I’ve been swamped by work and photography and fallen back on my reading, which seriously unnerves and upsets me. I confess to being unraveled a bit. I’ve declared this afternoon an Emergency Reading Day.

All of my life, reading that grounded me and kept me stable. I’m blogging this morning, and then the rest of the day will be a cozy reading day. My stack is five books strong, and I’m eager to read all of them (I either research my books or get most from a trusted bookstore owner in Brooklyn, and my daughter turned me onto the shop).

The book I’m into first is by Elizabeth Strout, one of my favorite American novelists (Olive Kitteridge, My Name Is Lucy Barton). Next up is a dark but much-loved mystery by Tom Rob Smith about a Russian police officer who violates Stalin’s decree that Russia is free of crime and fights on risking all.

Reviewers say it is both beautifully written and grim.

The following two (Ghachar, Ghochar, and Thus Was Adonis Murdered)  are different, exciting, much-praised, popular mystery writers from overseas or writing about another country: Vivek Shanbhag from India and Sarah Caudwell. My bookstore friend picked these two for me; he has never failed me.

I’m no egghead, but my life has taught me that no reading turns once-sane people into Trolls without lives.

I’ve got some hot chocolate from Maria and Spiced tea from me. I do have a few neat flowers for later. I might put them up now and get an uninterrupted reading day. If so, see you tomorrow.