What to read when you can’t really read/ broken tooth, Covid? Anxiety, Stress, Chronic pain

[@123456Knit]

Happy married life to your daughter, wonderful family time and improved health to you are my wishes for you and yours.

[@MarilynMayaMendoza]

@@123456Knit thank you so much for your kind words. Aloha friend.

[@SDYoungren]

All the Wrong People ave Self-Esteem is a heck of a title! I’ll have to hunt it out-thanks! When I’m stressed out or under the weather I like to read children’s books-good ones, of course. For some reason the first one that occurs to me now is The One and Only Ivan-well past my own childhood; discovered it in the course of my time as a volunteer reader at the library. Go on feeling better! Aloha.

[@kayhammock]

Aloha. So glad you're feeling better. If I'm not feeling well I find it difficult to read. I'll wait it out. I'm a "collector" so minimalisn isn't for me, however, after my dad passed last year it hit me that I should be more selective in what I bring into my home and go through what I have. I'm not married, have no kids, only one brother. I don't want my stuff to be a burden for him and his wife. If someone mentions they love something I own I will gladly give it to them. I know it's going to someone that loves it as much as I do. ❤

[@MarilynMayaMendoza]

Hi Kay, It's hard to give away certain items especially if they have an emotional meaning. I have a few dresses I don't wear anymore but I loved how I felt in them. I don't feel anything for the suitcase except guilt. Guilt I am told is a wasted emotion so it's going. Books are hard to give away if I enjoyed the reading experience. thank you for watching. Aloha friend.

[@BookChatWithPat8668]

Hi Marilyn. I’m sorry you’ve had the dental and other health issues recently, but I’m glad that you’re feeling better now. I came home from Ireland really sick and it took me almost another ten days to be back on my feet, so to speak, so I totally get it that not feeling well can be so debilitating in many ways. When I really can’t read-and it does happen-I try to read outside of my normal genres. I also try to read shorter things. At one time in my life when I really lost my concentration for reading, I did find that reading along with listening to an audiobook helped me to quiet my mind and got me back to concentrating on the narrative. It was life-saving. I also have my go-to comfort reads, and that helps too. Be kind to yourself. Glad to hear that you are on the mend, my friend! 🥰 Take care!

[@MarilynMayaMendoza]

Hello dear Pat, I'm trying to listen to the "Anne of Green Gables" audio. It's not working because there are so many setting details I can't absorb without the print book. I'm starting to feel better. Thank you dear friend for watching. Aloha.

[@MargaretPinard]

You may not be feeling great, but you've got a cute top! Lookin good 🤗 And I'm feeling pretty stressed about the book roll-out, so I am watching myself do things not like myself too 🤨

[@MarilynMayaMendoza]

@@MargaretPinard hi Margaret, I’ve been watching the progress of your book roll out with excitement. Congratulations. Aloha friend.

[@juliehughes1258]

Good to see you back, Marilyn. I also have dental anxiety and it's really severe, but one year I had to have a lot of dental work done and, over time, the anxiety got a little better. I used to cry in the dentist's waiting room. So I can relate to your anxiety and also to your chronic pain. I don't really have any specific book recommendations for these times, but I do tend to gravitate toward happy, funny, quick reads. I can't concentrate on very large, multiple point-of-view, multiple time-line books when my mind is jumbled so I avoid those. I know it's a lot of work, but your daughter's wedding will be beautiful and you will enjoy seeing her so happy.

[@MarilynMayaMendoza]

Hi Julie, thank you for your reassurance. I have a long dental appointment at the end of the month. I am reading Agatha Christie and slowly returning to the joy of reading fiction. the worst part of anxiety for me is insomnia because of overthinking and worry. Lack of sleep makes my chronic pain worse. It's so comforting to have someone understand anxiety. Aloha friend.

[@theresepazell7875]

Decluttering is a process.Little by little do what u can when u can..❤ Take care.

[@MargaretPinard]

I've read a good handful of declutter books too, and the last few have been disappointingly un-unique, so I get what you're saying...i'd rather go back and reread than waste time on something new saying something not-new.

[@SluggishReader]

Hi Marilyn! You bring joy as always! Health is indeed very important and you inspire me to continue being kinder to myself health-wise. I think Yates is probably not the best book to read when feeling anxious. The rest of the collection are similarly depressing - except for one story I think, which was my least favorite because it was the least depressing 😂 When I'm feeling down or anxious, I like to turn to soapy books with messy female characters living for the drama. These are grouped under "chick lit" too so they are often regarded as frivolous, but I always find them having so much to say, so instead of indulging in "junk food" as I thought I would be, I would end up with "brain food". 😂

[@MarilynMayaMendoza]

Hi Freddie, I used to read Chick lit many years ago, but except for Olivia Goldsmith,, author of the first wives club and many other bestsellers, I didn’t read the genre much. I’m a big believer in whatever gets you through the night, in reading and other soothing activities. I used to watch a lot of TV but I don’t anymore. But I don’t regret it because many of those shows calmed me when I was anxious. Sending you all positive energy and healing vibes from Hawai’i. Aloha friend.

[@cindyurban150]

Hi Marilyn, Self help books are not my "Jam". But I do love looking at "Coffee Table" books,such as Art books,and beautiful books about Gardens. To answer your question,"What do you read" ?when suffering from any of the Maladies you mentioned ( I have had all the above mentioned). Usually I don't read,because I can't concentrate when I have any kind of illness,or pain.I prefer to sleep it off,or watch a good movie. I also noticed that I have had some changes after having had Covid last year. My sense of taste and smell has changed. My memory has changed, I'm more forgetful. I guess this can also be the aging process too.Yes, having your health is EVERYTHING.Although,an often used saying it is so true. Glad you're feeling better. Oh, I start sweating,and having heart palpitations once seated in the Dentists chair.You are not alone ! Have a peaceful weekend. Cindy 📚🫖

[@MarilynMayaMendoza]

Hello Cindy and thank you for your beautiful response. It is comforting to have someone who understands the hurdles of aging. Speaking of heart palpitations, it's something I've been dealing with lately. I tried deep breathing and it helped a little. I love coffee table books on travel, gardening (even though I suck at it), and certain decorating books lately. I used to love them, but not anymore. For one they are heavy.😀 COVID definitely messed with my health and rate of aging. You are right, health is everything! You realize that when you are sick. Aloha friend. ..

[@stuartgriffin1001]

Sorry you went thru a tough time. I'm glad you're doing better. I've discovered that a steady diet of cozy books doesn't work for me. I need a balance. This is true no matter what is going on in my life. Some of the books need to be ones I get totally engrossed in

[@MarilynMayaMendoza]

Hi Stuart, I found one today that's engrossing. It's an Agatha Christie who wasn't really cozy, sometimes downright scary. It's one I haven't read already, which is rare. Thank you for watching. Aloha friend.

[@krzysamm7095]

Happy Yom Kippur! May You be Written in the Book Of Life for Health, Happiness, Peace and Success throughout the coming year.

[@MarilynMayaMendoza]

May Hashem bless and protect you. Shalom and Aloha

[@nathanfoung2347]

Aloha Maya, a broken tooth ain't fun, ouch. Hope that gets sorted out. Go well. 🌺

[@MarilynMayaMendoza]

Hi Nathan, I'm feeling much better. I go to the dentist at the end of the month. Yay! a reprieve. Aloha friend.

[@ROSESCortez]

❤❤

[@davidnovakreadspoetry]

I’ve never heard of Richard Yates and here you possess three classics by him.

[@MarilynMayaMendoza]

Hi David, I had never heard of him before either. It is amazing because he is from and writes about my birthplace NYC albeit many years before I existed. He was born in 1926. My mother was born in 1916.Aloha and thank you for watching.

[@spreadbookjoy]

Hi Marilyn - this resonates so much with me right now! I’ve been trying to get my reading focus back and so have decided to only mood read for the rest of the year. I’ve decided to focus on trusted authors and series for a while and it’s been working so far! I’m glad you are getting your reading mojo back and that you’re feeling better x

[@MarilynMayaMendoza]

@@spreadbookjoy thank you, Jack. I’m feeling better and reading more fiction. Aloha dear friend.

[@books_and_bocadillos]

Hi Marilyn Maya 👋🏽. I'm just catching up on watching videos. 🙃

[@MarilynMayaMendoza]

And I thank you for that, Mariandrea. Aloha.

[@artstories52]

Anytime I'm not able to read the books that I normally do. I'm not even sure what I mean by that except I like to read books that are well written. Anyway when I'm having trouble concentrating or I just want to escape I read horror. 🦉🤷

[@MarilynMayaMendoza]

Hi Maje, I’ve only read a few horror books. Two from Stephen King not the real scary ones. I think it was Dolores Claiborne. I also read Frankenstein last year, but it wasn’t really that scary. I’m reading an Agatha Christie right now. that usually does the trick. She’s a very good author. Thank you so much for watching. Aloha friend.