Could this be why I can never *finish* any books?
I mentioned earlier this week that I enjoy reading books - especially starting new books - but that I have a much harder time actually finishing them. As proof of this, I took a picture of what my current reading pile looks like:
Don't even ask to see the huge basket of books in my room that I'm hoping to start soon. Or the two bookshelves of books I really hope to read this year...
I've tried the "only-reading-one-book-at-a-time" thing I've heard that many normal people do. It just doesn't seem to work for someone like me. I'm not sure whether that's a good thing or a bad thing, but I know one thing, I don't think I'll ever run out of good books to read!
I try to get in at least 15 minutes of reading a day besides my Bible reading. These 15 minutes are usually spread out throughout the day as I have a brief few minutes here and there or while nursing. I also read for about 30 minutes aloud to the girls everyday (10-15 minutes Bible reading, and the rest of the time reading other books) and we read together as a family as well. I almost always plan to read before I go to bed, but, that plan doesn't usually last long because as soon as I hit the pillow, I'm out. :)
How many books do you usually have started at any given time? If you do read a lot, when do you find the time to read? I'm always looking for new ideas to fit in a little more reading to my day!
Don't even ask to see the huge basket of books in my room that I'm hoping to start soon. Or the two bookshelves of books I really hope to read this year...I've tried the "only-reading-one-book-at-a-time" thing I've heard that many normal people do. It just doesn't seem to work for someone like me. I'm not sure whether that's a good thing or a bad thing, but I know one thing, I don't think I'll ever run out of good books to read!
I try to get in at least 15 minutes of reading a day besides my Bible reading. These 15 minutes are usually spread out throughout the day as I have a brief few minutes here and there or while nursing. I also read for about 30 minutes aloud to the girls everyday (10-15 minutes Bible reading, and the rest of the time reading other books) and we read together as a family as well. I almost always plan to read before I go to bed, but, that plan doesn't usually last long because as soon as I hit the pillow, I'm out. :)
How many books do you usually have started at any given time? If you do read a lot, when do you find the time to read? I'm always looking for new ideas to fit in a little more reading to my day!
posted by Crystal Paine at 4:47 PM
34 Comments:
I thought I was the only weirdo who read multiple books at a time! LOL. Mot including the Bible, which I am always reading, I typically have three or for books "in progress". One is usually near my rocking chair, another the nightstand, and still another in the living room. More often than not, one is stashed in the diaper bag as well.
Ug! I have the same problem, LOL! (Check our "Books we're reading" link for proof!;) I start at least 6-7 and it takes forever to actually finish them, if I ever do that is! Well, at least we can safely say we are well read... ;)
I read only one at a time! (smile)
Carla
That's funny, I thought I had ADD or something, because I can NOT keep my mind focused on one thing long enough to finish it, before something else pops up that I just NEED to do too! Same with books, I always have several going. I read myself to sleep at night with an easy reading book, but I can not read anything else until I do my daily Bible reading.
I am a 'multiple reader', too! I am always in the middle of at least three books at a time... :-)
But, I normally always finish what I read...LOL!
My pile of "must read" books looks quite similar to yours. Everytime I find another good book to read I should just look at my pile and then add the book to my wishlist instead.
I generally read 2 or 3 books at one time. Generally not more than 4 or I can't keep up with what I am reading. I get up a couple of hours before my kids do so I have some set reading time there besides my devotion time. I read sometimes after they are in bed if I get to bed on time, sometimes my hubby takes the kids for daddy time and that gives me the time there, I read in the car on errands with hubby, or at appointments, or during family movie time. I will also get some reading in sometimes during the time that baby takes his nap while the kids do their quiet time and reading. :) Certified book fanatic.
I've come to the conclusion (after not being able to read as much as I'd like either) is that I need to set this as a priority just like anything else that is important to me. No, it may not be important in the way meals are, however, reading is good for the soul, helps to expand my mind & often heart, and is something I enjoy.
I think it's important with our day-to-day lives that we allow ourselves time to build ourselves up by doing something we enjoy everyday. We are able to be better homemakers, wives and mothers when we do.
Wow! It was so timely to read your blog right now. I too, am a bibliophile. And what I realized is I not only have multiple books at one time to read, but I have (unnecessary) multiple books on the SAME topic!!! The reason I say reading your blog was so timely was because of the decision I made two weeks ago. I REALIZE EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT AND I AM NOT RECOMMENDING THIS FOR OTHERS I AM ONLY RELATING WHAT I HAD TO DO IN REGARD TO THE VORACIOUS READER THAT I AM. In speaking about the importance of God and family first, I realized all these piles of books are a constant source of stress in my life and they eat up my time. They are not a joy, but an indication of selfishness and ME time, for me. Even though they are all about God and family!!! For me, I have overdone this book thing, to the point of addiction, if I look at my habit objectively. Just like someone else over indulges with food or TV or whatever. SO, this past two weeks I went through all of my books and I asked myself 1) Is this publication pleasing to God? 2) Will my family be blessed if I read this OR will they be more blessed if I don’t (less stress and more time for other things) 3) Do I need 7 books on raising chickens??? 4) Do I need to know and implement the things in 50 books or if I just focus on implementing the things in 10 books will that be enough? I realized that for me the more I read about something the less I have to try to implement it or have time to. Kind of like the mindset that if I sit through a sermon somehow that is enough, and I don’t really have to implement into my life what the sermon taught. Plus, this habit costs money.
We had two garage sales and I have never felt so FREE! I love looking at my ONE bookshelf of dear books and those select few I have yet to read. And I was able to pass along some great Christian reading material to others. Again, I only know myself and my heart, I am not suggesting such drastic measures for others, but I thought this was an (albeit extreme) answer to the post. It is also nice to go the library and sit and read books and then RE-SHELVE the books and WALK AWAY. That is fun and freeing to. I will always love books, buy books, and read books, but for me it had gotten out of hand.
I usually read 2-4 books at a time. I need one for every mood, you know? Sometimes I want to sink my teeth into a non-fiction but other times I just want to read some light novel.
At my stage in life, FINISHING anything is a real boost. That's why I have two on-going books--one is usually a biography/non-fiction, and the other is a classical fiction or something contrasting. Having two means that I can switch off if something doesn't work prior to going to sleep:). I also join the local library's adult reading program in the fall--reading 10 books in 4 months. It's a challenge, but very rewarding!!
I read through the Bible each year--so I have a year-long goal, tempered with short term ones.
Oh, yes...I read textbooks--those count, too!!
Krista
Anon.,
I think that is wonderful because it gave you peace to rid of many of your books. I would agree that anything can become a compulsion if we let it. As always, it seems to come around to balance, which is a daily striving it seems, and something that is not always easy to achieve. I think it's good to ask ourselves questions to keep that balance. Good idea, thank you.
I think that having so many books to read is such a blessing! I may have several books going at once, and I try to carry a few with me in a book bag so I can have a few choices while I'm waiting at the Dr. or have a few spare minutes.
One thing I enjoy about this is being able to read some of the book and then deciding if it's worth the effort to finish it. I had several books I had decided I would like to finish and put them in my bag. On a recent road trip I grabbed my bag and ended up finishing two of them.
I know some people can't read in a car. I rarely have trouble with this, if I can ride in the back seat, this helps some. My oldest daughter can drive or ride next to my husband on long trips.
My reading situation has been like yours for 20 years now. All the things you listed sounds like your doing well. I read many a book while nursing babies!
I also reccomend learning to read over the noise of a busy household. It takes time, but it can work.
Read this recent blog by Stacy McDonald, it applies to having quiet time, it could easily apply her.
http://yoursacredcalling.blogspot.com/2007/08/almighty-and-impossible-quiet-time.html
In Christ,
Melissa
I read one book at a time. I just carry it around with me and grab time here and there (waiting on an appointment, waiting for food to cook, a few moments on the porch swing, etc.)
until it is complete.
Ruth, PA
I don't read a lot of pleasure books. I am mostly into "reference-y" stuff. I actually like reading cookbooks! Especially older ones...they are very chatty, & it gives a neat insight to the accepted role of women for the time the book was written in. The time I find best to read is maybe a half hour before bed.
Brenda
Wow! I'm so glad to see that there are others like me. I actually think that my piles beside my bed are bigger! I have a pile of books that I own and still need to read and a pile of library books that I need to read. Actually, both of those piles are divided into 2! I have a problem, and I probably read 3-4 books and 2-3 magazines at a time. So glad to hear there are others like me! I do struggle with "addiction" as anonymous said, and it is a selfishness problem. I have the same problem with reading blogs! This is an area that I strive to submit to the Lord each day.
Crystal, I guess I'm one of those 'normal' people ;) I usually have one book, well, not more than two books, open. The second book is if I travel a lot at that time, and the first book is too heavy for travel. So that's my first secret: I read (and do crafts) while I travel, or wait for the doctor and such. Of course if you take your wee ones it's not an option.
So here's another thing that helps me: have you ever tried to take 24 hours completely *off* TV and computer? If you haven't, you can't even imagine the sort of time stealers they are! :) This is when I complete most of my reading.
I think I have, no exaggeration, about 20 books out from the library right now. I've actively read 3 of them today. It is extremely rare for me to have only one book being read at a time. I've always been this way.
Personally, I think it's abnormal NOT to have multiple books going at once. ;-)
Anna S - I used to do a LOT more reading - when waiting at the Dr's office, etc. Now I usually have a baby in my arms and my eyes on a little girl. :) We rarely ever watch TV around here, but we do spend a bit of time on the internet - though I try to keep it to my alloted time slots in the day or I could certainly waste away a lot of hours to the neglect of my family and home! One thing we do, though, is to have electronic silence at our home on Sundays. This ensures a more restful, relaxing, peaceful atmosphere - I sometimes get in an hour or two of reading on Sundays, which I love. Since I'm still getting up at night with a baby right now, though, I often opt for a nap on Sunday afternoon. :) Or, the reading while lying in bed inadvertently turns into a nap! :) As much as I love to read, I figure getting adequate sleep is more important at this point in my life. There is a season for everything!
Oh and it's nice to see that I'm not the only one with a large reading pile!
I read the Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey today! I was looking through the personal finance section of Borders, waiting for my fiance to get off work (he works there) and spotted it. I was like, "Hey, that's the guy Crystal talks about!" I picked it up and read half of it in three hours. It was great! I am REALLY nervous about money right now as my fiance and I approach marriage next year. I don't have any debt, and I would like to keep it that way.
We are currently worried about the cost of the wedding, the cost of renting an apartment, and how we are going to afford things like food and gas while we are both finishing up school. It will be hard, but Dave's book has given me some great starting points. Thanks for recommending him!
I generally have at least 6 books going at one time but when one really catches my eye I will read it without stopping. My kids are older and read when I do or I read after they are sleeping for the night. (mine are 6 and 3) when they were little like yours I had a hard time reading anything!
Hi Crystal, I am always reading a few books at one time. I always am reading through the Bible,and I like to read whatever type of book I am interested in at the time, as well. Right now, I am reading George Muller's autobiography,a book about midwifery, and At Home in Mitford. I just pick up where I left off in whichever book I feel like reading. I am glad to know that I am not the only one who like to read a few books at once. Blessings!
I usually have three to four books started (not counting the Bible). A spiritual reading title, a book upstairs and down, and usually something longer I'm reading to the little guy. I don't usually have a problem finishing things, but I always have a huge stack of "to reads." The only time books go unfinished is if I have a bunch come in at the library. Those take precedence over my books since I have to read them on a deadline.
I always read several books at one time. I know this sounds crazy but I always have a book on my counter in the bathroom and read it while I dry my hair. You would be surprised at how many books I have finished this way ( Created To Be His Helpmeet was one of them). I also try to read books outloud to the children that I have wanted to read myself. Today we started Carry a Big Stick about Teddy Roosevelt. The boys loved it and we will read through it over the next two weeks.
Ahhh, books. I love to read. I taught myself to read before I went to school. I actually cannot remember not being able to read. I read all kinds of things but I did make a confession on my blog about my reading habits. Please read it and let me know whether I'm alone in this!!! :)
I have anywhere from 5-10 going at any given time. I read the Bible, I always seem to be reading either Home Comforts or Martha Stewart's Housekeeping Handbook for some reason, and then I'm usually always reading a book on home education. There's also often a work of fiction in there somewhere, and various other non-fiction books depending on the season and what mood I'm in. I think that's why women are often reading more than one book at a time, you never know what kind of mood (or as dh says, which personality is present) you'll be in, so you must have a book that covers each one, lol.
I read a little in the mornings before the kids get up, during their "rest" time, and a little after I put them to bed. When I started knitting, I read about a girl who could curl up with a good book and knit and read at the same time, but I haven't been successful with that yet, but this is my goal!
Crystal,
I read on the potty. There I said it. I may only get a page or two in, but I do get through books that way.
I also read in the bathtub or while my husband watches TV.
-Zan
I can't remember the last time I was reading just one book ... right now, I'm in the middle of four books! :-> I find it all too easy to read when I should be doing other things, so I have to make the effort to be self-disciplined ... sigh! I tend to read in little moments here and there ... while riding the exercise bike every morning, if I'm waiting in the car for something or someone, while the potatoes boil or the bread rises, etc. And I try to go to bed a half-hour early, so I can read then. I know I may not get so much reading done if I am every married with little ones, but it's so nice to read about a wife and mother who still loves to read and finds little moments to do so! :->
Well, I grew up in a very busy household! I loved to read, but you just never had a moment to sit down and read. So, I read books a sentence at a time, I also developed a speed reading habit!
As I went through the day doing my chores, and passed the bedroomI read a couple sentences. I read entire books this way!
I do read several books at one time, but when you have a hour together, I can usually get halfway through a book. If it is taking longer to read, is difficult to understand or I am not able to use the info. I usually put it down and try again later. If I find this happens several times, then I (since I usually read library books) return it.
It sounds like you have alot of moments to read, but do you know how to skim or speed read? Sometimes skimming is a good thing when you are short of time!
Since I am paid to read all day, I struggle to find time to do anything *besides* read, read, read! :) However, I seek to find time to digest books- and especially Scripture- that are not part of my requisites. I use books/Scripture on tape! That way, I can make my way through reading several books "on the side" while I dress, cook, drive, and do chores.
In addition to the Bible I read a daily devotional (This year its The Christians Daily Challenge by E and L Harvey), a devotional/Christian classic, a homeschooling book, and a fiction selection.
I do the same! My piles of 'want to read books' are getting out of control. I also enjoy Christian nonfiction ranging the gamut from parenting, marriage, apologetics, homeschooling, devotionals, etc.
I am also an AVID highlighter and note-taker. I keep telling myself I'm not taking a quiz on the info but old habits die hard LOL. It sinks in better that way for me.
I do read sentences and paragraphs here and there as I have time but often find it hard to pick back up where I left off or end up re-reading passages or pages over and over (especially since 2-year-old daughter likes taking out Mommy's bookmarks! LOL)
WOW!! I feel MUCH better after reading this post!! I thought only Mr. U and I did this with books!!! There's a whole world full of people with the SAME problem!! Well, not a problem really, it's just that we all have SUCH a love of books and learning!!!
I believe I currently have 8 sitting next to my bed. HAHA!
His,
Mrs. U
I find myself in the same connundrum all the time. You go to the library, and check out books to cover you for a decent amount of time so you don't run short. You inevitably pick books you are excited about, and you end up jumping around in all of them but not finishing any because you are busy...sound familiar...
I have about 4 books going currently, in addition to my grad school reading requirements.
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