I am often asked the question, “How can you read so much?” or “How do you have so much time read?” I often puzzle wondering, how can I not read so much?I admit there are times when I read more than usual. This year I’m reading a lot as I nurse my newborn daughter, but won’t have quite as much time to read when I’m done with nursing. When I lived in Milwaukee, I took the “Freeway Flyer” bus to work and had a solid 45-minutes to read twice a day on my way and from work. It was so much better than fighting traffic.
I think overall though is that there is always time for me to read because I make it that way. I have read before I go to bed every night since I was about eight years old. When other people watch TV to relax, I pop open a book and read. When the kids want to watch “Bob the Builder,” I sit with them, but am reading my book instead. When I have to sit in a waiting room for any reason, I always have a book with me to read. When I’m in my car for a trip alone (which only seems to happen for work related reason these days), I listen to an audiobook. When the kids are with me, we listen to kid audiobooks. When I’m doing the dishes I listen to an audiobook. Wherever I go, I have a book with me. Even if it is for a minute, I’ll open it up and read it.
I’m good at being able to open a book and only read a bit and put it down. My husband is not, once he starts reading, he can’t stop. This is a problem. I do sometimes run into this at night when I’m really into a book and spend half the night reading it instead of sleeping.
I think I also must be a fast reader compared to most. I have no basis for this besides great reading comprehension test scores in my youth and the fact that I seem to be able to read a lot of books throughout a year. I have noticed other readers/bloggers online that put me to shame though on how many books they are able to read!
Are you ever asked the question “how can you read so many books?” What is your answer?
Wonderful post!
ReplyDeleteI, most definitely, could have written it... word for word!
When I was pregnant with my children and as they were babies, I read whatever I was reading out loud... whether it was a book, newspaper or magazine. They just needed to hear my voice and I still read what I wanted to. As they grew, we, of course, read age-appropriate material. And, to my delight, they are both very avid readers.
I think my answer to your question is that we each choose to spend our "free" time in different ways. I see Moms in the carpool line chatting on the phone... I read... to each, her own.
I pale in comparison to other book bloggers, including you, Laura. Like you, I do not watch much TV but prefer to read. All in all, I'm happy with the quality and quantity of books that I read.
ReplyDeleteYes, I do get asked that...a lot. I usually reply that I read that much because it's what I like to do. There are lots of times that I have to bite my tongue or I'd say "How can you watch as much mindless TV as you do?"
ReplyDeleteI was nodding my head as I read your post. If one loves to read, one will make the time to read. People who watch TV do not realize how much of it they watch and that reading for two hours instead of watching a show can get us reading a lot of books.
ReplyDeleteI think it's just that... we have the same time (and sometimes less) than anyone else, but we specifically make time to read. Sort of like someone who is addicted... we are always thinking about the next time we can read more, LOL!
ReplyDeleteI'm like you! I read all the time. I get tired of cartoons, so I read instead. When the kids are playing outside during the summer, I sit on the deck and read. I also listen to audiobooks at work and in the car on my commute. I think I would be lost if I couldn't read!
ReplyDeleteI almost always read for about an hour before bed and if I happen to have time during the day on the weekend. I do listen to audiobooks in the car on my over 1 hour long ride to and from work each day. I still watch a good deal of TV too. I am not the kind of person who can just read for a few minutes in between things. I have to at least get to the end of a chapter or section before I will put a book down - so it somewhat limits my reading time - but I have read a lot more in the last year or so than ever before. Great post.
ReplyDeleteAudio books. Most definitely. Unfortunately I seem to fall asleep the moment I crack open a paperback these days, but I can listen while I'm cleaning, knitting, walking, driving and sometime even at work (it helps me get through the boring filing bits). I do tend to watch telly in the evenings though since I feel like I should do something else besides just listen to books. That is, unless the book is really so good that I just can't put it down.
ReplyDeleteIf you love reading you can read till it satiates your hunger for books! It's again another kind of addiction and i am in love with this addiction!
ReplyDeleteFun post -- we all have the same 24 hours in a day, and we have to prioritize how we use our precious time. For me, reading is as necessary as breathing, so I find time to read every chance I get. I always have a book with me, especially in the car and in my purse, so as I wait in the carpool line, or the dentist/doctor's office, I can get in some reading. I don't watch much tv, so while everyone else in the family is doing homework or watching tv, I read. I also read a little at night before bed. I have audiobooks in the kitchen so I can listen while I do dishes or cook. So, as you can see, reading is my life!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like many share my same addiction to reading - its nice to know you are all out there! I sometimes think the same thing, if people really thought about how much TV they watch, they'd realize how I have the time to read! But I don't know how to politely say this . . .
ReplyDeleteMaybe better put, "How can we not read so much?"
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