Fact: I don't like coffee. I just like saying Coffee Clutch in my best and deepest New York accent. Considering I'm a New Yorker, I'm pretty freaking good at it. So I've got my tea and I hope you have your heated beverage of choice, because it's time to gab the day away.
As I get older, finding time to read gets harder. There's school, studying, work and a whole slew of other things that just make me want to curl up in bed and sleep until next week. Basically, life gets in the way so much that whenever I bring up the fact that I just finished a book that's NOT for school they get all confused and ask me how I possibly have time to read for fun. Granted, book blogging has motivated me to read more than I normally would, but even before that (ie a month and a half ago), I was still reading more book for fun than most of my friends. So here's a list of ways I get myself reading more.
1. Constant Companion
I shift my phone and a lipgloss into one of those tiny little purses MAYBE once a month. Every other day of the month, I use one of those cute, colorful purses or big tote bags to carry around a book and a bunch of other odds and ends I can't seem to go anywhere without. How is this helpful?
- I live in Manhattan and take the subway just about everywhere. Reading is a great way to pass the time on a long, crowded commute.
- I'm not usually early (or even on time) for things. But sometimes my friends run later than I do, so I pull out my book and read while I wait.
- I also often find myself sitting around doctors offices or waiting on line in various places. Instead of reading those outdated magazines, I whip out my book and actually enjoy my time spent sitting in those waiting rooms.
2. Never Eat Alone Again
I hate eating alone if only because of the awkward eye contact I make with other people eating around me. Reading totally eliminates this issue. Also, having a book out in front of you generally keeps the small talk with strangers at bay.
3. Bedtime Buddy
If you have trouble sleeping, reading a chapter might help you fall asleep. It also might keep you up. Either way, it's better to read a book than stare at your computer before you go to bed. But actually, though. I read some article once about the LED light messing with your sleep patterns.There are a bunch of other times you'll find me curled up with a book, but that's just because I choose to read instead of watching to TV or studying or whatever, not because it fits into my schedule somehow.
So that's me, but I'm more curious about YOUR reading habits. When do you read? What are you tricks? Feel free to share in the comment below. I'm always looking for new sneaky reading times.
Great suggestions! Especially "Never Eat Alone Again!" I don't eat out by myself a lot, but it's nice to have reading material around just in case. AND at the doctor's office, or in line at the bank. I may look weird reading a book at the bank, but it makes the time go by AND I get a little more story in.
ReplyDeleteI like that I have all my devices -- if I don't have a book on me (the horror!), I still have my iPod with my Kindle app. It's tiny, but it works!
Another nice thing in my province is that you can get a province-wide library card. You have to have a home library to get one, but it can come in handy if you're traveling and realize you forgot your books, or if you've finished your books you brought on vacation. That way you can just pop into the library and take out some books -- then return them to your home library when you get home (if you're not finished and have to read them on the way back.).
Great post!
Sometimes I have lunch breaks (whether in school or during work) and no friends to meet up with so reading works for me then.
DeleteDoctor's offices and bank lines are the worst but I think the number one amazing time I had a book was when I was waiting in line at the DMV. I waited 45 minutes to renew my license. Super fun.
I'm not sure how I feel about ebooks and I love libraries but those are two other discussion posts I'm working on, so we'll get to those ;)
I always take a book with me to the doctor's, because they always seem to run incredibly late and gardening magazines are not my thing at all! I always have a book with me during my lunch hour at work, I can get quite a lot of reading done in that hour! I love reading before bed too, but I rarely do it because I seem to get sucked into the book and stay up until the early hours reading instead of sleeping!
ReplyDeleteThat is the downfall of reading in bed but if I'm really tired, reading a book is more likely to help me fall asleep while watching TV really just keeps me up.
DeleteGood suggestions! I do all of the above. If I am really liking the book, though, I will totally sacrifice sleep, whether it's staying up late or getting up early to sneak in some extra reading time.
ReplyDeleteI always stay up an hour or two later than I mean to for a book. It's terrible and amazing all at the same time.
DeleteI keep my kindle in my backpack, so during the school day I always have something to read. I'm a chronically early arriver, so I'm at almost all my classes ten minutes early, which is a good ten pages. Also, I tend to have breaks in between classes. Normally I do homework during this time, but if I'm done with the homework or just need a quick break, I definitely pull the book out. I normally don't read during a meal(if I'm eating alone in my apartment, I normally watch TV because I'm afraid of ruining the pages), but I will often during breakfast, since I seem to eat less messy food then!
ReplyDeleteMy cousin has a book stand so he can read and eat at the same time without worrying about ruining pages. He absolutely loves it. I just awkwardly make it work for me. :)
DeleteGreat discussion! I used to use my lunch hour and was able to get lots of reading done during that hour! Would annoy me when someone sat down at my table and want to talk. Not to be anti-social or anything but hey, I'm reading here! *L*
ReplyDeleteAlexia's Books and Such...
I'm all for the anti-social. A book might as well be a person, as far as I'm concerned. My favorite is when I'm so into a book and I don't even notice when people are talking to me. They think I'm being rude, but really they're the rude ones for trying to get between me and my book.
DeleteI loved all three of the things you spotlighted on this list, because I'm the kind of person who would do all three. I'm particularly fond of reading during my lunch break, because it helps me escape the dreariness of my office!
ReplyDeleteOn occasion, I do set aside time simply to read - like one day of the weekend or when I have a free afternoon.
I ALWAYS set aside blocks of time. Unfortunately, my friends don't think it's worth their time to build a free afternoon into their schedule for reading. So this is my list of suggestions for those who don't read.
DeleteAlso, I don't know what I would do on all those lines and unexpected lonely lunch breaks without my books. It would seriously be terrible.
I've forgotten my book once or twice, and gone back to work early because I didn't know what to do with my lunch break. What do people do if they're not reading??
ReplyDeleteThis is a great list - and I'm pretty sure I do all three :) (well, back when I didn't have a car and took the bus, I did all three! Lol)
I REALLY don't know what people do without book company during lunchbreaks. I mean, sometimes I have a lunch date, but not often enough.
DeleteThanks for taking part in the discussion, Kelly! :)
I never leave the house without a book or my Kindle. If I do, I feel strangely naked.
ReplyDeleteYup. SO true. I do all of these. And it helps SO much.
ReplyDelete