Funnily enough though, it was becoming a SAHM that turned me into a multiple books at a time reader! I need to be flexible with what I read (audiobook, physical book, etc.) just because I can't afford to be choosy about the way I do it. So in the car I listen to my audiobooks, in the morning I tend to spiritual reading, throughout the day I carry some kind of novel usually. Very different from how I used to, but you know, whatever works!
I record and rate all my books. Anything less than a 5 on a 1-10 scale I seriously rethink spending my time to finish when as you said there are so many excellent books to read. While I hate to “give up” on a book I’ve begun to look at it as where do I want to spend my time. I’m also a multiple book reader. Always one going on spirituality, one a year long read (War and Peace) and one off my shelf, currently The Appalachian Mountains. I have so many books I’ve accumulated over the years that are not “rereads” that I’m trying to move off the shelves. It’s my 2025 discipline. Goal- 4 books/mo.
I’m a multiple-book-reader too. Also, I tend to buy books I NEED RIGHT NOW and they end up on the shelf for 3 years. For example, the Jane Austen biography I’m reading right now has been on my shelf forgotten for 4 years haha
Great post, Maddie! Just today I started reading Anthony Trollope's He Knew He Was Right. I had read The Warden about 15 years ago and thoroughly loved it. So, I decided to start reading this 930-page tome. From the first page I'm glad I picked it. I'm laughing at a story that was first published in 1869! Also, where in modern writing are you going to find words like dovecote and animadvert in the first chapter? Enjoy a classic and learn at the same time. You can't get any better than this! 🤓
I will definitely check it out. Thanks for the recommendation! I do think there is a virtue in accumulating good literature, even if you haven’t read it all yet!
I am a well read mom member and find myself “white knuckling” a lot of my books just to get them read each month. Not that I don’t enjoy them all the time, but I have struggled making reading them a priority if I don’t enjoy the books.
This summer was a struggle for me to pick my next read because of ALL THE BOOKS I want to read in my time “off” from book club.
Ultimately, making reading a priority is worth it and this was a lovely reminder. Thank you for sharing these reflections!
I’m so glad it resonated with you! I’ve found myself in the exact same boat with book clubs and buddy reads. They are fun and helpful but can also make reading feel like an obligation at times.
All so true 👍. I am going to read only for joy in the coming year!
Yay!
"Let joy be your compass." Such a beautiful quote from such a beautifully written article. Thanks for sharing:)
Of course! So glad you liked it 🥰
Such a good way to think about it!
Funnily enough though, it was becoming a SAHM that turned me into a multiple books at a time reader! I need to be flexible with what I read (audiobook, physical book, etc.) just because I can't afford to be choosy about the way I do it. So in the car I listen to my audiobooks, in the morning I tend to spiritual reading, throughout the day I carry some kind of novel usually. Very different from how I used to, but you know, whatever works!
I love that approach!
I record and rate all my books. Anything less than a 5 on a 1-10 scale I seriously rethink spending my time to finish when as you said there are so many excellent books to read. While I hate to “give up” on a book I’ve begun to look at it as where do I want to spend my time. I’m also a multiple book reader. Always one going on spirituality, one a year long read (War and Peace) and one off my shelf, currently The Appalachian Mountains. I have so many books I’ve accumulated over the years that are not “rereads” that I’m trying to move off the shelves. It’s my 2025 discipline. Goal- 4 books/mo.
I’m a multiple-book-reader too. Also, I tend to buy books I NEED RIGHT NOW and they end up on the shelf for 3 years. For example, the Jane Austen biography I’m reading right now has been on my shelf forgotten for 4 years haha
Yes 😭 I have that same trait! Now I’m trying to read books within a couple months of buying them and it’s working well so far!
Great post, Maddie! Just today I started reading Anthony Trollope's He Knew He Was Right. I had read The Warden about 15 years ago and thoroughly loved it. So, I decided to start reading this 930-page tome. From the first page I'm glad I picked it. I'm laughing at a story that was first published in 1869! Also, where in modern writing are you going to find words like dovecote and animadvert in the first chapter? Enjoy a classic and learn at the same time. You can't get any better than this! 🤓
I completely agree! I love how universal classics are. No matter when they are written, they communicate something universal to us as humans. :)
Maddie,
Check out the notion of 'Umberto Eco's Anti-library' at the start of Nassim Taleb's 'The Black Swan'. You'll find this helpful.
The most important thing to do is to accumulate as many unread books as possible.
I will definitely check it out. Thanks for the recommendation! I do think there is a virtue in accumulating good literature, even if you haven’t read it all yet!
This completely resonates with me.
I am a well read mom member and find myself “white knuckling” a lot of my books just to get them read each month. Not that I don’t enjoy them all the time, but I have struggled making reading them a priority if I don’t enjoy the books.
This summer was a struggle for me to pick my next read because of ALL THE BOOKS I want to read in my time “off” from book club.
Ultimately, making reading a priority is worth it and this was a lovely reminder. Thank you for sharing these reflections!
I’m so glad it resonated with you! I’ve found myself in the exact same boat with book clubs and buddy reads. They are fun and helpful but can also make reading feel like an obligation at times.