In the midst of our hectic schedules, finding time to read can be challenging. I’m curious to learn about the various ways you manage to keep up with your reading habits, especially during particularly busy months. Do you have any specific strategies or techniques that help you stay connected with books? How do you ensure you’re absorbing the content, even if it’s just a chapter a day or listening to a podcast while commuting?
Personally, I’ve tried committing to one chapter a day, and on some days, just a few minutes of reading. I’ve also experimented with listening to audiobooks or podcasts during my drive. However, I sometimes struggle with retaining what I’ve learned.
I would love to hear about your experiences and any tips you might have. Whether it’s a particular routine, a type of reading material, or any other method that helps you make the most of your reading time, please share!
Looking forward to your insights and tips!
by Supawatk
19 Comments
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I read books while in bed before going to sleep.
I just make it my new phone, in a way. In the bus, train, when I am waiting in the queue, before bed and so on. I don’t really do podcasts or audiobooks though, just an e-reader or thin book I tend to carry around with me everywhere.
My big reading times are while I eat breakfast and while I go to sleep at night. Even if each is only 10-15 minutes, if I do that every day it keeps me feeling connected to the story I’m reading and feeling consistent in the habit. If I let it slide, and look at my phone at breakfast instead, I start feeling less compelled to do it at all!
As much as I love paper books, I also found it really helpful to read on Kindle (using almost entirely books from the local libraries!) because I have a tiny model that I can slip easily into a purse or backpack, letting me read if I’m in a waiting room or something.
Also, with life being busy as it is, I’ve stopped pressuring myself to read things that I “should” be reading. Because I work in journalism, I used to pressure myself a lot to read nonfiction books, but after a long day of focusing only on nonfiction I just don’t have the energy. For me, it’s really helped to make reading **just** for pleasure, so that I look forward to it and prefer it over doom scrolling—which also means DNFing books if they’re not clicking, and allowing myself to read silly easy sci-fi when I don’t feel like chewy nonfiction or serious literature.
I used to read books while riding public transport. If I’m gonna be seated for more than 15 mins, I’m reading.
And then the next time is possibly before bed.
I can’t. I am a victim of such situations. Haven’t read in 3 months I believe, but I really want to continue reading again after my exams however…..
I take my kindle and read on my commute to work and back
I’ll read while I’m eating lunch, or on a washroom break (I work from home, so it’s easier to bring a book in there without looking weird). I’ll listen to an audiobook while driving.
My life is feeling really busy right now, so I’ll admit that my reading has slowed down, but I do try to get some reading in every day.
In my case i take advantage of the fact that i have a impressive collection of fantasy books which my 4 year old daughter loves,so while she goes through them and asks questions i try to get in as much as possible.
I don’t. In January I read 9 books but come like July I probably won’t read a word the whole month. To me reading is more of a pastime than a hobby. When I’ve got loads of time, like in the dark depths of winter, I read a ton but come summer there is so much else I’d rather dedicate my time to.
No, i sometimes take breaks. Maybe 2 weeks or so
I don’t watch TV. I haven’t even turned it on since Dec. 2007. Any movies or TV shows I do watch are on my computer when I’m knitting something.
I’m a year and a half into a job that requires hours of reading and research almost every day. Last year I read two books for myself and decided I wanted to do better this year and read more like I used to. Literally a New Year’s resolution that if I find myself doom scrolling for more than 3 minutes, I’m putting the stupid fucking phone down and picking up my book.
Part of this is me pushing myself into a healthy reading routine. On nights I have to work the next morning, I finish up whatever tv I’m watching with my partner around 10 and then turn the screens off and I read as much as I can from 10pm until I need to go to sleep. It’s only been a month, but I’m on my fifth book of the year and feeling good about my goals.
I find regularly working through a book on weeknights makes me more eager to read on the weekends. Hard to stay away from a good book.
It depends on why I’m busy.
If it’s with work: I just don’t try. I’m an author, so if I’m working a lot, that also means I’m reading a lot/looking at words all day. My recreational reading dips during those time periods because I don’t want to think about narratives, stories, plots, information/facts, etc when I finally stop for the day, so I shamelessly listen to comfort music and draw or something instead.
With chores: Audiobooks. I read stuff I know will be entertaining or interesting but won’t take much brainpower. This might be YA novels, rom-coms that follow formulas, or other “simpler” fiction, or it might be a memoir or other nonfiction book where retention isn’t super important. (My current audiobooks are Entangled Life, a book about mushrooms that feels like listening to a National Geographic documentary, and Patrick Stewart’s autobiography.)
With other “life stuff” or social things: I read in the morning and before bed. I need the time to myself to get going and wind down, so it becomes part of my self-care routine.
I probably read ~150 books a year, though, too… so “maintaining” my reading habit looks different than it might for someone who reads more slowly or has more hobbies/tasks that require full attention. If I’m not actively working, spending time with someone, or too exhausted to follow a lecture or story, I’m probably reading or listening to an audiobook or podcast.
One chapter at a time
I try to switch the time I spend on my phone to a time when I read a few pages. In the morning when I wake up and in the evening before I go to sleep I take a book to read a few pages with my coffee/tea instead of scrolling.
Oh and also I like to do low intensity cardio on the treadmill so I always bring my kindle to read while doing cardio lol
kindle and audiobooks
Audiobooks. But 99% of my reading is for enjoyment not learning so going along with a story isn’t difficult for me. I have some books I’m reading in book format, others in ebook, and still others in audiobook.
When things are super stressful I do re-reads of favorites. I don’t have to worry about missing something and its calming and relaxing for me to revisit.
The best time of day for me to carve out some actual reading space is after work but before I have to make dinner.
Audio. Usually when I’m not listening to a book I’m doing something else I enjoy so it’s not an issue. Except vacuuming, I can’t listen over that and don’t particularly doing it. But I read for my own entertainment so only need to remember enough to get through the book/series.