We are all writers and readers. We live in a society with massive amounts of written communication. I like to 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. They have lived a story arc. These writers have done the research, tons of reading of their own, and have training.
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. Through the story arcs they create, I can see areas in my own life where I need to grow and change.
I want to read from the perspective of characters that think differently than I do. I want to use the examples in literature 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.
Obviously, I care about reading. But sometimes I find it difficult to take the time to sit and read.
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 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! My summer reading stack looks like it comes from a business class syllabus and that’s okay. I can do something different without judgement of myself or others.
- 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.
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?
In the realm of books, a wealth untold,
With each page turned, new stories unfold.
Partake in knowledge, savor well-written lines,
In the world of words, true treasure shines.1
I feel alive when I sit on the couch and read a book for 30 minutes. 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.
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. I hope that this inspires you to spend some time with a book (or audiobook).
📚📖Happy Reading! – April
I had some fun putting in some of this post into Chat GPT and then creating a few poems with it. This one was my favorite.
OpenAI. (2024). “In the realm of books.” [Unpublished poem].