This is me at the moment: a bookworm who doesn’t read.
It’s a little pathetic, really. Because I have at least 5 books on my Currently Reading list, because I have at least 3 books I recently bought and are waiting for their turn, and a dozen others I’ve bought ages ago and still haven’t read.
Even more pathetic because I’m actually running a business that has a lot to do with reading: we make and sell Book Sleeves! (This might not be a good time for me to say this, but you should check out Gribook Accessories).
My love for books has not decreased, but I have less and less time for them. So what is happening? I can’t quite put my finger on it, but between running a business, learning design, doing life and playing Hay Day, I have little to no time to read. Do I need to say pathetic again?
How do I get back on track with my reading?
This is a good time as any to follow my own advice.
I wrote about the One Sure Way to Make Time to Read a while back. Taking a day off the internet so that I carve in some reading time. I still have my offline Sundays, but I’ve noticed I’m cutting corners: when I’m expecting an important e-mail, or checking my Instagram before going to bed, etc. Once you check one thing, there’s always another, and 30 minutes pass in a jiffy.
In another article, I told you How I Read 50 Books in a Year. This year, I have planned to read 50 books as my Goodreads Reading Challenge and I completed it on November 1st. My “books” are all in order, but I know that while I am true to the letter, the spirit is not quite there.
Hubby has actually brought up the question: are Reading Challenges a good idea? (I can expand on that in a later post, if you wish.)
Oh goodness, what was I saying? That article.
I’m always carrying a book with me – check! Sometimes both my Kindle and a Book Sleeved book. I still don’t own a TV – check! I only read books I enjoy – hmmmm. Do I?
It’s been a little hit and miss with books lately. Not necessarily that the books were at fault, but maybe my expectations and my mood were different. Do you ever have that? Reading moods and expectation?
Perhaps what I need to do is grab a book that I really like and put aside some time for it – yes, plan it. You know how I suggested in the How to Start Reading Again article? Pick one book and read it well.
Have you ever experienced a dry reading season? What did you do about it?
Gribook 
Oh I had so many moments when I pick up a good book, and now it’s good and need to read it, but it doesn’t match my current state of being. As a result, I don’t like, stop reading, put aside till better times. And then I do pick those up and get blown away by them!
Or the Bonhoeffer’s biography that I am reading now, it truly was sent to me from Heaven at the right moment! I do believe we need to match books sometimes.
However, I did have moments when nothing would touch, inspire, affect… I think I just would read something short and classics, it would restore. Or I would stop reading for some time to get “hungry” again… But I have so often the moments when I just can’t choose, because nothing gets deep in me…
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I can sooooo relate, Anna! I’ve had books that just didn’t seem very exciting at some point, but then when I read them “in their time”, they were life-changing. I guess I’m going your way now – getting into a short classic: Agatha Christie stuff. I get so into it, it’s embarrassing. But it does the trick – I’m so captivated, I don’t want to put the book down until the last line. And breaks work, too – you’re right. If you’ve “tasted” good books, it’s hard to go by to long a time without one.
Igor’s read Bonhoeffer’s biography – he was very impressed. How’s it speaking to you?
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Mrs.Putina, thank you for your article!
About reading challenge, it is a goal which keeps me on the “line”. When we have a goal we usually go through it because we want to achieve our purpose.
Personally, I love reading Challenge and thanks to good reads for having that application. So, I think it is a GREAT idea.
Next, I am a very organized person. I didn’t find myself often experiencing a “dry readying season”. If I face it (which might happen rarely), I wake up earlier in the morning and “force myself ” to read. 😀 I am currently reading a book, which honestly I am not enjoying it , but I’m ‘forcing’ myself to go till the end of that book. (I’m almost in the end) =)
Lastly, (at one of your article) you said that Mr.Putina will write on your blog to recommend us a few of his more manly summer preferences. So, we didn’t forget about it. Still waiting! 😉
God bless,
Niko
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Hey Nikolino – I like how you call me Mr. Putina – makes me feel all grown up 🙂
Good you reminded me about Igor’s guest post – I almost forgot! I’ll have to remind him today and hopefully you’ll hear from him soon, especially because he’s read some very inspiring books for men lately. I think he’s reading Wild at Heart now – but I won’t give too much away.
I have a book that I need to finish – it’s been pending for way too long – so maybe I’ll do that, just read a chapter every morning. Thanks for the tip!
Blessings!
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I don’t like “Wild at Heart”…I mean, the author just used some verses and commented in the way he wanted.
( circumlocution of the book : Christian men are “losers” because a “real christian man” that God created hes to be adventures, free, passionate,etc, etc. ) However, I would like to know what Igor thinks.
Best regards,
Niko
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