For the past five years, I’ve had a lot of fun using Goodreads as a place to organize the books I read.
As this year comes to a close, I’ve been keeping a close watch on my 2017 Goodreads shelf which lists all of the books I’ve read over the past months. 2017 is shaping up to be my best year to date. I’ve already read 50 books, and I plan to squeeze a few more in during December.
My goal is to read approximately 4 books per month for a total of around 48 books for the entire year. Usually, I land pretty close to my goal. And this year, for the first time, I went beyond.
As a busy full time author, I don’t have a ton of reading time. In addition to writing, my schedule is often insanely busy with homeschooling, running my kids to activities, and attempting to do mom-things like cook and clean. I also volunteer in my church library, which is a lot of fun but takes time too.
Since I’m passionate about books and reading, I’m often encouraging others to read. I love finding out what genres people like and introducing them to new authors and books, especially when I’m volunteering in the church library.
Occasionally I rub shoulders with someone who responds to my reading fervor with something like: I don’t have time for reading. I’m just too busy.
When someone says something like that, I usually have to count to ten, bite my tongue, and paste on a fake smile. Almost always I encourage those “too-busy-to-read” people to give audiobooks a try.
But what I’d really like to say to them is: You’ve got to be kidding! I seriously doubt you’re all that much busier than me. And if I can manage to read (approximately 48 books a year!), then you most certainly can find time to read ONE!
Let’s be perfectly honest. Most of the time “I’m too busy to read” is just an excuse. We can usually make time for the things that are important to us (like surfing Facebook or watching TV at night). Granted, there are times and circumstances that might genuinely prevent us from reading and other pleasures. But for the most part, reading is a choice, one that we can make, no matter how busy we are.
So how does an insanely busy person make time for reading? Here are three things I’ve found helpful:
1. Schedule reading time every day. I always read right before bed as a way to unwind from the day.
2. Cut back on screen time (and social media). I find that when I have a free Friday evening or Sunday afternoon, I’d much rather curl up on the couch with a book than watch a movie.
3. Make use of audiobooks. I listen to books every chance I get—when I’m driving, exercising, cooking, etc. Audible makes audiobooks easy and portable.
This Infographic by the National Reading Campaign shows that reading is actually GOOD for you! Reading for as little as six minutes can reduce stress by 60%. All of us insanely busy people NEED to make time for reading to help us reduce stress and enjoy life!
So how about you? How many books are you on track to read in 2017? And how do you make time for reading in your busy schedule?
Jody Hedlund
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I agree, we choose to make time to read! However, there are times, when it really isn’t possible. But if people have time to watch TV and/or hang out on Facebook for hours, then they have time to read.
My Goodreads goal for this year was 80 books. I have read 89 and I’m currently reading #90. I hope to have at least 5 more read before the end of December.
I work full time outside the home, we homeschool our active 10 year old (along with my MIL), and I am involved in women’s ministry at our church. Oh, and I am a book blogger/reviewer/promoter, and I’m currently writing a book!
Yes, you make time for what you feel is most important! 🙂
Great post! I, too, grit my teeth when people dismiss reading because they have no time. None of us seem to have a glut of time to fill.
I blogged on the same topic a while back and also noted that cutting TV time is the easiest way to make room for reading.
http://www.carolynastfalk.com/2017/06/23/make-time-reading/
I am a mostly audio reader. I read about 1-2 books a week with my audible app. I have not been a great tracker this year, unfortunately. It is one of my goals for 2018. I am probably on track for about 80-100 books for 2017, but as I neglected to track them, I can’t be sure.
I rarely read the written page, but love my audio books. I would like to read at least one written (okay, electronic) book a month in 2018.
Loved this post, Jody. Especially that chart about stress relief. I might have to steal that. 🙂 I don’t read nearly as much as I would like. I do always have a book going, though. Cross stitching is my other main hobby, and I usually do that while watching TV with my hubby (which cuts down on reading time), but I might have reactivate up my audible account and try to get the best of both worlds. 🙂
I don’t read books, I INHALE them. I’m at 185 books for the year and I read every chance I get…during my lunch hour, waiting at the doctor’s office, before bed, etc. I completely agree with the statistics about reading reducing stress. There’s nothing better than getting completely lost in a story to carry you away from life’s struggles at least for a little while.
Your suggestions for scheduling reading time are right on. I used #1 to finally get back to my love of reading. For a number of years, I let my teaching career be my excuse for not being able to read a book. With lesson plans and grading papers, professional reading and reading books on the 5th grade level I taught, never leaving school until 5:30, I just couldn’t see how I could find time to read a book of my personal choice. Finally, I told myself it was ridiculous to deny myself one of my greatest pleasures. Instead of thinking about reading an entire book, I focused on reading a chapter. I set aside time before bed and was determined to read at least 25 pages a day. I was gradually able to increase that. We can find time to do the things we really want.
I love Goodreads, which helped me organize my books, and have been a member for three years. I just completed my challenge of reading 70 books, and am now reading #71, a review request from a Goodreads author. Since I’ve been retired for three years, I have been able to increase my reading time dramatically. I follow several blogs (love this one), help moderate an online discussion group, read several books during the year with two online friends, and also enjoy having my granddaughter read to me everday. Great post! And no, I can’t think anyone could be busier than you!
I use Goodreads to track my books, too. I set my goal at 50 and surpassed it! Yay. Not taking time to read is insane to me. It is relaxing and helps your brain. If it’s a Jody Hedlund book that’s even better. I’ve read them all!
I have to agree. It drives me nuts when people say they don’t have time. You always have time for the stuff you love and is important for you. Even if its only a few minutes here and there.
For me, I’ve had the busiest year ever and I’ve STILL had time to read my 50 books (started at 150, then had to knock it down as I realized that was overreaching a bit. lol Might have reached 80 though.) As you say, you find ways to make it work.
For me, I’ve found *right* before bed is great for unwinding. Even reading for just 10 minutes or so helps me relax enough to sleep. I also often keep books in ‘odd’ places so if I have a minute I can read a bit. In the car – if I’m caught unawares and have to wait for someone/something, I can grab my book and read, near my table on the sofa. Hey, I’ve even kept one stashed in the bathroom before so if I need to, I can go in there, read a couple paragraphs and take a quick break. (Sounds weird, but sometimes you need to take a few minutes. . .its a good place. No one questions why you’re in there, so if you take a few extra minutes to pull yourself together, no one gets mad at you. rotflol Probably better to have some scriptures or something in there, so if you need the break that bad, you’re turning to God, not a story, though. :D)I also used to catch my reading time in the car, if I’m not the one driving. Although that has been changing lately and I get a bit more motion sick if I read while we’re driving. Still not too bad on the straight-shot roads, though.
As you say, you make time for what is really important to you and there are ways to ‘multitask’ books nowdays. I too am a cross-stitcher – and a knitter, which takes away from reading time, but using audio books allows you to do both at the same time. So thats still not an excuse! rotflol
Audio books are great for when you’re driving in the car. I keep books in all bathrooms too, for snippet reading. And I like to lay in bed and read a chapter before turning out the lights. It’s a good way to relax. And the big thing is, once I get hooked on a book, it’s going with me everywhere and I will be reading it every chance I get. It’s amazing how time suddenly gets made when I have to know what happens next. 😉
Making time to read books is essential, but it is equally essential to read other things–magazine features and articles, newspapers, blogs, newsletters, etc. These sorter pieces of writing may not sound as impressive as a book numbers, but they can do wonders for the mind, body, and soul. I read dozens of children’s books each month, but sinking my teeth into a devotional or Bible Study Guide lesson or a page or two of poetry is sometimes of more value than reading an entire book. The key for me is reading–not the number of books or pages or words, but just the delicious pleasure of reading whenever, whatever, however!
I totally agree with you! And I love Goodreads too. Such a great place to keep my to-read list organized and keep track of all the books I have read and want to read!
I usually get 50-65 books in a year now. Audiobooks have bumped that number up a lot. I think some people think readers spend big chunks of the day reading, but most of mine is done in short increments. I used to use any waiting time reading. Now I’m prone to playing a game on my phone or checking email or Facebook, but I do have a Kindle app on my phone if I’m inclined to read. I often spend the time just before going to sleep reading.
Hi Everyone!
I’ve thoroughly enjoyed reading all of your comments and thoughts!! Such great wisdom and ideas from all of you! I have to chime in to the discussion to say that NOT ALL the books I’ve read this year are fiction. I try to read non-fiction too, especially spiritual growth books. As someone else mentioned, there’s value in reading even the shorter works–like poetry and short stories and devotions. The beauty of words has the ability to fill our souls!
Great post, Jody. Like you, my Goodreads Reading Challenge for 2017 is 48 books. I’ve completed 46. 47 is a book I’m reading for endorsement that is due before the end of the year and 48 is my through the Bible reading, so that will be completed on 12/31/17. I will probably finish at least one more audiobook before the end of the year. It’s been a great year with lots of 5 star reads. Not going to look but I think close to half have been 5 stars with another large chunk of 4 stars.
PS My reading count includes fiction, Christian living, devotionals, the Bible (if I read it through in a year), biographies, histories, memoirs, and college textbooks. I love that Goodreads now keeps count when I reread a book. I don’t reread often but I love that I can now track those rereads (like the Bible).
I read everyday. It is a great way to unwind and rejuvinate my body and soul. I will have read over 150 books this year. I recently finished Luther and Katharina and absolutely loved it. Excellent writing and characterization. This powerful book touched me. I can’t wait to share it with my friends.
I can so relate to what you said about reading. I also volunteer in the church library and have for almost 40 years. I loved what you would like to say, when someone tells you they don’t have time to read. I have heard the answer to that question a lot.
Our books can be checked out for 3 weeks and renewed once. I feel like saying, if you can’t read a book in 6 weeks, then you are busier than I am.
We have your books in the church library and our readers love them.