When I first joined the 52 books project a couple years ago, I didn't think I'd actually reach it (in fact, I was short by about 5) but wanted to set a goal and at least increase my reading time. My girls were coming out of the crazy-busy toddler years and I was down to about 5 books per year and knew I wanted to start doing something that I loved again...reading. I was so surprised to discover how many I was actually reading.
I'm actually a very slow reader, we'll blame it on the one eye. :) I'll have about 3-5 books going at one time though and even though I'll go several weeks without finishing one, by the end of the month, I'll have finished 4.
I was worried when I first started that the goal was a selfish one. I want the kids to see me loving reading, but I didn't want to steal time away from them. They know I love to read, but the reading has not intruded into time with the kids at all. In the past, it had. When I was only reading those 4-5 books per year, they were the books I reeeeeally liked and couldn't put down even though the kids had to repeat my name 5 times before I'd stop to answer them. I probably started dozens more, but if they didn't grab me, I'd toss 'em....no time to waste on boring books. Something about reaching for a goal made me continue reading things I would have tossed before. And it was good for me. Very good. No, they weren't all riveting books, but they stretched me and taught me and helped me grow....even the books I hated and disagreed with made me think and argue and form my own opinion more solidly. Don't get me wrong, I still tossed plenty, but I held on to many more than usual for me.
I keep books by the couch, books by the bed, a book (now kindle) in my knitting bag that I carry out with me, and....I hate to admit this, but a stack of books by the toilet.
I grab 10 minute moments here and there and two or three times per week, I take a nice long bath and take along whatever book I'm enjoying the most. I can get a solid hour in during a bath while the kids sleep.
I'm never the one driving, so any roadtrip means I get to read, but I end up visiting more than reading so this doesn't add up quickly. Sometimes, we enjoy an audio book all together and these totally count. I'm thinking of trying audio books while I walk/jog with an mp3 player.
I do a read-aloud with the kids in the evenings, and these count, too.
So if you're thinking it sounds like a lot, but you enjoy reading, pleeeeeeeease join me? Give it a whirl! I bet you'll be pleasantly surprised!
5 comments:
I don't count read-alouds, but I probably do read more than I think I do. Maybe. Does skimming count? :-)
I usually read in the evenings if Davey is well occupied, and definitely in the tub, though the children were shocked when they found out about that. "What if they get wet?!" they exclaimed. I'm also a reader of multiple books at one time, usually one fiction, one non-fiction, and one religious. But I never read fluff. No time. :-)
I think it's awesome that you read that many books! I think it's amazing that you read more than one book at a time! LOL (I think I'd be lost!)
I will try my best to read 52 books this year... however, I'm not sure I'll be up for some of the choices you've made - as I can't make myself read something I'm not interested in. :)
Jennie, I caught Honor reading in the bathtub once. I couldn't get onto her for it, she was just emulating mama. It was so sweet and funny to me. It was Dr. Seuss and it was ruined.
Andrea, I'm so excited you're gonna join me! I totally get the not interested thing. It's strange, but after plowing through a chapter or two, I DID find myself interested even though I usually would have pitched them after one two pages. Jennie C. once discussed how a book really affected her and I found myself reading a book about an atrocious event in Vietnam. I had zero interest in Vietnam and the content was painful to read. In the past, I would have tossed it aside, but I plugged through and I definitely became interested. I learned a lot and even ended up researching to learn more. VERY strange for my lazy reading habits, but there's something about setting that goal that opened doors for me.
It looks like it's a grand way to stretch your horizons and the kiddos will imitate the parent. Just sayin'...
I think it's a grand goal! :o)
I've tried the 52 books challenge for the past two years. The first year I read 37, the second 35. I didn't make it to 52, but that hardly matters. The point is that by setting a goal, I read a lot more than I would have otherwise. I'm going to try again this year, maybe with a more developed plan in place as I start out.
Great pics of the girls in the post above, btw!
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