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I love reading and often write about it on this blog. I have done monthly reading roundups and reviews, which I paired down to seasonal book lists. (since I felt like the monthly reading list was getting a little obnoxious) A comment I often get on these posts is, “I wish I had time to read.” You do. If you read my recent post on how to get stuff done, you know I am obsessed with time management and figuring out where your time goes. That includes free time. If reading makes you happy and fulfills you then you need to make time do it.
Here are my favorite tips to find time to read:
- Schedule it: I talked about this before in my post on how to find more “Me” time. If you love to read then schedule it in. Decide on a few nights each week to go to bed earlier so you can read for 30 minutes before bed. This is what works best for me. You know you are staying awake way too late anyway, watching TV or scrolling through Facebook. (I mean, what do you think I do on the nights I don’t read?) Giving myself time to read before bed actually feels like a luxury to me, since reading was a hobby I loved pre-kids and we all know those hobbies tend to go away once starting a family.
- Join a Virtual Book Club or GoodReads: I love GoodReads. It is like a social media site for book lovers. There are reading challenges and a number of virtual book clubs. (my favorite one on there is the Kick Up Your Heels book club) You can see what your friends are reading, what they want to read and see their reviews of books they already read. This can help motivate you to read more, especially if you are being held accountable by a book club. (& it is fun!)
- Get a Kindle or Nook: I am a huge fan of e-readers, since you can bring them almost anywhere. Kindle also has an app that syncs with your device, so I can read books on my phone if I don’t have my actual Kindle. If you are able to get away to the coffee shop, or find yourself stuck in a doctors waiting room… you have your books right there to sneak in some reading time. I bring my Kindle on vacations since it is so light and way easier to remember than a book. Also, I like to have a number of books on rotation and this keeps them all in the same place. The more accessible your books, the more likely you are to read.
- Listen to Audio Books: I used to think this was “cheating” until I read an article a friend shared on Facebook that said you get the same benefits from reading or listening. I listen to books all the time in my car using the Overdrive app from the library. In addition to ebooks, you can also rent audio books and download them right to your phone. I just plug my phone into my car… and boom. I have also heard good things about Amazon’s Audible, but the library is FREE. And I love free things.
Listening to these currently on the drive to and from work.
*also Amazon just announced last week that Audible Channels is free with your prime membership. I just downloaded it, but I haven’t really delved into it. There are a bunch of different sections and I really like how the app is organized. Just one more perk to Prime!
There you go! My top tips for finding time to read! I am currently working on my fall reading list, so if you have anything really good that you’ve read lately… let me know in the comments!!
I used to be the BIGGEST bookworm when I was younger. Over the years, I’ve slacked off so much. I really want to get back to my reading habit again. I totally forgot about Goodreads so I’ll be signing up soon ☺️
I have definitely not made reading a priority lately, but I am dying to get back into the habit because there are so many books I want to read!
This is a great post! I really really need to make/schedule time to read more. I recently started listening to audio books in my car using Overdrive and I love it. And, of course, that’s not cheating! 🙂
I used to adore reading, but now that I am in college and have to read for schoolwork, I absolutely hate it. I usually only read one book per year that is a fun fiction book. This article has some great tips!
I love to read and love all your suggestions. Still enjoy turning a book page.
I have been working to find the time to read, as I have missed my books! I made a list of books in my bullet journal, and have found that it helps motivate me to find the time and get them checked off.
I am a big reader, but I will go months without making time for it. I am ready to pick up a good book and just read. I love that Good Reads has the virtual book club. I may need to go check out one and join! Thanks!
I used to read A LOT but now i still try to make sure I get some books in… Try to read a bit every night in bed and on my commute to work in the train / metro… Definitely reading less but hey, something is something and I am happy can keep it up. Great tips!
I struggle with time to myself period. Thank you for the tips.
My life is super busy with 3 boys but, scheduling in time to read just like anything else helps me get to finish some books! Naptime and bedtimes usually work best!
Great tips!! This something I’m trying to find more time for right now. Haven’t tried the Goodreads book clubs yet, but that might be a good option for me!
Audiobooks all the way for the commutes. But when my children see me on the couch with a book in hand, they now know that I will become a very unhappy mom if interrupted. I rarely get to see and read and when I do, I want to finish my book!
I added the Kindle app to my iPhone and that has been awesome. I am not a huge reader, but with it right there, I read some instead of playing on my phone!
That is a fantastic idea about listen to audio books through audio drive. I was listening to ted talks in the car and it was chewing up all my data lol. I love to read, but sometimes social media takes over that time. So easy to do! Thanks, this is great.
This was such a perfect post for me to read right now. I was just talking to a close friend of mine about how I don’t make reading a priority anymore and I really need to change that. Scheduling time in to read is such a good idea. I mean, I schedule time for everything else, why not reading? I’m hoping to find a book club to join as well, they sound so much fun. I didn’t now that GoodReads had book clubs! I’ve also been contemplating getting a digital reader for awhile now, but I really love having a physical book to read. Nothing is better than opening up a crisp new book and smelling the pages 🙂
Ooooh I really like the idea of scheduling the time so I can’t find an excuse or reason NOT to read. If it’s in the calendar, I have the time. Love this! xx Adaleta Avdic
I love that you wrote “schedule” time to read. This is literally what I have to do for myself, whether it’s leisure reading for reading for grad school! If I don’t schedule it, I’m much more tempted to hit up Netflix.
I love listening to audio books! I always have podcasts on my phone so I can listen and learn while I take the kids on walks or runs! And my kindle is a lifesaver! Great tips!
I love listening to audio books! I always have podcasts on my phone so I can listen and learn while I take the kids on walks or runs! And my kindle is a lifesaver! Great tips!
I am a big reader, although in waves! I love reading! Currently this year I am up to 85 books. One of the bigs I have realized is you just have to make time to read like with everything else. Scheduling it is a good idea!
I have really grown to love listening to audiobooks in the car, as well. I didn’t know it showed the same benefits though. What awesome news! I read a book a couple of years ago called The Miracle Morning, and one of the concepts is to read for 10 minutes every morning. It was amazing how much you could really read if you just scheduled in 10 minutes (and how much I didn’t want to stop reading once I started!)
I had just gotten back into reading before my third baby came along. I struggle now with fitting it in. You have inspired me to schedule some reading in again. Thanks!
This isn’t great! I definitely need to make time to read again. I keep saying I miss it but I don’t make schedule it so it doesn’t happen!
I never knew there were virtual book clubs! I will have to try this for myself. Hopefully I’ll be able to finish the 5 books I started last year. Wish me luck!
Scheduling time is seriously what saves my reading habits. I love reading so much, but with my crazy lifestyle it’s hard to find time. I try to schedule reading time in to make sure I have time to do so. I do also have a Nook, but I love reading hard cover books more 🙂
Love this! I’ve recently started making time to read again and I’m so much happier when I do!
I can’t wait to start reading again. I’m on the hunt for a good book now for vacation. Any suggestions?
These are all great tips. I hate to admit this, but September was a slow reading month for me. I need fix that this October.
XOXO
Thank you Lauren for suggesting GoodReads. Its so much easier now to keep track of what I am reading 🙂
Love this post! I’m also a bookworm but can never find the time to settle down and read. Scheduling it before bedtime is a great idea because I’ve found myself spending endless amounts of time on social media. Not only am I wasting time, but all this bright information can contribute to a bad night of sleep. Thanks for sharing!
YES! I am not very crafty so reading is one of my only hobbies and I realized I was never making time to do it! I have LOVED having my book time back! 🙂
This is a great post! I’m usually in the middle of two or three books (paper, electronic, audio). The only one I really get to spend any time with is the audiobook on my drive or at the gym (listening to my audio book is great motivation to get myself to the gym). Thanks for some of the additional suggestions.
I hope you like them! I have been making time to read before bed and it helps me get my reading fix. 🙂