Inspired by the book thread: Making time for reading

[lorilei]

I keep reading and rereading the book thread... and berating myself for not reading.

I used to be a person who would DEVOUR books in scads. I almost always had a book WITH me, no matter where I went, and I'd read constantly.

Ever since graduate school (which fairly sucked the marrow right out of my brain), I haven't really gotten back into the habit of doing much reading -- even for pleasure. I can always find something else that NEEDS TO BE DONE... housework, cooking, gardening. I've really put reading on the back burner.

Sure, I go in streaks and read a novel here and there. Have read 4-5 in the past year.

Yikes -- just saying that sounds pitiful.


Anyhow -- I'm wondering how you guys find the TIME for reading? When is your favorite time to read? And how do you find time to eat right, exercise AND read??

[Terrytx]

It's been a long time since I went to school, and my kids are mostly grown and gone, I don't do yard work (leave that to the DH), do as little housework as I can get by with, so I guess that leaves time for reading...huh I usually read in the afternoon, after the chores are done and before I start cooking dinner, and since we don't watch a lot of TV, I sometimes read in the evenings.

[HUNGRY!]

Its easy- just skip the housework!


Seriously though, I have the priviledge of riding public transportation every day. I also read while I'm cooking (like if I have to stir something constantly) and at night when I go to bed.

[foodfiend]

I've cut down my work schedule recently, so I have more time to read. But basically, reading or surfing the Internet is way better than anything on TV these days. I try to read what I want to enjoy rather than what's good for me, so I see it as another past-time. Funny, school really killed the enjoyment of reading for me for a long time. You almost have to give yourself permission to read books that wouldn't appear on any curriculum.

[lindrusso]

I think it depends on how much you really want to put reading back into your life.

I think we tend to find time for things that we really, truly enjoy. Then there are the things that we feel we "should" be doing and I think that is when we need to stop and evaluate things. Would you be happy cutting back on time in the kitchen? It is possible to cook quick, easy and simple meals that are still very healthy. Would you mind setting up a cleaning schedule that might help you free up a bit of time there? Would you want to give up some of your time out of doors in the garden? (Notice the only thing I'm not suggesting cutting back on is exercise - that's too important not to do - it's a matter of health, not simply a matter of enjoyment. )

In the end, though, I think it's important not to force something on yourself because you feel guilty about not doing it. Even if you enjoy reading, if it makes you feel bad to not do the other things you enjoy, then it might not be worth it in the end. If you find cooking and gardening very relaxing and enjoyable, you may simply not want to cut back on time doing these activities and that's okay!

However, if reading really is something you want to try to fit in to your life, there are ways to go about it. Can you read during your lunch break - I love reading when I'm eating alone. Perhaps reading can be a bad weather or cold weather pursuit? There isn't much gardening to be done over the winter, so maybe you can replace that time with reading?

I hope I am making sense here. I just think that if you're sitting down with a book only to find yourself glancing outside and wishing you were puttering in the garden or you find yourself wondering what to make for dinner, you should go with your gut and do what really, truly brings you pleasure.

Alysha

[lorilei]

Originally posted by lindrusso
I hope I am making sense here. I just think that if you're sitting down with a book only to find yourself glancing outside and wishing you were puttering in the garden or you find yourself wondering what to make for dinner, you should go with your gut and do what really, truly brings you pleasure.

Alysha

You're making complete sense, Alysha -- and you make good points.

If only THAT were the problem. I really do love to read -- and usually don't find myself regretting it when I do it. But I do find myself feeling guilty for taking the time out to read (which benefits no one but me) rather than doing other "more productive" things.

Reading during my lunch break is a great idea... and I really ought to start doing so. Right now, I don't TAKE lunch at all... so that tells you something right there

[kwormann]

This goes along with my revival of the "cutting the cable" thread. I used to read all of the time. Now when I do, the tv is on in the background. I went today to the library of my new town and got a card and Im going to read more (if Im not grading papers or lesson planning! )

[lindrusso]

Originally posted by lorilei
I really do love to read -- and usually don't find myself regretting it when I do it. But I do find myself feeling guilty for taking the time out to read (which benefits no one but me) rather than doing other "more productive" things.

Ah, that's a different problem entirely, isn't it?

Do you find it difficult to take leisure time for yourself (where nothing productive is getting done) in general, or is it more tied to reading?

[Molli526]

I love to read. My favorite time is an hour or two before bed. I also like reading on weekend mornings, or during the day on a weekend if there isn't much going. If the book is so engrossing, I will read over pretty much anything.

[Beth H]

I used to read constantly when I was in high school and college. A few years of graduate school in history diminished my interest in reading for pleasure for quite a while - I was just so burned out from reading because I had to.

About 2 years ago, I renewed my library card and starting reading regularly again. I also read in the evenings instead of watching TV -usually the last hour or two before I go to bed. I also make time on the weekends to read. But - as someone said above, it's partly prioritizing it - if you'd rather be cooking or gardening or jogging, you might not have as much time to read.

[lhall]

At lunch, during my breaks, before I go to sleep at night.

I love to read. I attribute that to my mom. She let up stay up 30 minutes past our bedtime if we would read. What child is going to turn down an offer to stay up late. . This applied every night but Monday and NOTING was going to make Mom miss M.A.S.H so we got to watch that instead.

Leigh

[Minky]

Originally posted by lorilei
But I do find myself feeling guilty for taking the time out to read (which benefits no one but me) rather than doing other "more productive" things.

This sounds familiar! I made a commitment to myself that I would read more this summer, and do less housework Seriously, though, since my kids are home, they help with lots of the chores, so I have naturally had more time to read. You might even say I'm on a reading "binge" since I'm on my third book in a week

[lorilei]

Originally posted by lindrusso
Ah, that's a different problem entirely, isn't it?

Do you find it difficult to take leisure time for yourself (where nothing productive is getting done) in general, or is it more tied to reading?

Ah, yes it is
And the second question is difficult to answer. I FEEL like I do all sorts of things with my leisure time... including gardening and cooking But I've come to the conclusion that I very seldom do something "unproductive". Gardening beautifies my yard. Cooking satisfies my yearning to entertain (even if it's just my husband), and it provides nourishment.

Molli's statement really hit it where it hurts: "My favorite time is an hour or two before bed. I also like reading on weekend mornings, or during the day on a weekend if there isn't much going."

When I read that, I realized that if there "isn't much going" that I feel the need to MAKE THINGS GO That's a neurosis, apparently, that I need to abolish.


I realize that this is one of those "just do it" sort of things. Either that, or I just need to convince myself that reading is really a productive activity (brain food, if you will).

[tbb113]

I skimmed the previous responses, so I apologize if I'm duplicating. I read during my lunch break (either a book or the morning paper). I also read before I fall asleep at night. I also sometimes read in the evenings instead of watching TV. When I used public transit...it was a great time to read. And finally there is always the "library time" in the bathroom I don't do that often anymore...but my kids sure do

Tyra

[Elisabeth]

I do read a lot--at the times that others have already mentioned, lunch breaks, before going to bed, and my favorite, in the bathtub! (got to be careful with the books!). I try to always have a book on my person so that if I have extra time that I wasn't expecting to have--like I'm waiting to meet with someone who is running late--I can whip my book out. All those minutes add up.

But I've also found that over the past few years of working and being in grad school that I've done most of my reading with books on tape. I usually just listen to them in the car, since I have a long commute. But in the past couple of weeks, I've started listening while I'm cooking or working on house projects. The time flies by and I'm working my way through several books I've been meaning to read for ages. My local library has a very good selection of unabridged books, but I have also checked them out from booksontape.com.

[MrsReber]

Though I've been reading much more Dr. Seusse these days, I do find time to read on the train when going to and coming home from work. If the book is really good, I'll try my best to sneak in reading time at home. Unfortunately, my reading at home mostly consists of the newspaper. I do love to read and I really miss it when I don't have a good novel to delve into on the train.

[MusicMom]

Like others, I read at lunch time, before bed, and during "wait" times. Thanks to the prevalence of reality shows, I have much more time for reading now because I'm not tempted to turn on the tv.

The motivation to get back to my book has helped me become more efficient in my other household tasks and even delegate some of them.

I can relate to your feeling guilty though. I, too, have to be doing some productive all of the time. When I got back into reading, I had to justify it to myself as exercising my brain.

[Little Bit]

Are you really sure that you're making the time for the right books?? Maybe you just need to reevaluate your standards for 'reading matter' so that you enjoy the books you do make time for as much as possible. Poetry, perhaps? Drama? Philosophy? History?
I guess what I'm trying to say is that maybe you 'aren't reading much' because you haven't yet figured out what sort of books really engage your attention. If novels aren't your thing, spend more time seeking out other alternatives. There's a lot to choose from out there.

My reading habits have changed a lot in recent years. I used to consider 'reading' as one of my favorite activities, but now, even though I do enjoy really good books, I don't scour the bookstore for new things, search the internet for news of a beloved authors's upcoming titles, or otherwise make 'the pursuit of books' part of my life in quite the same way.
Why is that the case? I don't know. The sorts of books that used to hold my interest just don't grab me anymore, so I make time to read at bedtime, since it helps me unwind. Books last longer too, now that I work my way through them more slowly, so I spend less, which is good.

I'm a lot more particular about what I read, too, much preferring a book that really engages my attention. I've got an enormous collection of science fiction that I haven't touched in ages. I finally quit buying Star Trek novels, since I realized I'd been buying them, but not reading them the way I used to.

Lately, I've set myself the goal of 'reading all of Ngaio Marsh's mysteries, in order,' and I've pretty much stuck to it, with occasional stops for other irresistables. (Devoured the new HP title in two days, lol!)

I think it's as much a matter of finding the right books, as anything else. When I find a new, really interesting author, with loads of titles in print, my old insatiability for books/reading makes a brief comeback.
I've read a LOT of books in the last 30 years, so I demand more of my authors than I would have when I was younger.

I also read a bit more philosophy, and 'sacred' type texts than when I was young. Stuff like that takes more time to digest than a fluffy pulp novel.

I think I'm reading less, but enjoying it more, if that makes any sense.

[LaraW]

I like to read in the evenings before bed. I belong to a book club at my library, so that helps to keep me on my toes.

[CompassRose]

I can't believe that me and Tyra are the only ones who are going to confess to a stack of books in the bathroom!

I saw once in one of the glossy British home magazines, a bathroom in some ancient country house or other which had been renovated with an elegant built-in library shelf.

When we finally get started on finishing our loo (it's been ripped to the studs for a year and a half - sigh - while we pay off the last Home Despot extravaganza), ours is gonna have a bookshelf too. The books are going to be there; they might as well have somewhere more dignified than the top of the toilet tank in which to dwell.

[lindrusso]

Originally posted by lorilei
Either that, or I just need to convince myself that reading is really a productive activity (brain food, if you will).

I'd say that reading is productive if it expands your mind by allowing you to visit worlds you'd never otherwise visit, if it exposes you to other viewpoints and ways of thinking and if it nurtures or sparks your imagination and creativity. Like you said, brain food. Expanding your mind is never a waste of time as far as I can see.

Even you are reading for pure entertainment value, relieving stress by doing something you find enjoyable is productive in the sense that it might help you to be a happier, better adjusted, more relaxed person. Uh, not that you aren't already a happy, well-adjusted and relaxed person, but I think you know what I mean.

Alysha

[DebMG]

Lorilei, I feel just like you. Since my limited amount of reading is primarily for entertainment, that does tend me make me feel guilty. I shouldn't say guilty, but as you said, unproductive. I wish I had the traditional lunch break, ride to work, etc. but since I have a home-based business, I always feel like I should be in my office during the day instead of "slacking off". I guess I equate reading with watching a movie all afternoon. Fun, but not very productive. (And the reality is that there is something more important waiting for me in my office, just the next room over from the family room.)

I do try to read at night instead of watching TV, but I have a choice of sitting with my husband while he has the ballgame on, or yet another news magazine show, or going to sit alone in another room. I try to get him to read, but he tends to reserve that for travel. Frankly, it's a lot easier for him to turn on the TV then get into a book.

I do like to read in bed, but can only last about five minutes before I am out like a light, and then I still have to go back and re-read what I read while I was "fading".

I love our summer vacations because that's the one time of the year where our whole family will sit on the beach and just read for hours, every day.

(Oh my goodness, I just went back and read what I wrote. What a whiner I am today!)

[Meg O'C]

lorilei,

How timely! I love to read but have been really bad about making the time to do so over the past several years. Between work, the never ending chores associated with home ownership, family commitments, cooking (most of these are things I enjoy as well!), reading seems to have come up at the bottom of the list until recently. I usually manage to read more in the summer anyway (we turn on the TV so much less in the summer!) but I have been reading like a fiend recently - about a book a week for the past two months or so (my average in recent years has been slightly less than a book a month!) I was on a walk with my sister the other day and commented that I couldn't remember the last time I had read so much and how I was really enjoying this recent surge in reading.

I agree with Alysha's comments that it is all about making time to do what you love/what is important to you. Recently I have been making more time for reading because it makes me happy. For a variety of reasons I've really been trying to focus on doing things that make me happy! My house is messier than I would like and I am behind on projects around the house but I am loving all the reading!

Although the other day DH said in jest, as I sat at the table eating breakfast with my nose in a book rather than chatting with him, "I like non-reading Meg, better!" I couldn't help it - if I'm really into the book, I can't do anything else until I finish it.

[CompassRose]

Originally posted by DebMG
I do try to read at night instead of watching TV, but I have a choice of sitting with my husband while he has the ballgame on, or yet another news magazine show, or going to sit alone in another room. I try to get him to read, but he tends to reserve that for travel. Frankly, it's a lot easier for him to turn on the TV then get into a book.

Why "choice"? Why not sit with the book, with him, while he watches? (Don't say you're mesmerised by the ball game, surely!)

Some of my happiest evenings are spent sitting with A. while he watches The Matrix or Fellowship of the Rings for the sixty bazillionth time and I read... sometimes if I stick my feet in his lap, he even rubs them for me. (I can't rub his, of course, because I'm holding a book! )

[Natasha]

I love reading too, and try to make time for it, but sometimes it can be hard. I didn't get the chance to read as much as I would have liked when I was in grad school (just finished in April). Since then, I've been reading a lot more for fun again.

I commute to the office on average three times a week, on transit, and that makes up the bulk of my reading time. I also like to read for a few minutes before falling asleep, and do fit in spurts of reading here and there on the weekends and so on. I occasionally read on the elliptical or the stationary bike, but most of the time (esp. this time of year) I train outdoors, so can't read then. It's hard to fit in any more than that, though, because I'm not prepared to give up training time, friend & family time, and so on. We don't have TV, so that isn't a consideration (though we do watch a movie or so most weeks).

Natasha

[Jessica]

I am afraid I make time for reading at the expense of anything else. The only exception was in college, when I never wanted to read in my free time!

I do have to say that I almost never watch TV--at most, I watch a couple of hours a week. When we first got netflix, I was watching more DVDs and I missed the reading time, so now I limit myself to one DVD a week most of the time. I find that reading relaxes me more than the TV programs and movies.

It helps that DH is a big reader, too, so reading is always an acceptable way to spend time around here. I bring magazines to the gym and read them on the treadmill or elliptical trainer. I carry a book in my car or purse in case I am stuck someplace. I also keep several books going so I always have something to match my mood: mystery, nonfiction, novel, etc.

Lorilei--I am slowly learning that there are no medals in life for doing stuff you don't enjoy. I mean, we have to do a certain amount of work, but leisure time is not leisure time if it is spent doing things we think we ought to be doing. It's a tough lesson and I am still learning it. When the time is yours, do what makes you happy.

[Pico]

How about using your BB-surfing time for reading? Kidding, of course!

Ugh... this thread reminds me of how many summer reading assignments I still have to plug through. I have plenty of time to read books I choose, but oddly enough I'm much too busy for Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass and How to Lie with Statistics .

[lorilei]

Originally posted by Jessica
[...] there are no medals in life for doing stuff you don't enjoy. I mean, we have to do a certain amount of work, but leisure time is not leisure time if it is spent doing things we think we ought to be doing. It's a tough lesson and I am still learning it. When the time is yours, do what makes you happy.

This is a lovely sentiment, Jessica.
It's something I'm going to have to work to stamp on my soul. No medals for doing things I don't enjoy... What a "novel" concept!


It's great to hear how all of you find time for reading. There are plenty of ideas here that I know that I can use -- including the idea of starting to carry a BAG again (to work and elsewhere) so that I can have a book with me at all times. I used to do that, and for some reason stopped. That's probably when my reading time began making its downward spiral

Thanks for giving me more food for thought. And keep the conversation coming... this is great!!

[Peggy]

I love to read, but have a terrible time fitting it into my hectic life. A few years ago, I joined a Book Club in the hopes that it would force myself to read at least a book a month. It helped but there are months that I don't get the book finished.

One thing that has worked for us is to set aside a half hour every night for "Family Reading Time ". My DD has to read every night during school for 45 minutes. DH and I try to sit down with her at the same time which forces us to schedule it in. Last school year Family Reading time was 8:00-8:30pm every school night. Friends and family knew not to call us at that time because we wouldn't answer the phone. It worked for DH and DD, but I would still find myself sidetracked. We'll try again this fall!

Peggy

[Terrytx]

Originally posted by Peggy
I love to read, but have a terrible time fitting it into my hectic life. A few years ago, I joined a Book Club in the hopes that it would force myself to read at least a book a month. It helped but there are months that I don't get the book finished.

One thing that has worked for us is to set aside a half hour every night for "Family Reading Time ". My DD has to read every night during school for 45 minutes. DH and I try to sit down with her at the same time which forces us to schedule it in. Last school year Family Reading time was 8:00-8:30pm every school night. Friends and family knew not to call us at that time because we wouldn't answer the phone. It worked for DH and DD, but I would still find myself sidetracked. We'll try again this fall!

Peggy

great idea Peggy