“Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read. One does not love breathing.”
– Harper Lee
TL;DR: I can read again! At least, I am reading a book that isn’t a technical or game manual! Excite! Continue for details…
Notes for the reader:
If you didn’t know, I have PTSD from various things, and I am an IT Burnout. I spent so much time reading manuals and programming references while on various stimulating substances for many years and it has now taken its toll. I am rebuilding myself slowly. I have not read a book for pleasure unless it was an audiobook and I was on a long drive alone. That does not happen often.
“The candle that burns twice as bright burns twice as fast. And you have burned so brightly, Roy.” – Bladerunner
Back to your regularly scheduled program, with no further interruptions.
– Editor
I have spent the last 15+ years unable to read more than a few pages of any book that was not a technical manual. And then, I only have that luxury when I am attempting to complete a particular task. I have wanted to read so many books, but ADHD combined with IT burnout made this very difficult.
At least, until I found Piper CJ (linktree) on TikTok. I started following her for folklore info (to help with GMing) and because she was as close to a Fæ as I will ever meet – did I mention I am in therapy?
As I learned about folklore, I also learned of a Book she had written and published herself. Shortly after I bought a copy (which she said had many errors, as she has since had it edited for the current version), she announced an exclusive edition with Barnes & Noble. I…also bought that, as the announcement was for a series of 3. I have a signed copy of 2 and will for 3 as well, but for the first one, I missed the signed copy. I expect I will meet Piper one day at a convention and have her sign it there. Also, the Exclusive additions have her novellas about the world and I am looking forward to those as well.
Links to the B&N Exclusives are on her linktree.
The important thing for me is that I have books One and Two and I am halfway through One. I am enjoying it so far and I read for perhaps an hour or more at a time. It is coming back slowly, and I get lost in thought a lot and have to re-read sections, but I am reading again.
Trigger Warnings for the book: It has some very jarring scenes and she warns folks of Sexual Content, including Sexual Assault. There is no shortage of Violence, as well. I have encountered all of this so far and I will say she definitely understands the emotion behind it and handles it well. If you have those triggers, however, I want to ensure you know before reading. It is a bi-romance fantasy, as Piper has described, and it has lived up to that so far.
Anywayyyyy.
I am excited about this new chapter of my life. There are so many books I have bought and couldn’t read, but was hoping it was the one. Assuming I can actually finish this series, I will be picking up those other books and enjoying a relaxing read as often as I can.