Finding More Time to Read

Plus, a summer reading challenge.

I was lunching with an author friend recently who said something on the lines of, “You read so much. How in the world do you find the time?” Well, for one, reading is like breathing to me. My media diet consists of: reading online articles in the AM before I start writing, leafing through magazines while the kids play outside, indulging in the Sunday Times on weekends, and flipping open books in the kitchen or at night when I have downtime. Still, most people will say things like: “I love to read, but I just can’t find the time.”

Well, I’m certainly one to waste time in many ways, but in the spirit of trying to be the best version of myself, here’s how I make time in my busy life to read more:

Let’s start with the obvious. The easiest way to read more isn’t that surprising. I get off text and social media, or at least go on it a lot less. I read recently that everyone would read something like twenty more novels a year if they simply picked up a novel rather than reading their phone to text or scroll social media. I believe that, and it’s certainly true with me.

Keep books within reach in the kitchen. Whenever I’m tempted to reach for my phone, I reach for the novel I’m reading instead. Okay, not every time, but it’s becoming a habit for me. I know, sometimes you only have a few minutes to read. That’s okay — sometimes when I’m cooking dinner, I read a few pages while waiting for the pasta to boil or the toast to pop at breakfast. Whatever it is I’m doing, I can usually sneak in more than I think. This gives me a much calmer mindset, too, rather than constantly popping on my phone and reading nothing but a few harried headlines.

Give up on books you don’t like. So many people have this thing about finishing novels they don’t connect with. Don’t carry around reader’s guilt. There are millions of stories out there and you are bound to connect to at least one of them — so try a bunch until you find words that grip you so much you can’t stop turning the pages. You need to love what you’re reading. A book shouldn’t feel like a chore. I fully give you permission to stop reading when you don’t like something! I do all of the time!

Cultivate focus. I have family members who say they can’t concentrate on a novel — it’s too hard after working all day. The truth is that if you don’t read all of the time, you do need to build up your reading stamina, just like young kids do at school. My advice: Choose a book that you think will interest you and don’t put pressure on yourself to read an entire chapter. Start with a few pages one day, a few more the next, and let yourself ease in to focusing on pages. Another strategy: Clear your schedule one night and give yourself permission to read for two hours straight. OMG, I just got excited for you.

Make reading goals, not commitments. I hate when people say to read at the same time every day in order to commit to a reading routine. Whose life supports that kind of structure? Certainly not mine. Instead, give yourself fun ways to inspire more reading. My favorite time to read is summer, so I’m going to attempt to read a book a week as soon as I finish my revision of my novel. Isn’t that a wonderful summer reading challenge? So…Give yourself the gift of quitting summer TV (I mean, we watch it all year, don’t we?) and instead make yourself a summer reading challenge. I’ll check in with you about mine, and I’d love it if you want to buddy read with me. Also, I often say: If you want your kids to read more, let them see you reading!

Listen to books, don’t just read them. So…one way I’m able to read so much is that I always listen to one book (while walking the dog and running kids to activities) and then I always read one book in my spare time. You can whip through stories when you approach books that way. I’ve had many people say, “But I just can’t listen to books.” NOT TRUE. You just haven’t found the right books to listen to. I tend to listen to mysteries, light beach reads and the odd literary book on Audible.

But honestly, the best Audibles are not always the best books to read and vice versa. (I wasn’t a huge fan of the audiobook of Ann Napolitano’s Hello Beautiful, even if the story was superb.) Figure out what appeals to your listening mind — and select accordingly. I tend to prefer a Sarah Penner novel on Audible; The Lost Apothecary was a great one.

Lastly, skip date night. Sometimes I noticed I wasn’t reading simply because I wanted to sit down with my husband so we could watch a show together. We don’t see each other all day and that seems like the best way to spend time. But…(BUT!!) what I realized is that we can make a plan to read together, too! Or if I want to read now and he doesn’t, he goes and plays guitar and we meet up later for a cup of tea. It’s silly to force TV on both of us in the name of spending time when we can bond at other points in the night. I’m so curious if you do any of these things or if you have other strategies…

Have you worked to make more time for reading in your life? Share your tips and tricks below. You know we’re all going to benefit! xo