This is SO true. I read 54 books last year, because I downloaded the Kindle app on my phone and hid my social media apps. Every time I opened my phone, it became habit to read. It’s so much more accessible than bringing a book everywhere especially if you’re a forgetful person (like me!)
I have no idea, why I read this article, because as someone who finishes a book every four or five days I definitely don't need those tips. But I'm here to confirm ALL OF THIS WORKS, just let yourself enjoy the reading
Every time I see a person reading in public, I instantly am intrigued by them. Love the idea to replace screen time with reading time, to reach for a book rather than your phone. Going to try it!
Also, I recently started tricking my brain to both working out & reading more at the same time, by listening to audiobooks. It makes it more appealing for me to go to the gym, because I see it as reading time, and it also make some time for me to read while doing something else important (staying healthy)
I see that as an incredible skill to be able to listen to an audiobook and exercise at the same time. It takes all of my focus to even just do one at a time 😭
This was such a serendipitous find. I'm in my final quarter of undergrad and I've been feeling so burnt out by the quantity of academic reading I've had to do, but also a deep yearning for more time to read more for fun. Just Google searched how to balance the two and discovered this essay as one of the top results. You've enlivened my determination to just show up for leisure reading and I'm inspired to try some of these tips out <3 I appreciate the balance you strike between pleasure and discipline in all your recommendations, thank you for this!
I also found one of the most effective way is to switch to Substack from other social media to read more actual letters and less fast food content. Next step of reading actual books will eventually come.
I could not love this more! I have found the stolen moments to really help me, I've gotten myself up to 64 books last year, and a lot of that is just reading whenever I get the chance, plus trying to reach for a book instead of a phone. and DNF for life! Great tips here.
Thank you so much for this! I used to be a bookworm, but I missed the habit of reading because of adulthood and social media addiction. Lately I’ve been trying to create a reading routine, so your post came just in the right time! You’re gonna help me a lot
Big reader here and yet, I still read this article. :) I always have a physical book and an audiobook in progress, fiction or non. Yes to the Libby app and all the available audiobooks at the library! I also have ~ 853 books on my For Later list at the library, so one cannot waste time on the mediocre. I have no problem taking a book with me to an appointment and reading while I wait, but I haven't been able to get into ebooks on the phone. I don't want to look at my phone! I listen to audiobooks while running/weightlifting/gardening/doing household chores, and now my husband will do the same. He and I used to watch TV in bed (yuck!), but now we get in that 20-30 minutes of wind-down physical reading time instead. Started a book club in my neighborhood so I'm meeting neighbors, having a social evening once per month, and being exposed to books and authors I may not have chosen. I keep a reading log of books read (or attempted...), but need to digitize it so it's searchable, and so I know how many books I'm reading a year! It all adds up!
Thanks for this post, I needed it…have a pile of books and can’t seem to find the time to read them…I feel like I need at least 2 free hours to get into them 🤷🏻♀️
I’ve been reading using the Libby Ap on my phone! So easy! Also- Every single post of yours is like you are reading my mind and then writing what I need. Thank you!
i went to early voting last year and the like was out the door and around the corner. i also have the habit of timing myself when i read for nerding out on data purposes. the line took 1hr and 45mins and i read for 1hr 30mins of that once i realized i was going to be there for a while. i also like to go on cafe dates with my SO where we both read while drinking coffees etc :)
Reading takes me “Home” or a comfort zone combining my external and internal environments into one wonderful spot of comfort, joy, escape …. And never underestimate the need for stress management and improving one’s health. It’s a “mental fitness gym” that doesn’t cost a large monthly fee, sweaty clothes to launder, worries about socializing or encounters. Just pick a cozy place. Your emotional home.
Great tips, I read most of my books on kindle so when I'm in line somewhere I'd whip out my phone and start reading...my problem is I read a variety of things so books compete with articles, opinion pieces, sm threads etc etc
This is SO true. I read 54 books last year, because I downloaded the Kindle app on my phone and hid my social media apps. Every time I opened my phone, it became habit to read. It’s so much more accessible than bringing a book everywhere especially if you’re a forgetful person (like me!)
What a brilliant idea!
I have no idea, why I read this article, because as someone who finishes a book every four or five days I definitely don't need those tips. But I'm here to confirm ALL OF THIS WORKS, just let yourself enjoy the reading
Every time I see a person reading in public, I instantly am intrigued by them. Love the idea to replace screen time with reading time, to reach for a book rather than your phone. Going to try it!
YES to all of this !
Also, I recently started tricking my brain to both working out & reading more at the same time, by listening to audiobooks. It makes it more appealing for me to go to the gym, because I see it as reading time, and it also make some time for me to read while doing something else important (staying healthy)
I see that as an incredible skill to be able to listen to an audiobook and exercise at the same time. It takes all of my focus to even just do one at a time 😭
Ah yeah, that might happen ! I do mostly walking/running/cycling though so it's more "mindless" that other types of exercising I suppose :P
i stay on the audiobook hustle and i stay dnf-ing!! i've got hundreds of books on my tbr, and no time to trudge through one that i'm not vibing with
This was such a serendipitous find. I'm in my final quarter of undergrad and I've been feeling so burnt out by the quantity of academic reading I've had to do, but also a deep yearning for more time to read more for fun. Just Google searched how to balance the two and discovered this essay as one of the top results. You've enlivened my determination to just show up for leisure reading and I'm inspired to try some of these tips out <3 I appreciate the balance you strike between pleasure and discipline in all your recommendations, thank you for this!
I also found one of the most effective way is to switch to Substack from other social media to read more actual letters and less fast food content. Next step of reading actual books will eventually come.
I could not love this more! I have found the stolen moments to really help me, I've gotten myself up to 64 books last year, and a lot of that is just reading whenever I get the chance, plus trying to reach for a book instead of a phone. and DNF for life! Great tips here.
Thank you so much for this! I used to be a bookworm, but I missed the habit of reading because of adulthood and social media addiction. Lately I’ve been trying to create a reading routine, so your post came just in the right time! You’re gonna help me a lot
Same here!
Big reader here and yet, I still read this article. :) I always have a physical book and an audiobook in progress, fiction or non. Yes to the Libby app and all the available audiobooks at the library! I also have ~ 853 books on my For Later list at the library, so one cannot waste time on the mediocre. I have no problem taking a book with me to an appointment and reading while I wait, but I haven't been able to get into ebooks on the phone. I don't want to look at my phone! I listen to audiobooks while running/weightlifting/gardening/doing household chores, and now my husband will do the same. He and I used to watch TV in bed (yuck!), but now we get in that 20-30 minutes of wind-down physical reading time instead. Started a book club in my neighborhood so I'm meeting neighbors, having a social evening once per month, and being exposed to books and authors I may not have chosen. I keep a reading log of books read (or attempted...), but need to digitize it so it's searchable, and so I know how many books I'm reading a year! It all adds up!
This is so so helpful, thank you!!
Thanks for this post, I needed it…have a pile of books and can’t seem to find the time to read them…I feel like I need at least 2 free hours to get into them 🤷🏻♀️
I’ve been reading using the Libby Ap on my phone! So easy! Also- Every single post of yours is like you are reading my mind and then writing what I need. Thank you!
i went to early voting last year and the like was out the door and around the corner. i also have the habit of timing myself when i read for nerding out on data purposes. the line took 1hr and 45mins and i read for 1hr 30mins of that once i realized i was going to be there for a while. i also like to go on cafe dates with my SO where we both read while drinking coffees etc :)
Reading takes me “Home” or a comfort zone combining my external and internal environments into one wonderful spot of comfort, joy, escape …. And never underestimate the need for stress management and improving one’s health. It’s a “mental fitness gym” that doesn’t cost a large monthly fee, sweaty clothes to launder, worries about socializing or encounters. Just pick a cozy place. Your emotional home.
Great tips, I read most of my books on kindle so when I'm in line somewhere I'd whip out my phone and start reading...my problem is I read a variety of things so books compete with articles, opinion pieces, sm threads etc etc