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Margaret Bloom's avatar

I experienced the same phenomenon which for me started during the run up to the 2016 election — doom-scrolling, searching for a non-existent news piece telling us that the perpetrator-in-chief would not be sworn in, or would be removed from office… or anything… please… And then the pandemic and more doom-scrolling. My brain, too, felt like it had been carved into Swiss cheese.

And like you, I found diversion and solace reading books as bubbly as champagne. Lately though, I’ve turned to reading middle grade novels (my current favorite authors are Lauren Wolk, Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, and Kelly Yang).

Thank you for your lovely enJOY substack letters.

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Tara Austen Weaver's avatar

That's so interesting you had similar experiences--I know a lot of people struggled with focus issue in the pandemic (all my writer friends were sort of whispering it, afraid to admit we just couldn't do it). And I love that Middle Grade was part of your answer! I've really enjoyed some of those as well--such interesting books being published for younger readers right now. I'm going to have to check out some of your faves.

And you are very welcomed for the letters ❤️ Thanks for following along! xo

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Margaret Bloom's avatar

My favorites by these authors are Echo Mountain by Lauren Wolk, The War that Saved my Life by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley, and Front Desk by Kelly Yang. I'd be happy to hear about your favorite middle grade novels as well!

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