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Readers to the Rescue: 13 Ways to 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)
Check out more recent blogs:
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Comments Showing 51-100 of 103 (103 new)
message 51:
by
Juniper
(new)
Apr 27, 2017 03:21PM
I read when the teacher is not saying anything import or i just can not her what she is saying.
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Robert wrote: ""Being a little anti-social helps. ... You have fewer people at your funeral, but you get more reading time." -- Robert James Waller"Ha! I love that quote so much! :)
I've downloaded books on my phone and I read while I commute and get stuck in traffic. It takes my mind off the traffic, which is relaxing and definitely less frustrating, and I get some reading done (I don't get any free time otherwise and commuting is my 'free time'). Also end up feeling very refreshed when you arrive at work/home.
i am in this position all the time! #2 is the best, however i have about 5 books with me at all times. maybe i'm a little overzealous?
I saw this chgaracter before i realized that i had not seen this character. i merely accepted this a s a universally neew trueth and wondering why i new that it wasn't in the origian;l verson. the song of this charcter was not given a name before the protagonizt was. this is becoming exhaisting. i really teed to g4et into a calls so that i can learn to sle[[. pormore typing so that i cant bevcome efficient againt. making mistakes hurts my favity.
While taking the metro I can read 15 to 20 pages, so between the going and return I read a lot. Another tip is trying to do all your stuff the saturday so you can have the sunday only for you and your books.
I've done a little different version of 1. I'll take a little break from reading and make some corner bookmarks......I cannot tell you how many 6x6 squares of scrapbook paper I have......not too mention the bookmarks already made! #s2,5,6,8,9,12. Although I usually have the TV on mute when I'm reading and un-mute if I need to read my eyes.
Robert wrote: ""Being a little anti-social helps. ... You have fewer people at your funeral, but you get more reading time." -- Robert James Waller"Very very true!
I think that without really reading the comment you can post anything you feel and know that it is right.
I always have a book with me. Doctor’s office, waiting in the car for the kids somewhere, get to the restaurant first... whatever it is, if I'm waiting, I'm reading!I pretty much just read any time I have a free minute. Yes, that includes in the bathroom (and in the bath)! I have Kindle apps for my phone and my laptop, plus my actual Kindle, too, so I am literally never without a book at hand.
#2 and #5 are both me all over. My favorite way to do something else while I read; what I call my "Triple B Treatment"-A bath, with bubbles, and a good book! So, I'm cleaning myself, the tub, and getting in my reading time, all at once!
Robert wrote: ""Being a little anti-social helps. ... You have fewer people at your funeral, but you get more reading time." -- Robert James Waller"I love your style, Robert!
I can relate to all of them, except the one about audiobook. I'm not a fan of it. It seems quite hard for me to focus on or concentrate on what I listen to. But my problem isn't finding the time to read. I always have time to read as I read whenever and wherever I can. I read before I sleep, while I'm in the bathroom, while I'm eating, on my way to the office (I so can relate to #4. I take public transportation, instead of driving my own car), between my jobs, on my lunch time, on my way to go home. Thus I always have a book and an ereader with me. I also install ereader in my smartphone.
With all of those time I can make to read, I still feel I need more. It will be good if I have more than 24 hours to read :)
I get up a bit early and read. When my husband is driving I get out my book and read. Any type of waiting area (doctor's office, lines to pay, before they turn out the lights at a movie theater,etc) I get out my book and read. When I work out I always squeeze in 20 minutes on the bike so I can read. During breakfast I sometimes read if I am super hooked on the book (I try not to have the book near food/drinks but thats not always the case). I often read magazines during breakfast.In case I forget my book - it happens- I have a kindle book on my phone.
I have a downstairs book and an upstairs book in my house. The "downstairs book" is usually the one I take everywhere.
And of course Audiobooks while driving and I have a discman so I can keep listening to a good book other than the car.
I keep a book at work to read during breaks and slow periods. And I try to turn off the TV and computer for an hour a day at least 3 times a week, for quiet reading time.
Rachmi wrote: "I can relate to all of them, except the one about audiobook. I'm not a fan of it. It seems quite hard for me to focus on or concentrate on what I listen to. But my problem isn't finding the time ..."
Yes, more hours in the day just for reading; this should be made into a law!
In my briefcase, I am always carrying with me at least one book, in addition to the ones in my kindle cloud and Google drive.
When I get my schedule for work, I add it and my reading time to google calendar. For example, I usually work 10 - 6pm Monday through Thursday. So 6 - 7 are empty but once 7 hits, I put reading for an hour. I have a lot of shows I want to watch too but my booklist is way to large to be watching 4 episodes a night like I used to. I try to schedule 2 - 4 hours of reading a night be it through audiobooks, ebooks or the traditional paperback depending on the series and/or book.
A combination of 2,4 and 8 is my secret. 12 also works for me a little- my boyfriend watches sports on TV a lot and he always insists I sit with him. I choose to read a book with his triumphant 'yesss!' and crestfallen 'noooooo!'s in the background.
I usually read while I am commuting to work and then home in the evening. I also have a habit of reading a couple of pages before going to bed. It relaxes my mind and gives me a better sleep.
There was this particular series I loved, and I was like, sacrificing my sleeping and eating time just reading it for 2 weeks straight, and I lost 2 kilos.
I always make time to read. At work. I'm early to work. and there's always a break. And if I'm going somewhere I take my bag put couple of books in there. since I'm walking to these places. I had a guy asked do I read in my sleep.
I always carry a book with me, even when I know that I won't have the time to read. It gives me a sense of security.And you never know when you will be able to read. If the computers die at work, I'll know what to do.
Emmeline Joy wrote: "#2 all the way. Since I was 10, I've almost always had a book with me when I leave the house. :) (especially useful when showing up early to a restaurant to put your name on the waitlist and wait f..."Same! I can't imagine not having a book with me. My friends sometimes ask what book is in my bag (usually teasing me) because I always have something. Waiting for a bus? Pull out a book. Waiting for your friend to carry the coffee over from the checkout? Pull out a book. I have a lot of medical appointments so I read a lot in waiting rooms too.
Robert wrote: ""Being a little anti-social helps. ... You have fewer people at your funeral, but you get more reading time." -- Robert James Waller"Haha! This is fab!
I always take a book with me to school, so when waiting for another lesson to begin I can just pick up a book and read.
Vevita wrote: "I get up a bit early and read. When my husband is driving I get out my book and read. Any type of waiting area (doctor's office, lines to pay, before they turn out the lights at a movie theater,etc..."^^ I love this approach of having the kindle book, the downstairs book, the upstairs book, etc. I do something similar, but it's a book per room for me. I also have one designated book, no matter which room it's from, that is the book I bring everywhere till I finish.
Audiobooks has really helped me to read more the last few years. A year ago I had an almost four hour commute each day for a couple of months, which included changing modes of transportation a few times, so reading with my eyes would be difficult (and possibly nauseating) I got through a lot of books during that time! And I tend to listen now when biking to work (more like 15 min than 2 hours) and when doing chores. Or like right now, I'm taking a break from sewing a skirt and during the easy parts (like pinning, basting or hemming) I am listening to my most anticipated book of the year - the timing couldn't have bene more perfect!And e-books... I always have my phone with me, so I always have my library! Lunch at work, waiting for people/appointments, delayed public transport - all means possible reading time!
Audio-and-e-book fans! I have a long commute everyday, so audio is one of my weapons of choice. My local library has an app that I can use to check out audiobooks from them for free. If local selection is too small (I live in a small town), a lot of the really big municipal libraries offer memberships to non-residents for a fee. I pay $50 a year for a library card at the Brooklyn Public Library, and their audio (and e-book) selection is great. Plus I'm saving way more than $50/yr by checking books out instead of buying them, even secondhand.
I've gotten in the habit of listening to audiobooks while at work. Love it and get so much more reading done. I'm up to at least 2 books a day.
Some of these tips are really great! When I was younger I actually used to do 2, 6, 8. lol. I think my favorite one from this list is #1. Great way to be productive and entertained while taking care of the chores.
I read on my commute to and from work, and I always bring a book with me when I go out so that I have something to read on the transit ride or if I am waiting in line or for someone. (I read for ten minutes yesterday while waiting in line at a movie theater waiting for my friend--she wasn't late, though--I was early.)
About two years ago when I wanted to force myself back into reading I made the following steps:- Set aside 30 mins, 3 times a week. This meant I could read books of various lengths and still hit my target.
- Delete Twitter, Facebook etc from my phone and have my book next to the bed. This means in the morning I either have to get up and go and get the laptop/iPad or just pick up the book and go. Amazing how much time is freed up when you're not "just checking Twitter" all the time.
I completely relate to #5, I cannot help myself. I am an addict. 5. "Well, I stay up late reading, which has lead to a mild sleeping disorder…but, guys, books are worth it!" (Kyushu Arora)
We watch very little TV. I mean so little that I forget how to operate the thing. Because of that, lots of reading goes on at our house. I also have a morning ritual of reading over coffee in the morning. And there is always a book on my phone or Kindle for when I'm stuck waiting somewhere.I am so jealous of anyone who can read in a moving car or while on a treadmill. If I try that, it's like being four drinks into t three drink drunk! (Yeah, I know, audio books. I need to learn to listen to audio books without my mind wandering.
2 & 5 is what I do !!!I keep a book always with me. So wherever I go, I can keep reading.
Alice wrote: "Why does #5 relate to me too much?"Alice, exactly!!! Books are worth it.
Number 12 applies to me completely. I am what a lot of people would call a TV addict, so reading during commercials is the best way to get the best of both my loves. Commercials are really getting too long these days. . .
I occasionally ask for the day off if a book I know I'll want to read all at once is coming out. Not more than twice a year, but man. It's worth the effort.
I read 10 percent of a book each night or for an hour, whatever comes first. This is my minimum. I'm 30 years and only new to reading and this routine had allowed me to keep to it. My reading routine is no less routine than my gym routine.
J. W. Gardner wrote: "I read 10 percent of a book each night or for an hour, whatever comes first. This is my minimum. I'm 30 years and only new to reading and this routine had allowed me to keep to it. My reading routi..."Making reading a daily habit definitely helps :-)
I usually read 3+ hours straight on weekends because I can stay up late. I usually do my cleaning on Friday night to get it out of the way.
I usually miss my book anyway when I watch Tv or something else like that. I love TV but the magic of a show can always wear off during long commercial breaks.With reading there's none of that.
I usually miss my book anyway when I watch Tv or something else like that. I love TV but the magic of a show can always wear off during long commercial breaks.With reading there's none of that.
J. W. Gardner wrote: "I read 10 percent of a book each night or for an hour, whatever comes first. This is my minimum. I'm 30 years and only new to reading and this routine had allowed me to keep to it. My reading routi..."Great idea!
Good tips, but they wouldn't really work for me. I have a problem putting book down after starting to read. So I will end up reading all day or night, which means that my studying time suffers a lot. When there is bunch of work for uni to be done, I try not to read. Because I can't read just a chapter or few pages at a time so usually I end up reading a book per day :) Tip 5 and 11 are more of my style, sadly I can't read in a bus as it makes me sick, but tip 13 was just so funny :D
Joseph wrote: "Robert wrote: ""Being a little anti-social helps. ... You have fewer people at your funeral, but you get more reading time." -- Robert James Waller"Good one..."
So true, this is a good one :D
Number 11 is the only sensible one. Thanks Angela Free. Please discard the rest.
