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Jun
14
Think you don’t have time to read?
2010 at 5am Posted by Rebecca Joines Schinsky
At least once a month, I find myself in a conversation with someone who first asks how much I read or how many books I’ve read so far this year and then, upon hearing my response (I’m on track to read 80ish books this year, which is about average for me but is pretty low compared to many bloggers), informs me that he or she would love to do the same but just doesn’t “have time to read.” My reply to this depends on 1) how well I know the person and 2) how feisty I’m feeling that day, but it ALWAYS includes some mention of the fact that I think it all comes down to priorities.
When the “Oh, I wish I had time to read” comes from a person I know well, I’m likely to ask, “Well, how much TV do you watch? How much time do spend playing video games? If you have time to do those things, you have time to read….you’re just choosing not to.”
Yeah, it sounds a little judgy, but isn’t the person standing there telling me that she doesn’t have time to read implying a kind of judgment as well, as if the only reason I do have the time to read is that I don’t have other interests or commitments?
Maybe that’s me being defensive, but really, what am I supposed to think?
When I’m feeling nicer about, I just say something like, “Well, it’s not about having time, it’s about making time.”
And then I slide in a snarky reminder than in addition to reading, I review all of the books I read, maintain this blog, run a social media consulting business, WORK, and have all of the same personal life commitments (spouse, family, home maintenance, etc.) that everyone else does.
Yes, I am a blogger. No, I do not spend all of my time in the basement with my cats.
Anyway, this is all to say that finding time to read is all about deciding that it’s important to you. But don’t take my word for it. Go read this fabulous piece about What You Talk About When You Talk About Not Having Time to Read. It says everything I want to, but better.
If I hadn’t been so busy shouting “Preach on,” I just might have tossed my panties at it.
Now tell me: how do you make time to read?
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2010 Rebecca Schinsky
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I cut down on watching TV to read. But somehow, I’ve always had time for books!
It’s annoying when people make us seem like people who read because they’re jobless. Nuh-uh. I have a study course that keeps me on my toes 24/7, but I still find time for books. They’re my escape
PS. I have an award for you at my blog
.-= Kals´s last blog ..Two Lovely Awards =-.
I read while the TV is on. Rarely do I just watch TV…I have to be doing something, so reading it is!
I’m blessed (or cursed) with an hour long commute to work each way, so I listen to audiobooks. An hour each way means approximately 2 discs per ride. I can get through a 10-disc book in just a little over a week, which also helps.
You’re right: it’s about MAKING the time. I know a lot of people who listen to their books while doing household chores, working out, etc., all ways they’ve made time.
I loved this piece, a huge part of my blogging outside of book reviews is the specifics on finding balance between mind, body and spiritual development.
Steven
.-= Steven R. McEvoy´s last blog ..Book Blogger Appreciation Week September 13-17, 2010 =-.
I tend to be a girl with a routine so I set aside an hour when I crawl into bed before I go to sleep. Every night. Now some nights I get the whole hour in, others not so much. Just depends on how tired I am. I’m sure I could read more than I do but I have a pretty healthy television addiction (which I’m working on, btw), a very aggressive full time job, said social media consultancy and a host of other obligations.
Like you said, it all comes down to priorities. If you want to read more you’ll do it.
.-= MIchelle´s last blog ..Sunday Salon – 06/13 =-.
I don’t watch much TV, most of the time, I find books more interesting. I have loads of things that I have to do (attempt to write my book, update my blog and the normal household things), but I still find time to read.
There are 24 hours in a day, so people that say that they can’t find time to read, are making excuses!
.-= Spangle´s last blog ..50th Post! =-.
I just had this conversation with my mother. She’s love to read, but just doesn’t have the time like I do. What?
I tried to explain that it’s a choice and that if its something you want to do, then you have to make the effort. But I have so much more time than her. Um, no.
I have three small children that I don’t get to leave behind at 5 o’clock or on the weekends. I make the time. When she comes home from work, she could read but she chooses to play Farmville on Facebook for hours. See, choice. She didn’t seem to enjoy my pointing it out, but she had to admit that yes, she chooses not to read. still couldn’t get her to admit that raising 3 small children was as much work as being an accountant though.
For about six months, while unemployed, I was a bit evasive about how much time I spent reading because I genuinely didn’t have much else on. But now I do, and I still am quite happily prioritizing reading between my job, housework, hubby, and the occasional bout of exercise. Nothing annoys me more than someone who watches 3 hours of television a day telling me he/she doesn’t have time to read – because they do, they just don’t choose to! It’s fine if the person genuinely prefers TV, but it annoys me that they pretend my life is freer than theirs just because I’d rather read.
.-= Meghan´s last blog ..Review: Day for Night, Frederick Reiken =-.
My children have “quiet time” for at least an hour every day, in part to provide Mommy with much needed reading time. Also, I can’t possibly fall asleep without reading for a while.
The same way you do, I choose to spend my free time reading. I haven’t watched TV properly (as in followed a series etc) for years but I do game and go out. I see the amount of time some people spend in front of the TV and there it is, their answer staring right at them. I spend time at my computer too but I’ll read at the same time.
I definitely hardly ever watch TV, so that’s why I have time to read. I really dislike that attitude people have, that I am being lazy because I chose to read instead of something else. So thank you for writing this!
.-= April (Books&Wine)´s last blog ..Review of One Dance With A Duke by Tessa Dare =-.
Oh yes, I always get that response about how do I have enough time. It depends on who I’m speaking with–some people really are just curious but others say it as if I have no life. Like you pointed out though, I choose to read instead of doing other stuff, like video games.
.-= Stephanie´s last blog ..Sunday Salon =-.
Great post, especially regarding the judgy-ness of those who think that when you read a lot, you must not have anything else to do. I love reading on weekend mornings especially, getting up early when my husband is still asleep and reading for hours. I do have a couple of friends with young children who still read a lot, which I think is admirable–if I did, I honestly don’t know how I would “find the time.”
.-= Steph´s last blog ..Summer Reading =-.
I’m with you on this… we read because it’s important to us! Almost no TV for me, I used to read 100-120 books a year but since baby boy is here, it’s more like 4-5 per months. That’s what I do in my spare time, nothing else!
.-= Jules´s last blog ..Jeannette veut savoir #40 =-.
Haha, someone JUST brought this at work last Friday. We were talking about a topic and I had just read a book about it so I brought it up and my co-worker was like HOW DO YOU HAVE TIME TO READ??? We just sort of laughed and moved on, but you’re absolutely right — it’s about making time. I try to fit it in wherever I can because I do have an insanely busy schedule, but I’ll admit there are many times I don’t talk about it or blogging b/c I know people will judge me and assume I have no life, when it’s not like that at all. I’m going to go check out that article you linked to!
I found both your post and the other article fascinating – and true.
We all have the same 24 hours in the day. If you set aside 8 hours (usually less) for sleep and 8 hours (usually more) for work, and perhaps 2 hours for eating/dressing/etc….we are still left with 4-6 hours each day to do what we we choose to do. The more accurate statement is “I choose not to make time for reading” rather than “I don’t have time to read.”
.-= Molly´s last blog ..TSS: 6.13.10 =-.
You are so completely right. When people marvel at my reading habits, I marvel right back at them: how DON’T you have time to read? During my senior year of college, I was booked from 8 to midnight every day (English major + job + editor at school newspaper + life), and so I definitely shouldn’t have had time to read ANYTHING for fun. However, every night before falling asleep, I read 10…just 10!…pages of something fun. I finished plenty of books, and this was ON TOP of my academic reading schedule. If I can manage that, anyone can.
You’re right that it’s a matter of priorities. And unfortunately, the people who claim “they don’t have time to read” don’t really care about reading in the first place. Like the other post pointed out, it’s like exercising. Everyone has the time, it’s just depends on whether you sleep in that extra hour, or spend 2 hours on the couch after work watching Oprah. Reading seriously is a commitment–intellectual exercise if you will–and it takes dedication and work. Most people just don’t want to work; I mean, reading is slightly more taxing than watching American Idol.
.-= Laura´s last blog ..Reading Update: The Omnivore’s Dilemma =-.
See, I don’t think it’s judgy at all; it’s all about revealed preferences, and everyone has them. The problem is that the people you are talking to are already judging themselves by making the assumption that they should be reading for some outside reason, because reading is somehow objectively “better” than whatever it is they’re doing instead.
It’s the same as me saying I wish I had more time to go the gym or whatever. I could go, but obviously don’t want it bad enough–but it’s so accepted that it’s the “right thing to do” that I must be clearly making the wrong choice. But ultimately it’s my priorities, and I have to pick and choose the stuff I want to do to make the kind of life I want.
As for how I make time to read, it’s almost inevitable for me really. Without reading I don’t feel rested or relaxed, and sitting down for even 20 minutes with a book is enough to totally turn around my day. So I pretty much just naturally crave it (and have since I was a kid).
.-= nicole´s last blog ..Katri Kling, true deceiver? =-.
I’m just as busy as the next person, so my trick is to organize, organize, organize. I don’t watch a lot of TV to begin with, but if there is something I want to watch, I’ll use my DVR (best. invention. ever.) to record the show and that way I can watch when I have the time. The rest of the time, I’m reading. I also blog and oftentimes, I’ll take one night and write up a bunch of posts and put them in a queue. That way, everything’s ready to go (minus a few tweaks) when I want it.
But I completely agree – it is all about making the time.
.-= Meredith´s last blog ..Book News, June 12th =-.
I struggle with this because I do like my TV. I’m also working full-time and going to school full-time so the amount of time I have to read is limited. But I carry my current read with me at all times so that wherever I can snag a free minute or two, I read a couple pages. I also like to read for about 30 minutes right before bed. But the biggest thing I do (and this is totally about prioritization, like you said) is look at my syllabus for the weeks ahead and, in the weeks that I don’t have much schoolwork, I plan on reading instead. Where I struggle is with getting those reviews written and posted in a timely manner.
.-= Rachel´s last blog ..BBAW Official Registration Post =-.
Yep, I’ve had that converstion innumerable times in my life. Thinking of having my response tattooed to my forehead.
.-= Andi´s last blog ..Bloggiesta Update #2 =-.
Ana at Things Mean a Lot had a fabulous post on this a while back, and I think you’re obviously going to get every book blogger to agree with you. People say the same thing about so many priorities, though. I often hear that people don’t have time to cook. I like to pretend I don’t have time to exercise. Etc., etc. And yes, it is about priorities. I think it’s more defensive- people like to justify what THEY spend their time doing and excuse away why they don’t do other things. When really… if you enjoy playing video games, feel free to do so! But I don’t- I like to read and *I* will feel free to do so.
.-= Aarti´s last blog ..Review: Ladies of the Grand Tour =-.
I’m completely with you: hearing someone say they “don’t have time to read” sends my teeth a-gratin’. It’s definitely a judgy statement with the implication being, “Yeah, I have a life. Since you spend all your time with fictional character, you don’t. Obviously.”
I’ve actually had this fight — or pseudo-fight — with friends. I like to read. Love it, in fact, so I make it a priority in my daily life. Days in which I can’t fit any reading before I fall dead asleep are terrible days, my friend. Terrible indeed. If I can’t read during the day because of work, family, etc., I make sure to head to bed way before I actually feel sleepy so I can rest, recline and get some quality reading time in before my eyes shut themselves. Plus? I usually reserve my lunch break at work for eating and reading, two of my favorite things.
.-= Meg´s last blog ..Book review: ‘The Short Second Life Of Bree Tanner’ by Stephenie Meyer =-.
Exactly. I have to get myself of the computer and turn the TV off. Thankfully I”m not big on housework, so that gives me extra time
.-= Melanie´s last blog ..A Day at the Races =-.
I hate when people say that. It always makes me feel like I’m a big loser and they are just so important that they don’t read because they have so many other important things to do. My preferred response is a big fat “bite me”….just not out loud
.-= Alicia´s last blog ..Sorry! =-.
Love it! I totally agree that people should be put in their place (sometimes nicely, if it’s a stranger) about reading. I get defensive, too, moreso that they think I’m crazy for being able to find time to read. It really, truly isn’t that hard. Make it a focus and make it important and it’s do-able. I find time to read all over the place. As a teacher, I do read more during the school year – listening to audiobooks on the way to work, and reading during lunch – but it is harder when I’m off during the summer.
People make the same excuse when it comes to working out, it’s all about making it a priority. What’s so special about TV anyway!
All I can say is hallelujah for this post!
I agree. 100%.
.-= Hannah´s last blog ..A book about worship (part 1) =-.
When people say they ‘don’t have time to read’ they are most definitely suggesting that they are in fact busier than you, so I’m in full support of the snarky come-backs to that comment.
.-= Trisha´s last blog ..Sunday Salon: It’s Such a Challenge to Stay on Top of Things =-.
I’m lucky that I’m a fast reader–but I still try to devote about an hour a night to reading, plus my commute, which is 30-40 min each way. Last year, when I had cable, I read about 48 books. This year, now that I don’t have cable, I’ve already read 39 books and it’s only June. You’re totally right that it’s about priorities.
.-= erica´s last blog ..six-word memoirs at the tonys! =-.
Good post
I started getting up an extra 1/2 hour early so I have time to read in the morning. I tend to read a bit when I get home from work, and again for a few minutes before I go to bed. In total, probably an hour a day, plus a lot of extra time on weekends. I listen to audiobooks in my car, that helps too. And I’m trying to cut back on my tv… that’s a huge time suck. I’m so glad tv is awful in the summer and I don’t have cable.
I love this post! Thank you for sharing.
Personally, I cut out movies more than anything else. I also don’t watch a lot of TV – maybe a few hours a week. I also make a point of reading while I commute anywhere – I live in Queens, so spend a lot of time on the subway to/from Manhattan, and those 20-30 minute rides add up to a decent chunk of time each week. I’ve recently discovered audiobooks, which I now listen to when driving/walking/cleaning the house. Time flies when you have a book!
.-= Kerry @ Entomology of a Bookworm´s last blog ..Bloggiesta Starting Line =-.
I gave up almost all television for more reading time. One day, I realized that my soon-to-be husband was controlling the TV even when I was holding the remote, and if I didn’t feel like watching what he wanted, then I could do something else! I’m on my 20th book of the year =)
I totally agree with you Rebecca, when I tell people about my blogging they ask how I have so much time to read. I tell them that I just make time and there response is usually something like “well, it must me nice to have so much free time to read!” (said in a sarcastic snotty tone) Like I am some lazy or privileged person who does nothing but read all day. I have a full time job, I play on two soccer teams, I have a husband, a dog, a cat and I have a part time job, I work my tail off! But I still make time to read because everyone needs to do something for themselves and that is what my blog and my reading are for me. Ok, I am going to stop ranting now and just say to those silly people who think they don’t “have time” for reading, put down the t.v. remote and make your own priorities , if you want to read, do it! And if you don’t want to then don’t. But stop being all judgy on those of us who do like to read and make time to do it.
.-= Meaghan´s last blog ..In My Mailbox =-.
It’s funny when you turn off the TV and read instead, how many books you can read in a month.
Reading is how I relax and enjoy my free time — I do watch some tv, but I’ve become very selective and given the choice I’ll take a book everytime.
I need to work on that balance.
That said, I sometimes do put reading ahead of other priorities that I do need to make time for — exercising for instance
.-= Suzanne ´s last blog ..It’s Monday – What are you Reading? =-.
I have trouble prioitizing “knitting time” and “reading time”….although the nook does help do both occasionally (since I don’t have to pin it down to hold it open or turn pages I can read while knitting something (relatively) uncomplicated).
I usually knit while watching the boobtube/movies so I can then read without having to choose between book and boobtube (although my work week is so busy I just forgo the TV anyway…hence the knitting/book dilemma).
But I do a considerable amount of reading on the bus (iPod at the ready so no one is tempted to bother me).
.-= MelissaW´s last blog ..World Wide Knit in Public Day 2010 =-.
Yep. If you watch TV, you darn well have time to read. Is it judgmental to say that most people should spend less time watching TV, and more time reading? Well, there it is.
.-= Bronwyn´s last blog ..The Pregnant Widow at EYE Weekly =-.
It’s absolutely about making time. I’ve tried the TV line, but then they’ll say, “Oh, but sometimes you just have to veg” or whatever. I tell them that a book can have the exact same affect, but they don’t get it.
I read during my lunch break, during waiting times, audio books for the drive, and several hours every night. I challenge my friends to read 10 pages a day (as if they could stop at that, ha) to start.
.-= Ronnica´s last blog ..TV is Rotting My Brain =-.
I read while I run, or rather, in between running sprints. I’ll walk and read for two minutes or x number of pages and then run solid for two minutes. It’s great because I’m working out and often times, after my scheduled workout is over, I just keep right on walking while I read because I just don’t want to stop! It’s got to be a particularly good book to keep me running for more.
I get soooo irritated when I get asked how I have so much time to read, and even more irritated when they insinuate that I’m a horrible mother because I MUST be spending all my free time reading. My kids must be running the streets, starving, with no clothes. RIGHT.
I make the time to read. I read while the boys are otherwise occupied (playing in their rooms, watching a movie, etc.) My boys are old enough that they don’t require too much supervision/attention. They can go to their rooms to play and I know I don’t have to check on them every two seconds. Or, I find an activity for them to do in the same room, while I’m reading. This includes coloring, doing a puzzle, playing a game. The possibilities are endless.
Finally, I read WITH my children. GASP! Yes…it’s possible! We make reading fun! I tell them about what I’m reading, we talk about what they read at school/daycare, and then we spend at least a half an hour reading together.
So, reading, just like any other passion, can be done as long as you make the time to do it.
.-= Jenn’s Bookshelves´s last blog ..It’s Monday! What Are You Reading This Week? =-.
Great post. And I loved the one you linked to! It’s all about how you use your time. I squeeze reading in wherever I can- rarely do I have time to just sit and read because my hours are empty! I read next to the tub while my kid bathes. I read in front of the TV to accompany my husband while he watches sports. I read in the car if he’s driving. I read at the park while kiddo plays. Usually I’m so tired by the time I get to bed I just read long enough to warm up my feet in the cold blankets, and then I’m sleeping (although reading in bed is the most comfy thing!)
.-= Jeane´s last blog ..challenges update =-.
I tend to have a similar reaction, but it’s such a complicated moment. I also am guilty of using the cop-out for other activities; exercise, volunteering, what have you. Perhaps a more generous reading is that they are acknowledging the value of reading while admitting that they don’t do it.
I’m able to “read” at least 2 books a month just from listening to an audio book during my daily commute!
It’s always possible to make time… even a minute here and there adds up.
It IS a complicated moment, and I am totally tempted to use the cop-out for other things…but I think my hyper-sensitivity to the “time to read” issue makes me rethink it. Sure, I had time to go to the gym last week, but I didn’t because there were other things I wanted to do more.
So far I have read 33 books this year and reviewed all 33 of them and blogged. I averaged about one book a week last year, and am just slightly ahead of that this year. It isn’t easy with a full time job (yes I work in a library, but we can’t read on the job), a husband, and a two year old. I don’t have time to read as much as I like, but like you said above, I make time because it is important to me. While my husband watches some show I am not interested in, I read. Unfortunately, my 2 year old doesn’t like it when Mommy reads her books, he wants me to read to him.
Oh well, at least he like to be read too–wonder if I can count his books as books I have read this year–(I’ve read Mr. Brown Can Moo Can You? about 50x’s already). I really agree with what you said, sometimes when people tell me that, it sounds like they are telling me I need to find better things to do with my time, or that I apparently have an abundance free time on my hands. So not the case. Thank you. Great post!
The “I don’t have time to read” comment drives me nuts! I read everywhere! I’ll read while stuck in traffic, a long line at the store, in the bathroom. I am much less busy than I used to be but I still read when I worked full-time in college and later when I had 2 full time jobs. No one ever asks how you have time to do anything else, only “reading”. I used to be friends with this woman that would say she didn’t have time to read but she watched every reality show and was always on facebook. Some people don’t want to admit that they aren’t readers. I’d rather hear that than the whole I don’t have time excuse. This never fails to make me mad!
.-= bookmagic´s last blog ..BLACK WATER RISING by Attica Locke =-.
I guess I’m like many who’ve commented above… I turn the TV off! I also carry my book with me everywhere I go – sometimes I surprise myself with the amount of time I take it out when I have a few minutes to spare! Audiobooks are great too. My library told me about a site where NH residents may download audiobooks for free – all you need is your library card number. I’m assuming other states have similar systems!
.-= Kate´s last blog ..An Award! =-.
I read an average of 75 books a year. I work Full Time, have two boys, created and moderate the largest book group on goodreads, run my blog, twitter, and facebook, care for the dog, iguana, and fish, keep up with the house chores, run most of the family errands, AND STILL manage to find time to read that many books!
I do not watch tv a lot, so when the hubby and kids are playing video games or outside reeking havoc, I enjoy my book!!!
.-= Lori (TNBBC)´s last blog ..Book Giveaway – "What He’s Poised To Do" =-.
Great post! I’ve been thinking about how I spend my time and my priorities. Reading is definitely a priority, however other things can get in the way. So what I do is read during my lunch hour and I’m getting back into reading before bed – even if it’s 10 pages! I’m starting to realize it’s not about how much time I think I have, it’s what I’m doing with the time that’s given to me.
.-= Shonda´s last blog ..Bloggiesta: Finish Line =-.
I’m a true believe you can always find time to do something you really want to do. And I’m a big believer in making sure you find the time to do what you really really enjoy. Life is too short to not make time for what is important to you. If that is reading, you find the time … even if it is just 10 minutes before you go to bed or wake up in the morning.
.-= Jenners´s last blog ..BBAW Is Coming … And My Intent To Register =-.
Preach On!
I get asked that all the time as well, and while I do have a lot of solo travel time, and would live in the basement with my cats if I had a basement, I always feel so judged. It is about priorities and making the time. The people who ask all spend as much time or more as I spend reading on something else. And I’m not judging WHAT they spend their time on, but they shouldn’t judge how I spend mine either. Argh.
.-= Amy´s last blog ..I’m Featured On… LitBlog Spotlight =-.
I have been thinking a lot about this post. I read a few books a month (not as many as you, of course) but I spend the majority of my free time baking and/or listening to music.
So who are the people that ask you this? Normal people with children who don’t have many intellectual pursuits or hobbies? I found that at my last job, when I talked about anything I had been doing (the amount of bread I bake a week, for instance), I was asked how I had time for that. These were the same people that marveled that I make marinara from scratch.
I really think that it’s societal. Many people spend all their free time watching tv with their kids or doing goodness knows what else (it seemed like these people only watched tv and had no other interests besides shopping, losing weight and getting a better job one day). Also it’s not like these people didn’t go to college–they all did and several had advanced degrees and were quite bright.
At my new job I work with faculty, students and staff members–some have kids, some don’t–and they’re all passionate about lots of things, like travel, books, art, etc.
So I guess what I’m getting at is that there IS a segment of the population that will always ask us how we find time for our hobbies because they don’t have any. I think we should just avoid them.
I’ve started saving planning ahead a little and saving 10-15 minutes to read before bed. It’s nowhere near as satisfying as spending a good couple of hours with a book, but at least it ensures that I have a little time to read and a little fun in my work day.
.-= Anne´s last blog ..My Name is Memory by Ann Brashares =-.
Take two. I’m sorry if my tweet sounded a bit snarky–when I visited the first time I was coming off of a 12 hour work day about to face an hour commute home and just as I was closing out of my work documents I accidentally closed the window to this post which I had left an already lenghty comment. Such is life, I guess.
Anyway, hours later and close to my bedtime the wit has left me but in a nutshell I basically has originally said Yup, I get it. I’ve said those things and thoughts those thoughts. But, after having four years where I’ve read 50-75 books, this year I’m not even sure I’ve read a dozen. The number’s so pitiful I haven’t even bothered to keep track. There are two sides of the fence and let me tell you that this side sucks. I hate to say it, but…I wish I had more time to read. Instead, I’ll just leave this comment while my audiobook is uploading so that I can at least get some bookish fix. On any other day (or maybe year), I’m totally with you, just not today when I know that even if I grab that book I wouldn’t make it three pages without my eyes giving out and falling fast asleep with the lights on.
.-= Trish´s last blog ..Will Grayson, Will Grayson – John Green and David Levithan =-.
I think we all have days like that…it sounds like your reading slump is not for want of trying.
YES. To all of it.
It’s ironic how something that is so good for you can be looked down upon by others. I see reading as so much healthier than watching tv, but people just think I’m weird because I read so much.
.-= softdrink´s last blog ..Cutting for Stone =-.
Oh yeah, their lives are so much more fun-filled than ours, they don’t have time to read. Like you said, it is about priorities. People watch TV, see first run movies, go shopping, they do their thing that, to us, seem like a waste of time and get busy judging us for all of the reading we do.
I just passed 100 books this year and I have learned something from each and every book. I feel lucky.
.-= Gwen´s last blog ..A Bit of Me(Me) – Movies =-.
two hours of train rides every day makes for good reading tim.. when the droning sound of train tracks doesnt lull you to sleep..
.-= erisian23´s last blog ..Review: Frost Moon, Anthony Francis =-.
[...] just choose to do something else. What both blog posts conclude is that, as the Rebecca writes on The Book Lady’s Blog, “Well, it’s not about having time, it’s about making [...]
Good one — it is really all about priorities. Even with a full-time job and kids, it’s possible to find some good reading time — add in audiobooks and there is little excuse.
Thank you! This post is exactly how I feel. I know it sounds a bit mean, but I am so sick of people asking me that. I work full time, I have a husband, I review one theater performance a week for another blog and I have an active social life. Yet somehow I still find time to read… a lot. It’s frustrating that people assume you have no life if you have time to read. It really is about priorities. People don’t “make time” to watch TV, they just do it. If they put only one hour a day of that TV time towards reading, they would be shocked by how many books they’d have time for.
.-= Melissa´s last blog ..Cranford Read-Along: Part 1 =-.
Loved your post and the article you linked to.
I hear the “how nice to have time to read” comment as well … often from my mom who spends hours quilting and gardening and can’t figure out why she doesn’t have time to read despite being retired.
For many people, reading is what you do ONLY IF you’ve exhausted all other forms of entertainment. For me, reading is the #1 form of entertainment.
I watch very little TV. Go to maybe one movie per year. I read for a couple hours during the evenings I’m at home. I do audiobooks when exercising, cooking, and ironing.
I just started Nicholas Carr’s book “The Shallows: What the Internet is Doing to Our Brains.” Personally, I don’t think time is the real issue. I think the newer forms of electronic media have lessened attention spans, such that many folks no longer have the concentration required for reading. They are too used to skimming.
I’ve heard all kinds of things about The Shallows. Will have to check it out for myself.
Rebecca, I could NOT agree more!! It’s so funny to me how quickly folks judge those of us who read voraciously, as if we have no other priorities in life. My friends and I are some of the busiest yet most effective individuals I know, and, you guessed it, they also happen to be the most well read folks I know.
Would you mind if I re-posted the link to the article you included in your blog? It’s such a thought-provoking topic, one to continue on and share, and I’d love to share it on my blog as well. Thanks for having the chutzpah to be a proud reader too!
xoxo,
LibraryLove
I love the quote, “You will be the same tomorrow except the people you’ve met and the books you’ve read.” So if you’re not reading, what are you doing to make yourself a better person?
I love this post. It baffles me when people say they don’t have time to read. Everyone has time to read. I take my books everywhere. So when I am waiting in line, at the dr. office, at work on my break, picking up kids, or at the airport, I am reading. You would be surprised at just how much you can read while just waiting.
Wow, I agree. But then again, I watch TV and read at the same time.
.-= Serena´s last blog ..Bloggers Converge on Washington D.C. =-.
I do wish I had more time to read. I’m right now at 45 this year. But I’m a grad student, and there’s only so much time I have. I’m lucky not to have a husband and kids right now, LOL. Then I think I would have to put my books into a box till I graduate. But I think it depends on the person – how much you can read. I do tend to wonder at all those who read a lot. But the good thing is they have been kind enough to share their schedules and some thing about themselves, so that I know how they read so much. That goes even for those who don’t get to read as much. But f someone asks anyone that question insinuating that they have nothing to do but “sit in the basement with their cats and read”, then that’s rude. People can be nice and curious when they ask that question, and not whining and complaining.
.-= Aths´s last blog ..Review: One Amazing Thing by Chitra Banerjee Divakaruni =-.
Hi – I just stumbled onto your blog – love it!
And I especially love this post. I love to read – I always have but only recenlty has it become a passion for me. I am on track to read 52 books this year, I work frull time and have 2 small kids (3 and 1 1/2).
I am in 2 book clubs and not only do I read all the books for them both – but I also read lots of my own books.
I often have other book club members say – they just did not have the time – other Moms with only 1 child and they are not working – it fusterates me since i don’t seem to have any problme finding the time.
I think I will use what you say from now on (agian – depending on how well I know the person).
Thanks – and it is refreshing to know I am not alone.
(I have dropped tons of TV watching since i became more of an avid reader).
Oh man do you make some wonderful points in this post. I remember in high school barely reading a couple books a year. I hated that but I only had myself to blame. After all, instead of staying up late at night reading, I would stay up late talking to boys hoping that somehow I could string together the right mix of words to make them like me. Oh, youth … But now that I have found “the one,” or at least the one who looks like he just might be the “the one” I have become a lot more dedicated to pursuing my interests, which is reading and now blogging. And you are right, it doesn’t need to consume every moment of your life, you just have to make it a priority; something that you make time for every day because it is important and it matters. Again, great topic-I have found myself asking some other bloggers this very question in an awe-inspired manner.
.-= Jennifer´s last blog ..Blog Improvement: Steps I’m Taking =-.
[...] ~ The Book Lady’s Blog: Think you don’t have time to read? [...]
Ha! I wrote something similar a while back, when people looked all puzzled when I told when we have no TV… http://mentalfoodie.blogspot.com/2010/05/no-tv-what-do-you-do-then.html
.-= christa @ mental foodie´s last blog ..The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks – Movie? =-.
[...] (The Book Lady’s Blog) writes about not “having time to read” but instead “making time to read.” She linked to a post from I Will Dare that sums it all up [...]
[...] There are those who think I read a lot while I actually think I don’t read enough. Either way, don’t tell me you wish you had more time to read. [...]
I sometime study hard in each day so I have no time to read it. However,If I am really freetime ,I will.