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.
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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.
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.
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.
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I love all the books you listed! And that Black Lives Memoir is such a powerful read! I want to add the others to my list. I really enjoy listening to audio books as well, because I am often on the run. But there is something also deeply beautiful about holding a book in your hands. 🙂
So I’m also someone who likes to read the books before seeing the movie/tv show (I’m currently reading Little Fires Everywhere before I watch the show in Hulu), and didn’t know Just Mercy was a book! I’ve added those 3 you’ve suggested to my wish list. I also made it a goal to read more, but it’s still a struggle I liked your suggestion of setting a reminder to read for 30 minutes, as well as reading before bed!!
Thank you for this post
Hey, Shenise! I didn’t know Little Fires Everywhere was a book, too! I haven’t seen the show yet so I’ll definitely get the book first. I understand about it being a struggle to make time for reading. I hope the 30-minute reminder is helpful for you. It’s been helping me keep up with my reading.