I’ve always had a great love for reading. When I was a kid, I didn’t have any problems with making time for reading. For me, reading was better than watching TV. It allowed me to use my imagination and discover my creativity.

I remember I used to love checking out books from my school library. It was my favorite place to be in school. Sitting in a comfy chair, reading a favorite story, and surrounded by the bookshelves felt like a second home to me. 

By the time I was in middle school, I was reading young adult novels by writers like Lois Duncan, Judy Blume, Mildred D. Taylor, and L.J. Smith. The Sweet Valley High series was another favorite of mine.

I was a fast reader, too. I would fly through novels, finishing them in 2 to 3 days.

Sometimes I’d even get in trouble with my teacher for reading during a class lecture. I liked to hide my novel behind a folder propped up on my desk or hidden in my textbook in hopes the teacher didn’t see me reading my book. 

Monday Motivation: Four Ways I Make Time for Reading

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Now that I’m older, I often find it a little challenging to find the time to read. The kids keep me very busy and there seems to always be 1,001 things to do.

This year, however, I made it a personal goal to read more books. I’ve had to get a little creative with my reading time, but it’s been working for me so far! 

FOUR WAYS I MAKE TIME FOR READING

1. I set an alert on my cell phone to remind me to read for at least 30 minutes.

I created an alert on my Google Calendar and it’s been a handy tool. Sometimes I do forget to read, but when I see the reading alert, it encourages me to pick up a book or read a few articles.

2. I like to read when the kids are playing independently.

This gives me a little downtime to dive into a book. When they’re enjoying playing with games or toys, then this is a perfect time for me to read.

Monday Motivation: Four Ways I Make Time for Reading
These are the three books I’m currently reading.

3. Sometimes I will download a book from Google Play Books or Libby.

I honestly prefer to hold a book in my hands and read it, but having a book on my phone has been useful for when I am on the go. 

If I’m waiting for an appointment or I forgot my book at home, then I can pull up a novel on one of the book apps. Libby is free with your library card membership and Google Play Books has some free books, while other books you have to purchase.

4. If I’m not too tired, I try to read before bed.

I find reading before bed to be relaxing and it reduces my stress. It’s become a great way for me to wind down at the end of the night.

And it doesn’t matter if I’m reading fiction or nonfiction. As long as it’s a book I enjoy, reading it before bed just makes me feel at ease.

Monday Motivation: Four Ways I Make Time for Reading
Something else I’ve noticed about my reading style is I now enjoy reading nonfiction books. There was a time when I only preferred fiction, but over the years, I have been reading a mix of both fiction and nonfiction books. 

THREE BOOKS I’M CURRENTLY READING

A couple of weeks ago, I purchased Hood Feminism by Mikki Kendall and Just Mercy: A Story of Justice and Redemption by Bryan Stevenson. I’ve been wanting to read Hood Feminism for months, but every time I checked to see if my local library had it, someone had checked it out again.

I’ve heard a lot of good things about Just Mercy, including that it was turned into a movie starring Michael B. Jordan. I like to read the book before watching the movie so I had to get it.

I’m almost finished reading When They Call You a Terrorist: A Black Lives Matter Memoir by Asha Bandele and Patrisse Cullors. I highly recommend Bandele and Cullors’ memoir if you haven’t read it yet!

How do you make time for reading?


All photographs are courtesy of Jennifer Hamra for Good Life Detroit.

Written by

Jennifer Hamra

Freelance creative Jennifer Hamra created her blog Good Life Detroit in 2015 after relocating from Tennessee to Southeast Michigan.

Inspired by her love for personal blogging and photography, Jennifer likes to share her favorite Detroit things, from cool places to visit (the hidden gems are her favorite!) to the amazing people she has connected with over the years.

When she's not busy juggling family life and her creative projects, you can find her at an art gallery, community event, farmers market, or spending quiet time at home with a good book and cup of tea.

Jennifer lives in the metro Detroit area with her husband Travis and their six children.

Connect with Jennifer on social media @goodlifedetroit on all social media platforms or via email at [email protected].