How to Revive Your Love of Reading this Summer

Summer Reading for Moms

As I finish teaching for the school year I look forward to the books I plan to spend time with this summer.  I am excited to ask you some questions that will help you think about your reading life. 

Some small changes will make a big difference. Having a vibrant reading life is vital to my energy level and patience as a mom. I need to fill my bucket with deep thoughts and great ideas.

Welcome to our Summer Reading Series! 

Isn’t reading old fashioned? Is it just for my kids?

“No!” and “No, definitely not!”

We are all writers and readers. We live in a society with massive amounts of written communication. All social media platforms are full of writing and stories. But who has created those stories? And why was that writing typed out? What were the reasons behind those words?

What do I feel like when I sit on the couch and spend 30 minutes (or sometimes an hour) scrolling and skimming posts, news feeds, and Instagram stories? I will be honest, I feel worn out. Often strong emotions like jealousy, insecurity, frustration, FOMO, and comparison eat away at my tiered spirit. I am most likely sitting on the couch to relax. Yes, there will be a few people that post something thought worthy and beautiful, but that is not the majority of what I encounter. (I think I need to edit my feed a bit more…)

So I go back to why those stories and words were made. Who wrote them and for what purpose?

The non-fiction books on my bookshelf were written by people who have learned difficult lessons. They have picked themselves up after failure and moved forward. These writers have done the research, tons of reading of their own, and have training from some form of college or from life.

I want to learn the lessons that they have experienced, I want to see things from a new perspective.

The fiction books on my shelf are written by people that are extremely creative. Fiction writers can create descriptive scenes in their heads and then use words to communicate those worlds and characters. I want to learn communication skills to be able to describe my inner life to other people.

These writers have gone through the steps of creating a proposal, painstakingly writing their work, editing their work with other people, have the work reviewed by others, and then formatting the words in a way that I can enjoy it the most. It is a silver platter of information.

Why would I not agree to take the simple step and read what they have created? They are handing me a relay baton and I get to take up the next step of the race.

I feel alive when I sit on the couch and read a book for 30 minutes. I feel in touch with my former childhood self who would read for hours at a time. I feel connected to the writer who is speaking directly to me. It is a conversation.

The words that I read come back to me later in the day as I drive, wash dishes, and take care of my kids. The concepts of the chapter roll around in my head and spark new ideas. It feels like a lightning bolt has charged my batteries so I can be more effective.

Obviously, I care about reading. Reading for myself and for my kids.

Why do I often forget to read or go for weeks at a time without sitting on the couch with a book?

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Here is where I often get stuck:

• I get constantly interrupted. I can not focus! This has 2 parts for me.
  • My environment – My family will not give me time or space to read. This is all about training your kids and communication. I still struggle with this! It is okay to draw a boundary and tell someone in your home that you need time and space to read. Be clear but kind.
  • My phone – My phone is my biggest distraction to my reading time. My solution is to put my phone in another room while I am reading. If I have to get up to check it I am more likely to focus on the book in front of me.
• I get an idea in my head that I have to read “the perfect book” or “the right book”.
  • I have learned that the book in my hands is “the right book”. Whatever I find interesting at that moment is important. Even if it is not difficult, long, or on a specific list. I have chosen that book for a reason and that matters too.
• I have to finish every book.
  • Nope! There is no English teacher standing over me with her red pen ready to mark me down for not finishing the assigned book. I can read what I want and then move on. Sometimes I skip around and sometimes I just read the first half and loose interest. That is okay too.
• How can I fit reading into my already busy schedule?
  • Pick one spot where reading could be.
  • Every small step matters and every small change makes a difference.
  • If you decided that you will read on Saturday mornings for 1 hour that will be 4 hours a month and more than 50 hours in one year.
  • 15 minutes every weekday = 75 minutes in a week / 5 1/2 hours per month / about 65 hours per year
  • How many books could you read in that time frame?
• I should read a specific kind of book.
  • I love non-fiction! The summer reading stacks you see on Instagram of beach reads, romance novels, and well written fiction do not appeal to me. My summer reading stack looks like it comes from a business class syllabus and that is okay. I can do something different without judgement of myself or others.
• I don’t have my next book picked out waiting for me.
  • I get overwhelmed with what to read next and so I just scroll instead. I have found that I need a stack of books waiting for me so that I will continue reading.
  • If you need to find a good book that appeals to you I highly recommend Ann Bogel from Modern Mrs. Darcy.
• Reading is hard! I do not enjoy it like I used to.
  • Reading time will require training and patience. Reading is a skill that must be practiced and learned. It does not come naturally to most people and will get better over time.  For adults and kids alike. The more time I spend reading the more I enjoy it.

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Questions for You –

• How are you already a reader? What kind of content are you consuming?
• What kind of words and stories would you like to spend your time on?
• How many books did you read last year? The year before that?
• What can you do this week to encourage reading in your home for yourself and others?
• How can you fit reading into your schedule? Pick one spot where reading could be.
  • If you decided that you will read on Saturday mornings for 1 hour that will be 4 hours a month and more than 50 hours in one year.
  • 15 minutes every weekday = 75 minutes in a week / 5 1/2 hours per month / about 65 hours per year
  • How many books could you read in that time frame?
• What is your favorite kind of book to read?
• If you are feeling stuck start with what you enjoy watching on Netflix.
• What YouTube categories do you spend time on? What kinds of movies do you like?
• What genres do you enjoy? Start with something you love without judgment.
  • Mystery, Self-Help, Faith-based books, Science Fiction, Memoir, Business & Productivity, True Crime, How-To, Cookbooks, Historical Fiction, Poetry, Homeschooling Help, Adventure Novels
• Which books do you have waiting on your shelf already? Before you go shopping or scrolling Amazon, check your home for books you already own.
• Do you need accountability? Can you join an online book club? Or ask a friend to check up on your new reading habits?

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Let’s Talk about Audiobooks!

This is the lever that gets that huge bolder dislodged and rolling down the hill. Audiobooks are a powerful tool I have used to enhance my reading life. Books are my lifeblood. Reading and processing the stories from other people is so important to me. Hearing new ideas and learning new things brings me life and joy. While my favorite way to enjoy a book is sitting on the couch with a cup of coffee, that is not always possible. Instead, I have been able to find spaces of time in my day where someone else reading to me. It has become a beautiful and restful part of my routine. Ways to include Audiobooks into your week:

• Audiobooks for the whole family – lunch time, long car rides and quiet mornings 
• My chore time – audiobooks for me. Audiobooks can create enjoyment with what you are already doing. I can listen while I fold laundry, wash dishes, cook dinner, or drive to the store. But, that’s not replacing vibrant life-giving hobbies with household tasks. It is turning mindless tasks into my reading time.
  • (see this article about Hobbies for more)
• Quiet time and hobby development – Sitting with some kitting, handicrafts, color pages, or a cup of tea.
• As part of my Morning or Evening Routine – Audiobooks are a great way to slow down and process information. It is a way to ease into the day or to relax from the busy schedule.

Questions: 

• How can audiobooks enhance your life? 
• What are some areas where you can add in audiobook listening? 
• What is a book you have been wanting to make time to read? 
• When is there a spot in your day when you feel worn down and listening to someone read would be relaxing and uplifting for you? 

I plan to write an entire article on audiobooks but here is a helpful resource for now. (Audible Q & A and audiobooks info on RAR)

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Encouragement for the Mom who wants more reading time.

I see you. I see your need to be left alone with your own thoughts. I understand your frustrations as you move back into making space for reading. There are so many spots where I get stuck. I let old expectations in my head or opinions from others keep me from my favorite hobby. Let’s fight for our reading time. For the space to sit with a good book and soak in the stories. I want you to feel connected to the writer who is speaking directly to you. To be part of the conversation. To experience the spark of new ideas. Like a lightening bolt that has charged your batteries so you can be more effective and productive. I want that for both of us. Let’s be moms who are growing and learning along side our kiddos.

Happy Reading! – April

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