31 Days of Organizing for a Better 2010: Read More
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Join us all month for 31 Days of Organizing for a Better 2010!
Reading is a great way to relax and unwind while sharpening our minds and challenging our perspectives, and it’s worth making it a priority in our lives. When I was in high school and college, I never could have imagined that I’d have to make “read more” a resolution. Back then I’d tear through a book — or two — in a day and immediately pick up the next one. But you all know the drill. I got a job, got married and then became a mother, and it seems like this has been on my resolution list for quite a few years now!
How do you do make reading a priority when you’ve got a job, children, household responsibilities and more vying for your attention? Amy from Mom Advice is sharing how she makes time for reading, and here are my 6 tips for making this the year of the book:
1. Define your goal.
What is your reading goal? Are you trying to get back to reading for pleasure? To increase the amount of thought-provoking material you read? To make reading a regular part of your day? Is your goal to read a certain number of hours a week? To read so many books this year?
Don’t base your goal on what other people are doing, but think about what goal will really motivate you and not discourage you. Setting out to read 52 books in 2010 sounds great, but I know for myself that I would end up discouraged by week 5 or 6 when I slipped behind. I’d wonder how I could ever catch up. (I know because I’ve tried that before.) Without that hanging over my head, I’ll be able to enjoy my reading more without the pressure of trying to keep up. And so my goal is simple: read something every day. It might just be a chapter. Or even half a chapter. But every day I’m going to make a point to read, just to build the habit of picking up a book when I have a few minutes to spare.
2. Join a book club.
Joining a book club is a great way to push yourself to read more. No one wants to be the only person in the group who hasn’t read the book being discussed! And to make it even better, joining a book club allows you to connect with other people as well. If you don’t have a physical book club in your local area, there are online book clubs as well. Tsh from Simple Mom is relaunching her Simple Living Book Club this month with The Seven Habits of Highly Effective Families by Stephen R. Covey. And Life as Mom’s newly launched Book It is an opportunity to discuss the books you’re reading with others — and get recommendations for your reading list — without the restrictions of a formal book selection.
3. Mix it up.
When you’re bored with your reading list and not motivated to pick up a book, try adding some variety. Choose different authors and genres to stay interested in what you’re reading. There’s nothing wrong with heavy, deep reading, but there’s also nothing wrong with lighter fiction. Reading a variety of books will keep you moving through your book list as you explore different topics and perspectives.
4. Buy a Kindle.
Okay, I’m mostly kidding, but I do want to use the Kindle to illustrate a point. I finally got a Kindle Wireless Reading Device this Christmas (after drooling over it since it first came out) because Tara from Deal Seeking Mom has been telling me for months how much more she reads now that she has it. From my limited experience this week, having a library of books with you at all times is a great way to take advantage of extra minutes in your day to read a few pages.
What I really mean, though, is that it’s important to figure out what obstacles are standing in the way of your goal and address them now. For me, the Kindle eliminates all of my obstacles to reading — it makes picking up a book and finding my place easy, reading several books at once convenient and reading while bouncing a baby possible. I’ve already read one complete book, and I’m in the middle of two others. It’s been a very busy week, so that says a lot! Obviously a Kindle isn’t an option for everyone, so you might have to be creative in figuring out other alternatives, but work to address whatever obstacles are keeping you from picking up a book.
5. Keep a running list of books.
For some people, not knowing what to read next is what keeps them from reading. Keep a running list of books you’d like to read and add to it regularly as you see or hear recommendations. I’ve always kept an Amazon wishlist of books that I add to whenever I see a book that intrigues me. Now, with the Kindle, I can download a sample of most books so that they’re waiting for me when I finish my current book.
Maybe finding titles to read isn’t the problem; the cost of books is. Try Paperbackswap.com, which allows you to request books from other members in exchange for mailing books you’ve finished to other members who request them. You can also take full advantage of your library for free reading material. And if you do have a Kindle, there are thousands of free books available — both public domain classics and new books offered as a teaser to get you interested in an author or series.
6. Remember that reading a little is better than not reading at all.
It takes time to develop habits, but you have to keep moving forward, even if it’s only a little bit at a time! Chances are that you’ll still have busy weeks when you don’t read as much as you want to and it feels like you’re never going to get through your current book. Maybe you’ll even go a week or two without reading anything at all. Rather than giving up and declaring your resolution a failure, remember that reading a little is better than not reading at all and keep trying.
What is your reading goal in 2010? What books are on your list to read this year?
The 31 Days of Organizing for a Better 2010 series is sponsored by Get Organized Wizard. Find more than 250 lists, schedules, planners and organizers in The Ultimate To-Do List Pack, Home & Family Edition.
[...] that I have been striving to do more of this year…reading more! Mandi is sharing her ideas for how to make reading a priority too [...]
Thanks so much for giving me the opportunity to share in your series, Mandi!! There is nothing that I love more than sharing about my obsession with good books
I am so enjoying this series!!
Amy´s last blog ..How to Get Back in the Groove of Reading
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I don’t have a goal for this year per se but last year my goal was to READ AT ALL! I found w/all of life’s other demands I had stopped reading period. My goal was one book. Which then of course turned into two, three etc as I got back on track.
I did it with your tips 5 & 6. I had a small collection of books on hand (maybe 4). Then I snagged any time I could to read. 10 min before bed. Sitting in the bathtub. On the way to work (someone else driving!). Once you get into a good story it’s hard to put down so you find the time to keep reading!
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Mandi Ehman Reply:
January 5th, 2010 at 9:57 pm
That’s so true, Lori — once you start, it really does keep the momentum going. I guess you could really motivate yourself by picking up a series to keep you moving from one book to the next!
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Another great option is using goodreads.com to see what your friends are reading and keep track of your own ‘to read’ list. It’s also a way to discuss books online if you don’t have access to a local book group.
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Mandi Ehman Reply:
January 5th, 2010 at 9:57 pm
I think that sounds like a lot of fun, Aubrey — thanks for sharing!
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I’m trying to start a book club in the local area. Just have to confirm the location right now. I read a lot of fantasy/sci fi on my own and got into Clive Cussler and Steve Berry last year, but I’d love for the book club to be more about modern literature. I really really want to spark conversation.
Aubrey – thanks for suggesting goodreads.com!
Newlywed & Unemployed´s last blog ..Ranting on Another Blog Today
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Mandi Ehman Reply:
January 5th, 2010 at 9:58 pm
Good for you — that’s a big undertaking, but I bet the payoffs will be so worth it!
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I’m a huge reader and find that keeping a Book Journal is really helpful.
Helps me mark how many books I read each year, and helps me remember all the details when a friend asks for a book recommendation. I can just consult the journal and have all the specifics I need.
Meredith from Penelope Loves Lists´s last blog ..The biggest time suck of my day or, why email haunts me
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Mandi Ehman Reply:
January 5th, 2010 at 9:59 pm
I’ve never kept a book journal, but I love the idea! Thanks for sharing!
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My sister and my girlfriend and I all have the same taste in books. All of us come from families who love to read. We swap books between us. One of our favorite places to go when we get together is the half price book store not clothes shopping. What’s even better is that our husbands all love to read and suggest books to us. We have some pretty good discussions when we have all read the same book.
Rana´s last blog ..December 100 books a month continues
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Mandi Ehman Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 9:23 pm
This sounds so fun, Rana! I don’t really have anybody local to do that with, but it sounds like an awesome way to read more and connect with friends and family at the same time!
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I read about a book a week so I’m not sure I need to resolve to read more. My main goal for this year is to read through the Bible. I’m using the NLT Chronological Bible so it should be fun and interesting.
A great idea I recently heard…read through the Bible and write notes to your child. I found a great Bible today (click on my blog to see a picture) and bought one for each of my girls. Every other page is left blank for note taking – it’s the perfect space to write out prayers, encouragement, highlight verses, etc. I plan to do this and then present the Bibles to them when the graduate from high school (so I have 13 years to get it done!!)
Jill Foley´s last blog ..#121 – Note Worthy Bible
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Mandi Ehman Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 9:26 pm
This is such a great idea, Jill — what an amazing gift to give them!
My mom, step-dad, sis and I are going to do the “read through the Bible in 90 days” thing starting tomorrow. It’s a LOT to read at once, but I’m looking forward to actually making it all the way through this time!
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Like Meredith, I keep a book journal…writing down what I read.
Jill Foley´s last blog ..#121 – Note Worthy Bible
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I love reading! Last year I realized I’d gotten out of the habit of reading for fun. I was only reading non-fiction and stuff about how to run a successful business. I determined to start reading the fun stuff again and joined http://www.PaperbackSwap.com. What a great website! I am currently reading “Eat, Pray, Love” by Elizabeth Gilbert. I just finished “Body Surfing” by Anita Shreve, and I’m looking forward to reading either “Water For Elephants” by Sara Gruen or “The Shack” by William P. Young next. Thanks for the great reminder that we can read anywhere, anytime, and it expands our minds!
Becky from Arlington, TX
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I must talk about the Kindle again. You know we’ve been in our new house for about 9 months. We’ve only recently began “filling it up”. We bought a new TV in November and finally got an island in the kitchen, etc. So, I told my husband (who also just got an iphone a few months ago), “Let’s not get Christmas presents for each other.” And what does he tell me after Christmas? “I was going to get you a kindle until you told me no Christmas presents. GAAAAH.
Maybe next year…
a
oh amanda´s last blog ..BLISS*TASTIC: Jo-Lynne from Musings of a Housewife: To Niche or Not to Niche
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Don’t forget the public library as a resource for books, recommedations and book clubs. My local library system has their catalog online and I can put holds on any book I want to be delivered to my neighborhood branch. If the title I want isn’t in their holdings, they will find it through the LINK system. I rarely buy books, but I read all the time.
Plus, all I’m not cluttering up my house with books I’m only going to read once. Win, win!
Tami´s last blog ..Yoga+Music365 (day9) – The Reminder by Feist
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Mandi Ehman Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 9:27 pm
So true, Tami! We don’t have a great one and I am so bad at returning books anyway, so it’s not an option I use, but it really is a great resource!
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If you have an iPod touch or iPhone, there is a Kindle app [free] that lets you read Kindle titles on it. I’m sure it isn’t as pleasurable as reading on a larger screen with a paper and ink look but it works great for me and I love having a selection of books with me wherever I go [and having a backlit page is useful for those dim places where you'd like to read. Amazon's instant download works for the iPod [with wifi] which is neat-o. Also, my public libraries provide ebooks you can download either for your computer [great for when you are lunching at your desk] or a portable device. And there are alternatives such as audiobooks, also available for download from many libraries, that you can listen to while you are doing other things; commuting, washing dishes, drifting off to sleep, crafting.
Speaking of crafting, Denver Public Library had a Knitting Book Club — you talked about the book while knitting — an idea that could be implemented in existing craft groups.
Practicing law with its copious amounts of reading – cases, documents, etc – greatly reduced the amount of reading for pleasure I did but making reading a priority for the last couple of years has helped make it a regular part of my life again. Maybe when I retire I can get back to 1 or more books per day but for now I’m happy to be reading a couple of books a month.
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Mandi Ehman Reply:
January 12th, 2010 at 9:29 pm
Thanks so much for all the great ideas, Robin — a knitting book club sounds so fun!
And I agree — I spend all day reading on the internet, so I’d forgotten to make time to do it for fun!
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