I remember thinking that when I get to the next stage of my life, my marriage, raising kids, that I would be less busy. As soon as they are in school, I’ll be less busy. As soon as they leave for college, I’ll be less busy. As soon as I have the house all organized, I’ll be less busy. As soon as the Christmas holiday is over, I’ll be less busy. Well guess what? I’m still busy. And really, busier than ever. Whether I create that busyness for myself is not the issue here, the real issue is that busyness often prevents me from doing the things I love. One of which is reading.
So I’ve decided to change that. You know I’ve embarked on my 52 Book in 52 Weeks Challenge. I’m going to incorporate reading into my busy lifestyle instead of allowing my busyness to prevent me from it. Here’s how:
Carry a book wherever I go: If I’m traveling, this is pretty much a given. But I find a few minutes of wasted time when I’m waiting for prescriptions at the store, between waiting to pick my son up, sitting in the waiting room at the doctor’s office. Wherever the setting may be, if I always keep a book handy, I’ll be able to get in some quality reading.
Join a book club: This doesn’t necessarily have to be a meet-once-a-month coffee and gab session at your girlfriend’s house {although are totally awesome, too}. This could be as simple as an online club where you determine the book you are reading and then set a date for everyone to finish before discussing. This will hold me accountable to finishing in a timely manner. Plus, I love getting other people’s perspective on the same book. It sometimes helps me see the book in a way I never would have otherwise.
Head to the library: Being surrounded by so many books not only gets me in the reading mood, it inspires me to branch out of my normal book genres. While I don’t have a ton of time to visit the library, the occasional trip does my mind good. It’s almost like a dose of calming meditation when I walk in. Plus, as a total bonus, the books are free to read!
Stock up on books: Anytime a book catches my eye, I’m going to buy it {if the price is reasonable of course. Remember he library is always an option here, too!}. It’s obviously unrealistic to believe I’ll read the 100 books sitting unread on my shelf in the foreseeable future, but having them available is the first step. And knowing I have a genuine interest in so many books gives me something to look forward too.
Put devices down: I get easily distracted if I’m reading and my phone is beeping, alerting me to new texts and emails. If I pick it up, I’ll inevitably get sucked in and before I know it, I’m reading Facebook feeds and online news articles and my book has all but been abandoned. If I turn my phone off or at least silence it for a good chunk of time, I can get through a book fairly quickly. Plus a little less phone time is never a bad thing!
Read before bedtime: For some reason, this seems to be the universal time for reading. It’s possibly because all of your work for the day is done and you can focus on something else. It’s also nice to switch gears and wipe my mind of all the craziness that has happened during the day so I don’t lay awake in bed for hours thinking of it. Picking up a book and losing myself in it helps me to let go of the day and fall asleep easier.
Set a goal: My goal this year is a lofty one: 52 Books in 52 Weeks. But yours doesn’t have to be so crazy. If it’s 2 books a month or a few chapters a night, setting a goal always helps me hold myself accountable. And it’s not like I’m limiting calories or setting a goal to run so many miles each week. This kind of goal is a really enjoyable one!
So there you have a few tips I’m implementing to help me read more. Do you have any great way to encourage reading? Please share!
Linda says
I commute to work everyday and I get a lot of reading done there. I recently started listening to audio books when I run on the treadmill. Helps keep me motivated to exercise because I only listen to that book there. Gotta go to the gym to learn what happens next!
Dianna says
These are great tips. I hate it when I waste time on the computer when I could have been reading (kind of like right now . . .).
Anyway, I have gotten a ton of classics read since I got a Kindle. You can download them for free, and the Kindle is so much lighter than a three-inch-thick book. My goal is to read all the works of the Brontë sisters this year!
Janet says
I love, love, love the library. It’s FREE! Whether I check out books, magazines, or movies, or download them they are all the perfect price for my family. We all use it. There is also free music. It’s the best deal everyday.
Susn says
I combine both of my loves, gardening and reading into one in the summer. I take a book or my Kindle outside with me so when I take breaks in the garden I can read. I love sitting near the flower and veggie gardens, listening to the birds chirping, a breeze blowing over me, a good book in one hand, and my favorite drink in the other. Ah! Summer I miss you.
Cindi Myers says
Audio books have definitely helped me read more books. I can listen when I drive or do housework or walk the dogs. I also find it enjoyable to listen to audio books in the evening while I knit or work on some other craft project. I get many of my books free from the library, but I also have a subscription to Audible.
Vy says
I also go to Goodwill, Value Village, thrift stores for books. This is good for gathering up some of the blockbusters I’ve wanted to read but never got around to (and how I discovered Frances Mays’s glorious books about renovating, cooking and gardening in Tuscany) but also find treasures that are no longer in print, like old crocheting or holiday decorating books.
Pam says
I’ve always been a big reader. A few years ago my husband bought me an ereader. It was the best thing ever (My family might not agree)! I read pretty much every evening instead of watching TV. After the first year he asked how many books I thought I read a year. Good question. So I started keeping track. Last year I read 115 books! Boy was I surprised! I knew I read a lot but holy moly!! Never thought I would like an ereader – love my real, actual books. But I have to say it is so easy to go to my library and download a few books right from the comfort of home.
Heather in Ma says
If you use an e-reader (I love my ipad because it’s light to carry around), check out bookbub.com SUPER cheap books. If youget on their newsletter they send you a daily emails with a book offer (all around/under $3.00). I will wait until a book strikes my fancy.
Lisa says
Take a long bath instead of a shower and read a book! I keep a book next to the toilet too, and sometimes stay in the bathroom longer than needed finishing a chapter!