Sign in with Facebook
13 Ways Book Lovers Make More Time for Reading
So many books, so little time? Every reader's been there. We asked on Facebook and Twitter: How do you make more time for reading? From savvy tips ("Listen to audiobooks while you drive!") to cheeky suggestions ("Just don't sleep!"), these are the ways your fellow book lovers fit reading into their busy lives.
1. "Throughout the day I play a little game. I read a chapter (just one) and then I get up and clean something. Example: Go and sweep the kitchen floor. Then read a chapter. Then fold a load of clothes and put them away. Then go read another chapter. I can do this all day. It works great for me!" (Shannon Strickland-Brown)
2. "I always carry a book with me, so if I have to wait—like at a doctor's office—I can get some reading in." (Brigitta M.)
3. "Get called for jury duty! Ha! Waiting can take hours. Get prepared to catch up on your reading." (Elizabeth Thayer)
4. "I take the bus to work instead of my car, which saves me money and gives me lots of time to relax and read!" (Michelle Garcia Ortiz)
5. "Well, I stay up late reading, which has lead to a mild sleeping disorder…but, guys, books are worth it!" (Kyushu Arora)
6. "I wake up a little earlier each day and enjoy a book with breakfast." (Kaitlynn Scribner)
7. "I am a huge fan of audiobooks. I listen to audiobooks while driving, taking a walk, cooking, and traveling…. Audiobooks offer huge opportunities to make the most of your time while you are doing something else." (Emile Armanious)
8. "Instead of watching TV before bed, I read! You sleep better that way, too. (Raquel N. DeSouza)
9. "I actually 'plan' my reading time each day and night. Even if I have a hectic day, I schedule at least 30 minutes for myself." (Susan Master)
10. "It's not the safest way to make time, but I read while walking to work." (Eliza viola Legault)
11. "I've actually called in sick when I've been reading something particularly good!" (Angela Free)
12. "I watch TV a LOT. However, it finally dawned on me that the commercial breaks these days are much longer than they used to be. So I keep my book with me when I'm watching TV, and I can get several pages read during commercial breaks. I average about 30-40 pages per night this way!" (Sara Foster)
13. "Get old. Retire from your job. Presto! More reading time!" (Linda White)
How do you make more time for reading? Share your tips in the comments!
(Top image credit: Beauty and the Beast)
Comments Showing 201-250 of 319 (319 new)
Leigh wrote: "Anne wrote: "I am an avid follower of number 12 on the list - my sister can't quite understand how I'm able to read during the ad breaks. I've also been known to read as I'm waiting for online game..."I can't read in moving vehicles, so I read at the bus-stop, and put on the audiobook once I'm aboard. This has the added advantage that you can keep an eye out the window while you listen, so there's less likelihood of missing your stop.
Austin wrote: "I read every moment I have at school"i totally agree
I carry a book with me wherever I go and have for as long as I can remember. I practically have an anxiety attack when I am close to finishing a book and have to decide if I have enough book to cover my time out of the house. I read when I walk, I read in the bathroom, I read at lunch. Of course, I also read at bedtime for at least half an hour, much more if the book is good. Then there are the audio books, which are on every minute I'm in the car, most of the day at work, and while I'm cleaning, dressing, showering, cooking, and playing video games. Almost the only time I'm not reading or listening to a book is when I'm sleeping or watching TV.
Finally, I set aside time on the weekend once in a while and curl up with a book, especially if I'm reading a great one. You can always tell how bad a book is by how long it takes me to finish it. A good book gets done in a day or two at most, a bad one can take a week.
Maybe I should be looking for tips on how to read less, now that I think about it. :-)
Becky wrote: "I carry a book with me wherever I go and have for as long as I can remember. I practically have an anxiety attack when I am close to finishing a book and have to decide if I have enough book to cov..."Never, that is impressive how much you read, i am jealous of you!!!
Penny wrote: "The trick is to read GREAT books. If you're reading a GREAT book you will do WHATEVER YOU CAN to get the reading done. "Yes yes yes ! Nothing is better to get some reading done than reading a book you can't put down. F sleep and give me my book.
Another trick is : if you would rather to anything else (especially things like cleaning up or studying) over reading, it is not a GREAT BOOK and so it will take you forever to get through.
I open up the book or notes I have to study and then open my book right on top of them. It's easier this way :P
While eating I read or in the afternoon. If I have to go somewhere ex. bank etc. I will definitely have a book with me. I used to read in public transport but not anymore. Anyway, if you want to read a book you will always make time!
Well a phone with a decent battery time and several e-book reader apps installed means I always have three or four books ready. Of course, then there are proper books for some quality time - nothing like reading a 1860s book about utilization of various kinds of manure and such...
I read in the bathroom. My husband is convinced there is something wrong with me since it takes me so long to "use the facilities."
I quit Facebook and use the time I usually wasted on there to read. I am happier and getting much more reading in. I am also an audio book lover. I find audio books great for non- fiction. When I want to learn things that's when I usually do an audio book. But also the occasional novel.
I started leaving a short story book in the car and I read while waiting in the drive-thru, at long stop lights, stuck in non-moving traffic, etc. Would probably work well for books of poetry, too. Now, I get everywhere "faster" because I'm actually hoping lights take longer so I can read more, but they never do...
Helen wrote: "My trick is to have several books 'on the go' at once. One in my handbag to read in queues or waiting rooms or whatever; one in my work bag for tea breaks and lunch breaks; one by my bed for readin..."totally with you. I'm always reading 4 or 5 books at once. The main reason is that I have ADD and can never read the same book all the way through in one (or two) sittings. So I jump from book to book
The e in eBooks stands for Elliptical! =DI can't wait to get to the gym in the morning to pick up where I left off.
I read during my lunch break and that helps me to relax and carry on with the rest of the day. I also read before I go to sleep, sometimes far into the night.
Skip the shower and take a bath instead, presto! instant reading time. Just don't drop it.
Helen wrote: "My trick is to have several books 'on the go' at once. One in my handbag to read in queues or waiting rooms or whatever; one in my work bag for tea breaks and lunch breaks; one by my bed for readin..."I do pretty much the same.
Austin wrote: "I read every moment I have at school"SAME! All of my friends never read, but every free moment I am reading or on here.
I work an office job and sitting down in front of my computer most of the day. As such, I have an audiobook playing. Depending on the length, if I'm uninterrupted I can tend to get through a book a day or two (I normally listen to it at 2x speed and so I finish a 16 hour audiobook in 1 day). When I'm at home, I do the physical reading.
Austin wrote: "I read every moment I have at school"So do I! *looks around to make sure no one's listening* I've accidentally read through my teacher talking to us a couple times!
I read during lunch breaks at work.. little bit anti-social of me.. oh well!!
I read several books at once. I always have my Kindle in my purse or one of my thinner books. My bricks I'll read just before bedtime or I'll put it next to my computer. Inevitably if I get bored on the computer I'll just reach over and read my book. On most days I'll go to bed early so I can read for an hour. I'm usually tired by the end of the hour and I always get good sleep. It helps that my husband is an avid reader so we have our bedtime reading time at the same time.
Helen wrote: "My trick is to have several books 'on the go' at once. One in my handbag to read in queues or waiting rooms or whatever; one in my work bag for tea breaks and lunch breaks; one by my bed for readin..."We are like the same person! Books, books, everywhere! I'm always asked how I can keep my plots and characters straight with so many books going...but I ask them, is it hard to follow all of your TV shows? Noooppppeeee. :)
Richp wrote: "Katee wrote: "I, er, I read on the toilet. It's the one moment of the day wherein my brain can't say, "You should be studying!" because there just isn't space in my bathroom to hold a textbook. But..."1001 Inventions or 300 Astronomical Objects, etc. or any other one pager book is great for the bathroom. After a couple of years I'm almost finished with the inventions!
I often read at the gym on a cardio machine and read in my lunch times at work
Katee wrote: "I, er, I read on the toilet. It's the one moment of the day wherein my brain can't say, "You should be studying!" because there just isn't space in my bathroom to hold a textbook. But there is spac..."Yes!! The bathroom is an amazing place to get in reading time. Especially if you have issues like IBS. Lol.
I also have a ton of books with me at all times. If I'm stuck in construction while on my way to work -- that can be 15-20 minutes right there, on a bad day. On lunch break. Waiting at doctor's offices, vet offices... waiting for anything really.
I have an e-reader that comes with me everywhere. If I don't have to drive, I'll read. If I'm traveling somewhere -- by car or plane -- I'll read. Paperbacks or e-books.
I also don't have a TV, so that "saves" me time... I read instead of watching TV.
Awake in the middle of the night? Pick up a not-scary book and read. Have to force yourself to stay awake? Pick up a not-scary BUT also not a relaxing book. Up earlier than you need to be? Grab a book and a cup of tea or coffee.
I sometimes even go to the coffee shop on mornings when I'm up early but either have to be out of the house (for work) or just want space (weekends), put on headphones, get a drink, and read.
Scheduling time is something that's never really worked for me. I need to try that though. :)
Also, I'm not sure if I'm alone here, but I usually have 20+ books going at once... usually more. It's a little crazy (I guess?) but it's been normal for me.Growing up, I read at the dinner table. Eating has not been easy for me so distracting myself while I ate as a kid was really clever. I remember not finishing my required cup of milk for HOURS... my parents would make me stay at the table til I finished it, but I was allowed to read, so I was happy as a clam sitting there and reading.
I was rather a stubborn/strong-willed kid. ;)
And being sent to my room when I was a teen? YES. THAT IS WHERE ALL MY BOOKS ARE.
I always head to my room an hour before I go to sleep and read. When I wake up in the morning I always read for at least a half hour before I go downstairs to get breakfast and do my other stuff. I also read whenever I have free time.
April wrote: "Also, I'm not sure if I'm alone here, but I usually have 20+ books going at once... usually more. It's a little crazy (I guess?) but it's been normal for me.Growing up, I read at the dinner table..."
I top out at about 4. Unless there is one I REALLY want to read or someone is nagging me to (the 2nd reason hasn't happened yet, but doesn't mean it won't.
I read before bed (sometimes way past my bed time), at work when I'm free which is the best part of the day and weekend = read
This is almost my entire life! I read during my free time (which is almost every day when I get home from school)
Just stay up late. In six grade I read till four and get at least three hours of sleep. I know it's bad for you, but I still get good grades at school even though I'm dead tired!
I always carry my Kindle to every place it can go
I guess how long it'll take me to finish my book, to the point where I'll plot it out on a calendar. It inspires me to keep reading to meet my goal!
My weekends are always BOOKed!!
I read more than one book at a time. I always listen to an audio books in my car, I read on my Kindle, I listen to books on overdrive on my phone, kindle, or tablet. I have books everywhere. I have a small library in my house and still continuously buy books. Crazy!
I carry my kindle everywhere I go, and keep a paperback book at home so I can read where I'm there. I read books from my kindle spare time I get. If a class is boring, I read. If I'm waiting for a friend, I read. If I'm waiting for my taxi to arrive, I read. While I get home, I read. Any opportunity is great for reading :) At home, I just make time for reading my paperback copy, and sometimes I skip hw to be able to read LOL (still doing great at school lol)
Sometimes after I finish my homework in advance, then I have more time do the reading.
I never thought I would like an e-reader, but a friend bought me a Kindle and I have come to love it! It's perfect for traveling & lives in my purse so I can read anywhere I have to wait. (doctor, DMV, etc) I also have started bringing library books to work with me- when my coworker insists on watching "reality" TV, I put in ear plugs and read.
I always read before bed but I also read while I wait and I mean for anything. Waiting for the kettle to boil, ad breaks, while my game loads etc :)
I don't like read books on iPhone or on kindle. usually, I take a train into work and I get lots of reading done. All waiting time is my reading time :-)
Sometimes, when I meet a friend for lunch, I get there earlier on purpose, so I can spend 15-30 minutes reading whilst sipping a lovely cup of coffee. Needless to say, I have my reader with me at all times for unexpected waiting.
I have an app on my phone that allows me to read books and it's one of the best things that happened to me!
Jesi wrote: "keep buying books until they pile everywhere and the only way you don't feel guilty is to read them.Wait... That's normal, right?"
Absolutely! *wink*
i always carry a book to school. when it's time to break i read it and also at night too.
Whem i just go with my friends and have time to stay, i came early, justo to read some pages, our a few words.
I read every night in bed for an hour or two, and while waiting for dinner to cook. Also, if I'm going to a doctor's surgery, I take a book and read there as well! If I'm ready for work early and have ten minutes before I have to go, I read. Basically, anywhere I can fit it in!
I have a few dozen ebooks loaded into my tablet, which is always in my handbag, so lunch breaks, waiting in queues, road trips, flights, etc. I've tried an audiobook while driving but I found that the driving part distracted me from the story a few times and I didn't feel as though I got the whole experience of it.
W.I. wrote: "I have a few dozen ebooks loaded into my tablet, which is always in my handbag, so lunch breaks, waiting in queues, road trips, flights, etc. I've tried an audiobook while driving but I found that ..."Hi, yes, the same problem with me.. audiobook while drinving is hard to understand, especially with other languages
That is talent