I've been reading a lot the past few years. After of years of reading hiatus for studying and training and babies (and the resultant exhaustion that made "reading in bed" laughable) I've gotten back into the habit and then some. When do I read? Mostly in the evenings, for 10-60 minutes depending on what I'm doing (sometimes I go straight upstairs after I get the kids down and I read all evening, other times, I may manage to read a few pages before I turn out the light or none at all). Earlier in the year, L still napped on weekends, but only ON one of us, so I would grab my Kindle and read for 2-3 hours with him on my chest/head/belly. He stopped doing that for better & worse! Vacations, especially now that the kids watch movies on the plane, I can read. During our holiday trip I didn't even finish one book, but on our beach trip, I read 4. Any downtime I have, like waiting for an appointment. Occasionally a few minutes in the morning while I drink coffee. If I'm reading something really really addictive, I'll keep reading when I brush my teeth, dry/straighten my hair, and cook a meal and any second I have that my mind & eyes don't actively need to be elsewhere!
I read on my Kindle, mostly, unless I really want a book from the library that they have only in paper form. With my Kindle I can read in bed with the lights off, and can carry it one-handed to read while I do other things. Its also so light & easy to travel with or bring along anywhere. I get >90% of books from the library, though I'll occasionally buy something if its really cheap ($1-$3) or I want to support the author or I know I will read & re-read it. If I do buy a book for full price, I'll tend towards buying paper. I usually read one book at a time, but I may combine fiction with non-fiction or Kindle with paper or just go back and forth if I have a bunch due back at the library soon.
What do I read? Mostly popular fiction. Some non-fiction (currently I'm juggling/skimming 3 non-fiction books: 10% Happier, the Lifechanging Magic of Tidying Up, and No-Drama Discipline). I read books that are recommended by my sister, friends, & blogs. I also read a few books a year for my book club, which was on hiatus for 6 months but we are resurrecting.
My favorite books that I read in 2015 (in no particular order),
- Big Little Lies Liane Moriarty
- 11/22/63 Steven King
- The Blue Castle LM Montgomery
- Station Eleven Emily St John Mandel
- The Light Between Oceans ML Stedman
- The Handmaid's Tale Margaret Atwood
- Lexicon Max Berry
- Ready Player One Ernest Cline
I am so impressed at your reading! Josh just read Ready Player One and really liked it. Between him, you, and Modern Ms Darcy I think I am sold :) On 2016 list. I did kindle for a while but realized I really really really yearned for physical books. I need to be better about using the library!
ReplyDeleteGreat post. I read more books this year than I have in several years (in 2014 I finished grad school + the first year of my second child's life, so I finally felt like I was able to prioritize reading again in 2015) and I'm hoping to keep it up in 2016. Station Eleven was one of the best books I read in 2015 as well. I've also been using the library lately and it's been life-changing! I would love to see book review-type posts on your blog :)
ReplyDeleteHere from Mel's roundup. I also read Station Eleven, Ready Player One, and Big Little Lies this year and enjoyed them all (especially Station Eleven).
ReplyDeleteI have not been able to transition to an e-reader, although I know I should, especially for commuting and when travelling. Maybe this year I will try to branch out!
Your reading times sound much like mine, but I also use the bus when going to/from work or elsewhere and the kids aren't with me. I have been enjoying kindle books too, because of the same reasons. I've not read any that you mentioned, but I think I might have inherited The Handmaid's Tale from my mom. I should check it out...some day. :)
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