When did that happen? When did books take a backseat to my other commitments? Reading books used to be a major part of my life, especially when I came to the US. I was a dependent with no work permit and so I used to READ and watch TV! And when I say read, it wasn’t just magazines but substantial grown up content.
Those were the best days of my life as I had lesser things and pursuits to worry about. Not that today is any less but sometimes I miss being the old ME. While other things were out of control, one thing I could certainly reclaim was READING.
It was a shock for Ms. Riri to see me sit with a book and actually read. She was under the impression that mommy had no other interests but phone and social media and I don’t blame her. Technology and social media have like hijacked my life, even when I am there, I am not there, my mind is always wandering…..
Last year when the whole pandemic happened, I thought I would have more time to catch up on my reading, but that just remained a thought. Despite all my efforts I still couldn’t make a dent into my long list of books to read. I was busier than before and the only thing I wanted to do after all the hours spent working from home, home-schooling, cleaning, cooking, and coordinating, was to sleep.
But a few months into the new lifestyle and I was feeling dismayed. I knew I had to start somewhere for the change to happen. Blame it on my sponsors who gift me new book publications every few months. I would read a few chapters just for the sake and then just add it to the pile of books that were either untouched or were half-read. Looking at this pile made me feel guilty.
I wanted to get back to reading, but not impose it. I wanted to bring back the fun and excitement without making it stressful. So here’s how I went about it…..
Audiobooks
Truth be told, getting back to some level of reading was a task. A task where I had to unwind and then train myself all over. I had to train my mind to calm, to be present and to focus. I knew diving into a book right right away would’t be a good place to start, so I kicked off with audiobooks.
Until a couple years ago, I steadfastly maintained that audiobooks didn’t count as reading. That soon changed when I discovered the ease of being able to download the books from the library and listen to them while cooking or walking the dog outside. It was convenient, hassle-free and I could do it on the go.
Listening to podcasts was another alternative to physically reading a book. I was okay with that too but audiobooks are my personal favorite. Using my ears in round one was the best way to ignite the literary spark in me.
Proper Setup
Might sound tad bit too much, but I needed to self-discipline and set up a space in my house as my ‘reading nook.’ I like a dedicated space for everything in my house, so why not for reading! It all started with a nice winged chair in my study. A side table with a lamp, a photo frame on the table and a spot for my tea finishes the setup- simple yet inviting!
Initially it was ten minutes with my book and evening tea, but gradually as the interest evoked, the time increased too. I started with reading a couple chapters and then the count steadily increased. This helped me channel my interest and focus into the book. When after a couple of chapters I wanted to know what was next. This kept me glued.
One rule- I don’t bring my phone to my reading nook. It’s a phone-free zone as I can easily fall into the temptation of checking my phone every ten minutes.
BOOK CLUBS
If you are into socializing, drinking wine, and hearing others rhapsodize about their reading lives- then book club is your jam. These days it is all virtual but local libraries host weekly book clubs where not only can you meet with like minded book lovers but it’s also a good excuse to socialize on a weeknight.
I joined one recently and we meet every Tuesday, virtually of course. The host picks out a book based on a prior poll. We have a choice to either buy the hardcopy or the e-book. It’s usually in the evening over a glass of wine. We read, we narrate, we discuss, we chat and it’s so much fun. There is always so much feedback and a lot of good book recommendations. I’m glad I was able to commit to one.
Take it outside
Trust me folks, there is nothing like reading a book outside in nature. The weather has finally started to warm up and I like to bring my lunch outside and get some reading done, while Maze sits by. The birds chirping, sunshine, cool breeze, sets the tone right for a book lover.
Places where you can relax, where your mind wanders less are the best places to be when you are in the mood for some reading. Beach, the neighborhood park, the local library, the rooftop terrace of your building- all of these are some of the best outdoor places to bring back the reading drive.
If we want to read more, we need to take more time to read every day. Making excuses and turning down any opportunity to be in the company of a good book is so overrated. I’m glad I was able to reinforce some old practices and stick to it. It feels good to be finally getting my reading mojo back….
Some of my recent reads
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