Feb 02 2009

5 tips for fitting more reading into a busy schedule

I am way too busy for my own good. I freely admit this. But I still manage to fit in reading because I think its important, not only as a writer, but also to keep your mind sharp and open to new ideas no matter who you are.

Here are my tips for meeting the 50 Book Challenge or, at least, reading more books a year even when you are busy:

1. If your brain can cope with reading several books at once, leave a few books around the house. Get used to reading a few paragraphs at a time. If you read a few words while microwaving your coffe or tea or while you are waiting for the shower to get hot or waiting for water to boil or whatever other little moments of downtime you have in a day, you’d be amazed how it all adds up. All those wasted moments can add up to a lot of reading time.
2. Listen to a book. In the car, while you work out, while you work at your desk, audiobooks are a great way to get in some reading while doing something else at the same time. But, you protest, audiobooks are more expensive than regular books. There are hundreds of free audiobooks available on Podiobooks and many libraries have free auditobook lending services where you can download the book and listen for a limited time. Or buy your audiobooks and then resell them online when you are done to recoup the expense.
3. Leave a book in your purse, pocket or breifcase. Waiting for the bus, waiting at the deli, waiting at the bank. There is a lot of downtime in life. If you have a book always ready in on your person, you’ll be amazed how that waiting time can be easily used to have some fun instead of staring into space and getting annoyed at the people in front of you in line. 
4. Alternate between heavy books and fluff. There are some books that are like a full course meal and you really need to just sit and digest them. Others are the kind you can nibble on while doing something else. Keep your heavy reading for when all you are doing is reading and the light stuff for the book in your pocket for a second here, a second there reading. 
5. Read something you are excited about. If you are really enjoying the book, you’ll go through it much faster than if you find it annoying. If a book is taking longer than usual to read, put it aside and read something that you are actually excited about which you are more likely to get through faster and go back to the harder to like book later.

Have more tips for fitting reading into a busy schedule? Please share them below!

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