People often ask me how I find time to read.
I can get through this pile in 2-3 weeks!
I’m a huge reader. I’ve loved it since I read my first chapter book – “The Folk of the Faraway Tree” by Enid Blyton – in Year 3.
I can pick up a novel and be lost in the story within seconds – just ask the hubster. He will say my name when I am reading and I won’t even register that he’s said anything, let alone look up from the page!
I devour at least two novels most weeks, without even trying. Maybe I’m a speed reader. Or maybe it’s all in the way I find time to read … Here are my tips:
- Read what you love. when you are engrossed, you don’t even notice the time passing as you read.
- Read novels. I find I am much faster with novels than non-fiction; I think non-fiction requires more concentration.
- Seize every opportunity to read. When the hubster is watching something boring on telly, I am happy to sit companionably beside him, with my nose buried in a book. I usually take a book with me wherever I go (okay, not so much now I have a smart phone but you know what I mean). I read while eating breakfast (I’m usually on my own); I read while waiting at the doctors; I read on public transport; I read before bed; I read in the loo (don’t judge me!). I’ve even be known to Β brush my teeth with a book in one hand π .
I can only remember one extended period in my life when I couldn’t bring myself to read – and that was after I left home in the midst of tumultuous circumstances, at the age of 19. It was an extremely stressful time and I just didn’t have the brain space or the concentration to read a book, for several months. In hindsight I was suffering from PTSD so that’s probably why.
I guess it’s like anything in life – if you really want to do it, you will find the time. And so I manage to squeeze time to read into each and every day, because I love it so much.
How do you find the time to read?
Looking for some great books to read? Check out some of my favourites in “5 Books for Middle Aged Women to Enjoy”!
Jo - Lifestyle Fifty says
I’m going to take a leaf from your book Janet and ramp up my reading instead of getting waylaid by the internet!
Janet Camilleri says
Yes it’s so easy to get sucked into social media, especially as these days we always have our phones on us … In the good old days I always used to carry a book everywhere, don’t need to now, coz I know my phone will keep me entertained if I have to wait anywhere!
Beth | AlmostPosh.com says
My first chapter book was The Enchanted Wood!!! π
I read on the bus and that’s why I don’t have a problem with catching public transport. 25 minutes or so of uninterrupted reading time. Unless my Kindle dies, in which case I switch to phone. If the book is super good, I’ll pull the Kindle out of my bag and read it at home too, if I get a minute.
Janet Camilleri says
One of the positives of public transport for sure π . It’s exactly an hour on the train to the city for me, I find that’s a bit too long – so lucky I don’t have to go in regularly π
Kathy Marris says
I’m intrigued by the book titled “Why do we have to live with men?” Was it a good read? I find I’m not reading as much as I would like to lately. Too much on TV to watch and I’m normally so tired after dinner. I will have to put some time aside to get back into it. π
Janet Camilleri says
I’m reading it at the moment Kathy and loving it. A bunch of disenchanted women have rented an old farmhouse for 6 months and are determined to live without men. Of course they are realising that some blokes are good ‘uns ….
June Lennie says
Now that I’m in a book club I have to read the chosen book by the meeting date which is a good excuse to spend more time reading. I usually read during morning and afternoon tea time (at home) then in bed before I go to sleep, if I’m not too tired. As you say, time flies when you’re reading a good book, especially a novel. I also enjoy a good biography. Our current book is ‘We need to talk about Kevin’, which was made into a movie. When I read the synopsis I didn’t think I’d like it much but I’m actually enjoying it quite a lot so far. It’s probably not one that I would have chosen myself though!
Janet Camilleri says
Being in a book club would be cool! Plus it pushes you out of your comfort zone with what you choose to read.
Vicki @ Boiled Eggs & Soldiers says
I love to read too, I can’t go to sleep unless I’ve read at least a couple of pages. I’m in a book club – that doesn’t really read that much but each person gets a turn to choose a book so it’s great to have all that variety.
Janet Camilleri says
I don’t know how I’d go in a book club – I read so much that by the time the meeting rolled around I probably wouldn’t really remember what that particular book was about!
Alexa says
I always grab a book from an Op shop for when I need a read. There are so many books available at a fraction of new . Yet they look new.
When I lived in a Caravan with little Wifi for some weeks before our latest home Settlement date, I grabbed a pile of books for $1 each and then returned them for someone else to enjoy π