Too Long Without Fiction

I haven't posted for a few days, mainly because I haven't read a novel or other book for pleasure for about ten days, an unusual length of time for this obsessive reader. It has been a busy time. But have I stopped reading during this time? Not at all. I've still been reading newspapers, magazines, news online, academic journal articles, a collection of essays about discrimination in academe (this for a study series at my university), student essays, manuscripts I am reviewing for academic journals, email, and Facebook posts, among other reading material. All of these are interesting and important to me. But fiction is my true love, and I miss novels and short stories. This evening I started Jhumpa Lahiri's new book, "The Lowland," and as I settled into it, I started to feel the comfort and enjoyment that only fiction gives me. I don't like going so long without my beloved fiction....