As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that I can’t just sit with my nose in a book all day, every day. Some days, sure, but not all the time. Unfortunately, adulting comes with responsibilities—bills, people, and self-care all demand my attention. If I could, I’d happily spend all day wrapped in a blanket with a good book. But reality calls for a balance.
I’ve had to learn how to carve out time for reading because some days seem to fly by in the blink of an eye. My favorite times to read are definitely in the morning and at night—right when I wake up and just before I go to sleep. These are moments when I can enjoy uninterrupted time with a book. Some mornings, I manage to stay in bed for an extra 30 minutes to read, while other nights, I’m too tired to keep my eyes open, so it’s a bit hit-or-miss depending on the day. To help you squeeze in more reading time amid the chaos of everyday life, here are a few things that have really worked for me:
Audiobooks
Listening to audiobooks has truly been a game-changer for me. It’s amazing how much more reading I’ve been able to fit into my busy life just by hitting play during my commute while doing chores, folding laundry, or even working out. Audiobooks have opened up a whole new world of stories and ideas, allowing me to enjoy so many more books than I usually would.
If you’re looking to make the most of your reading time, I can’t recommend audiobooks enough. One tip: make sure you’re picking books you’re genuinely excited about, and always listen to the sample before committing. For me, Audible is my go-to, but I always start with Libby to see if the audiobook is available there first. If not, I’ll happily use one of my monthly Audible credits.
Here are some of my all-time favorite audiobooks that I’ve enjoyed over the years:
Women by Kristen Hannah
Know My Name: A Memoir by Chanel Miller
This Summer Will Be Different by Carley Fortune– read my review of the book here.
The Body Keeps the Score: Brain, Mind, and Body in the Healing of Trauma by Bessel A. van der Kolk
Betty by Tiffany McDaniel
Joining Book Clubs
This year, I’m lucky to be part of two book clubs—one with friends and one in the community. Being involved in both has been a game-changer for me. It’s not just about expanding my reading list; it’s about sharing my love of books with different groups of people and diving into conversations with a variety of perspectives.
Joining book clubs has really changed how I approach reading. It’s helped me branch out and try books I wouldn’t have picked up on my own. Plus, discussing these books with people who have different experiences and perspectives has led to some really interesting and healthy conversations. I’ve discovered insights and aspects of the books that I might have missed otherwise.
Also, having a book club meeting coming up is a great push to stay on track with my reading goals. Knowing I need to finish the book by then keeps me motivated and helps me get through my reading list.
Carry a Book Everywhere
Keeping a book with me all the time has been a total game-changer. I always have an audiobook ready to go, an e-book downloaded, and a physical book on hand. This way, I’m set no matter where I am. Whether I’m listening to my audiobook on a quick drive to the gym, reading my e-book while waiting in line at the grocery store, or diving into my physical book before bed, I’m always making the most of those little pockets of time.I love that my Kindle and phone sync up perfectly. It doesn’t matter where I stop reading; I can easily pull out my phone and pick up right where I left off. It’s such a convenient feature that makes transitioning between devices seamless
Whether you’re a seasoned reader or just looking to fit more books into your busy life, I hope these tips help you make the most of your reading time!