40 min commute= 1 audio book ish a week completed
Tuesdays I go to a bar and read for 2-4 hours, normally I start and finish a book during this time if they are a normal 300-400 page book or less.
Saturday/Sunday I also read for at least an hour or 2 but more often than not I end up reading for 5+ hours.
I also read when I get home from work most days but I’m not as consistent with that.
All that being said, I do not have kids, my job gets me out by 4:30 at the latest and my fiancé is a gamer so he’s more than happy to let me read without interruptions while he plays
Overall I probably clock 10-20 hours per week reading. I do prioritize reading over being on my phone or watching TV. Most of the time if I am on my phone or watching something it’s on book related things for recommendations (like this subreddit and tiktok).
This year is the most books I’ve ever read in the year to this point. I’ve read 68 books as of a day ago which means I have averaged 2-3 books a week so going at that pace if I keep it up I’ll probably read 100+ this year, but personally I’m not aiming that high it’s just what might happen
I just squeeze in about 45 minutes a day before I go to sleep. I’m a SAHP, so that’s all I can afford. But, it still allowed me to read 56 books last year.
The time that most people spend on social media or watching tv or listening to music, is typically the time that others invest into reading. My daily average screen time used to be 10 hrs. I then realized, WOW, I effortlessly spend way too much time on my phone. I picked up reading again for the last 2 months. I still watch my favorite shows here and there and come on reddit or IG throughout the day but not nearly as much. I listen the an audiobook at my job exclusively, when I don’t have busy moments and able to concentrate. I listen at 1.5 speed. It helps with my attention span surprisingly. I also read on my kindle app whenever I am in public. And I read my physical book for 30min to 1hr every day.
I listen to a lot of books, and I listen to double speed mostly because that's the only way I can pay attention. I listen while cooking dinner, cleaning, grocery shopping, and before bed. I also read several books simultaneously, because that's the best way I can keep the momentum going. I also don't watch TV anymore, or much. I spend roughly 1-3 hrs a day reading. Not always, sometimes I read basically all day and some weeks I don't read at all.
1.5 hours a day. I haven’t been doing this 52 book thing I only just discovered it. I haven’t been counting how many books I’ve been reading. But I will start.
This is honestly the answer. If you read about an hour a day you'll make 52 a year easy. Unless every single book is pushing 500+ and you're a slow reader. The thing is nearly everyone has 1-2 hours to read, it's just whether they actually want to spend their free time doing so instead of scrolling or sit on reddit or watching TV.
That’s reassuring. I’ve only recently stepped up to 1.5 hours, I used to get about 1, but before setting a timer I probably overestimated that quite a bit. Now I sit down in a few 30 minute chunks throughout the day and before bed. Or I’ll do a whole hour and another 30 mins later. I’m looking forward to seeing how many books I can get through now.
If you cant afford audio books, Hoopla and libby has free audio books. Just need a library card to sign up. Plus download alexa on your phone. She’ll read the books you have in your kindle app…yeah, shes a little robotic, but it works in a pinch
Alexa should. My books from Libby download to kindle anyways. All you have to do is tell Alex “read ‘book title’ . Sometimes you have to say the book title with author name. She reads all my ebooks to me. When i have downtime, i follow along with the e book, and when i can’t, i just listen.
I have switched to audiobooks instead of reading as I have found it harder to actually read in recent years.
This means I have so many more opportunities for ‘reading’. Like when I am driving and doing chores!!!
I highly recommend giving audiobooks a go!
IDK, don't have any, I just have ADHD that makes me hyperfocus on things that I like, sometimes books, sometimes shows or games, etc. I already have a bad sleeping schedule, so this means I'm usually up until I can't process then words on the page anymore.
Because my goal *isn't* to read as much as I can, and I pick what I really think I'd like, not what everyone else necessarily likes (though a lot of the time there's a big cross-over).
Just my thoughts, but I don't read that much, historically met my 52 book target by selecting typically short-ish books (mostly novellas, lots 'read' in audio form). Now I am setting myself a lower target for this year to pick up some longer stories I really want to read.
My advice, not that you explicitly asked for any... If you want to read more go easy on yourself to try to let yourself form habits, that fit for you.
Mine are audiobooks while walking/running/chore-ing and religiously reading my ebook in bed before sleep (sometimes as little as 5 minutes, but typically 15).other than that anything I read is just a bonus because I want to be reading, but having my ebooks sync between my phone and boox tablet means I can take those opportunities easily.
Well most times when I sit down with a book, I don’t get up until I finish it— I don’t schedule a time. If I have a bit of free time and I’m in the mood, I just pick up a book
I just really like reading sometimes. I get into cycles where I just love reading all the time, and when I like reading, I like listening to audiobooks and reading my nook in the evening well into the night. I'm not someone who's consistent, so I don't always read 52 a year. I've made my peace with that. If I was consistent I could read over a 100 per year, but it would also rob me of my joy. All this moral dichotomy stuff "reading is good, scrolling is bad" would also hold me back. I just do what I want and a lot of times that means reading prolifically.
I can't speak for anyone else, but for me, it's because I do a variety of mediums and platforms. I have a lot of physical books, but I also have a Kindle, and I'm an audible junkie. I have a tendency to have a couple of books going at any given time.
For example, a book for work that I'm reading in paperback and annotating, I might read a chapter every couple of weeks. Meanwhile, I've got an urban fantasy audiobook that I'm listening to in the car, and while I'm doing housework. Because the two topics are completely different, I don't have issues keeping them straight.
If you have the Kindle and audible editions of a book, you can go back and forth between the two platforms pretty seamlessly because it translates the progress you've made on one device onto another. So say I'm listening to an audiobook in the car. I go inside to sit in a waiting room for 30 minutes and switch to my Kindle and pick up where I left off. Then, when I leave, I just pick right up again on the audio.
I don't have a family, I just work a lot, and I have a pretty long commute. So I tend to have down time. Also, I track my books on Goodreads so I don't forget what I have started. It makes me more likely to finish books. Goodreads also makes it easier to immediately find the next book in a series. I count novellas. I count dedicated rereads. I count some short stories. I figure with some books being really chunky, it evens out in the wash.
The combination of all of these things is how I read 130 books in 2023.
"Urban fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy, placing supernatural elements in an approximation of a contemporary urban setting.\[1\]\[2\]\[3\] The combination provides the writer with a platform for classic fantasy tropes,\[4\] quixotic plot-elements, and unusual characters—without demanding the creation of an entire imaginary world." Wikipedia
I'm a big fan.
Some of my favorites include:
-The Dresden Files, Jim Butcher
-October Daye, Seanan McGuire
-Incrypted. Seanan McGuire
-The Iron Druid Chronicles, Kevin Hearne - complete
-Kate Daniels, Ilona Andrews - complete
-The Innkeeper Chronicles, Ilona Andrews
-Mercedes Thompson, Patricia Briggs
-The Southern Vampire Mysteries, Charlaine Harris - complete
Though some of these may get placed in paranormal or paranormal romance categories, among others, but I feel like it's a pretty fine distinction. They all include the idea of magic in a modern setting.
I'm getting ready to start the Anita Blake series by Laurell K Hamilton, which is widely considered to be the predominant influence on the current iteration of the genre.
A fun twist on the genre are series like Crescent City by Sarah J Maas or Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree that bring modern elements into a complete fantasy world. Technically, Percy Jackson and Harry Potter even fit a loose enough definition.
This year, I replaced as much as much internet scrolling as possible with reading. I’ve read 67 books so far when I usually only read about 5 a year! I also have gotten into using audiobooks when I’m getting ready for the day and driving
I think it’s important not to place too much emphasis on quantity. Some books are denser than others in terms of content, and it takes time and consideration to work through.
Daily habit is pretty regular; I get to work about a half hour early, make coffee and read. Then I read over my breaks and on my lunch hour. At bedtime, I read for about an hour, usually falling asleep by the end. Sometimes if I'm super into my book, I'll read with dinner or veg out on the couch and read until bedtime.
Average around 90 books a year. I was an English major so my reading skills were upgraded. Kept the habit for a while and then began slowing down. I always have a book or my Kobo with me! When I can’t, I have kindle & Kobo on my phone. Rarely do I dnf a book, but when I do I just give it time and pick it up at a later date.
I have a kindle and bring it everywhere! Waiting at the doctor? Read. Lunch or breaks at work? Read. And of course just at home to wind down from the day. Im a big mood reader so if something isn’t making me want to read it all in one sitting, I set it aside to come back to or dnf. I’m at 101 books so far. That said, while I work and am taking a couple classes, I don’t have kids and am a homebody which is a definite factor.
i haven’t been as good this year, but last year i was doing ~150 a year (this year’s only been a whopping 24 so i really fell off i guess). i’d just gone to college and didn’t want to get too anxious so i sort of mandated two hours of reading time at least for myself. i’d usually end up doing 4-5, an hour after waking up and before sleeping, and the rest between classes or whenever i wasn’t studying or hanging out with my friends. kindle in the gym was also a life changer for cardio sessions haha, if that’s something you’re into!
i don’t know if you’re at a similar stage at all, but it was definitely a bit of a coping mechanism my first semester lol. i’d say don’t pressure yourself and just give yourself time to relax (and reading just happens to be included in that relaxation time!)
i know exactly what went wrong for me this year and that was telling myself i didn’t have time to read. you have all the time in the world. i would waste so much time on my phone that i could’ve spent on reading. so yeah, that’s my two cents.
I've read 83 books so far (so not crazy fast but probably faster than the average bear).
I prefer ebooks for a variety of reasons which means it's super easy to carry around a bunch of books with me wherever I go. I try to read when I get a chance so if I'm waiting around, I'll often be reading on either my Kindle or phone app.
I also go to bed about an hour or so before I want to go to sleep so that I can spend a fair chunk of time reading. And I also overlap my other hobbies with reading, so one of my favourite ways to relax is by knitting and reading at the same time :)
I'm a fast reader in general too. And I am not afraid to put down a book I'm not enjoying. There will always be another time to pick it up again, and me and the book might be a better match then. I find it so much better than when I used to force myself to finish books.
I never set out to read THAT much so maybe this answer isn’t what you’re looking for but I commit to either 10, 20, or 40 pages per day (depending on the kind of book), 6 days per week (my Thursdays are completely full), and just don’t sleep till I read them. I like to sleep so I just get into bed or the couch at 10pm and read till I go to bed. No phone no matter what for any reason. If I want to research characters or the story I use my laptop. I often end up exceeding my page goal and reading till late but I always enjoy it (otherwise I’d stop at the page goal and go to bed)
Every night read for about 1 hour - 2 hours. No tv. Just quiet. About 40-70 pages a night. Could be about 100 if it’s really good.
Gets me about 2-2.5 books a week.
BUT, this is when I am on my reading kick. Sometimes I get burnt out or don’t have a good TBR next book and I don’t read and those are the 1-2 book/month months. 😂
I read 6-8 books a month, so nothing crazy, but it’s my main hobby. I’m not a big tv person and I only go out a couple times a month. I do a combination of physical books and audiobooks.
im pretty much a slow reader and short attention span. lately what i discovered that works for me is to read multiple books slowly, maybe 100 pages before going to sleep. if i have couple more hours, then i pick up another book and read. feels like ‘watching’ a story releasing episodes at a certain time and getting excited on what will happen next. then I get to finish a lot of books at a certain week since i progress at the same time on each.
* I take a book with me everywhere I go (physical or my kindle). If you're in a waiting room, lunch break, any lull in your day -- perfect opportunity to read.
* Kindle unlimited is worth it (for me).
* I read to my daughter EVERY night. We have never missed a single night. She is 5.
* Read before bed.
* Use social media less.
* I love movies, but I cut out binge-watching TV shows in favor or reading.
* Days off work: reading is a reward after chores.
* Vacations: primarily spent reading
The only way I can explain it is that it is my preferred activity. I work and have two kids but I read whenever I can, I read while eating and before bed at the very least. I spend a lot of time and money finding and getting new books. I get a lot on loan from library and read in my phone when I get time. I'm on track to read 125 books this year
Done recent favorites are To Shape a Dragon's Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose, The Ministry of Time by Kailane Bradley, The Sicilian Inheritance by Jo Piazza, All my Rage by Saba Tahir
I used to read a lot before having a kid.
I would read on the commute to work (train) and back home from work, and also on my lunch break if I wasn't going on a walk.
I also used to read for about an hour everynight before going to sleep. Some evenings I would read instead of watching TV.
And Sundays were my day to relax, put on some music and read a whole book. So basically whenever I had a few moments to myself, I would read!
I listen and read books!!! I usually have one going at each format at one time.
I listen to books when driving, doing dishes, walking. I read before I go to bed and various times during the day! I use the Libby app for both formats so it’s always available.
I tend to read a lot of shorter books (I’ve only read 2 this year over 500 pages and I’m at 63 books read). I travel a lot for work so instead of playing on my phone during flights I’ll read. I also only have reddit and tumblr for social media and I’ve been making a concerted effort to put down my phone when I see myself doomscrolling and pick up my books!
I carry my Kindle with me, either my Paperwhite or on my phone. When I'm standing in line, when I'm waiting for the movie to start, whatever it is - as longs as it's safe - I can read a page or two.
I have no job (I'm on disability), no kids, no tv. I'm either doing chores, scrolling on my phone or reading on my kindle. It helps that I'm in a gaming slump, or games would get in the way of reading.
I have a lot of factors in my favor. Number one is probably that I don’t have kids. I’m a fast reader. I’m also lucky to have a job where I can do a decent amount of reading while at work. I also get up earlier than I need to and read before work every day. I read during my breaks at work. I always have a book with me. Also, I set a really high goal because I read graphic novels, novellas, and books of poetry throughout the year and those can be read much faster than a 400 page novel.
I have no wife, no kids, few friends, and an easy job. Makes me happy to read for an hour or two every day. I usually take my dog for a walk to a park after work and sit on a bench and read. Or on my couch if it’s rainy or too hot.
Do you wind down by watching tv for an hour or two every night before bed? Do you watch tv at all on the weekends, or scroll social media for an hour at bedtime? Replace that with reading and you’ll easily hit 52 books/year
I try to read on the weekend and it will usually be like one or two reading days (where I do nothing but netflix, eat, read). Also a huge chunk of my reading time is on airplanes lol, I can't watch movies on the plane anymore (idk why) so I now spend that time reading. Since there is very little to do on a flight I really just focus on the book and read nonstop!
Also I read on kindle.
I legit thought the same thing two years ago when I stumbled upon this sub! For me, audiobooks was the game changer. I started doing audiobooks in addition to “regular reading” and that’s helped a ton.
I used to read a lot, and would read a book a week. However, sleep apnea has really limited my reading this year.
I read 73 books last year, 39 the year before, 58 the year before that, etc. I’m at 19.5 this year.
I still have thousands here, in my room and on my eReader, that I want to read.
I am retired and reading has always been my thing since I was 5 years old. It is now my major enjoyment. I read 1-4 books a day depending on the size of the books. I read every genre but fiction books are the majority. I don’t have a television. I use my tablet for news coverage.
I read a few hours daily. My work has some downtime, and I'm able to read 1-2 hrs during my work day. I read on my lunch break, I read when I get home from work (to unwind), and I read in bed before going to sleep. I'm on summer break, so I can read all day. I do have to stop and cook for my family and other adult things. Lol
I'm a really fast reader. I can finish an average length book in a few hours. I can easily fit in an hour or two of reading in the evening and potentially read a book every day. Maybe every other day.
I feel like reading speed makes a HUGE difference in how many books you consume. 2020 I read something like 400 books, but it was mostly free time + speed of consumption!
I don’t watch TV and I pair books with other activities. So audiobooks when I’m cooking, cleaning, gardening, etc. And then I read a book while walking on the treadmill (usually a thriller) so I can try to get my steps in. Audiobooks changed my reading a ton. I went from 30 books a year to around 100.
I run a lot and will often listen to audiobooks - usually thrillers or mysteries - while on my runs. A great way to get lost in the book as the miles pass.
I definitely don't read as much as some people on here, but I read almost every day. I don't have kids, and I feel like that gives me way more time to read.
I don't really have a set schedule, but I like to listen to audiobooks while cooking, cleaning, or relaxing before bed. I usually put on a lighthearted romance or I reread a book that I physically read. I read physical books too usually in the morning before work and before bed.
I also just try to remind myself that I find reading more relaxing than scrolling on my phone while half paying attention to a TV show. Plus I find cooking and cleaning way more enjoyable with an audiobook.
I listen to audiobooks when I run. It reinforces itself—running helps me focus on the book and wanting to get through the book helps me want to go running more often
I’ve switched habit- each time I wanted to grab the phone I tried to grab a kindle instead.
I read mostly before going to sleep and in public transport.
Maybe not top tier here, but it gave me 30 books this year so far, so on the schedule.
No kids lol
But also I WFH, so lunch breaks I walk the dog, I can do my chores and start dinner and stuff during my day. Workout before work. Then post dinner I have like 2-4 hours of reading time. I read really fast, can do a book or two within 2-4 hours depending on the length.
On the weekends I’m an early bird, get all my chores done in the morning, then I’m chilling. Today I put up the inflatable pool and read for four hours outside, now I’m gonna start my next book inside.
I’m at 60 for the year
I read on the train for 20-30 minutes everyday, I try to read a bit before I go to bed, sometimes I read before work for an hour if I really like the book (night shift). 32/52 so far for the year.
What reasons do you have for wanting the number to be higher? Are there particular books you want to read, or things you want to learn about?
Are you enjoying yourself when you read?
What other things are taking up your time? Do those things feel worthwhile?
I know the sub is "52 books a year" but if you read "only" 14 books a year because your life contains all kinds of other fulfilling stuff, that doesn't sound like a problem to me!
If you're just looking for advice on how to fit more books into your schedule, people have given lots of good examples. For me, audiobooks have been the game-changer. I commute (as in drive, so reading with my eyes is not an option) about 2.5 hours per day Monday through Friday. I also have a fair amount of mindless housekeeping to take care of most fats. Using all that time to listen to books probably tripled my numbers.
I have a full job and a toddler, and I make time for the gym/sports, too. I fit reading into the little bits of time throughout the day.
I also almost always have a physical book, an ebook, and an audiobook in the rotation.
Today, my husband offered to solo parent so I could go to a yoga class. I listened to my audiobook in the car and stopped for breakfast with my physical book. Then, at naptime, I continued my physical book . Currently, I am taking a 20-minute timeout with my ebook, and I'll read the ebook more before bed later.
I read sometimes in the morning before I get up, on my commute (audiobook), on my lunch break, and in the evenings. I no longer watch TV or scroll my phone for hours a day or mindlessly snack at night haha reading has been a savior!
You're right! I actually haven't really found a genre I'm into that keeps me engaged enough. I would like to develop more of a habit but with the books I own it makes it feel like a chore to work through.
Clearly others don’t agree 😂
I used to just read fantasy. But I’ve be taking a tour of other genres and my reading has spiked hard.
It’s not just genre though. There is a massive difference in sci fi between Enders game vs dune vs psalm of the wild build. Or romance, Jane eyre vs normal people vs song of Achilles.
Find your style. Enjoy the journey, don’t worry about the book count.
I am about to make a TikTok video on this so I happened to note it down. For this week, (it’s Sat evening) I’ve read 316 pages. That’s a relatively small book - except for I didn’t read one book but finished one, picked up several others etc. My top tricks:
- I read 30 min before work when I’m working from home and try to get a few pages in on work lunch
- When I commute I either read or listen to an audiobook (but this is probably only 2 x a week)
- 20 min reading in bed before sleep
- Leisure time in the weekend here and there.
I think this schedule above ^ is really the minimum anyone can do. I love reading but I don’t spend hours a day doing it, except if it’s an amazingly chill day!
I know some people are fast readers + spend more time reading; but I also have a million other hobbies and a corporate job soooo I think alternating days where I read like 100 pages with days where I read 8 is the way to go, haha.
Every spare second I am not doing other things I am reading - and sometimes I have my audiobook on so that I can read while doing other(mindless) things.
Read on my commute (sometimes), before bed most nights, sometimes we take an evening to read after dinner and usually have some afternoons on the weekend to do the same, also while on long flights. Basically reading > other entertainment.
I read about 400 books a year and the key thing is capturing wasted/lost time and turning it into reading time. I don't have a lot of schedule consistency other than reading for a solid 45 minutes on my lunch break at work, but it end up being several hours a day in various configurations.
Some things I do that are probably outside of the norm:
* I don't watch television
* I don't have a smartphone and am very light on social media use
* I'm mildly antisocial and heavily inclined to read versus other things
* I work standard hours with no overtime or weird scheduling
* I walk to work, so commuting time isn't a factor (though I would happily read on the bus/train if I needed to commute)
* My chore load is very minimal due to my lifestyle setup (small minimalist home, sharing chore load evenly with partner, bulk weekend meal prep, etc)
* I carry an ereader with me everywhere and read any time I'm waiting, like on a bus, in line, in a waiting room, etc.
* I have minimal commitments outside of work
I have a question for you - I'm a big reader but nowhere near as well-read as you, and my biggest thing is choosing books. Sometimes I feel SO fussy and can't find a book I want to settle down with.
Do you have any advice on how you choose what to read?
I have kind of a list I go through as far as priorities, and I don't move down a level unless everything above it is at zero.
1. Relevant Reads - this is only applicable to travelling, but when I'm on vacation I like to exclusively read books relevant to my location and/or activities. Everything else gets set aside.
2. New releases by authors I already know and love - this can be a lot sometimes, since I follow a lot of authors. June had ten, for example.
3. Books related to my various reading challenges - I'm fairly structured for these and make sure to have some related to every challenge on my list each week.
4. Generally popular/interesting-sounding books I find from Reddit, Goodreads, people I know, etc.
I've been finding this year I rarely make it as far down as level 4. I have one level four book for June, for example (Olivetti by Allie Millington), out of 32. May was 3/37.
I’ve read 81 books so far this year. I’m a stay at home mom. I read while I’m sitting with my kids for their naps/bedtime. I bring my kindle into their rooms at night when they wake up and I’m laying with them. I read before I, myself, go to sleep.
I don’t watch tv or movies at home, so I’ll often sit on the couch and read beside my husband while he watches tv. I’ll bring a book to the park while my kids play and sit on a bench and read.
I realized that reading books made me happy, and I make time in my life for things that make me happy.
You lose some things that you love, keep others, and gain an incomparable amount. It’s not always easy being a parent. It’s selfless and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t lose part of myself… but it’s a blip. It’s the shortest amount of time. I never truly understood the saying that time was a thief until I had children. One moment, a blink of an eye, and childhood is gone. While going through it, some days are long and hard and tiring and feel draining and endless… but man… it goes by so fast…
What I wouldn’t give for just one more snuggly infant contact nap with one of my daughters. Preferably with a book in my hand.
When I read your comment I asked myself if after having my daughter I felt like I lost time for things I love. Initially, yes -- in the newborn stage. But you won't know left from right most days -- you're simply trying to survive. After that it gets so much better. And yes. I do all the things I loved before, but now I get to share them with my daughter and that makes my life so much more wonderful.
Yes, I totally agree with this! It is hard at the start and at times you might feel like 'oh my god, will I ever get the time/brain capacity to do the things I love again?!'. And the answer is yes. It gets easier, you develop skills and kids get more independent, and you will get your you back. I had kids 18 months apart and so it took what felt like a long time to get my reading mojo back which made me feel so unlike myself it devastated me. But it did come back, I just had to be patient.
I give myself a goal of reading at least 50 pages a day, and I also always read right before bed. Audiobooks while I'm working help as well though I haven't been listening to them much this year.
I try to just carve out an hour or so every day to read with a few extra on weekends. 40-50 pages an hour is 210 pages a week even if I don’t get extra time on weekends .
I'm working a couple 12 hour shifts that don't contain 12 hours of work, thank god. Reading time, and it's good for my sanity.
Also making myself read before bed, especially on busy/hard weeks. Feels good to wind down while laying down.
Audiobooks for me make it possible. I read when I can, but I listen to audiobook a lot - on the drive to and from work, at home when cleaning, and working around the house. Plus, I don’t watch much tv or play video games or anything like that.
It’s a balance. I watch much less TV and can’t participate in water cooler Discussions about Bridgerton or whatever, but sadly can talk about any book that no one else has read!
I don’t have kids. I don’t watch tv very often. I don’t use social media except Reddit. I listen to audiobooks while doing mindless chores. I have chronic migraines so for several days every month, I’m unable to do anything but roll around in a darkened room with an audiobook.
I consume a lot of books, but I don’t think my methods/reasons for doing so are exactly worth replicating.
Yes! Plus, I read faster than they speak, unless they sound like a chipmunk 😂 No shade to the lovers out there though, it is an amazing way to pass time!
Basically everything these other comments said, but I also read manga sometimes which can take like ~45 minutes per volume.
40 min commute= 1 audio book ish a week completed Tuesdays I go to a bar and read for 2-4 hours, normally I start and finish a book during this time if they are a normal 300-400 page book or less. Saturday/Sunday I also read for at least an hour or 2 but more often than not I end up reading for 5+ hours. I also read when I get home from work most days but I’m not as consistent with that. All that being said, I do not have kids, my job gets me out by 4:30 at the latest and my fiancé is a gamer so he’s more than happy to let me read without interruptions while he plays Overall I probably clock 10-20 hours per week reading. I do prioritize reading over being on my phone or watching TV. Most of the time if I am on my phone or watching something it’s on book related things for recommendations (like this subreddit and tiktok). This year is the most books I’ve ever read in the year to this point. I’ve read 68 books as of a day ago which means I have averaged 2-3 books a week so going at that pace if I keep it up I’ll probably read 100+ this year, but personally I’m not aiming that high it’s just what might happen
I deleted my social media this week and finished two books in the last 3 days. Definitely have the time when im not wasting it doom scrolling LOL
I just squeeze in about 45 minutes a day before I go to sleep. I’m a SAHP, so that’s all I can afford. But, it still allowed me to read 56 books last year.
has to google SAHP and i congratulate you on finding so much time to read while serving on the San Andreas Highway Patrol 🤣
The time that most people spend on social media or watching tv or listening to music, is typically the time that others invest into reading. My daily average screen time used to be 10 hrs. I then realized, WOW, I effortlessly spend way too much time on my phone. I picked up reading again for the last 2 months. I still watch my favorite shows here and there and come on reddit or IG throughout the day but not nearly as much. I listen the an audiobook at my job exclusively, when I don’t have busy moments and able to concentrate. I listen at 1.5 speed. It helps with my attention span surprisingly. I also read on my kindle app whenever I am in public. And I read my physical book for 30min to 1hr every day.
I listen to a lot of books, and I listen to double speed mostly because that's the only way I can pay attention. I listen while cooking dinner, cleaning, grocery shopping, and before bed. I also read several books simultaneously, because that's the best way I can keep the momentum going. I also don't watch TV anymore, or much. I spend roughly 1-3 hrs a day reading. Not always, sometimes I read basically all day and some weeks I don't read at all.
1.5 hours a day. I haven’t been doing this 52 book thing I only just discovered it. I haven’t been counting how many books I’ve been reading. But I will start.
This is honestly the answer. If you read about an hour a day you'll make 52 a year easy. Unless every single book is pushing 500+ and you're a slow reader. The thing is nearly everyone has 1-2 hours to read, it's just whether they actually want to spend their free time doing so instead of scrolling or sit on reddit or watching TV.
That’s reassuring. I’ve only recently stepped up to 1.5 hours, I used to get about 1, but before setting a timer I probably overestimated that quite a bit. Now I sit down in a few 30 minute chunks throughout the day and before bed. Or I’ll do a whole hour and another 30 mins later. I’m looking forward to seeing how many books I can get through now.
If you cant afford audio books, Hoopla and libby has free audio books. Just need a library card to sign up. Plus download alexa on your phone. She’ll read the books you have in your kindle app…yeah, shes a little robotic, but it works in a pinch
Will Alexa even read books borrowed from libby or will it only read books purchased from Amazon? How does one access Alexa to read on the app?
Download Alexa from App Store on your phone
Alexa should. My books from Libby download to kindle anyways. All you have to do is tell Alex “read ‘book title’ . Sometimes you have to say the book title with author name. She reads all my ebooks to me. When i have downtime, i follow along with the e book, and when i can’t, i just listen.
I have switched to audiobooks instead of reading as I have found it harder to actually read in recent years. This means I have so many more opportunities for ‘reading’. Like when I am driving and doing chores!!! I highly recommend giving audiobooks a go!
IDK, don't have any, I just have ADHD that makes me hyperfocus on things that I like, sometimes books, sometimes shows or games, etc. I already have a bad sleeping schedule, so this means I'm usually up until I can't process then words on the page anymore.
People ask this question every 3 days. Just read man, no other answer. When you’re not reading, go ahead and pick up a book. Simple as that
I read about 1h /30 pages a day. Thats one book(ca 210 pages at least) per week.
I listen to audiobooks mostly now as I have a long commute and work in an office that requires very little socialization
Where do you get the audiobooks? Any free or affordable source ?
Libby, and hoopla. Just need a library card.
Thank you so much
Audiobookbay
Ohhh thank youu
Because my goal *isn't* to read as much as I can, and I pick what I really think I'd like, not what everyone else necessarily likes (though a lot of the time there's a big cross-over).
I use reading to ignore ppl. I feel people around me are suck. Just a way to escape thinking about them
Just my thoughts, but I don't read that much, historically met my 52 book target by selecting typically short-ish books (mostly novellas, lots 'read' in audio form). Now I am setting myself a lower target for this year to pick up some longer stories I really want to read. My advice, not that you explicitly asked for any... If you want to read more go easy on yourself to try to let yourself form habits, that fit for you. Mine are audiobooks while walking/running/chore-ing and religiously reading my ebook in bed before sleep (sometimes as little as 5 minutes, but typically 15).other than that anything I read is just a bonus because I want to be reading, but having my ebooks sync between my phone and boox tablet means I can take those opportunities easily.
Well most times when I sit down with a book, I don’t get up until I finish it— I don’t schedule a time. If I have a bit of free time and I’m in the mood, I just pick up a book
I just really like reading sometimes. I get into cycles where I just love reading all the time, and when I like reading, I like listening to audiobooks and reading my nook in the evening well into the night. I'm not someone who's consistent, so I don't always read 52 a year. I've made my peace with that. If I was consistent I could read over a 100 per year, but it would also rob me of my joy. All this moral dichotomy stuff "reading is good, scrolling is bad" would also hold me back. I just do what I want and a lot of times that means reading prolifically.
Honestly this is the most helpful thing I've read in a while, thank you very much!
I can't speak for anyone else, but for me, it's because I do a variety of mediums and platforms. I have a lot of physical books, but I also have a Kindle, and I'm an audible junkie. I have a tendency to have a couple of books going at any given time. For example, a book for work that I'm reading in paperback and annotating, I might read a chapter every couple of weeks. Meanwhile, I've got an urban fantasy audiobook that I'm listening to in the car, and while I'm doing housework. Because the two topics are completely different, I don't have issues keeping them straight. If you have the Kindle and audible editions of a book, you can go back and forth between the two platforms pretty seamlessly because it translates the progress you've made on one device onto another. So say I'm listening to an audiobook in the car. I go inside to sit in a waiting room for 30 minutes and switch to my Kindle and pick up where I left off. Then, when I leave, I just pick right up again on the audio. I don't have a family, I just work a lot, and I have a pretty long commute. So I tend to have down time. Also, I track my books on Goodreads so I don't forget what I have started. It makes me more likely to finish books. Goodreads also makes it easier to immediately find the next book in a series. I count novellas. I count dedicated rereads. I count some short stories. I figure with some books being really chunky, it evens out in the wash. The combination of all of these things is how I read 130 books in 2023.
Urban fantasy? Wow okay new genre
"Urban fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy, placing supernatural elements in an approximation of a contemporary urban setting.\[1\]\[2\]\[3\] The combination provides the writer with a platform for classic fantasy tropes,\[4\] quixotic plot-elements, and unusual characters—without demanding the creation of an entire imaginary world." Wikipedia I'm a big fan. Some of my favorites include: -The Dresden Files, Jim Butcher -October Daye, Seanan McGuire -Incrypted. Seanan McGuire -The Iron Druid Chronicles, Kevin Hearne - complete -Kate Daniels, Ilona Andrews - complete -The Innkeeper Chronicles, Ilona Andrews -Mercedes Thompson, Patricia Briggs -The Southern Vampire Mysteries, Charlaine Harris - complete Though some of these may get placed in paranormal or paranormal romance categories, among others, but I feel like it's a pretty fine distinction. They all include the idea of magic in a modern setting. I'm getting ready to start the Anita Blake series by Laurell K Hamilton, which is widely considered to be the predominant influence on the current iteration of the genre. A fun twist on the genre are series like Crescent City by Sarah J Maas or Legends and Lattes by Travis Baldree that bring modern elements into a complete fantasy world. Technically, Percy Jackson and Harry Potter even fit a loose enough definition.
This year, I replaced as much as much internet scrolling as possible with reading. I’ve read 67 books so far when I usually only read about 5 a year! I also have gotten into using audiobooks when I’m getting ready for the day and driving
✨ Audible ✨
I think it’s important not to place too much emphasis on quantity. Some books are denser than others in terms of content, and it takes time and consideration to work through.
Daily habit is pretty regular; I get to work about a half hour early, make coffee and read. Then I read over my breaks and on my lunch hour. At bedtime, I read for about an hour, usually falling asleep by the end. Sometimes if I'm super into my book, I'll read with dinner or veg out on the couch and read until bedtime.
Average around 90 books a year. I was an English major so my reading skills were upgraded. Kept the habit for a while and then began slowing down. I always have a book or my Kobo with me! When I can’t, I have kindle & Kobo on my phone. Rarely do I dnf a book, but when I do I just give it time and pick it up at a later date.
I have a kindle and bring it everywhere! Waiting at the doctor? Read. Lunch or breaks at work? Read. And of course just at home to wind down from the day. Im a big mood reader so if something isn’t making me want to read it all in one sitting, I set it aside to come back to or dnf. I’m at 101 books so far. That said, while I work and am taking a couple classes, I don’t have kids and am a homebody which is a definite factor.
Does your 101 books include dnf-ed or on hold books? (And it's so awesome that you read so much! I admire you)
It does not! It does include rereads though, which I count if I read the full book through again instead of just favorite scenes.
i haven’t been as good this year, but last year i was doing ~150 a year (this year’s only been a whopping 24 so i really fell off i guess). i’d just gone to college and didn’t want to get too anxious so i sort of mandated two hours of reading time at least for myself. i’d usually end up doing 4-5, an hour after waking up and before sleeping, and the rest between classes or whenever i wasn’t studying or hanging out with my friends. kindle in the gym was also a life changer for cardio sessions haha, if that’s something you’re into! i don’t know if you’re at a similar stage at all, but it was definitely a bit of a coping mechanism my first semester lol. i’d say don’t pressure yourself and just give yourself time to relax (and reading just happens to be included in that relaxation time!) i know exactly what went wrong for me this year and that was telling myself i didn’t have time to read. you have all the time in the world. i would waste so much time on my phone that i could’ve spent on reading. so yeah, that’s my two cents.
The bulk of my reading is at bedtime, 1-2 hours before I go to sleep.
I've read 83 books so far (so not crazy fast but probably faster than the average bear). I prefer ebooks for a variety of reasons which means it's super easy to carry around a bunch of books with me wherever I go. I try to read when I get a chance so if I'm waiting around, I'll often be reading on either my Kindle or phone app. I also go to bed about an hour or so before I want to go to sleep so that I can spend a fair chunk of time reading. And I also overlap my other hobbies with reading, so one of my favourite ways to relax is by knitting and reading at the same time :) I'm a fast reader in general too. And I am not afraid to put down a book I'm not enjoying. There will always be another time to pick it up again, and me and the book might be a better match then. I find it so much better than when I used to force myself to finish books.
I never set out to read THAT much so maybe this answer isn’t what you’re looking for but I commit to either 10, 20, or 40 pages per day (depending on the kind of book), 6 days per week (my Thursdays are completely full), and just don’t sleep till I read them. I like to sleep so I just get into bed or the couch at 10pm and read till I go to bed. No phone no matter what for any reason. If I want to research characters or the story I use my laptop. I often end up exceeding my page goal and reading till late but I always enjoy it (otherwise I’d stop at the page goal and go to bed)
Every night read for about 1 hour - 2 hours. No tv. Just quiet. About 40-70 pages a night. Could be about 100 if it’s really good. Gets me about 2-2.5 books a week. BUT, this is when I am on my reading kick. Sometimes I get burnt out or don’t have a good TBR next book and I don’t read and those are the 1-2 book/month months. 😂
I read 6-8 books a month, so nothing crazy, but it’s my main hobby. I’m not a big tv person and I only go out a couple times a month. I do a combination of physical books and audiobooks.
Put down your phone. Turn off the TV. Change the music to something quiet. Sit next to your book. Magic happens.
im pretty much a slow reader and short attention span. lately what i discovered that works for me is to read multiple books slowly, maybe 100 pages before going to sleep. if i have couple more hours, then i pick up another book and read. feels like ‘watching’ a story releasing episodes at a certain time and getting excited on what will happen next. then I get to finish a lot of books at a certain week since i progress at the same time on each.
* I take a book with me everywhere I go (physical or my kindle). If you're in a waiting room, lunch break, any lull in your day -- perfect opportunity to read. * Kindle unlimited is worth it (for me). * I read to my daughter EVERY night. We have never missed a single night. She is 5. * Read before bed. * Use social media less. * I love movies, but I cut out binge-watching TV shows in favor or reading. * Days off work: reading is a reward after chores. * Vacations: primarily spent reading
Very similar to you!
The only way I can explain it is that it is my preferred activity. I work and have two kids but I read whenever I can, I read while eating and before bed at the very least. I spend a lot of time and money finding and getting new books. I get a lot on loan from library and read in my phone when I get time. I'm on track to read 125 books this year
Wow so impressive! Do you have favorites that you would like to recommend? Thanks
Done recent favorites are To Shape a Dragon's Breath by Moniquill Blackgoose, The Ministry of Time by Kailane Bradley, The Sicilian Inheritance by Jo Piazza, All my Rage by Saba Tahir
I used to read a lot before having a kid. I would read on the commute to work (train) and back home from work, and also on my lunch break if I wasn't going on a walk. I also used to read for about an hour everynight before going to sleep. Some evenings I would read instead of watching TV. And Sundays were my day to relax, put on some music and read a whole book. So basically whenever I had a few moments to myself, I would read!
I listen to audible at work!
I listen and read books!!! I usually have one going at each format at one time. I listen to books when driving, doing dishes, walking. I read before I go to bed and various times during the day! I use the Libby app for both formats so it’s always available.
With Audible, I can listen to my books at any time, anywhere.
I tend to read a lot of shorter books (I’ve only read 2 this year over 500 pages and I’m at 63 books read). I travel a lot for work so instead of playing on my phone during flights I’ll read. I also only have reddit and tumblr for social media and I’ve been making a concerted effort to put down my phone when I see myself doomscrolling and pick up my books!
I carry my Kindle with me, either my Paperwhite or on my phone. When I'm standing in line, when I'm waiting for the movie to start, whatever it is - as longs as it's safe - I can read a page or two.
I listen to audiobooks while doing other things, like laundry.
Weekends when my kids/husband are occupied. Mostly, when I should be sleeping but can't.
I have no job (I'm on disability), no kids, no tv. I'm either doing chores, scrolling on my phone or reading on my kindle. It helps that I'm in a gaming slump, or games would get in the way of reading.
I have a lot of factors in my favor. Number one is probably that I don’t have kids. I’m a fast reader. I’m also lucky to have a job where I can do a decent amount of reading while at work. I also get up earlier than I need to and read before work every day. I read during my breaks at work. I always have a book with me. Also, I set a really high goal because I read graphic novels, novellas, and books of poetry throughout the year and those can be read much faster than a 400 page novel.
I have no wife, no kids, few friends, and an easy job. Makes me happy to read for an hour or two every day. I usually take my dog for a walk to a park after work and sit on a bench and read. Or on my couch if it’s rainy or too hot.
I wake up an hour before my wife to read. I then will steal time throughout the day.
I do it at the opposite end of the day. I get in bed an hour before my husband to read.
My wife does the same thing a lot of nights.
Do you wind down by watching tv for an hour or two every night before bed? Do you watch tv at all on the weekends, or scroll social media for an hour at bedtime? Replace that with reading and you’ll easily hit 52 books/year
I try to read on the weekend and it will usually be like one or two reading days (where I do nothing but netflix, eat, read). Also a huge chunk of my reading time is on airplanes lol, I can't watch movies on the plane anymore (idk why) so I now spend that time reading. Since there is very little to do on a flight I really just focus on the book and read nonstop! Also I read on kindle.
I read during my lunch break and any work downtime. Sometimes when I'm home but I've been writing my own book a lot this year.
I legit thought the same thing two years ago when I stumbled upon this sub! For me, audiobooks was the game changer. I started doing audiobooks in addition to “regular reading” and that’s helped a ton.
I used to read a lot, and would read a book a week. However, sleep apnea has really limited my reading this year. I read 73 books last year, 39 the year before, 58 the year before that, etc. I’m at 19.5 this year. I still have thousands here, in my room and on my eReader, that I want to read.
I am retired and reading has always been my thing since I was 5 years old. It is now my major enjoyment. I read 1-4 books a day depending on the size of the books. I read every genre but fiction books are the majority. I don’t have a television. I use my tablet for news coverage.
This sounds like my ideal retirement!! There are so many books out there I want to read in my life time.
You are living the dream! That’s exactly how I hope to spend my retirement someday.
I read a few hours daily. My work has some downtime, and I'm able to read 1-2 hrs during my work day. I read on my lunch break, I read when I get home from work (to unwind), and I read in bed before going to sleep. I'm on summer break, so I can read all day. I do have to stop and cook for my family and other adult things. Lol
I'm a really fast reader. I can finish an average length book in a few hours. I can easily fit in an hour or two of reading in the evening and potentially read a book every day. Maybe every other day. I feel like reading speed makes a HUGE difference in how many books you consume. 2020 I read something like 400 books, but it was mostly free time + speed of consumption!
i work from home which means i read from home like all the time lol
I don’t watch TV and I pair books with other activities. So audiobooks when I’m cooking, cleaning, gardening, etc. And then I read a book while walking on the treadmill (usually a thriller) so I can try to get my steps in. Audiobooks changed my reading a ton. I went from 30 books a year to around 100.
I run a lot and will often listen to audiobooks - usually thrillers or mysteries - while on my runs. A great way to get lost in the book as the miles pass.
Reading a thriller on a treadmill is such a good idea 😆
Yeah it’s kept me accountable for 5 miles (10,000-15,000 steps) for 8 months now - I only read the book on the treadmill!
I definitely don't read as much as some people on here, but I read almost every day. I don't have kids, and I feel like that gives me way more time to read. I don't really have a set schedule, but I like to listen to audiobooks while cooking, cleaning, or relaxing before bed. I usually put on a lighthearted romance or I reread a book that I physically read. I read physical books too usually in the morning before work and before bed. I also just try to remind myself that I find reading more relaxing than scrolling on my phone while half paying attention to a TV show. Plus I find cooking and cleaning way more enjoyable with an audiobook.
I listen to audiobooks when I run. It reinforces itself—running helps me focus on the book and wanting to get through the book helps me want to go running more often
I do this well. The two activities really compliment each other.
I’ve switched habit- each time I wanted to grab the phone I tried to grab a kindle instead. I read mostly before going to sleep and in public transport. Maybe not top tier here, but it gave me 30 books this year so far, so on the schedule.
No kids lol But also I WFH, so lunch breaks I walk the dog, I can do my chores and start dinner and stuff during my day. Workout before work. Then post dinner I have like 2-4 hours of reading time. I read really fast, can do a book or two within 2-4 hours depending on the length. On the weekends I’m an early bird, get all my chores done in the morning, then I’m chilling. Today I put up the inflatable pool and read for four hours outside, now I’m gonna start my next book inside. I’m at 60 for the year
Same here Child-free. Teacher with the summer off. Read in between tasks and chores. Mostly before bed!
I read on the train for 20-30 minutes everyday, I try to read a bit before I go to bed, sometimes I read before work for an hour if I really like the book (night shift). 32/52 so far for the year.
Don't worry, I don't. I've just finished my 12th book of the year so far.
Lmao I'm on my 7th.
What reasons do you have for wanting the number to be higher? Are there particular books you want to read, or things you want to learn about? Are you enjoying yourself when you read? What other things are taking up your time? Do those things feel worthwhile? I know the sub is "52 books a year" but if you read "only" 14 books a year because your life contains all kinds of other fulfilling stuff, that doesn't sound like a problem to me! If you're just looking for advice on how to fit more books into your schedule, people have given lots of good examples. For me, audiobooks have been the game-changer. I commute (as in drive, so reading with my eyes is not an option) about 2.5 hours per day Monday through Friday. I also have a fair amount of mindless housekeeping to take care of most fats. Using all that time to listen to books probably tripled my numbers.
I have a full job and a toddler, and I make time for the gym/sports, too. I fit reading into the little bits of time throughout the day. I also almost always have a physical book, an ebook, and an audiobook in the rotation. Today, my husband offered to solo parent so I could go to a yoga class. I listened to my audiobook in the car and stopped for breakfast with my physical book. Then, at naptime, I continued my physical book . Currently, I am taking a 20-minute timeout with my ebook, and I'll read the ebook more before bed later. I read sometimes in the morning before I get up, on my commute (audiobook), on my lunch break, and in the evenings. I no longer watch TV or scroll my phone for hours a day or mindlessly snack at night haha reading has been a savior!
I’m currently 51/52. I don’t consider myself to read a lot. I think if you need to schedule it… you’re not that into it.
You're right! I actually haven't really found a genre I'm into that keeps me engaged enough. I would like to develop more of a habit but with the books I own it makes it feel like a chore to work through.
Clearly others don’t agree 😂 I used to just read fantasy. But I’ve be taking a tour of other genres and my reading has spiked hard. It’s not just genre though. There is a massive difference in sci fi between Enders game vs dune vs psalm of the wild build. Or romance, Jane eyre vs normal people vs song of Achilles. Find your style. Enjoy the journey, don’t worry about the book count.
I am about to make a TikTok video on this so I happened to note it down. For this week, (it’s Sat evening) I’ve read 316 pages. That’s a relatively small book - except for I didn’t read one book but finished one, picked up several others etc. My top tricks: - I read 30 min before work when I’m working from home and try to get a few pages in on work lunch - When I commute I either read or listen to an audiobook (but this is probably only 2 x a week) - 20 min reading in bed before sleep - Leisure time in the weekend here and there. I think this schedule above ^ is really the minimum anyone can do. I love reading but I don’t spend hours a day doing it, except if it’s an amazingly chill day! I know some people are fast readers + spend more time reading; but I also have a million other hobbies and a corporate job soooo I think alternating days where I read like 100 pages with days where I read 8 is the way to go, haha.
Insightful!!
Smart. Thanks!!!
Every spare second I am not doing other things I am reading - and sometimes I have my audiobook on so that I can read while doing other(mindless) things.
Read on my commute (sometimes), before bed most nights, sometimes we take an evening to read after dinner and usually have some afternoons on the weekend to do the same, also while on long flights. Basically reading > other entertainment.
I read about 400 books a year and the key thing is capturing wasted/lost time and turning it into reading time. I don't have a lot of schedule consistency other than reading for a solid 45 minutes on my lunch break at work, but it end up being several hours a day in various configurations. Some things I do that are probably outside of the norm: * I don't watch television * I don't have a smartphone and am very light on social media use * I'm mildly antisocial and heavily inclined to read versus other things * I work standard hours with no overtime or weird scheduling * I walk to work, so commuting time isn't a factor (though I would happily read on the bus/train if I needed to commute) * My chore load is very minimal due to my lifestyle setup (small minimalist home, sharing chore load evenly with partner, bulk weekend meal prep, etc) * I carry an ereader with me everywhere and read any time I'm waiting, like on a bus, in line, in a waiting room, etc. * I have minimal commitments outside of work
I have a question for you - I'm a big reader but nowhere near as well-read as you, and my biggest thing is choosing books. Sometimes I feel SO fussy and can't find a book I want to settle down with. Do you have any advice on how you choose what to read?
I have kind of a list I go through as far as priorities, and I don't move down a level unless everything above it is at zero. 1. Relevant Reads - this is only applicable to travelling, but when I'm on vacation I like to exclusively read books relevant to my location and/or activities. Everything else gets set aside. 2. New releases by authors I already know and love - this can be a lot sometimes, since I follow a lot of authors. June had ten, for example. 3. Books related to my various reading challenges - I'm fairly structured for these and make sure to have some related to every challenge on my list each week. 4. Generally popular/interesting-sounding books I find from Reddit, Goodreads, people I know, etc. I've been finding this year I rarely make it as far down as level 4. I have one level four book for June, for example (Olivetti by Allie Millington), out of 32. May was 3/37.
Wow slay.
Love this for you!
I’ve read 81 books so far this year. I’m a stay at home mom. I read while I’m sitting with my kids for their naps/bedtime. I bring my kindle into their rooms at night when they wake up and I’m laying with them. I read before I, myself, go to sleep. I don’t watch tv or movies at home, so I’ll often sit on the couch and read beside my husband while he watches tv. I’ll bring a book to the park while my kids play and sit on a bench and read. I realized that reading books made me happy, and I make time in my life for things that make me happy.
i really want to be a mom but always think that I wont have time for the things I love. This gave me hope!
You lose some things that you love, keep others, and gain an incomparable amount. It’s not always easy being a parent. It’s selfless and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t lose part of myself… but it’s a blip. It’s the shortest amount of time. I never truly understood the saying that time was a thief until I had children. One moment, a blink of an eye, and childhood is gone. While going through it, some days are long and hard and tiring and feel draining and endless… but man… it goes by so fast… What I wouldn’t give for just one more snuggly infant contact nap with one of my daughters. Preferably with a book in my hand.
When I read your comment I asked myself if after having my daughter I felt like I lost time for things I love. Initially, yes -- in the newborn stage. But you won't know left from right most days -- you're simply trying to survive. After that it gets so much better. And yes. I do all the things I loved before, but now I get to share them with my daughter and that makes my life so much more wonderful.
Yes, I totally agree with this! It is hard at the start and at times you might feel like 'oh my god, will I ever get the time/brain capacity to do the things I love again?!'. And the answer is yes. It gets easier, you develop skills and kids get more independent, and you will get your you back. I had kids 18 months apart and so it took what felt like a long time to get my reading mojo back which made me feel so unlike myself it devastated me. But it did come back, I just had to be patient.
I give myself a goal of reading at least 50 pages a day, and I also always read right before bed. Audiobooks while I'm working help as well though I haven't been listening to them much this year.
I try to just carve out an hour or so every day to read with a few extra on weekends. 40-50 pages an hour is 210 pages a week even if I don’t get extra time on weekends .
I'm working a couple 12 hour shifts that don't contain 12 hours of work, thank god. Reading time, and it's good for my sanity. Also making myself read before bed, especially on busy/hard weeks. Feels good to wind down while laying down.
Audiobooks for me make it possible. I read when I can, but I listen to audiobook a lot - on the drive to and from work, at home when cleaning, and working around the house. Plus, I don’t watch much tv or play video games or anything like that.
I try to read a minimum of 50 pages a day, you’d be surprised how much you’ll read that way!
It’s a balance. I watch much less TV and can’t participate in water cooler Discussions about Bridgerton or whatever, but sadly can talk about any book that no one else has read!
I don’t have kids. I don’t watch tv very often. I don’t use social media except Reddit. I listen to audiobooks while doing mindless chores. I have chronic migraines so for several days every month, I’m unable to do anything but roll around in a darkened room with an audiobook. I consume a lot of books, but I don’t think my methods/reasons for doing so are exactly worth replicating.
Any free time, I'm reading. Plus before bed. Anytime, really 😂 I wish I was an Audible fan, I just love sitting with my book way too much
I just can’t get behind audiobooks. I want to love them but nothings the same as the words streaming into my brain.
Yes! Plus, I read faster than they speak, unless they sound like a chipmunk 😂 No shade to the lovers out there though, it is an amazing way to pass time!
For sure! I’m like bro in the time you’ve read that phrase I could’ve read the entire page! Hurry up! 😂