First thing I would suggest is to be kind to yourself and forgive yourself, and then… baby steps. Not only do baby steps eventually compound but they prevent any over training from holding yourself to old expectations.

I listened to the audiobook from Audible (GBP £8 ~ US $10) and would definitely say it was worth it. However, I understand the differences between the Martian and PHM can be divisive, but I loved it.

Only one from your list I have read is Piranesi, but I just had to say I really enjoyed it. I’m a big fan of the genre so it was admittedly right up my street.

Some titles from my ‘Short’ TBR list include

• The Tusks of Extinction by Ray Nayler after really enjoying The Mountain in the Sea.
• The Long Mars by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter (#3 in the Long Earth Series).

In terms of waiting I only have a couple

• Doors of Stone by Patrick Rothfuss… But by now I should probably reread the first two once it is actually out.
• The Martian Contingency by Mary Robinette Kowal (#4 in the Lady Astronaut series).

Edit: removing a spoiler that didn’t get redacted properly.

I loved it, and am eagerly awaiting Bookshops and Bonedust.

I listened to the audiobook for the first one, and really enjoyed it. I should pick up the next one.

My milage has dropped a fair bit recently with my eldest starting school and our routine being upended. Each run is feeling harder but I keep telling myself that there is no optimum routine any more and if I miss the ‘best’ time to run, that just means I need to look for the ‘next best’ time… Crammed a 5k into my lunch break yesterday and I am proud of myself.