Books I’ve read or am reading during my spree with Lisa See.
I’m struggling to finish “Peony in Love.” I zipped through the other books pictured above as well as “Dreams of Joy,” “Shanghai Girls” and “Flower Net.” I wonder if my problem with “Peony” is due to the power of suggestion. One of my close friends listens to audio books while she works. She sews for interior designers and creates duvets, curtains, throw pillows, sailboat sail covers and furniture slipcovers.
She gets through quite a lot of books during her working hours. She recommended “China Dolls” and “The Tea Girl of Hummingbird Lane.” But she did add she couldn’t get into “Peony in Love.”
Is that little nugget of info tucked away in my brain? Or is it the story I don’t like? (It’s about a girl who is lovesick and quits eating until she dies. Then she hovers around her family trying to figure out how to come back to life.)
I read an article in the Wall Street Journal by Jason Gay this week called:
Is Watching a Movie the New Reading a Book?
In a zero attention span world, spending two hours locked in on a film feels like a trip to the spa
Here’s an excerpt:
My chest puffed with pride. I watched a whole movie, in one night, all by myself. No interruptions, no pauses, no iPhone diversions, no flipping channels, not even 30 minutes of falling asleep on the couch, drooling into a pillow and dreaming that I was an astronaut pizza maker who played point guard for the Oklahoma City Thunder.
It was a revelation. You know what watching a movie felt like to my easily-distracted hamster brain? It felt like an accomplishment. It felt smart. It felt like a spa day for my skull. It felt like…finishing a book.
https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-cost-of-biden-family-advice-700d12cf?mod=hp_opin_pos_5#cxrecs_s
I agree with the WSJ writer that our attention spans have shortened. I can find myself flipping through texts, X messages and assorted other distractions online. It’s much easier than reading an entire book – or sitting through an entire movie. I prefer reading to watching TV, though. I also like listening to podcasts.
Have you read “Peony in Love?” Did you like it?
Do you think your attention span has changed through the past years?
Do you like to watch entire movies or do find yourself distracted like me?
Yes, imho it is now recognizable that our attention spans have grown shorter by our habits. Food for thought here. Can I change my habit and lengthen my attention span again?
That’s a good question. It’s something to work on.
I once read an article that said that as long as we used to have that habit, we can (though it’s not easy…) regain it again (though it’s so not easy that it’s worth saying again 🙃). They had a word of warning (this is what the article was really about, if I recall correctly) for young folks: if they grow up with short attention spans, it doesn’t seem like they can learn to focus for long period of times in the future…
I know my attention span is shortening. I do worry about the kids growing up with smart phones and Tik Tok, etc. I don’t see how they change their attention spans. My oldest was born in 1993 and missed growing up with all the stuff kids have today.
I love indulging in an entire uninterrupted movie—it’s my vacation from myself. Otherwise, it’s TikTok mentality for me—there’s too much info overload for any one thing to warrant my full attention (which begs the question, what percentage of a blog does one actually read)? I spend more time writing than reading, but when I do, I prefer to confine reading time to the nutritional stuff like fruits and veggies rather than dessert—that means nonfiction and historical novels vs. fiction. Great blog!
Thank you! It’s been a long time since I’ve watched an entire movie at home and only a couple visits to the theatre since they reopened. I think most people watch episodes. Maybe our shorter attention spans is why services like Netflix create short episodes rather than full length movies?
Very thought provoking, indeed! I find myself reading more nonfiction than fiction as well, but I just finished reading the fourth installment of the Thursday Murder Club, and had an enlightening discussion with my co-reading friend: you never know where thoughtful discussions can spring from?
I haven’t read the Thursday Murder Club. I have to look into it. It’s been mentioned by more than three of my blogging friends.
My attention span has definitely shortened- especially since COVID… I’m not sure the brain fog from my first bout, two years ago, ever fully lifted, and this recent round just added to it. If I was into conspiracy theories, I’m sure I could make something of that! But, I have wondered how a writer shifts to serve this new short video world we find ourselves in.
Maybe brain fog from Covid is part of it. I know my blog posts are much shorter than they were years ago. Also, I’ve recently read books with two to three page chapters.
You’re making me think, think, think, Elizabeth! There’s so much “channel switching” that goes on in my brain – the toggling from devices and tasks all day long and multiple conversations. Time spent focused on any one thing for a concentrated burst feels like a break and a breather. You’re making me mull this morning and I like it!❤️🥰❤️
Thanks! I am getting through the “Peony” book and it’s improving. I do notice my focus keeps channel switching too. If our attention spans have changed, can you imagine the kids growing up with social media and iPhones?
Sigh…I think it’s a challenge! Loved your post. Super topical and timely about prioritizing. How we use/preserve our energy. ❤️xo!
Our how we get distracted and lose our priorities 😬
Yesssss! 😜
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I have to admit that I do look at my phone a lot while watching TV and some movies, but many times it is using IMDb to figure out where I’ve seen the actor before.
That makes sense. There’s so much info at our finger tips.
Never read peony in love. Americans have the attention span of a gnat….and I love movies but I see them in theaters usually otherwise I get easily distracted
I do well at movie theaters but not at home. I like your description of our attention spans.
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I think that just because you find an author that you like it’s important to keep in mind that not every single book is going to be a winner. We’re all human and not everything interests us or makes us happy even if we think it should 🙂 I read books in short time increments. It’s been a long time since I’ve read more than a chapter or two in one sitting. Even if it’s a fantastic book I like to digest it slowly rather than cramming it all in. TV makes me feel like I have to have my hands busy at the same time so I have to force myself, usually with a cozy blanket and cup of tea, to simply watch!
I’m with you on watching TV. That’s when I start reading on my phone. Yes, we aren’t going to like every book an author writes. 👍🏼
Everyone is making great points. My attention span has really diminished. I rarely just watch tv or a movie anymore, I’m multitasking, looking things up on my phone. It’s kind of crazy his that has happened!
That’s exactly how I am. I’ll be on my laptop or phone whenever I sit in front of the TV. My husband gets irritated because I’m obviously not paying attention.
I did a lot of blog posts that way this year. It was hard to be too creative but I could edit that way!!!!
That an interesting idea…
“The Tea Girl Of Hummingbird Lane” was an awesome book and I recommended it for Book Club so they added it in 2024.
Oh good. It was one of my favorite Lisa See books.
I thought my attention span was shrinking with age? But maybe it’s all the devices and distractions like you say. I haven’t read Lisa See but I’m adding her to my list. Merry Christmas to you and yours, hugs, C
I am sure it’s a combination of age and devices. Merry Christmas to you and your family!
Hmm, what interesting questions you pose, Elizabeth! I sat and read most of a book the other night when my kids were with my brother and SIL. It felt so good. Otherwise, I haven’t had the time to just focus on one thing and I was thinking it was because I have young kids. Now you have me wondering if its just this digital age. Fascinating!
I wonder if our brains our rewired for little bits or bytes of info. In your case, young children keeping you distracted, or in my case getting older?
I absolutely have noticed the attention span thing. Also I find myself grabbing my phone a lot when I stressed to mindlessly scroll. I try and not go oh my phone when watching TV, but I’m not always successful.
I get bored with TV and my husband is absorbed, so my bad phone habit allows me to watch shows with him! 😅 I can still read books though.
No. Yes. Yes (unless extra long and watch over two nights). I find it interesting writer had enough attention span to write an article and get it published! I thought reading and writing were flip sides of a coin.
Maybe reading and writing aren’t exactly the same because writing is more self focused. His attention span allowed him to express his own feelings?
I don’t think we can expect to love every book written by a specific author. Some resonate, others don’t. I read an interesting article about reading a book vs. listening to it on tape (NYT? Atlantic?). Our memory of the plot suffers if we listen to it. I think it’s all about concentration and attention span. It kind of makes me concerned about our society going forward, if we can’t remain engaged.