Reader Friends, this was an absolutely abysmal reading month for me.  In fact, I had to go all the way back to June of 2013 to find a month where I read as few pages as I did this month.  I only read 9 books this month and only one in physical format.  Because analyzing my reading statistics is what I do for fun, I've determined two main causes for the reading slump I didn't even realize I was in until I counted up September's stats.

One reason I've fallen behind in reading is yoga.  I'm spending anywhere from forty-five minutes to two hours a day working out, including weekends.  I live a half hour from the gym, so that means up to three hours a day are being spent going to the gym and exercising.  It also means I'm more tired at night and can't stay awake past midnight reading when I've got a yoga class early the next morning.

I am totally fine with the impact this has had on my reading.  (FYI: I'm planning another post about yoga soon, with some information and links on how I got started, since so many people responded that they're interested).  This is the first time in my life that my exterior life, particularly the functioning and strength of my physical body, has been anywhere close to as important as my interior life.  I've spent 30 years focusing on developing my mind and personality and accepting myself on the inside, so I'm overdue for spending some time developing strength in my physical body.

However.  The other reason I've fallen behind is a bit less noble.  What happened this month is that Netflix acquired every season of Criminal Minds.  And I acquired the Netflix app on my telephone.  Addiction is not even the word for what I'm caught up in.  I watch Criminal Minds on my phone during every.spare.second.  Doing the dishes, cooking, brushing my teeth, ANYTHING that doesn't require my full attention has been done to a soundtrack of Criminal Minds.

I've devoured three and a half seasons this month and there are nine seasons total, so you can do the math.  I may have a few more slow months ahead of me before I finish.  Since I almost always eschew television for reading, I'm giving myself a pass for a while to enjoy this series for as long as it takes.

All said, I read less than usual this month (for me) but I thoroughly enjoyed almost everything I read:

The Hidden Girl by Louise Millar
The Reason I Jump by Naoshi Higashida
The Good Girl by Mary Kubicka
Everything I Never Told You by Celeste Ng
One Kick by Chelsea Cain
Evil Eye: Four Novellas of Love Gone Wrong by Joyce Carol Oates
Reality Bites Back by Jennifer L. Pozner
The Undertaking by Audrey Magee
V-Wars, Volume 1 by Jonathan Maberry