I have mentioned several times that I don’t read anymore. Which is strange, because I used to read constantly, obsessively. Of course, blah blah, I read all the time, because that’s the life of a grad student in the humanities, but reading for fun is different. I don’t lay down on my bed and read until I’m lost in another word. I sit at a desk with a pen in my hand and force myself to concentrate on every sentence, because if I don’t, I will reach the last page and then realize I have no idea what I just read.
I fell in love with reading when I was in middle school and we grew apart in my later years of college when I was working two jobs and trying to finish two majors. We haven’t been close since, despite several attempts on my part to reconnect.
The biggest problem was that I just fell out of the habit of reading. But, there are other reasons. I’m much busier than I used to be, but I also have a lot of other distractions. The internet chief among them. I’m always so annoyed to hear people complain about how we’re all instant-gratification junkies with no patience these days, but it’s true I have a much harder time sitting still than I used to. It’s embarrassing how much of my limited free time I waste by checking my email and twitter and youtube and every other time suck.
When I remove the distractions and sit down to read, I find my mind instantly flooded with everything. Things I need to do, things that are stressing me out, things I’ve been avoiding. And that’s another reason I don’t read anymore. I don’t want to think about all that stuff.
In recent months, I’ve tried to stop avoiding things. My schedule has become more structured, so that I don’t have to constantly feel like I should be doing something else. And, I’ve started reading again. I enjoy the quiet–not haunted by it. I have that old feeling I used to get when I read. I didn’t know I’d been missing it.
So far, I’ve mostly been reading non-fiction. Books of essays. But, I’ve begun to pile up all kinds of things to read. Working in a library makes that pretty easy. I don’t know that the habit will stick again. Reading competes for time with all of my other interests, but it’s funny how you find the time to do the things you want to do. And I want to read.
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That sounds a lot like me. I like reading, but there are so many other things that I find somehow ‘easier’, so I tend to those instead. But I have just started a new book, and I intend to stick with it. I hope you manage to read more too.
As an undergrad, except for summer and winter breaks, I barely did any non-required reading just because I had so much else I had to read. If I was in grad school right now, I’d have a hard time too.
I’m so glad you’re getting into reading again. It is hard to make time for it but I just make it a a part of my busy schedule. Every night before I go to bed I try to read 20-30 pages of whatever I’m reading just because I’m already in bed and winding down..might as well read to relax and enjoy. I definitely know what you mean about not having time for it though. Since I’ve started scheduling it in, I’ve been much happier.
I have that problem too, often, of sitting down and thinking of all the other things that need doing. It’s difficult getting rid of distractions like that and fully immersing yourself in the story (whether fiction or not). In a way it’s good you don’t have lots of time to read because it’ll make the times that you do all the more special and hopefully less full of distractions.
I completely fell out of favor with reading as well when I was in college ( I was an english and history major, so lots of reading, just not for fun). But now reading and I have become fast friends again. It is true that you have to make the time for things you want to do and while you may not have all the time to devote to reading as you would like, its good that you’re finding some time her e and there to read. For me its always quieted my mind and helped me relax.
Glad you’re reading again. I was/am such a bookworm – and was since I could start reading! It’s my favorite past time but I like you have fallen out of it – due to time… and also loss of concentration. After a bad breakup – I just couldn’t concentrate… but I have picked it up again and always have 3-4 books on my bedside table ready to read!
I really try to make time to read because I swear it’s theraputic. I already can’t wait for spring break next month when I can knock out 2-3 books and just lay in bed reading.
I miss reading. The last book I read was Paper Towns and it was almost 2 years ago!
I’m really happy to hear you’re reading again. I will say I’ve been slowly down my reading lately (only reading 1 book a week now) but I always try to carve out some time for it because it’s so essential to my life. Reading before bed is when I get the most time in and it’s a great way to calm my mind and wind me down for the night.
I hardly ever read because I have such a short attention span! But I recently formed a book club with some friends and now I’m getting a bit better at reading. Not a whole lot but at least I have a goal and a deadline for reading. Maybe you should start a book club too?
Just finished Russian Debutante’s Handbook by GS. It was amazing! You should check it out.
I’m not able to remove the distractions easily either. It becomes quiet; too quiet.
I quite enjoy reading as well. It’s hard to find the time though. Between work, going out, and computer time. I mean I could come home from work and read, but I will come online instead. I get most of my reading done on car trips, plane rides, or if I go on holidays and am a little more secluded. :D
Reading always makes me think of other things I should be doing too. It doesn’t make sense because is reading really any more of a waste of time than checking Twitter countless times a day? I seem to have no problem doing that. I think it comes down to learning how to quiet my mind and just get absorbed for a while.
I want to read more too!!
I used to read all the time, even using my allowance every weekend to buy new books. I couldn’t get enough.
and now…i’ve had the same book for the past three months and i don’t even think i’ve hit 100 pages yet…bleh.
how about you start a blogger book club and we have book club meetings through blog posts? haha
Yay! I know how hard… even impossible it is to read while in college. I never read for fun in college; I had hundreds upon hundreds of pages of “required” reading I wouldn’t even get through. Now that I’m settled in a full-time job, I’ve been so happy to be able to get through the books I WANT to read again. I used to read a book a day, but those days are gone, and that’s ok. I still make time to read. Even if it’s only 15 minutes before bed (which usually turns into 45).
Precisely why I set it out as a goal for one of my new years resolutions this year! I LOVE reading, but I fell out of the habit last year because it wasn’t a “priority”, there were always things that had to be done.. but this year I’m making time for at least one book a month, even if it means cutting out blogging time/Eastenders time (gasp!) before bed, I find it so enjoyable and I think it’s far more productive :)
I usually bring a book everywhere with me. A few minutes before my dentist appointment I’ll read some pages, or while waiting for a friend I’ll catch up on some reading.
I’m in the same sinking boat. I grabbed Anna Karenina by Tolstoy from the library several weeks ago and have made only an embarrassingly small dent in it because my classes started again. I’m beginning doctoral work in physical therapy in June and know it’s only going to get worse, so I have to finish Anna now and try to jump start the habit before my life is sucked down the hole of textbooks and medical journals. Bah!
a couple of months ago, i realized that i hadn’t been reading as much as usual either. i actually couldn’t remember the last book i’d read for fun. so a couple of friends and i started a book club together that we hold online (we’re all in different states), and it’s really helped to get me not only to read, but to read books i normally wouldn’t have picked up (we have a master list we all contribute to, and when we need a new book we select one at random).
i’ve often thought about starting a blogger book club. would be kinda fun, don’t you think?
YAY for loving to read again! I go through phases where I can read for days and phases where too many things are going on for me to be relaxed enough to read.
I always find it bizarre that I claim to be a person who loves to read, yet once I fall out of the habit, it’s so hard to just pick it back up again. And it’s a habit I miss when it’s gone…
Glad you’re back into it.