For some, reading novels will never be a love. It will be something they just don’t understand the pleasure of, utterly unable to grasp why literature seems to entrance so many.
For everyone else… you just get it. Sitting down with a good book is like the beginning of a wonderful journey; one you can take from the comfort of your own home. You can sit with a cup of tea, a book in hand, and travel through your imagination in a way that no other form of entertainment allows.
CreditSadly, it’s something that adults tend to do less and less as we grow older. It’s especially true of Moms, particularly in the early years of bringing up a child. We feel constantly pressed for time. Opening a book feels like a huge task, not one you can indulge in for five minutes and then rush off for another diaper change. It’s not like a TV show, where you can dip in and out. Books seem to require much more of a commitment.
While understandable, it’s a shame when a love of reading fades away, replaced by a love of being a Mom. It’s particularly a shame because it just doesn’t have to be this way; it is possible to be a Mom, and a bookworm too. You might just need a bit of practice to get back into the habit. If the only book you can remember opening this year so far is a coloring book, then it might be time for a change.
Try Something Vastly Different
Most of us tend to read particular genres; we know what we like and we tend to stick to it. However, it might give you a kick if you find something new and different, which makes you realize exactly what you have been missing out on. No longer are books just ‘horror’, ‘fantasy’, or ‘comedy’ – there are a thousand and ten subgenres to indulge, beginning with books that lead the way in defining what the subgenre means. If your pre-baby books just aren’t appealing anymore, then shaking up your choices could be just what you need.
Books Can Be Occasional
Above, we discussed that books tend to feel like they require much more of a time investment. You have to sit down and indulge in them, right?
Not necessarily. If you pick a short book like a novella (which is typically fewer than 50,000 words), then you can dip in and out without worrying about losing your place in the story. This can take a little bit of practice, but soon you will see that reading doesn’t have to be a hobby that takes hours at a time. It’s all about finding the right books that will work with an occasional reading style and practicing dipping in and out.
Set Aside Some Time To Read
CreditWhile you may feel like you don’t have a lot of time, the chances are there is more being wasted than you realize. If you’re serious about getting back into reading, then you’re going to have to transform some of that lost time into something more productive.
The first step is to try and keep a book with you at all times. Keep one in the back seat of the car, tucked into a diaper bag, or just nestled on a windowsill in the room you’re in. When you’re in the habit of reading for a short amount of time – as detailed above – you can just grab a book and leaf through it when the opportunity presents itself. It could be while your kids are playing in the park or when you realize you have to wait a little longer for dinner to cook – all open minutes that you can fill by reading.
Why is this so beneficial? It acts as a hook; the occasional short burst of reading will give you enthusiasm, tie you into a story, that will then make you find the time to read for a longer period.
Don’t Reread
We’re all guilty of it – rather than trying something new, we go back to an old favorite. While this is tempting, it won’t encourage that part of your brain that seeks out new and exciting stories. If the only reading you do is rereading, try setting the favorites aside and branching out.
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Share Books With Your Children
Why not sit with a book, read, while your child plays with crafts? Or even share the book with them, teaching them new words as you read them? Obviously, pick your books with care, but there’s no reason you can only read specific “children’s books” with children.
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