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Tuesday, April 7, 2026

Strategies for procrastination and surviving chaos #books #reading #comfort #hope


While writing the last few chapters in the last book in my Stranger Creatures series, I’ve been finding all sorts of ways to procrastinate when I get stuck on a scene or a chapter. Spring cleaning, which is actually sort of fun, gives me a sense of accomplishment because I enjoy decluttering. My outdoor garbage can is overstuffed and I may have thrown out a couple things I regret parting with. In addition to cleaning and trying new recipes— many of which have gone mildly to horribly wrong— I’ve been reading.

My current list is an eclectic mix of dystopian, science fiction, romantasy, steamy romance, and regular fiction. Here’s a few I’ve begun reading:

Parable of the Sower by Octavia E. Butler

How to Negotiate with a Nightmare by Amy Boyles

Caitlyn Can’t Die by Liz Hambleton

The Lamplighter by Maria S. Cummins

Gran Caravan by Ginger Booth

Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon

The Word for World is Forest by Ursula K Le Guin

In the past few months, I have only managed to read a few chapters at a time of the more serious books before having to set them aside for a while. I have, however, been consuming stories about found families, stories that provoke ethereal images of magic and the beauty of nature, and, of course, love stories that have happy endings. The world needs more love and more magical moments, now more than ever.

My music choices over the past month have been lighter and more fun than my usual preferences. Some songs I’ve been playing on repeat include:

She Bop by Cyndi Lauper

Sweet Baby James by James Taylor

Everlasting Love by Howard Jones

I Wanna Get Better by Bleachers

Proud Mary by Creedence Clearwater Revival

Manic Monday by The Bangles

The Subway by Chappell Roan

 

After a winter of snow and ice, the sun has turned the landscape green, but for many, the warmth and new flowers don’t signify the end of fear and troubled times, rather, the new beauty provides a sliver of hope that a summer of sustained change will eventually arrive. Nurturing that kind of hope requires the care and comfort often found in the safety and temporary shelter of a good book or song.

 

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1 comment:

Tina Donahue said...

Great list of books, Christina - thanks!

As to cleaning: I'd rather pull my fingernails out. Hate every single moment of it. Whenever I clean out my closet and donate the clothes, I find in two to three months items I wish I'd kept. *sigh*