Guest Post: Finding the Time To Read, by Kristilyn @ Reading In Winter

I want to say a SUPER huge thank you to my friend Kristilyn at Reading In Winter for this awesome guest post! Kristilyn’s blogs is one of my daily stops, she’s got some excellent reviews and her discussion posts are always something to think on!

Finding the Time To Read, by Kristilyn @ Reading In Winter

In today’s society, we’re all busy. There are things to do, places to be, people to visit, jobs to work at, and families to raise. With all of the things that need to be done, it can be hard to find time to get some reading done!

I am a crazy reading person. I’m lucky that most of the time I have plenty of time during the week to sneak in a book (or two or ten), but there are definitely weeks where I want to read, but there are just too many things to do. I know I’m not the only one who has those weeks, so here are some ideas on finding time to read:

1. Make a schedule.

Lives are busy. Sometimes we can barely find time to have a decent meal, let alone find time to read. Scheduling can come in handy during those busy weeks. If you have a lunch hour, mark down that you’ll read your book during that time. If you have a few hours of free time in the evening but a million things to do, schedule in a half hour of reading (or more, if you can!). Planning to go for a walk? Make a note that you’ll listen to your audiobook, or read a book while you walk. Scheduling is something that WORKS when you make an effort to follow it!

2. Listen to an audiobook.

Audiobooks are so handy. I hadn’t listened to one until last year just shortly after I started my blog. My first audiobook was only 4 hours long, but I was amazed at how much I could get done while listening to one. Yes, they can be expensive, but check out your local library or even Audible.com for some great deals! The thing to remember with audiobooks is that the time you spend listening to them is time that you wouldn’t have been reading at all anyway. Some suggestions for when to listen to them include while running errands, while taking the dogs for a walk, or while cleaning the house.

3. Get a big purse.

I know what you’re thinking: what does having a big purse have to do with reading? Well, when you’re running errands and you have to wait somewhere, like the line at the bank, or the doctor’s office, or in the bottle depot line up, it’s ALWAYS handy to have a book on hand. At places like this, you’re never too sure how long you could be left waiting, but if you have a book on hand, not only will you get some reading in, but you’ll also make the time fly by.

4. Read with a friend.

Even when we’re busy, we still manage to find time to spend with our friends, or maybe even to hang out online. Why not find a friend or two, pick a short book, and read it together. Or, pick a longer book and read it over a few days or during the week. Once you’re done you can both discuss the book and share your thoughts with one another. This way, you have a deadline to complete the book and someone else to hold you accountable.

5. Stay up late or get up early.

When the whole family is up and doing things, it’s easy to get distracted and not take time for yourself. If you’re one of those people who are busy, busy, busy all day long, or have engagements with others during your entire day, maybe set your alarm to get up a little earlier and read while drinking your coffee, while everyone else is still asleep. Or, stay up a little later after everyone goes to bed and the house is quiet to get in a chapter or two of your book. This is also a great way to relax and gear up for the day, or to slow down for the night.

There are many opportunities to read throughout your day, if you just look for them. I’m sure these five that I’ve listed are only just a few!

I also want to note that if you’re a book blogger who accepts review books, but find it hard to find the time to read them all, writing down the books you need to read, along with a deadline of when you need to read them by helps. Having that visual to look at and check off when you’re done is much better than trying to keep track of things in your head. Lists are your friend!

Thank you to Jac, for having me on the blog!

Do you have any tips for finding the time to read?

© 2012, Reading In Winter, first posted on For Love and Books. All rights reserved.