Hello, lovely readers! Life can get pretty hectic, right? Between work, family, and all those endless to-do lists, I know first hand how difficult it can be finding time to curl up with a good book… as you can see from My Reading Journey post! And there are times when it can seem like an impossible dream to hit my reading quota for the month. Does this sound familliar? If so, do not worry, I’ve got you covered! I have created just for you, a fantastic list of easy and creative reading tips for busy people, which will help even the busiest of bookworms (yes, that includes you, supermums and overworked peeps!) find the time to get those chapters in!
My Top Reading Tips For Busy People
These are some of the ways I have managed to get back to my beloved hobby and carve out some precious reading time- even though I am still quite busy you know! So Don’t get me wrong, between kids and work, there are still not enough hours in the day sometimes. But even us busy mums need to make sure we are taking time to indulge in the joys of life!
After all, that is what reading is supposed to be right? A joy? See point 11 If it isn’t feeling that way! But in the mean time, please go through this list and take the parts that you feel will benefit you.
Your reading and your time is precious and personal. Everyones lives are different, as are everyones schedules, responsibilites, and priorities, which is why I wont be giving you a reading schedule, a word target to hit, or telling you that if you love it enough, you will make time for it.
That idea is riddled with privilage and rediculousness, as I know all too well that no matter how much I love something, if im booked up (in the other sense) with other priorities, then I can’t just magic up an extra hour. Just as I can’t neglect to my work for which I rely on to eat (and buy books).
But what I can do is look at the ways in which I am wasting my time… Procrastination queen over here! And come up with creative solutions to make fitting in reading time easy!
Anyway, I know you are far too busy to be listening to my rambling for any longer, so here are my Top Reading Tips For busy People…
1. Make Audiobooks Your New Best Friend
I have to admit, I don’t usually go for an audio book as I just love the feel of a real book in my hands! But… when Amazon gives you a free trial and has titles you want… how could you resist? Audiobooks really are a game-changer for busy people! Whilst technically you are not reading, they do mean that you can immerse yourself in a great story whether you’re commuting to work, doing household chores, or even working out! Platforms like Audible and spotify have a vast collection of audiobooks that cater to every taste.
2. Create A Reading Routine
Consistency is key! We are so busy, and organising every other aspect of our life (and other peoples lives when we have kids), so why not create a daily reading routine? Start setting aside a specific time each day for your new reading routine. It could be 15 minutes in the morning with your coffee, or half-hour before bed… I am pretty sure that creating new evening or daily reading habits are far healthier than doom scrolling Insta before bed! Seriously, those Little snippets of time add up to whole chapters eventually!
3. Carry a Book Everywhere
Never leave home without a book (or your e-reader)! You’d be surprised how much reading you can sneak in while waiting for appointments, commuting (unless your driving, then see step 1), during lunch breaks, or even in those random 5-minute pockets of downtime when again we tend to doom scroll- Totally guilty here! I have gotten into the habit of popping my current read into my bag when I close it at bed time- provided I haven’t fallen asleep with it in my hand that is!
4. Join a Book Club
I know, this seems counterproductive, adding an extra social task onto your list. But see where you could fit it in. Do you spend your evenings on the sofa? I know I do, and more often than I like to admit, the lure of netflix and wine calls me! But, Book clubs are not only a fantastic social opportunity to make new friends (and still have a glass or two of wine), but also a great motivator to keep up with your reading. Plus, discussing a book with fellow enthusiasts adds yet another layer of enjoyment to your reading experience! I know the people in my life are not readers and they tend to roll their eyes at me everytime I try talking about my current read! So join a book club, or if you cannot get out and about easily, or you live in a dead end town like me… there are plenty of online book clubs around!
5. Involve the Family
are you a busy mum? (Hand raised), then why not make reading a whole family affair? Set aside some time for family reading sessions where everyone, including the kids, reads their own book. This doesn’t work quite so well for me now they are older, as much as I tried, my little urchins didn’t quite catch the reading bug, but they did when they were young! And It’s a great way to bond whilst (hopefully) fostering a love for reading in your little ones!
6. Read Short Stories and Novellas
When you’re short on time, short stories and novellas can be perfect. They offer the satisfaction of a complete narrative without the time commitment of a full-length novel – like how short I kept this section?
7. Create a Cozy Reading Nook
Oh, the pinspiration is real!!! I am an absolute sucker for scrolling pinterest for cosy reading nook ideas! Now I just need to find the space to create one! But if you are fortunate enough to have a little corner free, all you need is a comfortable chair, good lighting, and maybe a soft blanket to make all the difference in your reading experience. It’s much easier to stick to your reading goals when you have a cosy, inviting space to sink into!
8. Use Reading Apps
Whilst as I said before, I am a stickler for a real book- we wont get into that debate, but you can’t beat them sorry! Apps like Kindle, Apple Books, and Goodreads arestill very useful for keeping track of your reading progress whilst discovering new books you may not have come across otherwise! I loved reading Fiona Valpys series on kindle a couple of years back, and I don’t think I would have come across it otherwise! Plus, Reading apps offer you the convenience of reading on your phone or tablet, which does make it easier to fit reading into your busy schedule. And before I forget… storage! I used a kindle quite a lot when I was moving and staying at relatives! I don’t think rocking up with 5 booxes of books would have been taken too well!
9. Set Realistic Goals
Don’t pressure yourself to read a certain number of books per month. Instead, focus on enjoying the process. Whether it’s a page a day or a chapter a week, every bit counts. Part of my problem as a perfectionist, is that if I couldn’t read a whole book in a week like I could during covid, then I wouldn’t read at all! I regret that so much now! And whilst I can’t say I have as much time on my hands as I did then, I find that all the little moments I fit in really do add up!
10. Combine Reading with Relaxation
Reading is a form of self-care, after all it is not only good for your mind, but for your soul! And by combining it with other relaxing activities like taking a bubble bath, lounging by the pool, or enjoying a sunny spot in the park, you not only enhance your reading experience, but are also bringing as much self care as possible, saving you time, win-win! One of my loves is to sit in the beautiful garden of my local National trust estate and read a historical fiction- or even non-fiction! Honestly, it is soooo relaxing and being there really helps to bring the book to life!
11. Do Not Force Yourself To Read
Reading should be enjoyable. It should be something that you look forward to! I know that it can be so easy to compare our reading journey to that of other people. But you don’t really know what their lives look like on a daily basis. They may not have as much going on as you and they may be a faster reader! I love a good reading challenge, whether it is one I have set for myself, or someone elses that I am following. But there are times when those challenges were too much to keep up with amongst everything else and reading then became just another chore on my never ending to do list. If that is the case for you, if you are feeling like reading is a chore then maybe just relish in taking a break. There will be time to read later… at your own pace!
Reading Tips And Tricks Conclusion
Remember, reading should be a joy, not a chore. By incorporating these tips and tricks into your daily routine, you can find time to indulge in your love for books, no matter how busy life gets. You deserve it!
Happy reading, busy bookworms!
Serenity