Rebooting My Reader: From Layoff to Literary Leaps
As long as I can remember, even in my early teens, books have held a special place in my heart. I cherished my hourly visits to the school library, a quiet escape, before returning to the dorm. For those unfamiliar with my past, I attended a deaf residential school from the age of six, a significant distance – nearly 200 miles – from home. This meant enduring bi-weekly bus rides as a child, which became weekly in high school. Those four-and-a-half-hour journeys on an aging school bus were something I truly disliked – a story for another time, perhaps, but suffice it to say, they weren't enjoyable.
My love for reading truly flourished after graduation. John Grisham became a beloved author, and I eagerly read several of his books. My grandmother's thoughtful Christmas tradition of a new Grisham novel was always highlighted. While some remain unread, I promise to remedy that soon – I love a good legal thriller! My literary horizons also broadened to include medical thrillers, a genre that still captivates me. Richard Preston's "The Hot Zone" stands out vividly. The chilling details of that disease remain so clear in my memory that a re-read is definitely planned!
I've long held the desire to recapture the reading habits of my younger years, aiming for a similar number of books each year. However, my book goals consistently fall short. I recall a time in the 1990s and early 2000s when books were a significant part of my life. My focus has gradually shifted towards new technologies and online interests, resulting in more time reading web articles. The thought of re-engaging with books crossed my mind in late 2023, but other demands on my time prevented it. Given the significant changes and thoughts in my mind during that period, I found it challenging to focus on reading. I will tell you why.
October 2023 marked the end of my nearly 28-year tenure at my job, with a final payout. This outcome wasn't entirely unexpected, as layoffs had begun in 2020. I even thought I'd be in the initial wave, but I stayed on for another three years before my position was ultimately eliminated. While I was fortunate to receive a fair severance, the amount was less than anticipated due to federal tax deductions. Nevertheless, it offered a comfortable cushion of at least three to four months, provided I adhered to a strict budget while I navigated major decisions in the following months.
Throughout my 28 years living in the DC Metro area, with stints in Virginia and Maryland, my last apartment held the record for longevity at 13 years. It wasn't the apartment that captivated me, but rather its fantastic location, where it touched the edges of Ivy City, Trinidad, the energetic Atlas District, and the developing NoMA. Looking back, the growth and revitalization of the Atlas District and NoMA were the most striking developments I experienced.
With the recent layoff, a potentially lengthy job search ahead, and applying for Social Security Disability benefits, which would take months for a response, the decision of whether to stay in DC or move to Kentucky weighed heavily on my mind. Recognizing the unsustainable nature of my DC lease in the long term, moving to my parent's home in Kentucky emerged as a strategic move to conserve my severance and provide a stable base while I plan my next steps.
The thought of relocating to New Mexico near my boyfriend also crossed my mind. I explored the possibility of a deaf-accessible apartment at PAH! Hiland Plaza, drawn by their affordable one-bedroom options, priced between $350 and $725 depending on income, starkly contrasting my $1,125 monthly rent in DC. Unfortunately, the application I applied for in November, the process was lengthy, taking two and a half months due to my financial complexities. This delay meant I had to decide on my DC lease by January 15, 2024 to avoid another rent payment by February 1st.
My final decision was to move to Kentucky and live with my parents for a while. Despite my initial concerns as a Deaf and gay man in a small Appalachian town of about 900, the experience has been surprisingly positive. For almost two years now, I've been helping my aging parents with various tasks, from cooking and cleaning to yard work, which I've found rewarding. In July of last year, I also took the plunge and bought a 12x40 foot tiny house and park next to my parent’s house, which is currently nearing completion.
As mentioned, I purchased a tiny house. My dad and I have been working on its construction for many months. However, progress was intermittent because I needed to travel to New Mexico to support my boyfriend during his recovery from the stroke he experienced last year around this time. I spent three months there before returning home to resume work on the house. Now, I'm back in New Mexico, and thankfully, my dad has been able to continue some of the construction in my absence.
Exciting news—I snagged a refrigerator on sale! Finding dents on the top, side, and back was disappointing upon delivery. Still, I decided to keep it and got a $159 refund. My plan to cover the noticeable dents next to the kitchen sink is to attach a blackboard to the side—perfect for jotting down notes or dinner plans!
Meanwhile, Dad has been making fantastic progress installing the stovetop. The kitchen sink is next on his list, and I can't wait to see the finished look. Once the kitchen is done, I'll paint the cabinets, still debating between a light, airy green, and a deep, dramatic blue. Decisions, decisions! Beyond the kitchen, we're also planning to add trim around the ceilings, floors, and doors, eventually build a porch for the front of the house, and give it a fresh exterior paint job. It's all so exciting!
Sorry for the long-winded explanation regarding my temporary pause on reading. On a brighter note, being in New Mexico has afforded me some downtime to finally pick up a book. My intention is to prioritize reading even more once the new house is complete, including those final touch-ups and the much-anticipated (not!) unpacking phase.
And now, the reading adventure begins! My TBR list is practically a digital mountain range filled with books I've been eagerly bookmarking for ages. So far, I've already devoured 5 ebooks, and I'll track my progress by percentage as I go.
1. The End of October by Lawrence Wright.
I can't remember when I began reading, but I know it was in the fall of 2024. I got busy with my new house project, which kept me from reading. I just started again a couple of weeks ago. It follows Dr. Henry Parsons, a brilliant infectious disease specialist, as he's called to investigate a mysterious and deadly new virus that emerges in a refugee camp in Indonesia. So far, it is 51% read.
2. The Beauty of the End by Lauren Stienstra
I got this free from Amazon's First Read last month. I thought it was an interesting read. It tells the story of twin sisters, Charlie and Maggie Tannehill, in a world where a scientific discovery reveals that extinction is encoded in every creature's DNA, with humanity having only four generations left. So far, 20% read.
3. The In-Between Bookstore by Edward Underhill
I ordered it through Bookshop.org recently and want to see how e-books work in the app. I saw this book, which got my attention with the word "bookstore," so I thought I must check it out. It is about Darby, a trans man nearing 30 who feels lost after losing his job in NYC. He seeks a fresh start by returning to his small hometown of Oak Falls, Illinois, which he once couldn’t wait to escape. So far, 17% have read it.
4. Descent by Tim Johnston
I felt spontaneous and decided to find a new book to read. Last week, Amazon was offering free books, so I thought, "Why not?" I am not sure if this book is good. I will find out, won't I? It follows the Courtland family's vacation in the Rocky Mountains, which turns tragic when their daughter Caitlin disappears during a morning run, leaving her brother Sean injured. The family struggles to cope, with the father holding onto hope, the mother facing depression, and the brother burdened by guilt. So far, 7% read.
5. The Byways by Mary Pascual
I also found a free book on Amazon that caught my attention because I love cats and enjoy the fantasy genre. It follows CeeCee Harper, a neurodivergent high schooler who stumbles into the magical Byways. She navigates perilous alleys to escape before being trapped, faces monsters, and uncovers a deeper connection to this world. CeeCee must unravel the truth to protect her loved ones as she seeks a way home. It was fast-paced, and I enjoyed it so far; 33% read.
Note to my readers:
I know, I know – the digital crickets have been chirping for far too long. My reading chair has felt a bit lonely, and my keyboard? Gathering dust! Life's whirlwind put both my reading and writing passions on hold. But consider this the calm before the storm! I'm brewing up some exciting new long-form content, a vibrant tapestry woven from my Appalachian adventures (perhaps, though it might not be as exciting but I will do my best), the thrilling highs and lows of my reading escapades, the delicious triumphs (and occasional disasters!) in my kitchen, and a whole host of other unexpected delights. Trust me, you won't want to miss what's coming next!
That is all, folks!