Reading

When I had my eye surgery last June, I realized for the first time how much I depend on reading. For the first time within memory, with one eye covered by bandages and the other weakened by the surgery, I was hard put to read but gradually learned how to do it with only one damaged eye.

As I discovered, I read constantly. The first thing I do every day is to retrieve the Washington Post, delivered before six, and glance through it before posting my blog—which, of course, also requires reading. That done, I read new emails that have arrived since I went to bed the night before, then return to the Post for a more thorough investigation. In addition to perusing articles, I always read all the editorials and op-eds and a good many of the letters to the editor. Meanwhile, I read the New York Times online. Then I turn to the books awaiting me.

I always have a stack of books on the side table next to my reading chair. They consist of books I want to read, books and manuscripts other authors have sent me and asked me to read, and books assigned to me for review. Many days, I spend more time reading books than I do at other tasks.

My eyes are now mostly healed from the surgery, but I am hopelessly behind on my reading. And a new book for review (Ethan Chorin’s Benghhazi! which Hachette Books will publish in September) just arrived. Guess I’m going to have to apologize to my fellow authors and just skim or maybe not read at all the texts they’ve sent me.

Meanwhile, I’ll read more than ever.