Book in Hand
How do you absorb your books? Kindle, iPad, Audiobook, or Hard Copy?
In the 90s, technology grabbed a hold of us and has weaved her intricate web throughout our lives ever since. This hold leaving many of us dependant on her. Holding on to her for dear life with computers, iPods, cell phones, cameras and now audiobooks in our ears so we have no hands left to hold a good old fashioned hard copy book.
I know for myself, I have given it the good ol’ college try to read books on a kindle or any other technological device. I just can’t do it. I don’t know if it’s the impulse to just click another tab and head off surfing the webs elsewhere or maybe it’s because I just can’t get comfortable. I’m learning that if I’m sitting still I can make it through about 20 minutes of an audiobook before I realize I have to rewind about 8 minutes. Either someone is talking to me, I start reading something else, or my mind wanders. Makes for a very long book and discouraging when trying to find the time to listen. I am set in my ways of being old school and loving the smell of the book and the feel of my hand cupped around the bent back pages of a paperback. Similar to audiobooks, it was challenging to find that sit down time. Marathon days of reading an entire book in one day are gone for now.
I did some self reflecting and revamped some of the ways I spend my time. I found using reading time as my adult reward for completing certain tasks was just that, rewarding. I don’t feel so guilty getting wrapped up into a book once I know I’ve been productive. One example, I take my “gym book” into the sauna with me after I have completed my workout. No fair going to the gym just to sit in the sauna to read. Workout out complete, sauna time and book time. Then when the plot thickens and the gettin is good in the book I am motivated to get more out of my membership and head to the gym!
On days that I have many chores and tasks to accomplish I set a 15 minute timer for a break and read a few pages or a chapter. Some mornings, I simply don’t have it in me to just jump out of bed. These are my rest days. Just for these days I have what I call my “business books” (both educational and business material) at the bedside. Again, I set a timer for a minimum of 15 minutes. This allows me to accomplish something productive while I give needed attention to my health and well-being.
So far I have managed to finish more books this way than I have over the last 5 years (not counting books for nursing school). Don’t get me wrong, I’m thoroughly enjoying audiobooks as well. Those I squeeze in when I’m driving, doing mundane chores, in the evenings when I am partaking in my guilty pleasure of online gaming or for a few minutes before I drift off to sleep. I’ve also included audiobooks into my solo walks which in turn has turned up the amount of walks I include during the week (more self care!) .
My significant other and I have even taken to quality time together going on walks and listening to podcasts. Quite an enjoyable experience!
Mind exercise is so important to our health and well being, to our imaginations and thought processes as we get older. Thinking about getting back to reading or increasing your reading time? What are you going to try? What is your book goal for the month or year? What works for you? Let’s share ideas! Leave a comment below.
If you would like join me on the Good Reads app leave your Good Reads profile name below and I will add you! Happy Reading!
