Do you read?

[Anonymous]

I was an avid reader that really fell off the train with kids but audible got me back on board. I listen when I clean the kitchen, when I go to the store, while I drive, and sometimes I just go upstairs after the kids are in bed and lie in a dark room and listen. I would probably like to have a physical book in those times, and whenever I fly I ALWAYS buy a book to read, and very much love turning the pages. But I just don't have the time for it, and I tend to be a book binger. Once it gets going, I just cannot put it down, and listening helps me with that. I have just never been someone who can read for a half hour, I will look up and its been two hours!

And yes I gave up on reading whatever people say you are supposed to read and just read something that interests me. I forced myself through Malibu Rising recently because a bunch of people recommended it and I was like, meh, at the end (it was well written I was just not that into it for whatever reason)

[Anonymous]

80 bucks a year. A couple years ago I made a conscious effort to set a goal and stick to it each year. I still spend an off a lot of time on social media and scrolling, but also make sure I read every day.

[Anonymous]

I read a lot. The past few years, about 100 books a year (I track on Goodreads). A mix of fiction and nonfiction (mostly history).

Recently, I decided that I wanted to make some time for other hobbies, so I lowered my Goodreads goal for the year, and I'm not reading quite so much, but I'll still probably read around 60 books this year.

For me, discipline goes the other way, because I'll always pick a book over anything else - so I have to be disciplined to do other things.

If I'm feeling especially burnt out or like my brain is fried, I'll pick up something easy and light. A not-too-gruesome murder mystery, like Agatha Christie, often fits the bill.

[Anonymous]

it's what I do for a living. So, makes it easy to give myself permission to do it. I'm finding that's what ppl need these days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I read a lot. The past few years, about 100 books a year (I track on Goodreads). A mix of fiction and nonfiction (mostly history).

Recently, I decided that I wanted to make some time for other hobbies, so I lowered my Goodreads goal for the year, and I'm not reading quite so much, but I'll still probably read around 60 books this year.

For me, discipline goes the other way, because I'll always pick a book over anything else - so I have to be disciplined to do other things.

If I'm feeling especially burnt out or like my brain is fried, I'll pick up something easy and light. A not-too-gruesome murder mystery, like Agatha Christie, often fits the bill.

That is an impressive amount of books. I have to ask, do you work full-time? Or are you just a really fast reader or read multiple books at the same time? my mother reads multiple books at the same time. She’ll listen to one book while she’s reading another book.

I am lucky if I can read one book a month. But then I used to read more frequently. I’m one of the earlier posters of this thread who said I am mentally exhausted. Between work, family, kids school, etc. I just don’t have the bandwidth anymore

[Anonymous]

Reading is my favorite hobby. I read about 100 books per year. Disclaimer: I do not have children.

Tips I have for incorporating more reading into your life:

Audiobooks!! Celebrity memoirs are a great gateway into audiobooks because they don't require a ton of concentration and the authors narrate their own books. You can listen to audiobooks while doing housework, grocery shopping, sitting at your kids' activities, etc.

If you have time to watch tv or scroll social media, you have time to read. I'm not saying that to be glib but it's true. If you choose not to read because you don't have the mental bandwidth to focus on a book, that's perfectly understandable, but you have as many hours in the day as other people.

You don't have to read heavy literary books. Pick up a rom com or a thriller. Those tend to be easier to read. You don't have to read The Goldfinch in your free time.

Set aside a specific time each day, even if it's only 15-20 minutes to read. Do you normally scroll through social media when you wake up? Read a book instead. Read in the school pickup line or while you're waiting for them to finish an activity. I'm not sure the ages of your kids but you could even have a family reading time. It's good for kids to see their parents reading.

You don't have to read 50 books a year. You could read 1 book a month. Don't put pressure on yourself. If it's not fun you won't want to do it.

[Anonymous]

One more tip - leave your phone out of arm's reach. It's much easier to avoid scrolling or texting when your phone isn't right next to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Reading is my favorite hobby. I read about 100 books per year. Disclaimer: I do not have children.

Tips I have for incorporating more reading into your life:

Audiobooks!! Celebrity memoirs are a great gateway into audiobooks because they don't require a ton of concentration and the authors narrate their own books. You can listen to audiobooks while doing housework, grocery shopping, sitting at your kids' activities, etc.

If you have time to watch tv or scroll social media, you have time to read. I'm not saying that to be glib but it's true. If you choose not to read because you don't have the mental bandwidth to focus on a book, that's perfectly understandable, but you have as many hours in the day as other people.

You don't have to read heavy literary books. Pick up a rom com or a thriller. Those tend to be easier to read. You don't have to read The Goldfinch in your free time.

Set aside a specific time each day, even if it's only 15-20 minutes to read. Do you normally scroll through social media when you wake up? Read a book instead. Read in the school pickup line or while you're waiting for them to finish an activity. I'm not sure the ages of your kids but you could even have a family reading time. It's good for kids to see their parents reading.

You don't have to read 50 books a year. You could read 1 book a month. Don't put pressure on yourself. If it's not fun you won't want to do it.

I'm the person who posted this and upon re-reading it, it sounds condescending and I apologize for that. It did not come across the way it was intended. My point was we prioritize the things important to us and if yours is not reading, that's totally fine!!

[Anonymous]

I like to read and hold a book in my hands. I haven't been able to get into E-readers I'm old school lol.

[Anonymous]

Another person with young kids who is a fan of audiobooks. Reading isn't one of my hobbies (sewing, knitting, gardening, baking/cooking) but I can do those things and listen to a good book at the same time.

[Anonymous]

I love reading. I probably average about 20-25 books per year. I like to give my eyes a break from the screens so I read real physical books.

I like a mix of nonfiction (especially memoirs of women) and lighter fiction.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I love reading. I probably average about 20-25 books per year. I like to give my eyes a break from the screens so I read real physical books.

I like a mix of nonfiction (especially memoirs of women) and lighter fiction.

The new kindles are so easy on the eyes. I was a die hard book person, but once I switched to a real ereader (not a tablet) my eyes and hands were so happy.

[Anonymous]

I used to read a lot. Like a book or 2 a week. However my go to were dystopian style books and once the pandemic hit it became much too real and I stopped lol. I'm hoping to get back into it this summer. I definitely miss it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I read a lot. The past few years, about 100 books a year (I track on Goodreads). A mix of fiction and nonfiction (mostly history).

Recently, I decided that I wanted to make some time for other hobbies, so I lowered my Goodreads goal for the year, and I'm not reading quite so much, but I'll still probably read around 60 books this year.

For me, discipline goes the other way, because I'll always pick a book over anything else - so I have to be disciplined to do other things.

If I'm feeling especially burnt out or like my brain is fried, I'll pick up something easy and light. A not-too-gruesome murder mystery, like Agatha Christie, often fits the bill.

That is an impressive amount of books. I have to ask, do you work full-time? Or are you just a really fast reader or read multiple books at the same time? my mother reads multiple books at the same time. She’ll listen to one book while she’s reading another book.

I am lucky if I can read one book a month. But then I used to read more frequently. I’m one of the earlier posters of this thread who said I am mentally exhausted. Between work, family, kids school, etc. I just don’t have the bandwidth anymore

I do work full time, but my kids are mostly grown. When they were younger, I didn't read quite as much. When I'm commuting, I get a lot of reading done on the train, and when I WFH, I tend to use the time when I would be commuting to read. I also just always have a book with me (either a physical book or something loaded on the Libby app). Early for an appointment? I'll pull out a book to read. Pretty much anytime I have a few minutes to kill, I'm reading. I am a pretty quick reader, but not excessively so. The books I read are a mix. Some are shorter and quick, but I do read my share of big, slow books (I have a particular fondness for hefty Victorian novels).

I'm not kidding though, when I say that I have to make myself do other things. I don't spend as much time on things like cleaning or exercising as I probably should. I don't really watch TV or movies on a regular basis. I'm working on creating some balance because I feel like over the course of the pandemic years I started neglecting some things I enjoy (as well as some things I should do) so I could read more and more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Consider the possibility that tiktok is frying your brain, and that your brain would be fine and you would have the time, patience and concentration to read if you scrolled less and held an actual book in your hands. Pick up a book. Read a few pages. Repeat this exercise daily until the book draws you in.

+1 Once you get used to the quick bite-sized hits of social media, it becomes much more difficult to sustain the attention of reading a book. Someone above said tiktok is like funniest home videos, but I agree, so many people cannot watch TV without looking at their phones now.

Anyway, I still read, but to me it's like a muscle or a habit just like any other.