WFMW – Reading Several Books
Nov 11th, 2008 by Shalee
One of the questions I get asked a lot is: “How do you read so many books?! I can barely finish 4 a year!”
That 4 really makes me shake my head in sadness. I think I could safely say that on a slow month, I read only 4 books. To me, there’s nothing like delving into the mind of a writer or five.
Now I understand that not everyone is a readaholic like me, but I think that a lot of people like the idea of reading, but they don’t see how to make it happen with all the other things going on in their lives. I have a few suggestions that may help you make this wonderful world of reading happen for you!
You want to read more? Here are some helpful hints to get you on you way.
- Pick books that really interest you. Just because someone else loves a book doesn’t mean you have to like it too. Find several books that pique your interest and make a list of To Be Reads.
- Go to the library or bookstore… a lot! The more I go, the more I add to my TBR stack of books beside my bed or on my list.
- Get some TBR books (from the library or store). You can’t read them if they can’t be in your hot little hands.
- Put books in places where you like to read. For example, I have my Bible in the living room. (Hey, I just realized how appropriately I picked the place to read my Bible – Living Word in the living room. Get it? Ha, I slay me.) Anyway, I know that I’ll have a few minutes to myself in the morning so keep it in the living room where I will have my cup of coffee and some wake up time with God. I have another book by the bed so that I can pick it up before sleeping. I keep a few in my car so if I find myself with some free time away from home, I always have a back up plan. I keep one at work that I read over the lunch hour. My new coworkers are finding how easily I can tune them out when I start reading. The point is to keep books that you want to read handy.
- Find an author you LOVE. Read everything that person writes. You’ll find that you can’t wait to get the next book that he/she publishes.
- Ask friends for great reads. Often other people would love to suggest great reads, but they’ll only offer them if asked. So ask away!
- Don’t give up. So what if you can’t read as fast as anyone else. The goal is to finish, not to compare yourself to someone else.
If you’re looking for a way to improve your mind and to escape at the same time, grab a book. You might surprise yourself how much you really like it! (And how often you make time for something you love to do.)
Want some fantastic tips? Head over to Shannon’s place for some wonderful ideas.
Our library has lists of same-type authors. Say you like cozy books by Jan Karon – just check their list of cozy authors. They have lists of different authors who write the same type of book. I’ve found a lot of new authors and books by using these lists.
Love to read and love your list. May I add:
8. Turn off the tv.
9. Be careful not to substitute blog reading for book reading. (easy to do!)
Great post. I agree with all of your suggestions and thing Elizabeth added two important ones as well. I always have a book wherever I am. I can’t imaging life without books.
I love reading and am always looking for new books to read for both our family reads, individual reads for kids, and for my own.
I have a couple of good books on reads for kids “Honey for a Child’s Heart” and “Honey for a Teen’s Heart”.
I don’t get as much reading time as I used to, but I’m trying to get back into the habit of it! I LOVE to read.
I can’t tell you the last fiction book I’ve read. No seriously. I think my goal for next year is to read (and finish) a fiction book. I read plenty of non-fiction material, and I even used to write tech book reviews for some publications (after reading them, of course). But fiction? Eh, not so much. I guess I spend my creative free time elsewhere.
I cannot imagine not reading. It’s my destressor. Love all your suggestions Shalee!
Another thing I found that helped was not to be afraid to put a book away if it just wasn’t grabbing me. Trying to force myself to finish it when I was bored out of my tree didn’t encourage the reading.
Oh, wow, Shalee. You wanna read my book? I’ll send you a copy if you’ll do a review. lol For a sneak preview check out: http://www.gracedove.com
Great post! The best thing that has helped me is visiting the library often. Another note- the more your kids see your reading the more they are interested in reading.
Yes, but did the Dryer get fixed?
Does it count if I have TONS of books I’ve read the first few chapters of? Gotta show the ADHD reader some blog love, too! Haha! And leave it to me to suggest leaving a few in the bathroom.
I was just gonna say the same thing Missy said…what about your book in the bathroom?!?
Ah…reading. Nothing like taking a break from reality to dive into a different “reality.”