I can't tell you how long it has been since I finished a book. Oh, I've started lots, but they fall by the wayside as life takes over.
I remember very clearly as a young person being mortified at how little my mom read, citing how busy she was (mind you as well, she was a single mother, so she was!). I could not imagine how one could be too busy to READ. Hell, I tore through books by the day sometimes back then, depending on what I was reading.
Now here I am, working my ass off, and far too tired to get through more than a few pages at a time. Which in turn means I don't get into a book as quickly. Which in turn means I abandon it.
So I've gotten very good at reading books of essays, or quirky facts, or just non-fiction generally, because it is a bit easier to drop in and out of. Fact, my friends, are simple to snap up in a few ten minutes a day. Getting into a story? Not so much. Not for me, anyway.
It's also changed everything to live with another person, and have the television or music on (I can't read & have a TV or music or anything on at the same time), and it simply not be in my control to read when I want to.
And I miss it.
I'm creating a little plan for myself to get back into a regular reading schedule over the next few months. In the meantime, I'm really excited to take two or three books to Mexico and not have to do anything but lay in the sun and read them. Hopefully it will revive the reading part of my brain.
Does anyone else hate that they read less as they've grown older? Or, if you don't read less, how do you best make the time for it? I'd love some suggestions as I formulate my own reading strategy. And what are the best books you've read in the past year? Fiction or non? I might just need some good recommendations to get me excited again.
February 21st, 2010 at 17:38
i read best in a hammock with a paloma in my free hand.
… but regularly in bed as i fall asleep – fiction. very slowly, if i may add.
February 22nd, 2010 at 01:55
Oh try mine! It’s free delivery worldwide with Book Depository. If you don’t finish it I’ll eat my teeth!
(Good to see you on Twitter!)
http://www.bookdepository.co.uk/book/9780704371644/Tofu-Landing
February 22nd, 2010 at 05:51
I actually asked Jim if we could have more quiet time in the apt for reading. He’s a sweetie so he agreed. It still baffles me how little he reads, though. I’m like you- I crave it. I usually end up reading about half an hour most days & it makes me feel calm and happy. It’s almost like meditation.
February 22nd, 2010 at 15:50
you could join a book club! we are in a non-fiction book club, and it’s pretty neat, and even if i don’t finish the books (i have the opposite problem as you and have a hard time getting into non-fiction), i get good interesting reading in, and there’s a reason to carve out time just for reading.
danny takes the subway to work so that gives him almost an hour a day, sigh.
i’m reading zeitoun by dave eggers right now and read 100 pages as soon as a i started it, so i think i will recommend that!! also fledgling by octavia butler.
February 26th, 2010 at 08:31
Before bed-generally a few pages at a time unfortunately. I try for a luxurious Sunday all day read fest every once in awhile too. Omnivore’s Dilema has been the most profoundly memorable book this year for me.
February 27th, 2010 at 13:16
I usually read on my lunch break, while I’m eating. And I try to make sure I take an actual lunch break so I can do that — it helps to take a break from thinking about work, life, etc. And I usually make sure I get at least 15-20 minutes of reading time before bed.
As for recommendations, I really enjoyed discovering Haven Kimmel and Kate Atkinson this year — anything by either of those two, really. (Okay, I didn’t like Iodine by HK, but that was the one exception.)
Enjoy the beach and all the beach reading!