I'm a retired librarian and average 110 books per year - I think the only way I manage this is that I read constantly, don't watch much TV and have no social media accounts. I've been this way since I was a child. When I read that there are people who haven't read any books in a year I literally cannot comprehend it.
I am normally an avid reader but this year has been challenging for me. I find myself anxious and unable to settle into a book. I am working on creating a new business and my mind and time are focused on that. I finally picked up a book and make sure I read a bit before bed each night. I know that I’ll be back. Reading isn’t just something they I do. I am a reader and it is a part of who I am. Thanks for the inspiration. 👍❤️🌞
Thanks for the reminder. I'm putting some boundaries around my evenings so I can head to bed earlier to read. Once the weather has warmed up a bit, I'll take my book outside on my porch for an afternoon tea and book break!
I've got additional tip; if you don't get into the story, don't dismiss the book, but leave it for a while and try again later. It has happened to me several times that I didn't like the book that much at first. But when I start reading it again at a later point or persevered reading it (depending on the amount of pages the book has), it eventually turned out to be a gripping and fascinating story and one of my all time favorites!
I really love reading, almost finished the 15th book this year. It's truly addictive. Books give you so much room to interpret characters and situations, they leave room for your imagination. Whereas TV-series and films don't give you that freedom. Reading books invoke so many emotions in me. Those emotions can sometimes last for days after finishing reading them.
To me reading is really transformative. The energy you put in, you'll get in return in tenfold.
I completely agree. Its happened to me before. Sometimes it just isn't the right time for a book, but it doesn't mean you won't enjoy it at a future point :)
Aw I'm glad you enjoyed! Totally get that. Perhaps start really small so you can build your confidence, like a page a day? I was the same for a while, but its like a muscle really, the more you practise concentrating the easier it will be. Hope that helps :)
if you find reading books a bit daunting, why not start with collections of short stories? You could start with stories that last for 4 pages and then build up from that. I think that's a great way to get used to reading longer stories.
I totally agree with the "I don't have time" bit you wrote. I stopped saying that ages ago and it changes everything. So now it's more like, "It's not a priority" and that really makes me stop and think about my priorities in life. Also love what you said about not forcing ourselves to read something if its not working or we aren't enjoying it.
I LOVE these tips! I've struggled a ton since having a baby because I definitely associate feeling guilty with reading when I *could be* doing other things, but since getting a kindle I've prioritized reading again and it's been so much fun. Thanks for sharing!
'Who Has Seen The Wind' a great Canadian writer and novel has always brought lovely visions of wide open grandeur of the Saskatchewan prairie. Delightful characters and humor.
Thank you! This has really provided some inspiration. I always start a year or a holiday with great intentions about what I'm going to read but then I find I've barely touched the books nevermind opened them and read them! I like the idea of tracking what you've read. I also like the reading diary - a little like a commonplace book perhaps?
I have lived watching your YouTube channel and I'm so pleased I found you here too! 😊
This is great! I have several books on the go at a time. This increases my reading, because I can just pick up the one I'm in the mood for at a particular time. Also, I really like Abebooks.com for secondhand books. It sources them from all over the place, including World of Books. I live in Canada, and found copies of the books my grandfather wrote (in the 50s and 60s) from Abebooks; one came from Australia, and the other from a tiny children's bookstore in the UK!
I relate so strongly to this! My tabs bar is a wasteland of expired intentions to read. But, as you mentioned, and as is true for everything: It's a matter of prioritization.
I resonate so much with the fact that reading needs to be guilt free! As my MA is in English Literature, I find I often put myself under pressure to read literary, “important” books in my spare time because that’s my idea of what an English student should be doing. But I already spend my work hours doing that! So I have recently shifted into the mindset that reading for pleasure should be simply pleasurable, regardless of what kind of books I end up reading. Lately, that has also been a lot of children’s literature as I slowly work my way through everything Lucy Maud Montgomery (my absolute comfort author) has ever written. I can’t wait to hear more about what it’s like for you to reread the Anne books as an adult!
I've always been reader, it was my escape when i was a kid and has continued to be something I love even now. I always read in bed before sleep, often times when I was in the trenches of parenting it would be a xmas miracle if I finished one page. I do go through lulls though, but then a gripping book comes my way and I'm reading every chance I get. Sometimes when I had 4 kids home I'd lock myself in the toilet just to have a moment to myself to read. The kids all laugh now at how long they thought it took me to go to the loo LOL. But and this is the sad bit, over the last maybe 6 months I'm finding myself scrolling instead of reading, I think I'm getting lazy and watching youtube requires much less energy than reading, but thanks for the prompt. I'm going to bring back the book, dog eared pages, notes in the margins, and sometimes even butter drips from my toast. oops. I love it when I borrow a library book and find someone has left a little note in the margin, it's a rare find.
Thank you for sharing your experience lovely! I wish you luck in bring some more reading into your life again :). I've never found a note in a library book but hope I will now!
It's been ages since I really held a book in my hands and got lost between the pages. This post right here hit deep and I realize, that I miss it. Very much. Back when I was in school, I've always had a book with me, no matter how heavy my school bag would get. I'd even rush over to the library during recess and stuff my bag even fuller. - They were my way of escaping reality. Ever since I started to work that habit of falling into different worlds has taken the back-seat to the point where I go weeks without turning a page. I own a kindle, full of unread books. My shelves are double stacked with books I have yet to read and there are boxes upon boxes on my attic hiding away the stories of my childhood.
Maybe I'll need to try some of your tips. It shouldn't be hard to read a few pages before bed.
So yeah, thanks for reminding me of something I have loved and will surely love again in the future. (And maybe giving me something else to write about.)
Thanks for sharing your experience lovely! I do find reading as my ultimate escape when life gets a bit hard. Its a form of self care for me, so I hope you manage to start exploring some new worlds again soon :)
I adore reading. It is up there as one of my most favourite things to do!
When I was a little girl I would read late into the night & often my dad would come up the hallway on his way to bed & knock suggesting it might be time for me to stop reading. I wondered how he knew. Of course my light spilled out under the door!!
I recently read Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owen & was blown away. The descriptive imagery was so beautiful. Don’t watch the movie, read the book. Owen has gifted us something truly special in her first foray into fiction.
Thank you for all your suggestions too. So many good ideas & then a bonus recipe to add into my baking mix when feeling better.
I was the same as a child! I also read Where the Crawdads sing recently and just adored it. Not seen the film and not sure I want to! It was different to anything I've ever read. A really special book :)
I watched the movie on the weekend & was really disappointed. I don’t feel it did the story justice & it left a lot of gaps. It’s always hard getting the balance but the film left me wanting.
Great tips! Thanks for sharing. I haven’t read since baby arrived 8 weeks ago and I really miss it. I’m going to pick a book out of my TBR pile and keep it with me. In fact, I have the dentist today and there’s usually a bit of a wait so that’ll be the perfect time! 🤍
I'm a retired librarian and average 110 books per year - I think the only way I manage this is that I read constantly, don't watch much TV and have no social media accounts. I've been this way since I was a child. When I read that there are people who haven't read any books in a year I literally cannot comprehend it.
That's incredible! Very inspiring :)
I am normally an avid reader but this year has been challenging for me. I find myself anxious and unable to settle into a book. I am working on creating a new business and my mind and time are focused on that. I finally picked up a book and make sure I read a bit before bed each night. I know that I’ll be back. Reading isn’t just something they I do. I am a reader and it is a part of who I am. Thanks for the inspiration. 👍❤️🌞
I love that description of a reader! I'm so glad you enjoyed :)
Thanks for the reminder. I'm putting some boundaries around my evenings so I can head to bed earlier to read. Once the weather has warmed up a bit, I'll take my book outside on my porch for an afternoon tea and book break!
I've got additional tip; if you don't get into the story, don't dismiss the book, but leave it for a while and try again later. It has happened to me several times that I didn't like the book that much at first. But when I start reading it again at a later point or persevered reading it (depending on the amount of pages the book has), it eventually turned out to be a gripping and fascinating story and one of my all time favorites!
I really love reading, almost finished the 15th book this year. It's truly addictive. Books give you so much room to interpret characters and situations, they leave room for your imagination. Whereas TV-series and films don't give you that freedom. Reading books invoke so many emotions in me. Those emotions can sometimes last for days after finishing reading them.
To me reading is really transformative. The energy you put in, you'll get in return in tenfold.
I completely agree. Its happened to me before. Sometimes it just isn't the right time for a book, but it doesn't mean you won't enjoy it at a future point :)
100% this is my substack of the day - but I’m almost “scared” to start reading properly - like my brain won’t handle having to concentrate?!
Aw I'm glad you enjoyed! Totally get that. Perhaps start really small so you can build your confidence, like a page a day? I was the same for a while, but its like a muscle really, the more you practise concentrating the easier it will be. Hope that helps :)
Yep like anything it’s all a (beautiful) discipline isn’t it! X
if you find reading books a bit daunting, why not start with collections of short stories? You could start with stories that last for 4 pages and then build up from that. I think that's a great way to get used to reading longer stories.
ah what a lovely idea - thanks Stefan!
I totally agree with the "I don't have time" bit you wrote. I stopped saying that ages ago and it changes everything. So now it's more like, "It's not a priority" and that really makes me stop and think about my priorities in life. Also love what you said about not forcing ourselves to read something if its not working or we aren't enjoying it.
Thank you for your comment! I love the phrase 'Its not a priority'. Its such a powerful mindset change :)
I LOVE these tips! I've struggled a ton since having a baby because I definitely associate feeling guilty with reading when I *could be* doing other things, but since getting a kindle I've prioritized reading again and it's been so much fun. Thanks for sharing!
I'm so glad you find it useful! 😊
'Who Has Seen The Wind' a great Canadian writer and novel has always brought lovely visions of wide open grandeur of the Saskatchewan prairie. Delightful characters and humor.
Sounds wonderful, thank you for the recommendation 😊
Thank you! This has really provided some inspiration. I always start a year or a holiday with great intentions about what I'm going to read but then I find I've barely touched the books nevermind opened them and read them! I like the idea of tracking what you've read. I also like the reading diary - a little like a commonplace book perhaps?
I have lived watching your YouTube channel and I'm so pleased I found you here too! 😊
Aw thank you lovely! So happy to have you here too :)
This is great! I have several books on the go at a time. This increases my reading, because I can just pick up the one I'm in the mood for at a particular time. Also, I really like Abebooks.com for secondhand books. It sources them from all over the place, including World of Books. I live in Canada, and found copies of the books my grandfather wrote (in the 50s and 60s) from Abebooks; one came from Australia, and the other from a tiny children's bookstore in the UK!
Oh that website sounds wonderful! Thanks so much for the recommendation :)
I relate so strongly to this! My tabs bar is a wasteland of expired intentions to read. But, as you mentioned, and as is true for everything: It's a matter of prioritization.
Thank you for sharing lovely! Hopefully if you find the right book you'll get hooked without even trying!
Lovely post, Molly! 🤍 Using my local library has been a game changer for me. Plus the books have a ‘return by’ deadline which helps! 😊
Yes, I agree! There is extra pressure when someone has requested a book!
I resonate so much with the fact that reading needs to be guilt free! As my MA is in English Literature, I find I often put myself under pressure to read literary, “important” books in my spare time because that’s my idea of what an English student should be doing. But I already spend my work hours doing that! So I have recently shifted into the mindset that reading for pleasure should be simply pleasurable, regardless of what kind of books I end up reading. Lately, that has also been a lot of children’s literature as I slowly work my way through everything Lucy Maud Montgomery (my absolute comfort author) has ever written. I can’t wait to hear more about what it’s like for you to reread the Anne books as an adult!
That sounds like a wonderful way to spend your time :). Good for you!
I've always been reader, it was my escape when i was a kid and has continued to be something I love even now. I always read in bed before sleep, often times when I was in the trenches of parenting it would be a xmas miracle if I finished one page. I do go through lulls though, but then a gripping book comes my way and I'm reading every chance I get. Sometimes when I had 4 kids home I'd lock myself in the toilet just to have a moment to myself to read. The kids all laugh now at how long they thought it took me to go to the loo LOL. But and this is the sad bit, over the last maybe 6 months I'm finding myself scrolling instead of reading, I think I'm getting lazy and watching youtube requires much less energy than reading, but thanks for the prompt. I'm going to bring back the book, dog eared pages, notes in the margins, and sometimes even butter drips from my toast. oops. I love it when I borrow a library book and find someone has left a little note in the margin, it's a rare find.
Thank you for sharing your experience lovely! I wish you luck in bring some more reading into your life again :). I've never found a note in a library book but hope I will now!
It's been ages since I really held a book in my hands and got lost between the pages. This post right here hit deep and I realize, that I miss it. Very much. Back when I was in school, I've always had a book with me, no matter how heavy my school bag would get. I'd even rush over to the library during recess and stuff my bag even fuller. - They were my way of escaping reality. Ever since I started to work that habit of falling into different worlds has taken the back-seat to the point where I go weeks without turning a page. I own a kindle, full of unread books. My shelves are double stacked with books I have yet to read and there are boxes upon boxes on my attic hiding away the stories of my childhood.
Maybe I'll need to try some of your tips. It shouldn't be hard to read a few pages before bed.
So yeah, thanks for reminding me of something I have loved and will surely love again in the future. (And maybe giving me something else to write about.)
Anyway, I hope you'll have a great day.
Thanks for sharing your experience lovely! I do find reading as my ultimate escape when life gets a bit hard. Its a form of self care for me, so I hope you manage to start exploring some new worlds again soon :)
I adore reading. It is up there as one of my most favourite things to do!
When I was a little girl I would read late into the night & often my dad would come up the hallway on his way to bed & knock suggesting it might be time for me to stop reading. I wondered how he knew. Of course my light spilled out under the door!!
I recently read Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owen & was blown away. The descriptive imagery was so beautiful. Don’t watch the movie, read the book. Owen has gifted us something truly special in her first foray into fiction.
Thank you for all your suggestions too. So many good ideas & then a bonus recipe to add into my baking mix when feeling better.
Tiffany
I was the same as a child! I also read Where the Crawdads sing recently and just adored it. Not seen the film and not sure I want to! It was different to anything I've ever read. A really special book :)
I watched the movie on the weekend & was really disappointed. I don’t feel it did the story justice & it left a lot of gaps. It’s always hard getting the balance but the film left me wanting.
Great tips! Thanks for sharing. I haven’t read since baby arrived 8 weeks ago and I really miss it. I’m going to pick a book out of my TBR pile and keep it with me. In fact, I have the dentist today and there’s usually a bit of a wait so that’ll be the perfect time! 🤍
Aw great idea! I hope you manage to squeeze in a couple of pages :)