Make Time to Read a Book when You're Busy

In today's rapidly moving society, even the biggest bibliophiles sometimes have problems finding the time to sit down with a good book. But if you are creative and observant, you'll begin to see how parts of your everyday routine can be used as reading opportunities.

Steps

  1. Buy an audio version of a book. It's usually the cheapest option, and readily available, so you can listen to it just about anywhere. Many public libraries now allow their cardholders to download electronic audiobooks to personal MP3 players. Alternatively, you can buy audio books on CDs or specialized MP3 players. You could also buy the audio version of a book you already own.
  2. Carry your reading material with you wherever you go. That way, you will have it with you when you have a few moments of reading that you can slip in.
    1. Buy a pocket version of a book, such as the Barnes and Noble Pocket Classics. These are cheap, small and can fit in your purse or back pocket.
    2. Read or listen while you are waiting or on line for something. Read or listen on your lunch break at work, or even during breakfast.
    3. If you are a college student, read a book between classes instead of the school newspaper.
    4. Pick books for ease of reading and/or interest level. Even if you do enjoy involved reading during quiet times at home, a crowded airport might not be conducive to the level of focus required to absorb it.
  3. Read while working out at the gym. The elliptical trainer, arc trainer and stationary bike all accommodate book reading, and some gyms have book holders to hold reading material for those who want to read during their workout. Then you will get smarter and fitter simultaneously, and your workout will become more enjoyable at the same time.
  4. Ask your family members to do more housework so that you may relax for a half hour each day to read.
  5. Consider a book or audio book with you when you're on a trip or vacation. Books and audio books make great traveling companions.
  6. Buy a purse big enough to contain a book. These can protect it from wear and damage.
  7. Get a notebook and take notes on a book you're currently reading. This can encourage deeper thought and analysis of the book, or help to remember the plot line if you can't read it often.
  8. Join a book group. This can give you more incentive to finish the book by a certain time. People give you more time to sit and read if you tell them you have to read the book for a book group.
  9. Read short books. If you are very busy, you're less likely to finish that 600 page literary epic.
  10. Read what you love. If you don't like what you are reading and it's not required, read something else. There's no law that says you can't abandon a book just because you don't like it. If you do love a book, you're more likely to return to it and you'll probably finish it faster.
  11. Read each night before bed or every morning when you get up. Opportunities like these make reading a part of your everyday routine, and they take advantage of times when your mind is most flexible and your life is probably quiet.
  12. Read in the bathroom.
    1. Read in the bathtub (but keep a towel handy so the books don't get wet). If you're no good at keeping books dry in the tub, read a magazine or newspaper instead.
  13. Read with your spouse or partner, if you have one. It's a great opportunity to spend some quiet time together. You could also read aloud to each other.
  14. Read in small pieces. If all you have time for is a page or two today, just read that much. It might be enough to get you into the story, or to keep you going until a day when you have more time.
  15. Learn to read faster, but remember that speed at the expense of understanding gains you nothing. Start by reading at the pace that feels natural to you. You'll naturally speed up with practice.

Tips

  • If you want to watch a television show, you can try reading during the commercials, but only if you can tune them out or mute them. Otherwise, reduce the amount of TV you watch, or skip show(s) entirely. You may find that a good book is just as engaging and far more rewarding.
  • Use your public library to learn about what books you like. It's free to check out several titles at a time and sample them, reading only what you prefer.
  • If you're not sure whether to read a particular book, look up a review of it. Many websites have book reviews, and they may offer enough insight to know whether a book is worth reading.
  • A paperback novel is less of a loss if it does get damaged or lost from carrying it around.
  • Keep lists of what you have read and what you would like to read.
    • The list of what you have read is to inspire confidence in your accomplishments and help you remember what you have read and where you have read it. You can use an online service if you wish to show your list to friends or see others' lists.
    • Jot down titles you wish to read so that you can find them easily when you get to the library or bookstore. Having a list, even if it is not formally prioritized, will result in some informal prioritization when you choose among the possibilities. Titles you never seem to get around to are probably less interesting to you.
  • Keep a bookmark handy. Therefore, you won't reread the same part of a book over and over again, or waste time finding your page.
  • Balance your time spent reading books and your time spent reading other things, such as web pages, newspapers and magazines. The latter can provide lots of good information, insight, and entertainment, but seldom have the depth of a book.
  • If you are trying to read, and someone is distracting you by asking about what you're reading, you can end the questioning quickly by saying that you are in an engaging part and will talk to them later.
  • A good book can also help you with the work you must do, but do not want to. You can use the compelling nature of the book to speed up what you don't like doing, thereby giving yourself rewards for each task completed.
  • Read books you genuinely like. Don't read things just because they are on some list created by the New York Times or Oprah. Visit sites like goodreads.com and read reviews to do research on books so you'll know if it's something you can get into.
  • It's not always necessary to read an entire book to get something out of it. Depending on what you are looking for, you might skim or scan the book. You might also look up only a particular piece of information. Use the index, table of contents or chapter headings.

Warnings

  • Make sure to return public library books on time, or renew them, to avoid fines.
  • Do not ignore your family's needs to read a book.
  • If you stay up until dawn reading, you will not be fully alert the following day. You should only do this if you will not have to drive or operate machinery before you recuperate your missing sleep.
  • If you are listening to books on tape or CD while commuting via car, be sure to stay focused on traffic. If you feel you might not be fully able to do so, stop listening. You can always rewind and review the part you missed.

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