Small Snippets and Long Swallows

My main goal for 2012 was to be a reader of good books. I saw myself slipping into the mode of my only input coming from the internet. Nothing wrong with the internet, but I knew there were a lot of good books out there I needed to read. So I started making it a priority. And being purposeful about what I read.

My goal is to read one book for each of my roles each month. A parenting/homeschooling book, a writing book, a personal development or business book, and a book on relationships or marriage. And I’m just allowing myself one novel per month, after I’ve finished the other ones.

A friend commented, “You must be a really fast reader!” Actually, I’m pitifully slow. How do I get all these books read in the middle of my busy life? By determining to make it a priority. I take a book in the car, to the bathroom, to the chiropractor, to bed, and I am learning to limit my computer time. This opens up vast measures of reading time some days!

Stephen King says,

“I take a book with me everywhere I go, and find there are all sorts of opportunities to dip in. The trick is to teach yourself to read in small snippets as well as in long swallows.”

I’m am learning this art as I try to fit reading into my busy life. And it’s totally worth it. My mind revels in the new ideas, the succulent prose, the inspiration, and the camaraderie of a good book.

I’ve created a page on the blog to hold me accountable to this goal, where I’m going to keep a list of books I read in 2012. You can see the list as well as a brief account of my impressions of each book as I finish it here.

Also, join me over at YLCF next month for “March of Books” – dozens of book reviews and some great giveaways! I’ll be reviewing my all-time favorite book from 2011!