Being a book lover isn’t always easy when you have a job, children, and a busy schedule. There have been months when I didn’t crack a book open that didn’t have colorful pictures inside. Yet I yearned to read more.
If you love reading, if you love losing yourself in the pages of a book that transports you from your everyday life to a time and place that is entirely different… then you find the time.
Why I Read So Much
From the time I was a child, books were life-changing. I was shy and introverted, and being social and doing new things was hard for me.
But when I read, I was introduced to so many new and different characters, locations, and activities. I may have been sitting on a comfy chair in my living room, but my mind was thousands of miles away.
Even as an adult, this is still a big draw. It’s magical and powerful. Whether fiction or non-fiction, children’s lit or historical biography, books have shaped my perspective and my life.
When people say they don’t like reading, I honestly feel sad. It’s incomprehensible to me and makes me want to find a book that will change their minds. (I have lists and lists and lists…)
Why do I read so much? I read because I want to learn, to escape, to travel, to see another side of the story, to revel in others’ brilliant prose and snappy wit, and to glory in the creative juices that flow in my mind when I build a picture with an author’s words.
How You Can Read More
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I often hear that people want to read more, but they just don’t have time. And I completely understand. Life, especially if you have a consuming career or young children, can leave little room for pleasure activities.
So, how do you make the time? Well, the short answer is that you don’t.
You can’t make time, it’s finite. So, to free up space, something else has to be sidelined.
This may mean waking up early for some quality book time while you lean on propped-up pillows. Or ending your day by putting away one chapter a night. Maybe it means putting your phone away without checking email or social media, and picking up a book instead.
Audiobooks are a great way to fit reading into a busy day. I listen to them when I’m doing chores around the house, driving, crocheting, and exercising. If you have the focus, you can even listen to them at 1.5 or double-speed. I love Audible (check out the free trial option) and the Libby app that connects me to my local library’s offerings.
Carry a book in your purse or have one open in an app on your phone. You’ll be surprised to realize that all the times you were standing on line at the store, holding to make a doctor’s appointment, waiting in the school carpool line—you could have been reading.
What I’m Reading Now…
I decided to share what I’m reading because I am a lover of book lists and reviews. Most bibliophiles are curious about what other people are enjoying and what they recommend. We’re always on the hunt for our next book.
I thought I would share what’s on my nightstand each week, what I thought of the book I just finished, and what’s in my queue.
I hope that these posts keep me accountable to my reading goals and inspire you to read more this year, too. And just maybe they’ll turn you on to a book you never considered reading, but in the end, will love.
Here’s to a year of reading lavishly, friends!
Interested in some of my past book lists? Try these:
My Suggested Reading List by topic
[Disclaimer: I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for me to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you click on one of the product links, I’ll receive a commission, at no additional cost to you. All opinions are my own and I never recommend anything I haven’t used myself and loved.]
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