Self-care tips
There’s Always Time To Read A Book
It’s unbelievably easy to plow through those never-ending TBR lists
When I tell people that I read around 50 books a year I’m always met with this response:
“Who has that kind of time!”
While I know it’s mostly a rhetorical remark, I have fun answering:
“I do. And you can too.”
And let me preface this. I’m not a crazy fast reader, or “hacking” something. It’s pretty simple, and you may even roll your eyes at how easy it is to make reading a priority.
Just a little backstory: I have three kids, with three different schedules, I run my copywriting business, I also try to keep my marriage mostly intact with adult-themed activities (aka Netflix), and of course some semblance of a social life (in non-pandemic times). I’m not a lady of leisure, draped around my books all day.
If you’re someone who is constantly saying or thinking:
“Omg, I have so many books I want to read!”
You’ve come to the right place.
I’ll introduce you to some of the uncomplicated ways I make all of it work.
STS
Schedule that shit.
It’s that straightforward.
If you want to start reading more, you need to sit down with your daily calendar and find a time in the day when you can dedicate 40 to 60 minutes to a book of your choice.
The stars align for me between 8 pm and 9 pm. I can sit undisturbed for an hour and get some reading done.
When you set a time limit, it’s easy to get over the hurdle of reading something that isn’t exactly a steal-your-sleep-kind of page-turner.
If you’re consistent, you’ll see how fast you’ll plow through your TBR list.
Listen To Your Book
I’m obsessed with audiobooks.
I listen to them everywhere
When I’m walking to the bank, a quick trip to the store for supplies, in the car, when I’m cooking, exercising, or right before bed.
This is one really easy, and simple way to significantly up your book game in the most exciting way.
My family’s having a love affair with audiobooks.
My kids and I love listening to Roald Dahl books especially. Our favorite one at the moment is the BFG read by David Williams — he’s AMAZING.
Also, on a recent 10-hour road trip, my husband and I listened to Mary Trump’s tell-all Too Much and Never Enough while the kids were snuggled in the back with their iPad and in and out of sleep. Not only did it make the trip more bearable, but I learned things about Trump that I never knew I didn’t want to know about!
If you aren’t already, I really recommend giving one a go. We’re all hooked into podcasts already — it isn’t too dissimilar.
Found Moments
These are those twenty minutes your children are in the bathtub.
A quiet moment between client calls.
Instead of waking up and grabbing your phone, make your coffee and steal this moment to read.
I think you catch my drift.
If you wrote down everything you do in a day, from morning to night, you’d be surprised by the amount of time we waste on crap that has zero positive impact on our life. Make some of those moments count.
A Word On Momentum
Sometimes we just don’t jive with a book, for whatever reason. But, many of us try to tough it out anyway.
Once that happens, the impetus to continue significantly decreases.
It’s happened to me so many times that I finally had to have a long, hard chat with myself.
“Sara, it’s OK to not finish a book you started because you don’t like it.” “Are you sure? Because I have this policy that if I start-” “Just! No. I officially release you of un-finished book guilt. Move on.”
I’ve tried to stick out books that were painful to get through. I not only abandoned them, but I stopped reading altogether for long stretches.
A bad book match is that powerful.
And another thing, while I’m ranting.
Don’t feel like you have to choose something because of who recommended it or you think it’s what you should be reading. Book shaming is real. Real stupid — har har.
Sometimes, we just want to be entertained — and that’s OK.
I love contemporary fiction — especially psychological thrillers. I find they keep up my motivation for other books that may not carry the same pace.
Resources
I’ve spent a small fortune on books over the years, but it doesn’t have to be that way.
I highly recommend using the Libby and Overdrive app. It’s honestly the best thing in the world.
You can use your local library card to sign up and you have access to their whole catalog of ebooks, and audiobooks — free!
Other Ways Include:
- supporting independent bookshops.
- Buying second-hand books
- Going to library sales
- Start or join a book exchange in your community
- Joining membership platforms like Audible or Kindle Unlimited
One last note. If there is an author you really like, buy their book. It’s one small way to show your support for their efforts, and appreciation for the work they do.
If you’re looking for some ideas to jump-start your reading, here are some books I’ve read recently:
Non-Fiction
Untamed by Glennon Doyle
How To Be An Antiracist by Ibram X. Kendi
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Everything is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo
We Should All Be Feminists by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie
Fiction
A Good Marriage by Kimberly McCreight
Such A Fun Age by Kiley Reid
Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi
You Are Not Alone by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen
Kim Jiyoung, Born 1982 by Cho Nam-Joo
And any book written by Ottessa Moshfegh!
Originally published at https://www.sumocreativity.com on August 20, 2020.
