Internet, I have a confession. I don’t actually read that many books. I know it probably surprises you, since I love writing so much. But it’s the truth and I’m not proud of it.
I am a champion book buyer. And I have every intention of finishing them at the time of purchase (or borrowing). But it takes me forever to finish a book, and by the time I am three quarters of the way done I am either over it or have gotten too excited about starting the next one. Another problem is that the only time I have dedicated to reading (books other than the bible) is at the end of the day, as I’m falling asleep. Not exactly quality time. I am noticing that my attention span has gotten shorter and shorter. I think you are partly to blame for this, Internet. You and my phone are in cahoots.
No more! I hereby declare 2014 as the year of the written word. I am going to make more time for reading books in my life. If that means less television and Instagram time then so be it! If I have to start up the forgotten Word Wednesday series again, then I will! I am going to read all the books this year!
These are the ones currently sitting on my night stand. Confession: I totally had to make my bed to take this photo, and I only made one side of it. Don’t give me any book recommendations yet, I’m feeling overwhelmed by this tower already.
Pictured:
- When I Don’t Desire God by John Piper (almost done! Two chapters left)
- The 100 Year Old Man Who Climbed Out the Window and Disappeared by Jonas Jonasson (almost done! 20 pages left)
- Instruments in the Redeemer’s Hands by Paul David Tripp (Just started, halfway through chapter 2)
- On Beauty by Zadie Smith (haven’t started)
- The Forgotten Garden by Kate Morton (also haven’t started)
- Lone Survivor by Marcus Littrell (waiting for the movie to come out. kidding.)
- The Forever War by Dexter Filkins (really super haven’t started)
Not Pictured, but also on my To Read list:
- 1927 by Bill Bryson
- Every Good Endeavour by Timothy Keller
- Attachments by Rainbow Rowell
- Feminine Appeal by Carolyn Mahaney
If anyone has any suggestions on how I might be able to make more time for reading in my life, I’m all ears. Start a book club? Quit my job? Ditch all my friends to become a well-read hermit? I really wish I could be like the dad in About Time who time travels just so he can have more hours to read every book. I don’t think have invented Time Travel yet.
100 year old man and On Beauty are great! Kate Morton is an excellent writer. I loved “House at Riverton” (check it out afterwards) and Bill Bryson’s “Notes from a Small Island” is hilarious.
Way to go, Sarah! I heart reading. Good luck with your year of the written word! I can’t wait to hear more 🙂
On Beauty is really good. Difficult but good.
I want to borrow Lone Survivor. Also the movie is already out.
HERE is a really really good blog post about making time to read: http://goodbooksandgoodwine.com/2013/01/dude-you-totally-have-time-to-read.html These methods enabled me to get through 120 (ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY) books in 2013.
I will have to ask Afed if I can lend you Lone Survivor when I’m done since I borrowed it from him. Also I know the movie’s out that was a super lame joke.
ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY!!! I think I would be happy with like, 30. But I’ll check those tricks out.
Thanks for this post, Sarah Miller. I too am suffering from the awesomeness of TV and the only time I seem to be spending with books is when I dust the pile next to my bed. I’d love to hear some tips to help us make room for more reading, although I’m pretty sure it’s just: Watch less TV.
I find I am a book addict. I start to read one and will stay up all night to keep on reading. Then, when it’s done, I go through withdrawal (or perhaps that’s the need to sleep), and wonder what to do next. Life gets busy, and then I don’t read again (novels just for pleasure anyway) for a long time. It has to be a good read, or highly recommended for me to start a book, just cuz I know how I am with them. When I am really short on time, but want a quick read, I have done magazines in the past. Short stories are great for short time spaces too. At least those are literature (well, some anyway). HOlidays are my best time for reading. And this is coming from a person who watches NO television at all, and doesn’t have a smart phone. Life is just busy.