From an external news perspective, 2017 has been a difficult year. I find the current administration to be full of dangerous nitwits who will either get us all killed or leave our way of life severely weakened.*

I found myself continually sad at the end of each night during the first quarter. I would read the news or browse Facebook (which consisted mostly of news for me) right before going to bed, then be depressed at what the next four years would bring.

Come Q2, and specifically a long weekend trip we planned to take in early June, I felt an urge to read fantasy/sci-fi. I recalled some elements of Brandon Sanderson’s takeover of The Wheel Of Time series, but felt like the last three books were worth another read. And so, I picked up each of books 13, 14, and 15, and read them at nights, during free time, and more.

I didn’t stop there. After plowing through them in 2 months, I then decided to re-read Sanderson’s The Stormlight Archive series. I finished those two books in another month.

And looking back, even though there were moments where I was definitely overdoing it (somewhat ignoring my family, sneaking pages in here and there), I was way, way happier falling asleep than when I read the news or Facebook.

So, here’s to hoping I can find a happy medium!

*Every other part of my life has been wonderful. I guess I can’t complain too much.