Ian Dawson's Blog - Posts Tagged "read"
4 Splendid Places to Read at Home
I love to read, but sometimes, changing your reading location can help you stay focused and keep your eyes on the page. Here are four excellent areas of your home or apartment to use for reading activities.
#1 – The Couch
This is my favorite place to read. I can stretch out with my head on a pillow and immerse myself in a book. No matter the season, the couch is a great place to either hang out in shorts or cozy up under a blanket as you turn the pages.
Of course, if your living room is a beehive of activity and you need another place to read, I also recommend…
#2 – The Kitchen
You’re close to water and food, and depending on your kitchen's layout, you have multiple options for configuring your reading space. Use the table, use the kitchen chairs, or build a fort under the kitchen table to create a reading oasis. Just make sure to bring pillows and blankets in to maximize your comfort.
#3 – In the Backyard/Patio
The backyard or patio are excellent places to read during winter's rain and snow or the scorching heat of summer. Find a spot under a tree, utilize a lounge chair, or lay in the grass on a blanket. Create a tranquil space where you can focus on your latest reading adventure.
If you have a pool handy, you can always use that, too. I recommend reading a paperback or hardcover rather than an eBook. They are easier to replace, and you don’t have to worry about the battery running out before you finish reading.
#4 – In the Bathroom
No, not there. I was thinking about the bathtub. Here, you can submerge yourself in bubbles, light a few candles, and relax as you read.
Soak away the stress and anxiety of the day.
Final Thoughts
Finding that ideal reading place can make a world of difference. Experiment with different locations and configurations and find the one that helps maximize your reading time and comfort.
Happy Reading, and I’ll see you next time!
#1 – The Couch
This is my favorite place to read. I can stretch out with my head on a pillow and immerse myself in a book. No matter the season, the couch is a great place to either hang out in shorts or cozy up under a blanket as you turn the pages.
Of course, if your living room is a beehive of activity and you need another place to read, I also recommend…
#2 – The Kitchen
You’re close to water and food, and depending on your kitchen's layout, you have multiple options for configuring your reading space. Use the table, use the kitchen chairs, or build a fort under the kitchen table to create a reading oasis. Just make sure to bring pillows and blankets in to maximize your comfort.
#3 – In the Backyard/Patio
The backyard or patio are excellent places to read during winter's rain and snow or the scorching heat of summer. Find a spot under a tree, utilize a lounge chair, or lay in the grass on a blanket. Create a tranquil space where you can focus on your latest reading adventure.
If you have a pool handy, you can always use that, too. I recommend reading a paperback or hardcover rather than an eBook. They are easier to replace, and you don’t have to worry about the battery running out before you finish reading.
#4 – In the Bathroom
No, not there. I was thinking about the bathtub. Here, you can submerge yourself in bubbles, light a few candles, and relax as you read.
Soak away the stress and anxiety of the day.
Final Thoughts
Finding that ideal reading place can make a world of difference. Experiment with different locations and configurations and find the one that helps maximize your reading time and comfort.
Happy Reading, and I’ll see you next time!
Five Ways to Plan Your 2025 Reading Challenge
It’s hard to believe, but 2024 is winding down, and 2025 is quickly approaching. With all the other end-of-year/start-of-year events, I thought now would be a good time to discuss ways to plan a reading challenge for yourself in 2025.
Over the last two weeks, I’ve talked about why it’s important to read books, and challenging yourself to read a certain number of books over the course of a year is a great way to stay motivated and keep reading. Let’s talk about five ways to plan your reading schedule for 2025 and ensure you meet your goal before 2026!
#1 - How Much Time Do You Have?
If you have a busy schedule and your free time is filled with errands and other activities, keep your reading goal small. I recommend planning to read six to eight books over the year, seeing how that goes, and then extending the amount moving forward.
If you have time to binge-watch seasons of TV in one weekend, you have time to read more. I suggest attempting to read 12 or more books during 2025. One book a month may sound daunting, but you'll quickly reach your goal once you get into the reading rhythm.
#2 - What Counts as a Book?
Reading a book to your kids? That counts. Like comic books? Those count. Reading for class? Yep, textbooks or other assigned readings count. If you prefer digital to paper, eBooks count as well.
Don’t be afraid to include all types of books and reading material in your reading challenge. You’ll find that you’ll read much more during the year than you initially thought.
#3 - Is Listening to Books Okay?
Around this time each year, I see people on social media announce they have read 300+ books, and I often wonder how that’s possible. Then it dawned on me: audiobooks! Yes, these 100% count as books read over the year, and if you can listen to them on your commute, at work, at home, or anywhere else, you can knock out a lot of books in 365 days.
If this is a more viable option for you and fits your lifestyle, go for it!
#4 – Make a Game Plan
Once you decide how many books you’d like to tackle in 2025, determine what you plan to read. Things can change over the year, but having a list of books you want to work through beforehand will set you up for success.
Maybe there’s an author you enjoy that you’d like to read more from. Or maybe it’s a genre you’re curious about. Perhaps a non-fiction topic piques your interest or a historical period.
Alternate between physical books, eBooks, and audiobooks, or stick to one medium for the whole year.
Or, maybe you’re like me, with more books than space, and you need to read through what you have!
Whatever you decide, it’s always good to have a basic idea of what you want to read over the next year so you don’t have to guess what’s next. It’s okay to change things if another book interests you, but having other books ready to read is helpful.
#5 – Track It
You can do it on your own with a list on your computer or paper, or you can use one of many reading tracking apps or sites like www.goodreads.com, where you can join their annual reading challenge and write and post reviews of the books you read throughout the year.
These reading challenge trackers also tell you how many books you have left to go and how many books you are ahead or behind in your stated challenge.
Other apps include Bookly, Bookmory, StoryGraph, TBR, and many others you can check out on your phone’s app store.
Final Thoughts
I’m a huge fan of reading, and I want as many people worldwide to read and enjoy books as much as I do. Challenge yourself to read as many books as you’d like throughout 2025 and be amazed by how much you read and learn from January 1 to December 31!
Happy Reading, and I’ll see you next time!
Over the last two weeks, I’ve talked about why it’s important to read books, and challenging yourself to read a certain number of books over the course of a year is a great way to stay motivated and keep reading. Let’s talk about five ways to plan your reading schedule for 2025 and ensure you meet your goal before 2026!
#1 - How Much Time Do You Have?
If you have a busy schedule and your free time is filled with errands and other activities, keep your reading goal small. I recommend planning to read six to eight books over the year, seeing how that goes, and then extending the amount moving forward.
If you have time to binge-watch seasons of TV in one weekend, you have time to read more. I suggest attempting to read 12 or more books during 2025. One book a month may sound daunting, but you'll quickly reach your goal once you get into the reading rhythm.
#2 - What Counts as a Book?
Reading a book to your kids? That counts. Like comic books? Those count. Reading for class? Yep, textbooks or other assigned readings count. If you prefer digital to paper, eBooks count as well.
Don’t be afraid to include all types of books and reading material in your reading challenge. You’ll find that you’ll read much more during the year than you initially thought.
#3 - Is Listening to Books Okay?
Around this time each year, I see people on social media announce they have read 300+ books, and I often wonder how that’s possible. Then it dawned on me: audiobooks! Yes, these 100% count as books read over the year, and if you can listen to them on your commute, at work, at home, or anywhere else, you can knock out a lot of books in 365 days.
If this is a more viable option for you and fits your lifestyle, go for it!
#4 – Make a Game Plan
Once you decide how many books you’d like to tackle in 2025, determine what you plan to read. Things can change over the year, but having a list of books you want to work through beforehand will set you up for success.
Maybe there’s an author you enjoy that you’d like to read more from. Or maybe it’s a genre you’re curious about. Perhaps a non-fiction topic piques your interest or a historical period.
Alternate between physical books, eBooks, and audiobooks, or stick to one medium for the whole year.
Or, maybe you’re like me, with more books than space, and you need to read through what you have!
Whatever you decide, it’s always good to have a basic idea of what you want to read over the next year so you don’t have to guess what’s next. It’s okay to change things if another book interests you, but having other books ready to read is helpful.
#5 – Track It
You can do it on your own with a list on your computer or paper, or you can use one of many reading tracking apps or sites like www.goodreads.com, where you can join their annual reading challenge and write and post reviews of the books you read throughout the year.
These reading challenge trackers also tell you how many books you have left to go and how many books you are ahead or behind in your stated challenge.
Other apps include Bookly, Bookmory, StoryGraph, TBR, and many others you can check out on your phone’s app store.
Final Thoughts
I’m a huge fan of reading, and I want as many people worldwide to read and enjoy books as much as I do. Challenge yourself to read as many books as you’d like throughout 2025 and be amazed by how much you read and learn from January 1 to December 31!
Happy Reading, and I’ll see you next time!
Reader Question of the Week: How Many Books Do You Read At Once?
I love books. I have more books than I have places to put them, but I can only read one at a time. I know that some people can read multiple books simultaneously, so I thought we’d examine the pros and cons of both reading methods.
Reading One Book
Pros: You know exactly what you’ll be sitting down to read. You know where you left off in the story. And, at some point, you’ll be determined to hunker down and power through to the end so you can start the next book.
Cons: You might feel stuck in a book you can’t stand and want to escape, but don’t want to feel like a quitter and walk away. It’s a book that sounded interesting from the back cover, but now it’s a tough slog that keeps putting you to sleep. Frustrated, you hope the main character meets some horrible fate so you can get excited about the book once again.
Reading Multiple Books
Pros: Variety. Lots of options and choices for any mood you might be in at any time. You can have books for home, for your commute, for your breaks at work (or while you work), books for the weekend, books for vacation, and even a different book for each day of the week.
Cons: Narrative confusion. The storylines and characters begin to merge into one massive narrative blob, and you lose track of where you are and what happened in each book. Is Pennywise taking the One Ring to Mordor with Jon Snow and Atticus Finch? Or is Ramona Quimby stuck at the Overlook Hotel with Mark Twain and Frank Sinatra while a volcano erupts outside?
Final Thoughts…
Like everything related to reading, it ultimately comes down to personal preference. If you prefer staying focused on one story and reading one book at a time, this approach is right for you. If you like having options based on your mood, multiple books are the way to go.
The key is to read, keep reading, and never stop reading!
Happy reading, and I’ll see you next time!
Which reading method do you prefer? Leave a comment and let me know!
Reading One Book
Pros: You know exactly what you’ll be sitting down to read. You know where you left off in the story. And, at some point, you’ll be determined to hunker down and power through to the end so you can start the next book.
Cons: You might feel stuck in a book you can’t stand and want to escape, but don’t want to feel like a quitter and walk away. It’s a book that sounded interesting from the back cover, but now it’s a tough slog that keeps putting you to sleep. Frustrated, you hope the main character meets some horrible fate so you can get excited about the book once again.
Reading Multiple Books
Pros: Variety. Lots of options and choices for any mood you might be in at any time. You can have books for home, for your commute, for your breaks at work (or while you work), books for the weekend, books for vacation, and even a different book for each day of the week.
Cons: Narrative confusion. The storylines and characters begin to merge into one massive narrative blob, and you lose track of where you are and what happened in each book. Is Pennywise taking the One Ring to Mordor with Jon Snow and Atticus Finch? Or is Ramona Quimby stuck at the Overlook Hotel with Mark Twain and Frank Sinatra while a volcano erupts outside?
Final Thoughts…
Like everything related to reading, it ultimately comes down to personal preference. If you prefer staying focused on one story and reading one book at a time, this approach is right for you. If you like having options based on your mood, multiple books are the way to go.
The key is to read, keep reading, and never stop reading!
Happy reading, and I’ll see you next time!
Which reading method do you prefer? Leave a comment and let me know!
Reading Tip of the Week: Expanding Your Vocabulary
I’ve been reading the Mark Twain biography by Ron Chernow, and have been enjoying his use of college-level vocabulary words.
While I’m sure I’ve seen many of these words in passing, this time I’ve been actively looking up their meanings and sharing them with a friend who is also an avid reader. In turn, she has been sharing vocabulary words she has come across in a book about Abraham Lincoln.
Some of the words I learned in the Mark Twain book include:
Encomium: a speech or piece of writing that praises someone or something highly.
Plebiscite: the direct vote of all members of an electorate on an important public question, such as a change in the constitution.
Impecunious: having little or no money.
Inveigle: persuade (someone) to do something utilizing deception or flattery.
Flummery: empty compliments; nonsense.
Blatherskite: a person who talks at great length without making much sense.
This made me curious to know if other people read and look up vocabulary words they don’t know to enhance their understanding of the topic and further their knowledge of more advanced words.
If this is something that interests you, here are three ways you can look up unknown words and expand your vocabulary and understanding.
Old School
Have a dictionary handy, so when these unknown words appear, you can flip through and find the meaning quickly. Depending on the type of dictionary, you may see synonyms, etymology, and usage of the word as well.
I prefer using a dictionary since I try not to use my phone or tablet when I’m reading a book.
Google It
This is what most of us will do since it’s as easy as typing in the word and hitting SEARCH. You can also screenshot the word and its definition for future reference, and dig even deeper into the word’s origins if you’re so inclined.
Highlight or Tap
If you’re reading on a Kindle, tablet, or your phone, you can tap on a word and the definition will appear on the screen. You can also highlight words in the eBook for future reference.
Final Thoughts…
Like everything else when it comes to reading, personal preference ultimately prevails. Regardless of the method, I believe it’s essential for everyone to look up and explore words they aren’t familiar with and educate themselves. While I’m not suggesting you begin using high-level words in everyday conversation, it can be a great help to you as a reader if you reencounter the word in another context.
Happy Reading and Learning, and I’ll see you next time!
While I’m sure I’ve seen many of these words in passing, this time I’ve been actively looking up their meanings and sharing them with a friend who is also an avid reader. In turn, she has been sharing vocabulary words she has come across in a book about Abraham Lincoln.
Some of the words I learned in the Mark Twain book include:
Encomium: a speech or piece of writing that praises someone or something highly.
Plebiscite: the direct vote of all members of an electorate on an important public question, such as a change in the constitution.
Impecunious: having little or no money.
Inveigle: persuade (someone) to do something utilizing deception or flattery.
Flummery: empty compliments; nonsense.
Blatherskite: a person who talks at great length without making much sense.
This made me curious to know if other people read and look up vocabulary words they don’t know to enhance their understanding of the topic and further their knowledge of more advanced words.
If this is something that interests you, here are three ways you can look up unknown words and expand your vocabulary and understanding.
Old School
Have a dictionary handy, so when these unknown words appear, you can flip through and find the meaning quickly. Depending on the type of dictionary, you may see synonyms, etymology, and usage of the word as well.
I prefer using a dictionary since I try not to use my phone or tablet when I’m reading a book.
Google It
This is what most of us will do since it’s as easy as typing in the word and hitting SEARCH. You can also screenshot the word and its definition for future reference, and dig even deeper into the word’s origins if you’re so inclined.
Highlight or Tap
If you’re reading on a Kindle, tablet, or your phone, you can tap on a word and the definition will appear on the screen. You can also highlight words in the eBook for future reference.
Final Thoughts…
Like everything else when it comes to reading, personal preference ultimately prevails. Regardless of the method, I believe it’s essential for everyone to look up and explore words they aren’t familiar with and educate themselves. While I’m not suggesting you begin using high-level words in everyday conversation, it can be a great help to you as a reader if you reencounter the word in another context.
Happy Reading and Learning, and I’ll see you next time!
Reading Question of the Week: What Are Your Reading Goals for 2026?
It’s that time of year when most people make New Year’s resolutions that are inevitably broken, but when it comes to reading, that’s one goal that can always be kept throughout the whole year.
I always like to craft a reading goal for myself that’s unique for that particular year, and 2026 is no different. This coming year, I am challenging myself to read as many of the long books I have on my bookshelf as possible. Whether fiction or nonfiction, these tomes can be daunting, but I want to challenge myself to stay focused and get at least 12 done this next year.
What are some other reading goals or challenges you can set for yourself?
Pick and Stick
Pick a genre, an author, or a topic, and only focus on books related to that particular category. You could read as many Stephen King or James Patterson books as you can in 2026. There are plenty to pick from.
Perhaps you are interested in history. You could choose a historical event and read books about it, its key players, and the countries involved.
Maybe you’d like to read books by LGBTQ authors. There are dozens to choose from, and you could craft a reading list based on these authors, topics, and stories related to the LGBTQ community.
Switch-Off
This is my standard reading plan if I can’t decide what else to do. I read one fiction book, followed by a nonfiction book, and go back and forth throughout the year. Sometimes, the nonfiction books are focused on a single topic or era, such as the Golden Age of Hollywood.
This is ideal if you like a lot of variety in your reading but want to be focused on a particular area or genre.
Page Count
I’m doing this one this coming year: reading books with a significant page count. But you could do the opposite and see how many short books you can read over the course of 2026.
The key with reading longer books is to keep the reading goal reasonable, so you aren’t attempting to read 50 books over 600 pages in 12 months. While this might be accomplished through audiobooks, if you are busy and reading, it might cause more stress than needed.
Keep the goal manageable; if you meet it early, you can always add more books later.
How Many Books?
If you are new to reading challenges, keep it simple: one book per month. If you like the challenge of reading lots of books during the year, double or triple that number.
My 2025 reading goal was 25 books. I hit that in early November, so I added some short books to my list and hit 32 in December.
The key is to enjoy the challenge and not create unneeded stress or anxiety for yourself. This should be fun. If you’re not having fun, scale back the number of books or change to a reading challenge that you want to do.
Final Thoughts
Reading is one of my favorite things to do. Adding a reading challenge into the mix and giving yourself a fun goal to hit by the end of the year can make the experience even more rewarding and worthwhile.
Take some time to think about what type of reading challenge you’d like to do in 2026, and see where your reading journey takes you!
Happy Reading, and I’ll see you next time!
I always like to craft a reading goal for myself that’s unique for that particular year, and 2026 is no different. This coming year, I am challenging myself to read as many of the long books I have on my bookshelf as possible. Whether fiction or nonfiction, these tomes can be daunting, but I want to challenge myself to stay focused and get at least 12 done this next year.
What are some other reading goals or challenges you can set for yourself?
Pick and Stick
Pick a genre, an author, or a topic, and only focus on books related to that particular category. You could read as many Stephen King or James Patterson books as you can in 2026. There are plenty to pick from.
Perhaps you are interested in history. You could choose a historical event and read books about it, its key players, and the countries involved.
Maybe you’d like to read books by LGBTQ authors. There are dozens to choose from, and you could craft a reading list based on these authors, topics, and stories related to the LGBTQ community.
Switch-Off
This is my standard reading plan if I can’t decide what else to do. I read one fiction book, followed by a nonfiction book, and go back and forth throughout the year. Sometimes, the nonfiction books are focused on a single topic or era, such as the Golden Age of Hollywood.
This is ideal if you like a lot of variety in your reading but want to be focused on a particular area or genre.
Page Count
I’m doing this one this coming year: reading books with a significant page count. But you could do the opposite and see how many short books you can read over the course of 2026.
The key with reading longer books is to keep the reading goal reasonable, so you aren’t attempting to read 50 books over 600 pages in 12 months. While this might be accomplished through audiobooks, if you are busy and reading, it might cause more stress than needed.
Keep the goal manageable; if you meet it early, you can always add more books later.
How Many Books?
If you are new to reading challenges, keep it simple: one book per month. If you like the challenge of reading lots of books during the year, double or triple that number.
My 2025 reading goal was 25 books. I hit that in early November, so I added some short books to my list and hit 32 in December.
The key is to enjoy the challenge and not create unneeded stress or anxiety for yourself. This should be fun. If you’re not having fun, scale back the number of books or change to a reading challenge that you want to do.
Final Thoughts
Reading is one of my favorite things to do. Adding a reading challenge into the mix and giving yourself a fun goal to hit by the end of the year can make the experience even more rewarding and worthwhile.
Take some time to think about what type of reading challenge you’d like to do in 2026, and see where your reading journey takes you!
Happy Reading, and I’ll see you next time!
