I love how self-aware and intentional you are, and I LOVE the water bottle + book prompt.
My eldest protested a few mornings ago, when I asked him to stop reading and get dressed: "But I NEED IT. Reading is like drinking for me". "Bring your book" reliably helps to get him out the door!
Oh I love this! Your corner looks very cozy. I read between 70-100, I find that when I'm over 100, something else is going on that's causing me to retreat from the world a bit, so it's a warning sign rather than an accomplishment.
Like you, I watch very little TV. Sometimes I wished I watched a bit more, but I go to bed pretty early, we don't have a TV in our bedroom, and by the time I've done bedtime rigamarole, I want to shower and get into bed with my book. I listen to a lot of podcasts and very few audiobooks, except through my exposure from my son's books at bedtime (which I only hear part of, sometimes I need explanations of the plots...)
I'd like us to be better about bringing a book or a game out and about with us. I don't tend to carry a bag at the weekend... my mom friends who are very on it laugh at me when I show up with my keys and phone shoved in my pocket, maybe an apple. But it would be nice to read in a cafe, while waiting for brunch etc. It would be a good way to get my son's school reading in.
My mom has bought me some loop headphones for Christmas and I'm very excited for them. I find it hard to read while my son is watching a bit of TV on the weekend, so end up scrolling my phone or working instead, but I think they'll help. See also, trains where people are having loud chats.
I loved reading this! I’m always fascinated by others’ reading routines and habits. It was so much fun to delve into yours. I think the world would be a lot more patient and pleasant place if everyone read publicly!
I’ve got to ask now... what’s the best medieval nun book you’ve read? 😄
I am very similar except the book quitting! I struggle so much with that. But...I do think either I am easily pleased or good at picking books because I don’t struggle often.
When I read Matrix, by Lauren Groff, a couple of years ago, I was like, “This is my genre! I want more of this!” I’m so glad to learn that there’s at least one other person who feels the same way😂
Thanks for linking to your "peek;" I really enjoyed getting to work with you. I've been thinking about you and how you are doing in this season of your life. The holidays can be hard on a good day and with your mother's accident, I'm sure this time is much harder for you. I hope she is healing and doing better. Hugs to you. Take care.
Thank you so much, Gayla. My mom goes home today, actually! Which is such a huge accomplishment and will hopefully create a little more space in my life in the weeks ahead. It has been hard, for sure, but I'm profoundly thankful that my mom is still here with us for the holidays, no matter how challenging it has been.
I loved reading this—especially because I related to *so much* without realizing it. The first was the TV one but it wasn’t even intentional on my part! My husband and I loved watching TV together pre-kiddo but now we barely ever make the time (which we wish we did) because we’re both so tired after the day of working and parenting a rambunctious almost 4-year-old, that we slink off into our corners for alone time. And mine involves reading!
More specifically, I read an audiobook while working on a coloring book. I started this hobby over a year ago and it’s been the best, most relaxing hobby of my life! No joke from someone who can’t ever relax (thanks, ADHD). I think it’s because my brain (book) and body (coloring) are engaged at the same time.
I love what you said about not commuting with podcasts, too, because I think they’re the #1 reason I don’t read more audiobooks. I’ve got like 10 audiobooks checked out from my library at once (all spicy romance) that I read during my evening hobby, but like 300+ purchased and unread ones waiting for me in Audible. SIGH. They’re all mostly nonfiction, and I think I struggle to read those type of books late at night because my brain is like, “please, no books where I need to really think and learn.” But then since I mostly do podcasts during the day, it’s become a problem.
Re: putting your phone down at 7pm. I looove this strategy and feel that I need it! But considering that I can only manage to read audiobooks these days, it doesn’t seem feasible. Any tips?
Well, it's a tip no one likes to hear, but: discipline. There's no shortcut, there's no magic wand, there's nothing out there that's going to make it easier -- you have to choose not to pick it up, and it's a lot easier NOT to pick it up than it is to pick it up and then try to put it down (hence my Post-Its, which cause me to stop and consider what I am about to do, or act as a physical barrier I have to pull off before doing it).
I think podcasts count as reading, fwiw. Just because we don't "count" podcasts as books doesn't mean the information isn't getting in. The counting doesn't even mean anything, anyway! so let yourself enjoy what you enjoy and give your brain a break (I can't listen to anything serious on audio at all).
Irina-I too feel the conflict between podcast listening and my audiobook library. So, Sarah I love the reframe...also my podcasts also source a lot of my reading lists, since so many of them involve author interviews.
Agree that the reframe is SO helpful! And I love that many of your podcasts involve author interviews. I'd definitely count that as reading—you're learning about authors and their lives and their craft. That's valuable!
Thanks! I love the post-its idea, honestly. I need to incorporate that into my life!
And thanks for saying that podcasts count as reading! You're right, the information is getting in and I will sometimes do hours of podcast listening a day. That's probably at least 1/4 of a book!
You’re welcome. I don’t know where we got this ludicrous idea that reading only counts if it’s using eyeballs on a page (and usually only books, at that) — words are words and they get in all sorts of ways!
I do! I only use it in the shower, though. I usually will just use my headphones when listening to a podcast, though, even if I am at home. And I guess usually I *am* at home since much of the podcast listening happens during chores ;-)
I also read a lot and like you, I don’t watch much TV or use my phone much. Reading makes me much happier. I have a mystery story about medieval nuns for you if you haven’t already read it: A Swarming Of Bees by Theresa Thomlinson, the first in a two-part series - both are great! I also love the idea of prompting kids to bring their book with their water bottle - something I’ll be trying as mine gets older for sure.
This year my reading habits have been interesting (more on that another time), but I am not mad about it! I tell me kids "grab a book" too, always. We almost never read them, but we have to have them! It feels a bit too on the nose when I am out and about with my tote bag that says "read" with a book in my hand—but hey, I'm not false advertising.
I follow many of your tips. Always keep a book at hand. I have my phone set to lock after 7pm but I most often override and waste time. I hope I'll be more intentional in Phone use in 2024.
I use hoopla and Libby, both via my library.
I love how self-aware and intentional you are, and I LOVE the water bottle + book prompt.
My eldest protested a few mornings ago, when I asked him to stop reading and get dressed: "But I NEED IT. Reading is like drinking for me". "Bring your book" reliably helps to get him out the door!
LOVE that.
Oh I love this! Your corner looks very cozy. I read between 70-100, I find that when I'm over 100, something else is going on that's causing me to retreat from the world a bit, so it's a warning sign rather than an accomplishment.
Like you, I watch very little TV. Sometimes I wished I watched a bit more, but I go to bed pretty early, we don't have a TV in our bedroom, and by the time I've done bedtime rigamarole, I want to shower and get into bed with my book. I listen to a lot of podcasts and very few audiobooks, except through my exposure from my son's books at bedtime (which I only hear part of, sometimes I need explanations of the plots...)
I'd like us to be better about bringing a book or a game out and about with us. I don't tend to carry a bag at the weekend... my mom friends who are very on it laugh at me when I show up with my keys and phone shoved in my pocket, maybe an apple. But it would be nice to read in a cafe, while waiting for brunch etc. It would be a good way to get my son's school reading in.
My mom has bought me some loop headphones for Christmas and I'm very excited for them. I find it hard to read while my son is watching a bit of TV on the weekend, so end up scrolling my phone or working instead, but I think they'll help. See also, trains where people are having loud chats.
I really admire how you've realized that reading more than 100 books is a warning sign -- thank you for sharing that.
I loved reading this! I’m always fascinated by others’ reading routines and habits. It was so much fun to delve into yours. I think the world would be a lot more patient and pleasant place if everyone read publicly!
I’ve got to ask now... what’s the best medieval nun book you’ve read? 😄
I have a list; I will get back to you 😂
Loved this post then, love it now.
I am very similar except the book quitting! I struggle so much with that. But...I do think either I am easily pleased or good at picking books because I don’t struggle often.
When I read Matrix, by Lauren Groff, a couple of years ago, I was like, “This is my genre! I want more of this!” I’m so glad to learn that there’s at least one other person who feels the same way😂
YESSSSSS. Yes. I am beyond obsessed.
The Matrix was fantastic!
Thanks for linking to your "peek;" I really enjoyed getting to work with you. I've been thinking about you and how you are doing in this season of your life. The holidays can be hard on a good day and with your mother's accident, I'm sure this time is much harder for you. I hope she is healing and doing better. Hugs to you. Take care.
Thank you so much, Gayla. My mom goes home today, actually! Which is such a huge accomplishment and will hopefully create a little more space in my life in the weeks ahead. It has been hard, for sure, but I'm profoundly thankful that my mom is still here with us for the holidays, no matter how challenging it has been.
I'm so happy to hear this!
I loved reading this—especially because I related to *so much* without realizing it. The first was the TV one but it wasn’t even intentional on my part! My husband and I loved watching TV together pre-kiddo but now we barely ever make the time (which we wish we did) because we’re both so tired after the day of working and parenting a rambunctious almost 4-year-old, that we slink off into our corners for alone time. And mine involves reading!
More specifically, I read an audiobook while working on a coloring book. I started this hobby over a year ago and it’s been the best, most relaxing hobby of my life! No joke from someone who can’t ever relax (thanks, ADHD). I think it’s because my brain (book) and body (coloring) are engaged at the same time.
I love what you said about not commuting with podcasts, too, because I think they’re the #1 reason I don’t read more audiobooks. I’ve got like 10 audiobooks checked out from my library at once (all spicy romance) that I read during my evening hobby, but like 300+ purchased and unread ones waiting for me in Audible. SIGH. They’re all mostly nonfiction, and I think I struggle to read those type of books late at night because my brain is like, “please, no books where I need to really think and learn.” But then since I mostly do podcasts during the day, it’s become a problem.
Re: putting your phone down at 7pm. I looove this strategy and feel that I need it! But considering that I can only manage to read audiobooks these days, it doesn’t seem feasible. Any tips?
Well, it's a tip no one likes to hear, but: discipline. There's no shortcut, there's no magic wand, there's nothing out there that's going to make it easier -- you have to choose not to pick it up, and it's a lot easier NOT to pick it up than it is to pick it up and then try to put it down (hence my Post-Its, which cause me to stop and consider what I am about to do, or act as a physical barrier I have to pull off before doing it).
I think podcasts count as reading, fwiw. Just because we don't "count" podcasts as books doesn't mean the information isn't getting in. The counting doesn't even mean anything, anyway! so let yourself enjoy what you enjoy and give your brain a break (I can't listen to anything serious on audio at all).
Irina-I too feel the conflict between podcast listening and my audiobook library. So, Sarah I love the reframe...also my podcasts also source a lot of my reading lists, since so many of them involve author interviews.
Agree that the reframe is SO helpful! And I love that many of your podcasts involve author interviews. I'd definitely count that as reading—you're learning about authors and their lives and their craft. That's valuable!
Thanks! I love the post-its idea, honestly. I need to incorporate that into my life!
And thanks for saying that podcasts count as reading! You're right, the information is getting in and I will sometimes do hours of podcast listening a day. That's probably at least 1/4 of a book!
You’re welcome. I don’t know where we got this ludicrous idea that reading only counts if it’s using eyeballs on a page (and usually only books, at that) — words are words and they get in all sorts of ways!
I think like Fashion with a capital F, there’s a subject of people who view it as Literature with a capital L.
Do you have a smart speaker? You can sync it with audible, and I find it’s less tinny that my phone speaker.
I do! I only use it in the shower, though. I usually will just use my headphones when listening to a podcast, though, even if I am at home. And I guess usually I *am* at home since much of the podcast listening happens during chores ;-)
I love that bringing a book has become so natural in your home. Thanks for all you do to spread the love of reading ❤️
Aw, thanks, Rachel 🩷
Thank you Sarah. It has taken me until this year to feel comfortable quitting a book and it feels so good.
Good for you!
I also read a lot and like you, I don’t watch much TV or use my phone much. Reading makes me much happier. I have a mystery story about medieval nuns for you if you haven’t already read it: A Swarming Of Bees by Theresa Thomlinson, the first in a two-part series - both are great! I also love the idea of prompting kids to bring their book with their water bottle - something I’ll be trying as mine gets older for sure.
I HAVEN’T HEARD OF THIS SERIES! Thank youuuuuuu 😂
This makes me so happy! Please let me k ow what you think of it ☺️
This year my reading habits have been interesting (more on that another time), but I am not mad about it! I tell me kids "grab a book" too, always. We almost never read them, but we have to have them! It feels a bit too on the nose when I am out and about with my tote bag that says "read" with a book in my hand—but hey, I'm not false advertising.
No doubt people see you and you look so cool, they just want to copy whatever you’re doing — it’s a public service, really 😉
I have a Read Banned Books tote! It is very helpful to carry all my books in, and for when we go to the library every couple weeks too.
I read as soon as my kids go to bed, and ignore the TV my husband is watching. Books are the lifeblood!
I am in awe!
I follow many of your tips. Always keep a book at hand. I have my phone set to lock after 7pm but I most often override and waste time. I hope I'll be more intentional in Phone use in 2024.
Also how amazing that you've read lots this year