Hi all! I am SO excited to be guest writing for Essentially Sydney. Sydney and I have known each other for ages, and I was thrilled when she asked me to write a post about books! I have loved reading for as long as I can remember. I have fond memories of my mom reading to me as a kid, and back when I was a teacher read-aloud time was always my favorite part of the day! This year I decided to start documenting my reading with a book-focused Instagram. It has been so fun to connect with other readers, and my TBR (To-Be-Read list) just keeps getting longer and longer with everyone’s great suggestions.
“I don’t have the time to read.”
It can be hard to find the time to read in between all your many responsibilities. Here are some tips and tricks I have used that help me maximize my reading time.
Audio Books: How else can you read while driving to work, doing the dishes, or going on a run? I always have an audiobook going, and it helps maximize my reading in times when I would not typically be physically able to read.
Digital Library Books: Most libraries have a program where you can check books out digitally, allowing you to read them on your phone, tablet, or e-reader. I always have a digital book going, so when I have 10 minutes in the waiting room at the doctor’s office or get somewhere early I can just pull out my phone and read.
Put your phone to bed, and pick up a book: Not only have studies shown that less blue light before bed improves your sleep, but trading your doom-scrolling for reading for 20-30 minutes before bed means you can finish anywhere from 30-50 books a year!
Never be without a book: I take a book with me almost everywhere. The few minutes you have between events, the time your kids are at practice for sports or the extra time you got when your flight was delayed, are all GREAT times to soak in some pages.
Find a genre you love: Don’t feel like you have to read something just because everyone else is. Find what you like, and focus on that. If you love non-fiction, read non-fiction. If you prefer to get lost in a mystery, read all the mystery books you can! Finding a genre you like makes reading way more appealing. Don’t be afraid to try a type of book you haven’t before- you just might love it.
“There are so many, where do I even start?”
If you need some suggestions on where to start, here are my top 7 books of 2022
Fiction:
Black Cake – Charmaine Wilkerson (I LOVED this book so much I told my last Uber driver they simply had to read it!)
Verity – Colleen Hoover (I know you either love CoHo, or you hate her, but regardless this book is GOOD)
This Time Tomorrow – Emma Straub
Remarkably Bright Creatures – Shelby Van Pelt (This is a book I want to go back in time and read again for the first time)
Non-Fiction:
The Astronaut’s Wife – Stacey Morgan (A beautiful memoir full of things you don’t think about when you think of Astronauts)
I Guess I Haven’t Learned That Yet – Shauna Niequist (I listened to this via Audiobook, but want to buy and re-read so I can take notes and highlight things. Super insightful!)
At Your Best – Carey Nieuwhof (This book guides you on how to be your most productive self with really practical steps)
“I want to join a book club but don’t have time for meetings.”
If you are needing more ideas, there are so many book clubs you can follow!
“What are your top 2 favorite books of ALL time?”
When Sydney asked me to include this I knew it would be hard to narrow down. The following are books I have read more than once and loved just as much every time. They both were formative in my personal life, so they hold a special place in my heart ♥️
There are some misconceptions that reading is an anti-social activity but I disagree. The community I have found around reading is engaging and fun. I would love to connect with you!!
Instagram @ literature.and.lavender.lattes
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/67981390-jill
Happy Reading!!
A huge thank you to Jill for sharing all these amazing nuggets with us! I know a lot of you share the love of reading! You should hit reply and tell me what you have been reading lately!
Are you a new parent? Looking for some new reads? Here ya go!
