How to enjoy the restful warmth of family while cosily ensconced in the illusory world of written words? It's a dilemma I often face when having my family over or visit on holidays. I love their company, I really do, but at their leaving the biggest regret I feel is the feeling of loss, of wantonness and wastage of the time I could've spent in my own company reading, for that is all I ever do in my leisure (NUF time doesn't count). Yet when I choose the other, I imagine no hours could ever make up for the moments I could've spent with my dear ones. The ideal would obviously be comfort in unspoken company, in the quiet contentment of one another's physical presence, as I immerse in words on the page. But that's not really feasible, not with my family, at any rate, nor fair to them. An even better solution would be letting go of the greed of wanting both at the same time, of expecting to make the most of my free time all the time. But the human heart is insatiable...
Just don't overthink things. Focus on what's in front of you and know that it's alright to just not be part of the family meeting or sumtn, the event where you have social interaction with them at certain times. There's a place and time for those happenings either may it have to do with you interacting/spending time with your family or your reading enjoyment.
I just play video games and socialise with family when the time is appropriate. During dinner, when my devices are recharging, when family visits, when everyone is bored or the mood is sour. Personal free time is great, but I always feel there's a need to at least make family comfortable when you're in their presence, or at least not be a nuisance.
I wish I had someone like you. To just sit next to and read novels in silence while enjoying each other's company.