I love books. I love learning. I love hearing the viewpoint of others or being transported to another place or time. I love growing. I love being challenged. I love words.
But I have to admit it’s a little bit of a sickness.
I have WAY more books than I probably should. And while I feel that it is a wonderful thing to have a home library. I probably should place an embargo on the number of books I will buy until I read more of the books that I have!
But gone are the days where I have hours and hours to read like I did when I was a girl. From the minute I had my first child, I also had to say goodbye to large blocks of discretionary time where I could curl up with a good book and a cup of tea or hot chocolate (with lots of whipped cream). But since I still love to read, I’ve had to figure out other ways to get the job done.
Here are my tips for fitting reading in to your busy life.
1) Read in bite-sized chunks.
Although, it is not my preference to read this way, I’ve learned to appreciate getting through a book, even if that means bit by bit, one page at a time. Something is better than nothing right?
2) Plan time to read!
There are so many good things that can crowd out time to do the important. While, I can no longer read for a whole day (which I would love by the way). What I can do is put my children to bed, and make time to read at bedtime. While I may not be able to avoid being away from home on a Saturday for kiddos sports event, I can read for a few minutes during time outs, half-times, or in between races. I certainly would have never thought reading on a recumbant bike at the gym made sense, but that little spot has become my most regular reading appointment. Plan a time and place that works for you!
3) Make reading materials accessible!
Make sure that you have books available to read WHERE YOU ARE. These days, an eReader is one way to make ready easy. I do have Kindle (older model) and I also occasionally read on my phone or computer. But I have to tell you, I still love a good book and the feel of its pages in my hands! So I keep lots of real-life books everywhere! In past days, I would have never thought to read multiple books at the same time but I’ve grown into that ability and have actually come to like it! I always have at least one book in my purse just in case I get a surprise of a few extra minutes in my day. I also have found some other fun places to stash books in case I can find unexpected moments to share. I’ve shared some pictures below to show you what I mean.
In the car…
Near the royal throne…
And, of course, on the nightstand…
So there you have it – three things that help me keep my head in a book. I’d love to know if you have any tips to share! How do you make reading fit into your life?
I love love love reading. My book case looks a lot like yours. :-). I have books on my night stand, under my bed and even in a drawer. I’m always buying a new book. Oh especially when someone says you got to have this book, well, the thought is there I got to have. LOL. What I have done to help me get reading done because me and my family watch certain programs together. I read during commercial breaks. We love doing things with a family, so when my men (husband and two sons) are outside playing sports, I will sit in the backyard with them, swing and enjoy a good book. Even while I go grocery shopping I bring a book and while I wait in line (I know many hate the wait, but I love it) I will pull out my book and start reading. I will even let people go ahead of me so that I can finish a page.
Great tips Donna! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you for being REAL! I love books the same as you and have a NOOK that I carry as well. The smell and feel of a new book cannot be beat! I, too have learned to read in chunks, and read a couple of books at once. I am thankful that my youngest is now 10 years old and I have gotten a lot of my reading time back, especially during homeschooling! My children have inherited the love of reading too! My favorite way to keep me reading my Bible is a genuine cowhide covered Bible that feels so good in my hands and smells so good, along with my Spiritual feeding each day. God Bless!!
YEA! I’m not the only person who loves the small of BOOKS! Thanks for making me feel a lot less weird! LOL! Love how a good Bible makes you want to read it more! LOL! Blessings to you!
I have a huge love for reading as well. I have five book shelves full in my bedroom and all of my closet shelves plus two in the living room. I have started more books than I can actually read at one time with trying to care for three kids and And two big baby teens. To get my reading done I take my books to my son’s therapy appointments or any doctor appointments. I take my books to the park to read as the kids play. lastly I have been taking Kingdom Woman to bed with me to read and not watching TV instead. The Later is proving to most successful.
Oh wow! This is how I read!!! My friends are always asking how do I have time to read (and I don’t even have kids yet) but I tell them I read in small chunks and I read whenever I can!! I love how portable reading is now on your phones and devices. I even read in line at the grocery store!
I love how real you are. Looking at your bookshelf…Girl! That’s how mines look! LOL
I love your tips. It affirms how I read and that I’m not alone. Thanks so much for sharing.
I can SO relate to this! I thought I was the only one who reads multiple books at the same time. Although I prefer hard-copy books, I purchased my first e-book the other day. Looking forward to reading Kingdom Woman!
I’m a bookaholic, too! I miss the days of getting through 2-3 books a week. I downloaded iBooks to my phone so I can pull up my books and read on the go! I try to have a hard copy at home, too.
Chrystal, your night stand looks like mine! 🙂
Glad I’m not alone!
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