Dec 19, 2023·edited Dec 19, 2023Liked by Sarah Miller
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.
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?
Dec 19, 2023·edited Dec 19, 2023Liked by Sarah Miller
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.
From where do you get your audiobooks? I’m disinclined to pay for Audible for a variety of reasons and the Hoopla from my library is crammed full of dreary genre fiction I’m not interested in. I’ve experimented with finding short stories and such on YouTube and have had some success with that but it can be finicky for audio things. Suggestions?
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 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? 😄
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😂
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.
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?
I love that bringing a book has become so natural in your home. Thanks for all you do to spread the love of reading ❤️
Thank you Sarah. It has taken me until this year to feel comfortable quitting a book and it feels so good.
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 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!
From where do you get your audiobooks? I’m disinclined to pay for Audible for a variety of reasons and the Hoopla from my library is crammed full of dreary genre fiction I’m not interested in. I’ve experimented with finding short stories and such on YouTube and have had some success with that but it can be finicky for audio things. Suggestions?
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