioned in one of her posts. Not only did she send me a copy but she’d had it signed by the author – so thoughtful and perfect timing arriving when it did at a particularly low point for me. I’m looking forward to reading it but I’m waiting until my brain’s fully functional. Hoping for a better April than March.
Oh let’s hope April is much improved for you Susan… and how lovely of Marina! Lovely lovely gesture Take Care x
Thanks, Poppy, and lovely indeed. It would have been much appreciated, anyway, but coming when it did it really cheered me up.
I’m glad the timing worked particularly well for you, and happy to be of service. How ‘generous’ of that man to share his germs with everyone! It sometimes takes soooo long to recover, especially when the seasons are changing. Hope you are all better and clear-headed now!
I’m getting there slowly but surely, thanks, Marina. Yes, I’ve thought about him several times – and not in a good way – not to mention my poor fellow travelers!
Miserable March, especially the no tea drinking! Hope April sees you back to full strength 🙂
Thank you! I’m feeling much better but for some reason that tea enjoyment still seems elusive. Very much hoping it comes back soon.
Oh dear it does sound like you have been horribly ill. I spent much of March ill too though managed to read and blog. I hope April is a better month for you.
Thank you, Ali, and I know you were ill on holiday which is miserable. Let’s hope we both fare better this month!
Hope you’re feeling better soon, Susan. There’s nothing worse than being laid up AND not being able to read!
Thanks, Naomi. Radio 4 was the only option. Some very strange juxtapositions of subject as I was drifting in and out of sleep!
I think that same man must have infected someone who then got on a plane to Canada, because I also have had a hacking cough for about 2 weeks now. I think it is starting to ease up, but it will probably still be another week before I’m feeling myself. I share in your misery of not being able to enjoy tea. I make myself some anyway and pretend. 🙂
Hopefully April will be much better for you (it sounds like you are worse off than I am, because I haven’t had much trouble reading – just less of it because of trying to get to bed on time)! And, how nice to have Fog Island Mountains appear in your mail to cheer you up a bit. I look forward to hearing about it!
It seems he’s a well-traveled man! I’m sorry to hear that you’ve been in the same boat, Naomi. The tea thing is awful, isn’t it – one of those little comforts snatched away just when you need it. Let’s hope we both have better luck this month.
Hope you’re feeling better, flu is awful and it lingers for a long time (or so it seems). I had bronchitis a couple of years back and that was the same, endless coughing and it never seemed to clear…until it does! So there is hope, somewhere down the line. I sometimes find when I’m struggling to read because of ill-health, poetry is a good thing to turn to. Something about the slightly off-kilter frame of mind makes it extra beautiful. Hope it doesn’t linger too long & you’re back to full reading speed soon.
Thank you. The coughing is exhausting, isn’t it, and so painful after a while. Poetry’s a very good idea – I did read some short stories which helped a little. Anyway, I’m glad to report that I’m feeling a little better each day.
Sorry to hear that March was so awful for you – I do hope you have a much better time in April!
Thank you, Cleo. It’s improving a bit every day.
I hope you are beginning to feel better, Susan, and I hope April will be kind to you. 🙂 ‘Fog Island Mountain’s’ cover is beautiful.
Thank you, Deepika. I’m feeling much better than I was. It was partly the cover that attracted me to the book, that and its Japanese setting
Sympathise greatly. Being too ill to write is one thing, but too ill to read…!!
Thank you, Terry.Too ill to enjoy a cup of tea hit hard, too! I’m glad to say that I’m back to enjoying both reading and tea now.
Oh, sorry to hear you have been so poorly, Susan. There’s nothing worse than being sick AND not being able to read. And how lovely of Marina to send you a book you’d had trouble finding. The blogosphere is so full of wonderful people.
Thanks, Kim, and you’re absolutely right about the lovely people of the bookish blogosphere. There’s some very nasty corners of the internet but this is a particularly delightful one to be in.
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