Making time to read

Classic Book Stack Watercolor Illustration Art by KaraEndres

This year hasn't been nearly as productive for me, reading wise. Last year, I read a whooping 44 books, which may not seem a lot to some people, but it was such a big achievement to me. This was thanks in part to my heavy text based English units in which we would be required to read up to ten books each semester. This semester, I'm taking a film unit, which I don't regret taking at all. I have never been much of a film fanatic, but the unit has definitely made me more appreciative of the medium, but that's perhaps a story for another day.

Back to my reading habits of late. Is it shameful to admit that I didn't set a Goodreads challenge because I knew I couldn't match the amount of books that I read last year? I got so into it after a while, and while I'm proud of the number of books I read last year, beating my previous number in 2013, I also feel like I was reading just for the sake of completing my goal. I mean, this can't be a necessarily bad thing, I suppose, as I have always been driven to conquer my goals. But after taking a bit of a reading hiatus, and now ever so slowly getting back into it again, I have found myself enjoying reading at a more leisurely pace, especially since this semester has been so busy. I think from now on I would like to continue at this slow pace, to read when I want to and in my own time without the unnecessary pressure I placed on achieving a Goodreads challenge.

Making time to read, even if its just for 10, 20 to 30 minutes at a time, really helps me wind down and forget about all the 'to do lists' in my mind. And after reading, I always feel refreshed and ready to tackle what needs to be done, whether it be an essay, some study or even a blog post!

So I thought I would post some of my tips that will help you make time to read. Speaking as a person who just last year was constantly reading to a person who now takes her time, I hope these tips will be helpful, no matter what kind of reader you are.

1. Read before going to sleep: This is probably the easiest way to get in some reading time. Force yourself away from technological devices and get immersed in a good book. It doesn't even have to be every night! I for one am guilty of just wanting to watch TV shows until the wee hours some nights and that's fine, but I try not to do this often. I have found that I am able to fall asleep much faster after reading, as it doesn't require staring at the glare from the computer screen. You get some reading done and a good nights rest; it's a win win situation!

2. Set goals: Okay, so this may seem to be in contradiction to what I mentioned above, but when I say set goals, I'm more referring to the number of pages in a sitting. I like to read 50 pages every day, as I personally find it to be the perfect amount. Of course, there are occassions where I become so engrossed in a novel that I read way beyond that number in a sitting! But in general, if you're busy or tired at the end of the day, this tip should do the trick.

3. Read on public transport: I love this tip, and honestly, I probably get the majority of my reading done on the commute to university during the week! I know a lot of people hate public transport and I know that the hour long rides can be frustrating at times (especially at peak hour!), but you can make the most of the situation by getting some reading done. Reading on the bus is one of my favourite past times. If I'm travelling to uni in the morning, it helps stimulate my mind and wake me up, and if I'm returning home it helps to wind me down.

4. Always, always always bring a book with you: Yep, everywhere you go. You never know when a reading opportunity might arise, and when it does, you'll be so thankful to have a book with you (waiting at the doctors springs to mind!)

5. Read books that you enjoy: This is a given, really, but it's so important. In the past, I felt guilty if I abandoned a book. I felt like I had some kind of obligation to finish it, even if I didn't like it. But now I realize there's no point wasting time on a book if you don't enjoy it, especially if you're reading for leisure! The last thing you want is reading to become like a chore. There are so many books to choose from out there, so many worlds to discover. Don't waste time on one that's not to your liking.