Gennifer
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,168
Jun 26, 2014 8:22:26 GMT
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Post by Gennifer on May 31, 2022 2:35:08 GMT
I read at night, as part of my bedtime routine. Sometimes it’s 5 minutes, sometimes it’s two hours. It’s also part of my self-care, so sometimes I read quite a bit on a day off, or if I’m not feeling well or just need a pick-me-up.
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breetheflea
Drama Llama
Posts: 6,379
Location: PNW
Jul 20, 2014 21:57:23 GMT
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Post by breetheflea on May 31, 2022 2:55:19 GMT
I keep a habit tracker and try to read 30 minutes (about 25 pages) a day. Unless I'm not enjoying the book or in a slump, I usually end up reading more.
I listen to books on the treadmill instead of listening to music. I don't read 85 book a month this way (because audio books take much longer than reading an actual book, I'm not sure how other people listen to so many...) but I can usually get an extra 1-2, sometimes even 3 books a month in this way. I am picky and don't pick anything that I can't finish in 3 weeks, because Libby (library app) returns them automatically which is annoying.
I get stuck in the car a lot waiting for my kids school stuff, or we go fishing, or while my curbside pick-up order is being loaded into the car... out comes the book. Those 5-10 minutes add up.
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milocat
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,570
Location: 55 degrees north in Alberta, Canada
Mar 18, 2015 4:10:31 GMT
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Post by milocat on May 31, 2022 3:25:06 GMT
3 is better than zero. Once you get into the habit a bit more the number may creep up. But if you enjoy magazines and newspapers also then that's great read them and 7 books this year. No one says you have to read more books.
The books you do read, do you enjoy them? Do you know what you like and what to look for? I find when ending a book it's better for me to start a new one right away (the next day) and start getting into the story. Otherwise you end one book and could let weeks go by before even starting another. I used to do that.
I don't read magazines. I only read out small town weekly paper, 2 minute read 😉 well more of a glance. I can get sucked in online too much. When I sit down to read on the couch, I put my phone on the kitchen counter. At night I turn it off so I'm not tempted to look for "just a minute" then pretty soon it's bedtime. I'll read when eating my breakfast.
Last year I read the most I've ever read, 55 books (23 audio). I pushed my self to get there. I'm more comfortable with 35-45 books. I'm not a fast reader so there is only so much I can get through. I have no problem stopping books that aren't grabbing my attention. If it feels like a chore then you won't go back to it and what's the point of forcing yourself to do a hobby? I almost never read non fiction, I like page turning fiction and I know the genres I like.
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Post by elaine on May 31, 2022 3:50:24 GMT
I 'read' while I walk my dog and use an audiobook. I also read before bedtime (on my kindle). At any point in time I have two books going. This is me too. Although I also listen to the audiobooks when I drive up to MD to see my mom and back - or other driving trips of more than 20 minutes by myself. I walk the dogs at least an hour a day, so I can move through audiobooks quickly.
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lesserknownpea
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,851
Member is Online
Jun 29, 2014 7:56:02 GMT
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Post by lesserknownpea on May 31, 2022 6:06:56 GMT
I don’t do audio because I want that time for music.
Reading has been my solace, my friend, always there no matter what was going on in my life. I can’t imagine not reading.
I read several hours at night. I’m single, so that frees up time that might have gone to a spouse. I’m an introvert, so I’d rather stay home and read than attend a party.
I read about two books a week. It varies a lot because some books are much longer and serious. Some are fluff. Right now it’s a delightfully detailed, dishy biography of Teddy Roosevelt. This will take a whole week. It doesn’t help that I keep stopping to google the people and places mentioned.
I wish I had a list of all the books I’ve read since my very first “chapter” book: Black Beauty I’m sure it would amaze me. Yes, sometimes I’ll pick up a book only to realize I’ve already read it years ago.
OP I’m curious what your motive is for increasing your book count. Do you see or hear about books others are reading and want to see what the fuss is about? Do you feel your life will be richer? ( the answer is yes 😄)
As others have mentioned, there are so many distractions and competition for your time. I do word puzzles, YouTube videos, and watercolor painting when I could be reading. But all these things add to my life. Even social media, as long as I keep it in its place.
I hope you find the balance you are looking for.
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Post by worldwanderer75 on May 31, 2022 13:46:07 GMT
I read a lot and just find ways to squeeze it into my day. I listen to a lot of books while I do household "chores" or while I drive/commute to work, read or listen during my lunch break a lot of times. And then I always have at least one book on my kindle at all times. I read that before bed and at other times during the day. I don't read any magazines and don't listen to any podcasts (so many of my friends love podcasts and I'd just rather spend my time with a book). I probably average a book a week.
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Post by jeremysgirl on May 31, 2022 15:30:08 GMT
I read when I feel like reading...full stop. I still have a subscription to two magazines: Breathe and Yoga Journal. I read the New York Times and The Atlantic on the regular for news. I like listening to music daily and podcasts. And then I will have an audio book and a paper book going at the same time. I feel absolutely no guilt for how much or how little I read. Sometimes, I just want to listen to music. Especially when I'm exercising, I prefer music. And I have every day after work what I call the 6 song coffee break. Where I drink two cups of coffee and listen to at least 6 songs. Last year, I read 14 or 17 books, I can't remember. And I pretty exclusively read non-fiction. I read for information, generally. I feel absolutely no guilt for not reading more than I already do. I have a whole host of hobbies and I don't really watch TV either. With that said, I understand the penchant for beating yourself up over how you spend your time. I was already doing it and since my child died, I've been having more serious conversations with myself on letting it all go. (Because I have been doing a whole lot of nothing lately and I don't want to do anything anyway) It seems there is not a happy medium in our culture sometimes. Some people feel like they have to be productive all the damn time (and yes, I'm counting reading as productive time and I know there are a lot of people who don't consider it so) or there are those who seem to do absolutely nothing. I have been struggling for a very long time to find my balance. I think there are a lot of people who struggle with balance (I started a thread a few months ago about how people spend their time and you may find it helpful to read the responses). Anyway, all this to say, read because you want to. Read what you want to. Don't compare yourself to others. Just enjoy your reading time, as much as possible. ETA: Time Thread
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Post by fotos4u2 on May 31, 2022 18:14:11 GMT
On the bandwagon of some of us probably just have more "time" to read. Yes, maybe for some that means prioritizing things lower in order to read more. For myself, I currently only work part time, have no young children (or a significant other who would require my attention), and am a very fast reader. I can easily read a 300-400 page book every other day, but that doesn't mean that's what I do. I actually don't read magazines anymore and newspapers were never my thing (I do try to keep up with current events with some email groups that summarize what's going on). My oldest is a slower reader than I am, but wants to read more so she has a goal to try to read at least 100 pages every day which I try to do also when I'm feeling like it. She usually reads at work when things are slow or in bed before she goes to sleep.
I've currently read 63 books this year, but to give some perspective this time last year I had read only 5 books.
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Post by Sharon on May 31, 2022 22:43:52 GMT
I read over 100 books per year. I even read a lot when I had a small child. You just have to prioritize it over other activities.
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Post by birukitty on Jun 1, 2022 17:47:31 GMT
I have adored reading since the second I learned how to read. It is one of my true passions. To me reading is like breathing. I read every single day and can't imagine not reading.
My favorite reading spot is in bed and I read before I fall asleep every night, sometimes for a few minutes, sometime for hours. Sometimes the entire night depending on the book. Because of my migraines I haven't been working for several years, so I have the time to read like this. If I had to get up in the earling morning and go to a full time job that would be different. All of us have different obligations and situations. But even when I did work full time I still read every single day.
I don't like audio books because I'm a visual learner and I can't keep track of the just the audio-my mind always wanders. Plus like another Pea mentioned above when I'm in my car I use that time for music instead.
Please don't feel like you are "less than" because you don't read X number of books a year. Everyone is different. It's not a race. I've kept track of what I read using goodreads.com ever since I found out about it 7 years ago. The most I've read in a year is 82 books which I did in 2018 and 2019 both. Last year was my lowest number at 49 books.
Knowing what you like to read helps a lot. For me my favorite genre is historical fiction. I've recently joined a Historical Fiction facebook group and I get a lot of recommendations for books on it, which I then add to my "to read" list on goodreads.com I am lucky enough to have a truly amazing local public library. I put "on hold" books I want to read and pick them up at the library. 99% of what I read each year comes from the library. This way I don't feel bad when a book I start doesn't grab me-it's so simple just to grab another one off of my shelf of library books and return the one I didn't like.
Read more because you truly enjoy it and want to-not for any other reason.
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milocat
Drama Llama
Posts: 5,570
Location: 55 degrees north in Alberta, Canada
Mar 18, 2015 4:10:31 GMT
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Post by milocat on Jun 1, 2022 19:32:20 GMT
I was thinking on this some more. I guess it's like anything, if it's an important enough priority you'll make time for it. How do some people manage to find the time to exercise every day or cook all their meals from scratch? They just make the time. Sometimes you start out small and build up or sometimes staying small is enough. Maybe working out twice a week is enough for you just like reading 3 books in 5 months is enough.
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gina
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 3,305
Jun 26, 2014 1:59:16 GMT
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Post by gina on Jun 1, 2022 19:35:13 GMT
I set my goal really low this year after failing last year. I think it was at 12 so, one book a month. I hit that pretty quickly and changed it to 15. I have currently read 17/15 books for the year. I just worked on my May re-cap for my IG story and I seem to be averaging 3 books/month. I listen to audiobooks because I just cannot concentrate on paper like I used to.
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scrappington
Pearl Clutcher
in Canada
Posts: 3,139
Jun 26, 2014 14:43:10 GMT
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Post by scrappington on Jun 1, 2022 19:39:00 GMT
I have to do audiobooks. If I read paper/kindle, I always fall asleep. So I listen when I'm driving alone, working around the house/yard, etc. I get through a lot this way. Sometimes I get so into the book, it motivates me to keep cleaning house or whatever just so I can keep listening. I also listen at 2X speed. I have discovered audio books. And I agree. I have my earphones in and I keep just going doing stuff
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Post by melanell on Jun 3, 2022 11:24:40 GMT
Well, for me, I keep books all around and I do not keep magazines or newspapers around. (For the most part---I do borrow a few magazines from the library very occasionally.) For me, magazines are something I read when I am not at home--same with newspapers. But anyway, back to the books--I keep them everywhere. In the kitchen, on the end table near "my" spot in the living room. On my bedside table. In a tote bag I bring with me when I go places. So anytime I have 2 minutes to spare, I can pick up a book and read. I'm also pretty good at being able to block out surrounding noise when reading, which is something I can't do as easily when working or watching TV. So anytime my kids are together and are being super loud, I just pick up a book. And that right there is probably enough time for me to read quite a lot, LOL!! I also do set aside some specific book time each day. Always right before bed, and typically first thing in the morning, too. It's like my way to calm down for sleep and to slowly wake up and be ready to face the world. So those 2 devoted times, and making sure I always have something to read around me for any random extra minutes is how I get in a decent amount of reading.
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Post by iamkristinl16 on Jun 3, 2022 13:09:42 GMT
I listen to audiobooks when driving or doing things around the house. It has to be a certain type of book for me to listen rather than read, though. I also like podcasts so sometimes go through spurts where I’m catching up on them and sometimes books. I need to make more of an effort to read on my kindle. Haven’t been doing well with that.
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Post by katiescarlett on Jun 3, 2022 14:27:08 GMT
I've always been an avid reader but I gradually replaced the time I spent reading with scrapbooking and other hobbies. But I've always had a long commute to work so I started listening to audiobooks and I really enjoy them. A good narrator can make a book even better! I only listen in my approximately 1.5 hour round trip commute each day and I average about 40 books per year.
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Post by auntkelly on Jun 3, 2022 14:46:14 GMT
I read a lot while walking on the treadmill (about an hour a day). I set the treadmill speed at about 3.5 mph and read on the kindle app on my iPad. I feel like I get a decent workout while doing something I truly love. It makes me look forward to my treadmill time.
My husband and I read a lot when we go on long car trips. I read and he drives. We read nonfiction books in the car because they are easier to set aside for a couple of weeks and then pick back up than a fiction book.
Sometimes when I really want to find time to read, I set a timer for however long I want to read. Even on the busiest of days, I can justify sitting down for 20 minutes to read.
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Post by Linda on Jun 3, 2022 19:27:21 GMT
everyone is different so comparing yourself to others doesn't really work.
I keep my kindle in my handbag - I don't drive so I'm always a passenger. I have motion sickness so can't read while the car is moving but while DH is pumping gas or running inside the bank etc...I read. I also read in waiting rooms - at the doctor, dentist, mammogram place etc...
I read at bedtime - typically about 100 pages/night. I've just ordered a chair for my craft room for reading and am hoping to transition to books rather than internet surfing during downtime. There isn't anywhere comfortable to read in this house and my TBR pile reflects that.
I usually have several books on the go at a time - because sometimes I need mindless fluff and sometimes I want to actually READ something worthwhile. My kids (30, 22, 15) all read avidly as well and we pass books off when we read something we think one of the others would like. We also started a Christmas Eve book exchange last Christmas and read together for an hour or two after we opened books.
DH likes books but is an agonisingly slow reader and doesn't make reading a priority (I think it's harder work for him than the rest of us so he doesn't find it as relaxing)
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