Monday, February 4, 2013

I have no excuse not to read

Monday is upon us and for many, work goes on.

I'm not referring to the lucky ones. Those writers who's job leaves in them in pajamas, zombie-walking to the kitchen to brew a fresh pot of coffee where they mull over what social media site to visit first.

I'm discussing the ones who still work their 8-5 job (or 24 hours of mom-hood), that leave them a day of pondering on their novel before they're actually able to touch the pages and produce magic.

However, rather than shedding a dark shadow over my forty hour work week I'd like to say I'm one of the blessed.

Reading is a hobby, an escape, and research.

For the writers in us it's a chance to tackle the understanding of story-telling and editing to brilliance. For reader in us it's simply a chance to escape. Now, like most of you, I find those little increments of time where I can sneak in a few pages between writing, editing, diaper changing, and report completing.

An additional one I possess is at work. No, I do not read on my kindle or bring a paperback to read during lunch. There is this lovely invention that is sweeping the nation (or that should've have already swept through or should start, like, now).

They are audiobooks. Those precious gems that captivate your work day for hours on end. So, though you may be finishing up last minute details for an upcoming report, you're still traveling to another land in search of a missing artifcat.

I now have no excuse not to read and feel like a lucky one. I may not be able to write or edit during my work day but at least I'm captivated by those who've already finished their novels and are dying for me to read their novel... or in this case, listen to the tall tale they shared with the world.

My current distraction: The Books of Elsewhere - The Shadows



How do you make time to read? What's on your list?

13 comments:

Stephanie said...

I *try* to get in bed at least a half hour earlier than I when I need to go to sleep and that is my reading time. Lately I've been doing pretty well. Hubby works midnight shift now, which actually starts at 11, and he leaves at 10:25. So once he leaves, I can't really watch TV...all of the shows we watch together i can't watch on the DVR if he's not there! :) So unless there's a What Not To Wear on the DVR, I have no excuse to stay up and go to bed to read :)

Been trying to get back into taking it to the gym too. I on;y do like 15 minutes on the treadmill or elliptical as part of my warm up, but it's something.

(And did I miss something....are YOU changing diapers these days?????????)

Johanna Garth said...

I sneak it in while I'm waiting during piano, tennis, etc. You'd be surprised how much time I spend waiting for little people to finish doing things.

Kimberly Franklin said...

I love being able to listen to audio books at work. I feel like I'm cheating the system! ha!!

Laura S. said...

I read while eating breakfast and during lunch. I get a much longer time to read before I go to bed, so that's my favorite time to read!! Right now I'm reading The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern.

Natalie Aguirre said...

I work like you full-time. I listen to audio books while I walk on my lunch break and when I walk before work. I'm going to start listening while I cook and do housework too.

I love to read and by about 9:00 pm I give myself permission to stop working and crawl into bed and read. Though tonight I think I'll be watching Downtown Abby that I taped last night.

Jayne said...

*hand up* Full-time worker, here. Oh, to one day be a full-time writer, instead! But until that heady day... I commute a long distance so I read in the morning. There never is a seat but I've perfected the lost art of reading scrunched into corners of the tube. On the way home my eyes are tired, even with glasses, and so I listen to audio books or literary podcasts. I feel like I don't have as much time for reading as I used to... and that makes me sad!

DL Hammons said...

I SOOOOO envy you! My reading time has to fight it out with my writing, researching, family time, and me time (other than writing). :)

Karen Jones Gowen said...

Sunday's my day. Don't always get to it, but when I do, it's hours of bliss!

Carolyn V said...

I love audio books! I try to read at night when my kiddos are winding down. But I do need to read more!

Unknown said...

My husband's adiicted to sport so while he has a sessioon match watching I grab some me time. I read and write. Maggie's Child is holding my attention at the moment by my firend Glynis Smy. She's a talented author. Well worth a read.

Unknown said...

I am reading like crazy at the moment. So many books, too little time. I get up forty minutes before I have to wake my brood and read in the quiet nibbling on some toast. I read most nights too. However, when I'm busy with editing, writing and university work, I try to keep away from my kindle because when I start and it's a real page turner I cannot put it down. During these busy periods i'm finding the novella is a great way option. Yesterday, I read Vonnie Davis' A Taste of Chocolate. I highly recommend it.

Georgie :)

Matthew MacNish said...

Holy crap that's an awesome cover. The way the light spills out the window - gorgeous!

Beth said...

That's a cute cover. I cannot do audio books and anythign that requires thought at the same time. I cannot do audio books and mommy at the same time, b/c I cannot hear the book!