Today is Sunday time to look back in the rearview mirror and talk about my week . I am linking up to the Sunday Post hosted for years by Kimberly@caffeinatedreviewer .Â
In my private life
Well I don’t know if I must say happy Sunday really because today, I am scared and the world does not seem very rosy to me.
For three days, nearly four now, my husband has been glued to the TV to follow the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
As I finished not so long a go “I Must Betray You” by Ruta Sepetys talking about communist regime and tyranny , “The Last Bookshop of London” by Madeline Martin talking about life in London under the WWII and German bombing AND “The Last Green Valley” by Mark T Sullivan recounting the exodus of German farmers from Ukraine when the Russian chased the Nazis….I don’t feel really good right now.
Sorry to talk about politics on a blog that is mostly a book blog but as this is the part where I speak of my private life, I chose to talk about it because I am really stressed out. Think about cramps in the belly and bad sleep stress.
I am also indignant on behalf of all people living in Ukraine. And I am also talking with Romanian friends who are scared as well.
So, sorry to be a Debbie Downer this time but I had to vent …
If you have any tips on how to regain my serenity, aside living far away from the TV and radio which I am currently doing, they are welcome!
On the bright side, yesterday I books my hotel and the Eurostar planning for my trip to YALC London with my daughter this summer!
That was something to take my mind off of the world’s events and a ray of light too!
I can’t wait to meet favorite authors!
On the blog these past two weeks (click on the graphic to read the post).
I managed to read 6 books in two weeks, even if I have only reviewed two so far.
Thanks for reading!
Sophie
I am totally with you. I am so sad and mad that Putin would hurt Ukraine like this, of course he would, but the destruction and loss of life is so stupid. I am glad that NATO, US, UK,EU and many others are supporting Ukraine. There should be consequences for attacking other countries unprovoked. I read too much news and am a bit stressed too. Let’s hope for things to improve.
Anne – Books of My Heart This is my Sunday Post
I am far away on the other side of the world but I too am stressed and on edge Sophie, it’s a completely understandable reaction. It might help you to make a concrete contribution of some sort, a lot of European countries have groups that are collecting toiletries and other essential items for the Ukrainian refugees, maybe even include some childrens picture books.
Wishing you a great reading week
Thank you Shelleyrae! I will find a way to help.
It is indeed such a scary time out there in Europe, especially when things could get worse at any moment… I hope you feel better, as best as you can, in the coming days, Sophie! I continue to pray myself that things in Ukraine gets better sooner rather than later.
P.S. I wanted to let you know that (for various and maybe obvious reasons) I’m transitioning to a new blog that would be mine alone as of today (later today actually, when I post my monthly wrap-up) and I wanted to let you know beforehand. Since I cherished our interactions for the past years, I’d love it if you’d follow me there going forward (blog isn’t up yet though). You can decide on remaining a follower of Bookidote but, on my end, for a couple of weeks, I might only cross-post my stuff until I’m ready to drop Bookidote completely. 😀
I’ll follow you there Lashaan! I wondered why I had a “blue screen” but I am too early for your hour 😉
Thank you so much, Sophie! I appreciate it a lot! 😀
Don’t feel bad for posting about Ukraine and Russia, Sophie – it’s on everyone’s minds. My thoughts and prayers are with those affected. But yay for you going to YALC London – definitely something to look forward to!
It is Teri and much needed!
No need to apologize, Sophie. You’re definitely not the only one who is worried and scared. I haven’t had a full night’s sleep since the invasion started and every time I wake up in the night, I immediately grab my phone to see what is happening over there. My heart goes out to the people of Ukraine.
Me too Suzanne! I am ina wae of their courage.
Much as we enjoy forgetting the world for a while as we get lost in our books, the world is there and so is human suffering: talking about it, and about how it worries and saddens us is only right because it’s a way of feeling close to our fellow humans. Let’s hope that these troubled times will not last too long…
That’s what I hope Maddalena!
It is a stressful period, and saying that it is “stressful” is also a bit of understatement because it is just something too big and too “unreal” to graps.
But at least you have something really amazing to look forward to!! The YALC should be terrific!!
I hope it will be Susy!
I’m thinking about you Sophie and sending positive vibes across the world! Even my kids are discussing this new horror. My nephew is in the army stationed in Hawaii right now but his brother (who’s a marine veteran) says that even if the US enters the war, it’ll be unlikely my nephew will be called up but it’s still a scary place to be in right now.. but otherwise, I’m glad you’re going to YALC again this year!!!
I hoep your nephew will indeed be safe Trisy!
Thanks Sophie!!
You are not a Debbie Downer! Everyone is stressed about the world situation. That Putin is an evil man and one wonders what he’ll do next. I hope your Romanian friends stay safe. It is nice to have a positive thing to look forward to in all this chaos so yay for the YALC in London!
YALC is indeed my ray of sunshine right now!
It has been so hard to do anything but cry, stress and toss and turn! I struggled to work let alone read, but I did turn to some old comfort reads and either re-read or skimmed my favorite parts, something I do so rarely since there are millions of unread books on my TBR. My boyfriend finally put a time limit on news and social media related to the war because I was making myself sick. I am in awe of Ukraine and its people, and their perseverance and strength for something no one should ever have to endure.
I am thinking of you Vicky! I have read Germany’s decision to budget 100 Miards of EUR to strengthen Germany’s military.
I am doing my best to avoid the news and trying to read lighter reads. Have a good week!
Thank you Cindy, you too!
I think we’re all just mesmerized by what’s happening in Ukraine and hoping they can hold out and survive this. It’s awful.
Finlay donovan looks so fun!
Ukraine’s people and their resilience , their courage and rage to fight back awe me Greg!
It’s frightening to see the Russian might in action, but the Ukraine people are strong. They love their country and their freedom and won’t give up easily.
Sending prayers for Ukraine to survive this invasion <3
Thank you Jacquie!
You’re not a Debbie Downer, I think most people are feeling a little scared and apprehensive of what might happen. Hope you have a lovely week
Thank you Caro!
I understand your fear and sadness. I’m also scared. I’m sad for the people of the Ukraine. I wish we could help them more and I’m also sad for the people of Russia since most of them don’t want to follow Putin. I hope this conflict is resolved quickly.
I know most Russians don’t want that war yet they’ll suffer and that makes me sad too!
I also feel stressed out about Ukraine…and that horrible Putin! My eldest son lives in Prague, and he swears he is not close by, but Eastern Europe doesn’t feel safe! Actually, none of us should feel safe right now.
Meanwhile…books! Enjoy your week, and here are my WEEKLY UPDATES
I hope your son will be safe Laurel.
Its so crazy but unfortunately I saw this coming a year ago, I had a feeling it would happen soon. I just hope China doesn’t do anything to Taiwan. But yeah I didn’t read much this week and my blood pressure got bad so I understand. I have been indulging in Passionflix films this weekend. So maybe watch some of those, its been helping me as my stress levels got pretty bad to the point where my chest was really hurting. So while I feel for Ukraine, and what they are going through, there is not much I can do other than donating to my church and praying earnestly for them.
Passionflix seems a good solution.
((HUGS)) It is a stressful time. I hope your friends are safe (Romania is really close!)
Thank you Sam!!
The world is a really scary place right now and my thoughts are with the people of Ukraine. I wish there was a more concrete way to help them than just donating money and hoping that it gets used effectively!
I wish the same!
Your husband sounds like me. I’ve been glued to the TV, unable to look away. I’m also scared. I’m scared for the people in Ukraine and for us with the way Putin ordered Russian nuclear deterrent forces on alert… I wish I had something to tell you to help but I don’t. I know my partner has told me he’s tired of hearing about it because it makes him even more depressed. So, I’m just kinda riding solo here.
It seems indeed that you take the same “mdeicine” as my husband! I feel a kinship with your partner 😉
Oh Darling. I’ve been thinking about you. Try to limit your news time as it will only serve to stress you out more. Think happy thoughts, delve into a favored book you KNOW you will get lost in and reach out to friends when in need. I’m always here even if you haven’t heard from me in awhile. My friendship did NOT disappear. Hugs and love your way XXOO
Thank you TRacey!! And likewise really! I pretty much deserted Facebook but that doesn’t mean that my friendship disappeared ither!
I know how you’re feeling, Sophie. I feel like every time the world looks like it’s getting better, some new disaster strikes. I’m glad you’re going to YALC, though, how fun
Isn’t it? Every time we get a breather there is a new disaster coming!
*Hugs.* I’m feeling the stress too. Currently, I’m only letting myself read news for a half hour in the morning and a half hour at night. No TV news. We’ll see if that brings the stress level down. I’m glad you liked I Must Betray You. I really want to read that one. (Maybe not right now, though.)
Avoidance is my middle name right now AJ!