Taking time to read

Through the years, I've hosted several book launch events and participated in lots of craft fairs, etc. to sell my books and I very much appreciate those readers who bought them. But, I've gotten the following responses from several people. Words I, and probably every other author in the world, has heard many times.

“I used to love to read but I don’t have time now.”

“I’m in school and all of my reading is text books.”

“I have three young children and no time to read.”

Which presented me with the topic for this post: Taking Time to Read. 

Here’s a plain and simple fact: We can’t “make” more time - the reason I didn't title this post Making Time to Read. We all have the same twenty-four hours in each of our days and, I will grant you, how we spend those hours is largely dictated by our responsibilities. Life is complicated and demanding for most of us. We need to take care of business first but we also need to take time to do the things we enjoy. All work and no play. . . .  For me and many others, that includes reading in the genre of our choosing.

So, I’ve presented the problem: we’re all busy. Since I believe in focusing on solutions, rather than problems, here are a few suggestions for those of you who want to read but believe you don’t have the time.

1.    Waiting time can be reading time. All of us occasionally go to the doctor and the dentist, places where we usually have to wait. Instead of idly thumbing through a magazine or sitting there tapping your foot, why not bring a book with you?

2.    Schedule time to read into your day. Most of us have a schedule to keep and we somehow manage to do that. What if we included reading time in our schedules?

3.    Soaking in the tub is relaxing and therapeutic. Why not read while you soak?

4.    Turn off the TV at a designated time every evening – and use that time to read.

5.    Another TV option is turning it off when you find yourself flipping through the channels with nothing good to watch. Instead of spending your time that way, you could be reading.

Until next time, Happy Reading!