Don't Laugh-- I'm Just Being Pragmatic

Yesterday I spoke to a small gathering of ladies in our church.  Christians and Books--  the Importance of the Written Word.  (And then I did book reviews on the four books I mentioned in my last post.)  I shared a few  ideas and tried to make the case for reading over other less worthy uses of our time.    One of which was that if a person would spend only fifteen minutes per day reading, that would calculate into twenty books per year or one-thousand books in a lifetime.  If we could only tear ourselves away from the darn television.

We are now living in a generation who would like a fit body,
but are quite content with a fat mind.
~Paul Guiness

Still--young moms, myself included, sometimes have trouble eeking out even a scant fifteen minutes a day.   One mom said to me, "The only books I get to read each are Dr. Seuss."  And I can relate to that.  I'm pretty sure that I have I am a Bunny memorized.  Seriously.  (Hi.  I am a bunny. My name is Nicholas. I live in a hollow tree.  Would you like for me to continue??) 

So, the number one question that I got hit with after I gave my talk yesterday was:  "How do you find time to read so many books?"    Mostly at night, in the ten minutes between the time my head hits the pillow and before I fall asleep.  But when I got home, I really got to thinking about my reading habits and how I plow through books like I do.  I came up with a little list and here it is.  Don't laugh at some of my suggestions.  After all, a mom's got to do what a mom's got to do.

1.  At night before I fall asleep.  But I already told you that.
2.  For at least 10 minutes while I'm in the bathtub each morning.  Everyone assumes I'm bathing and no one interrupts me.
3.  I keep a book on the back of the toilet.  Again--  everyone assumes...
4.  I always take a book in the car with me.  If I am picking a child up from an activity, I inevitably have to wait for him or her for at least five minutes.   If we're driving into the city, sometimes Spencer will ask for me to read aloud to him.  Then we get the double blessing of being able to discuss what I'm reading!  (Sometimes it's one of his books I read to him.)  Family trips are a great time to take along a book.  We will often read fiction on a family trip.
5.  Doctor's offices.  Enough said.

Basically, as you can see from the list, nearly all of my reading time is "stolen time."  I don't ever sit around during the day and read.  Destructo-baby leaves no time for sitting on one's haunches.  Besides, there's homeschooling and laundry to do.  You know the routine.  But even in this busy season of life, I desire to grow and stretch my mind.  And so I take what I can get.  And you should too.

Comments

[crystal]

I really appreciate your wisdom. Good thoughts.

I was wondering if you could explain how long you have homeschooled your children and what drove your decision to put some in public school. We are contemplating schooling choices right now for our 4 year old.

[CeCe Lane]

I agree. I read books and write reviews for Christian Fiction Blog Alliance. Which means I am reading one fiction book a week, plus the other books I'm reading for learning, and pleasure.

When I am asked, "How you find time to read?" I tell them, "I make time. Reading is important to me so I make time." I can't imagine not reading.

I could though do without the comments and the looks that say, "If you were a good home schooling Momma you'd not have time for reading. I don't have time and you shouldn't either. I'll bet your house is trashed all the time, and your girlies run amuck all day and you're not getting enough school work done." *roll eyes*

[Julie]

I LOVE TO READ! I always have--I didn't have many other talents (sports, music, art...none I'm afraid) in school and so I spent most of my spare time reading (and watching lots of the '90s sitcoms, I'm ashamed to admit!).

I read when you do, esp. at doctors' appts. and long drives to our nearest city to grocery shop. Reading before bed and in the bathroom are especially good places. I also bring a book to the homeschool table. That way, I'm there while he's working and available to answer questions and to keep him on task. We don't have any network TV or cable so lots of nights the hubby and I go to bed early and just read.

My kids love books, too, because they see us reading. I've found Gladys Hunt's book Honey for a Child's Heart to be so helpful. I'm committed to building my kids' library with good literature and her recommendations have been wonderful.

I've read that Robbie Castleman book (loved it!) and Feminine Appeal (honestly, liked MOST of it). One of the best books I've read has been Lies Women Believe and the Truth that Sets Them Free by Nancy Leigh DeMoss. I facilitated a ladies' Bible study last year with that book and it was a great experience for everyone.

Thanks for the great thoughts!

[Jennifer, Snapshot]

I love it, too, and for the last year or so have been reading avidly (a few minutes before bed, but often for an hour after the kids' bedtime in lieu of TV). But for me if I'm not consciously thinking about what I want to read and why I want to read it, months can go by and I never even pick up a book.

[janiners]

I can't laugh, because I know exactly what you mean. I was wrong to think I'd have much time to do reading all on its own with a baby in my home. I appreciate your ideas and have already taken some of them up. Here's to finding more "stolen time" to read!

[katherine@raisingfive]

I keep one by my sink and read when I dry my hair. It's sad, isn't it?

Meant to ask how you like Typepad. Trying to figure out if it's worth the leap or if I should go to Wordpress for my next leap.

[Sprittibee]

I love your blog. I'm putting you on my sidebar. GREAT TOPIC and lovely site design! ;) Hope to see you at the HSBAwards!