Now that it’s officially summer, how is your summer reading going? Are you spending time reading? And, are you enjoying what you are reading?
Let’s go back to that first question, though, and expand on it. I asked: are you spending time reading? But I think a better questions is: are you making time for reading? There are a limited number of hours in a day and many of those hours are consumed by chores and tasks. There’s work, of course. And chores, like making the bed or laundry, cooking meals, caring for children, weeding that garden (so many weeds!) and more. And then there’s leisure time. Time to do what you want to do and not what you have to do.
How do you spend that leisure time? Are you doom scrolling through news sites? Mindlessly checking social media? Watching TikTok videos? Binging Bridgerton or Stranger Things? Those are all perfectly fine ways to pass the time and I throw no shade on anyone for any of that. But. I frequently hear the lament: I just don’t have time to read. And to that I say: bullshit. We all know that we make time for the things that matter and if reading matters then you will make time for it.
Here are a few quick tips for making time to read each and every day:
- keep your book with you at all times, you just never know when a spare 5 minutes will present themselves
- listen to an audiobook while you’re doing those mindless chores like weeding and cleaning the house
- read during breaks at work, at lunchtime or breaktime
- read instead of watching television
And, my number one, most important, most likely to bring more reading time into your life tip:
read what you love!
If you are reading a book that you love you won’t be able to put it down and you will reach for it every chance you get.
So, friends. I hope you make time to read what you love this summer. And tell me how it’s going for you in the comments.
It was a game-changer when I started listening to audiobooks a decade or more ago. I was tired of choosing between reading and knitting and I realized that with audiobooks I didn’t have to make a choice! Now audiobooks keep me company at the grocery store, while weeding, walking, and they often replace TV watching. Not every book is a good candidate for audio, and some aren’t available in an audio format, but my summer reading is going great since I’ll be making time to read a dead tree copy of The Transit of Venus as soon as the library opens this morning!
I know a lot of people who are “never not knitting” and wouldn’t be caught without having a to-go project on hand . . . but I’m a “never without a book” person instead. You just never know when you’ll find a few minutes to read (with your eyes or your ears)! And . . . my summer reading has just gotten rolling with Trollope! The audiobook version of The Way We Live Now will give me 32 hours of weeding/reading pleasure! 😉
Good suggestions!
I love to read but over the years while raising kids I never seemed to find the time. In the past few years I treated my self to Kindle Unlimited. That subscription combined with using overdrive through my local library ‘re-kindled” my love of reading. I find I am even looking for mindless knitting patterns so I can knit and read at the same time. Reading also keeps me from the mindless scrolling of social media – which is a good thing.
I count the day as a loss if I don’t get some reading time! A good friend told me about checking out Kindle books from your library and I love it!
I do read every day and I do make time and choose to spend time to read. When I worked, I used to keep a book in my bag so I could read in those bit of time before meetings or when I arrived early (or someone was late). And I feel like I have a much better idea of the type of books that will keep my attention on audio so that has been a great discovery – enjoying the story instead of just filling my ears with white noise.
I love this post! And YES! I am making time for reading… every single day! (and a huge YAY for audiobooks…they make those blasted weeds a bit more palatable)
Yes, I always make time for reading every day. I admit I have been having a difficult time finding things I want to read lately. I have no idea why. I have never gotten into audio books as my enjoyment of books always involved the written word and the experience of actual reading. Maybe I should try harder to find some audio books but I don’t like anything in my ear constantly.
I’m reading every day right now! And there is always an audio option too. Not reading part that’s but enjoying every minute!
Particularly hard…damn autocorrect. 🙂
I do read every single day. I always have and most likely always will. I wish I could get into audio books, but so far they are just not for me – I need to try again I think. We have books in every room of the house (yes, even bathrooms) and my nightstand is piled with books on two shelves. I always read before turning out the light at night – I sleep better if I’ve read just before going to sleep.
I can’t imagine spending a day without reading! I can read only certain books on audio and I only knit or stitch when listening. If I try to listen when I clean or weed, I get too distracted. I finished Horse today and enjoyed this work of historical fiction.
I try to read daily, usually at lunchtime. I, too, love checking books out from the library on my Kindle as you can only have them for 2 weeks which motivates me to finish them. Right now I am reading The Personal Librarian which is very interesting. Have you read it?
I read for at least a 1/2 hour every night at 8PM. On weekends I read when I want along with the 8PM reading time. If it’s a book I’m really into, I tend to read after work before dinner. I pulled about 10 books off my shelves that have been there for many years and hope to finish the 2nd book of 3 tonight of a series that is from around 2013 or so. I was worried they wouldn’t hold my interest but I can’t wait to finish 2 to start the last one.
I LOVE building reading time into my day – early morning, at lunch, and before bed … and for those un-put-downable books … any other chance I get!
I read every day for at least 20 mins, usually more. If a book isn’t holding my interest or I’m not enjoying it, I abandon it for something else. There are too many good books to be read!
I always make time to read! I read before I go to bed every night and try to read during the day as time/work allows. Listening to audiobooks has really expanded the amount of time I have to read. I listen occasionally while I’m out walking/running and also while I’m cleaning the bathrooms and folding laundry. One thing I love about ebooks is that I always have a book with me if I’m stuck somewhere.
I’ve long been an audiobook advocate (account since 2006)! Audiobooks are a great way to always have a book with you. My dog gets longer walks (also good for me) and I don’t mind doing my daily chores as I always have a great companion along. I’ve been reading more physical books, too. The library keeps me supplies and I’ve purchased a few I know I’ll like keeping on the shelves for years to come (as well as lend to friends). Thanks for your encouragement, Carole. I’m a “never not reading” person and I’m proud of that. 🙂