Habits & Conditions: A Reading Life

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 Have you ever thought about your week and investigated your reading sessions? For example, where you read, what you are reading, or what the conditions are when you are reading? When I think about my reading habits, I can easily share the various habits that have helped me make reading a deliberate part of my life. 

Currently, books that I am reading are placed inside the bag that I bring with me in my car from the house. I place my book(s) in the outer pocket because I know this is an area that I will always look inside of. Placing whatever book I am reading in this spot, will allow me to see it and "remind" to get my book out; especially if it is a busy day. 

I do a lot of driving, so I usually have a book on my e-library checked out, a book or Bible plan I am on in the Bible app, or a podcast series set up that I am listening to. I try to make those drive times (if alone) a time where I can still be "reading" something. Usually, in the car, I prefer to "read" material that is more self-help-related, spiritual, or professional growth-related. If I am not in the car, my lunch break has become a time where I read-the reading I do while eating my lunch is academic-related. Maybe a textbook I need to read or other reading related to a class or something I am learning related to dyslexia, etc. 

Some of the challenges I have found with reading during my lunch break is that there are usually people around and at times they will strike up a conversation with me and then I am not able to give attention to my reading. Because I try to maximize my time it can be easy to become so task-oriented, that I don't always stop and pursue the conversations completely. One place where I have found that reading has been the best is right before I sleep. By this point my kids are asleep and I can take 20-30 minutes and read what I would consider leisure reading. Something I am reading because I like the story! I enjoy this time and try my best to make it a nightly ritual. The comfort of my bed and the book on my side table is very inviting. 

Usually, my family knows what I am currently reading or it could be a friend that I shared a book with. Many times I think about my husband with certain books I am reading and I like to share with him about it. I also like to share with my oldest daughter because she is an avid book reader and she enjoys sharing about her reading with me as well. I usually get book recommendations from social media friends (Instagram), professors, and other educators in my field. 

If I wanted to read something that would go super fast, then I would probably pick up some Dr. Seuss books. Even though they are not long chapter books, they can be a fun read as well as some have some thigns to learn and they are something I can read with my younger two kids. 

If you want to have a productive and deliberate reading life then examine your habits and see what you can do during your day to make literacy a part of it. 

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