Reading diary 01- book slumps

"In March I will be rested, caught up and human."

Another start to the new year and another reading slump to go along with it. January was such an incredible reading month, and I started off 2026 strong. Then February hit, and multiple things started to fall apart all at once, including my reading. While I managed to finish one incredible book, What am I, a Deer?, no other book was read, nor was a page absorbed. I sound like a broken record, but the desire to read is so strong, yet the physical act of picking up a book feels so disconnected in my head. My mind and mental health have a direct effect on how I can function reading-wise and it is infuriating being beyond my control. BUT March has just begun, no pages read, but that doesn’t mean I can’t create small reading goals and a tbr list to help me find the book joy once again, until it disappears overnight.

For March’s tbr, I wanted to pick four (let’s not overwhelm ourselves here) of my most anticipated reads and books that have been rotting on my shelves unread for far too long. Will I read these? Maybe. Will I read any book this month? Also, up in the air, and Substack will be the first to be notified.

Getting Lost by Annie Ernuax: My Fable bookclub pick

When in doubt, pick up an Annie Ernaux book is my motto. While I haven’t heard as many glowing reviews as her other shorter, more palpable reads, Ernaux’s ambivalent look at love, possession, and affairs with married men is something I’m very interested in reading about alongside the moral ambiguity of this part of Ernaux’s life. This is also our book club pick for Fable, so self-plug if you want to join Unreadable Women.

Hooked by Asako Yuzuki

One of my most anticipated 2026 releases is in my possession, ready to be devoured (hopefully). From being translated by Polly Barton to coming off this author’s amazing other translated work of fiction, Butter, this is bound to be a favorite. Hooked explores female friendships and the complex nature of womanhood through the spiraling of obsession. There is nothing I love more in books than the unhinged look at womanhood, and when fixation consumes not only the character but me, the reader, I get sucked in.

On Human Slaughter by Elizabeth Bruenig

My nonfiction choice for March is a tiny book that has been sitting on my shelves untouched for an embarrassing amount of time. Elizabeth Bruenig uncovers the underbellies of death row inmates and the brutal nature behind this barbaric American way of doing things. I have no doubt this is a book everyone will need to pick up.

The Planets by Diane Ackerman

I think it is finally time to get back into the swing of poetry. Years ago, whenever a slump was afoot, my first instinct was to either grab a KU romance read or a short poetry collection. I am pretty biased in thinking this will be amazing, because c’mon, look at that cover.

Here’s to actually reading in March and keeping this sentiment in the back of our minds because not caring is the way to go right now.

Makayla xx