I love the question for this month's Literary Blog Hop, hosted by the Blue Bookcase, so I am going to double-post the heck out of today. :)
How do you find time to read, what's your reading style and where do you think reading literature should rank in society's priorities?
Question 1: How do you find time to read?
I tend to read whenever I am waiting. If I'm standing in a long line, if I'm waiting for my husband to put on his shoes or brush his teeth, if I have an appointment, I will read. I also have a long commute and I ride the bus, so I try to read at that time as well (although I frequently fall asleep).
Question 2: What's your reading style?
As far as how I read, it is in silence, and often in small slices. I am a big fan of the Pomodoro Technique, where you set a timer for 25 minutes to be productive, then have 5 minutes to relax, then back to the 25 minutes of productivity. My 5 minutes are reading minutes. I don't usually read for hours at a time, because I just don't have those long stretches of time, except occasionally on Sundays and vacations.
Question 3: Where do you think reading literature should rank in society's priorities?
So here's the thing. I think it is individual. I read quite a bit. I love reading, it is fulfilling for me, and it is an important part of my life. But I don't think it is like that for everyone, or that it should be. I don't expect people to want to spend as much time reading as I do. I will say I think teaching children to enjoy literature and spend time reading and learning is beneficial and should be a high priority, and I have a hard time understanding adults that never read, but in general I think it should be based on individual goals, not what society thinks should be a priority.
Reading in 5 minute increments as part of the Pomodoro technique? Sounds intriguing!
ReplyDeleteIt sometimes shortens my attention span for reading, but I definitely get more reading done when I intersperse it throughout the day.
DeleteLorren,
ReplyDeleteNice insight into you and your thoughts on reading. Perhaps, I will answer these questions on my blog. :D
You should!
DeleteI like how you broke down the question(s). I agree that reading doesn't have to be for everyone but I really don't understand those people who NEVER read anything!
ReplyDeleteI don't, either. I don't feel the need to make people read, but I don't understand how anyone wouldn't enjoy it!
DeleteOne of my biggest struggles as a reader is that I fall asleep a lot. I like to read aloud sometimes because of that weakness of mine (which clearly would not be a good strategy on the bus:)).
ReplyDeleteI credit great teachers and a great mom for helping me to develop a love of reading at a young age. I don't think everyone needs to read the classics necessarily, but I do think people need to engage with thoughtful language.
I like to read aloud as well! I am excited to have kids and read with them, but I sometimes just read aloud to myself. Not on the bus, though :)
DeleteWhat you said about people needing to engage with thoughtful language reminded me of something Leif Enger said at a seminar I attended. He said it didn't matter what people read, better absolute trash than nothing at all. I can never quite put my finger on why reading is so important -- I think it is so instinctive to me that I can't really think about it.
I like your comments on teaching children the value of reading. Of my three daughters, two loves to read and are never bored. Sadly the oldest one does not like any reading and is constantly complaining she is bored.
ReplyDeleteI can relate to your two daughters who do read. I am always looking for more to do, and the only time I ever feel bored is if I'm reading a boring book (I have a hard time quitting a book).
DeleteI completely agree with your answer to question 3. So many people tell me that they don't have time to read, and I always reply that they DO, but they choose to spend that time doing other things. Which is completely fine! People should do what they enjoy, not what they feel forced to do.
ReplyDeleteI love what you say about choosing to spend time doing other things. I think TV is a big one of those things. And while I can't understand people not wanting to read, I don't think forcing someone to do it would be beneficial.
DeleteInteresting answers for the second part. I need sound in order to read and often have my iPod tuned on as I read. I can't stand the silence at times and find that I can read better when I am listening to something, including a few book podcasts.
ReplyDeleteReading is an individual thing. For the most part, my family reads, at least those in my immediate family, but also my grandparents and also there are aunts and uncles who read but I don't know about my cousins as to their reading habits. Some have young children and are busy raising them and since I am not particularly close to them, I don't know if they do at all.
Interesting that you need sound to read! I just start listening to the music instead of the book when it is on.
DeleteMy siblings all read a little bit, but probably a book every few months. I don't know about my nieces and nephews -- I know one reads voraciously but I don't know about the other 9.
I also read while I wait! But also in the evening I have time to indulge.
ReplyDeleteI think as many people that can be encouraged should read but I agree it's not for everyone. I don't listen to music much, it's also not something you can force onto people.
I can't wait to be out of school so I can read in the evenings as well! And I agree -- when I have children I am going to encourage them quite a bit (maybe push a little... haha) but I don't want to make them hate reading, so when all is said and done it will be their decision other than schoolwork.
DeleteThat Pomodoro Technique is very interesting. I bet I could motivate myself to do a lot of chores that way...
ReplyDeleteI like that you read in little gaps where you have to wait for something. I feel like I never have that "waiting" time anymore, since I got my own car and whatnot.
That is nice to not have that waiting time! With the bus I have quite a bit. Someday, when I am not commuting anymore, it will be amazing, and I will just have all that waiting time packed into an hour at night. I can't wait!
Delete"I think it should be based on individual goals, not what society thinks should be a priority." I definitely agree that it's individualistic, but I think society should place more of a priority on it because educated and literate societies are better than the alternative. With society determining funding for libraries and literacy programs, I think it has to go beyond just individuals appreciating literature. I do think a lot of people who don't like to read just haven't been exposed to the right literature or in the correct way.
ReplyDeleteI hadn't thought about libraries and literacy programs, which is a good point that you make. And I agree with you that it is helpful to find the right book for the right person -- I think there is a book out there for everyone.
DeleteI've never heard of the Pomodoro Technique...I should really check into that as I could stand to beef up my efficiency at times. Any ideas or tips help, particularly with a three-busy-children + busy-husband-that-works-all-the-time household and managing all of their activities plus the duties of wife, mother, and caretaker of the house. I'm don't feel very organized. I don't know anything about this technique, but I'm liking the idea of short bursts of time with tiny little breaks to look forward to...you may be onto something!
ReplyDeleteAs it stands, I read ALL THE TIME when I'm not doing something else. If my hands are busy, I'm listening to an audiobook if I'm not actively engaged in something else. I'm just a heavy reader and I love it so much. But I understand and respect that others don't feel that way, like you.
Great post, Lorren!
It is definitely helpful for me! I have a hard time focusing on tasks for a long time, and knowing there is a small reward for me in the form of a book is very motivating.
Deleteinteresting response. agree that it is individual. I wouldn't force anyone to read. but gentle encouragement is another thing ;)
ReplyDeleteMy kids will definitely be "gently encouraged" -- haha. Hopefully they pick up the hints!
DeleteI agree - reading is definitely an individual thing. All my family will sit down to read and we'll be reading completely different things, but I think the most important thing is that we're doing it!
ReplyDeleteI agree! I've never been a "book snob" -- I think reading is great, even if it isn't my book of choice!
DeleteI've never heard of the Pomodoro Technique. Sounds like something I should try! Like you I also don't get it when adults don't read. Unfortunately my husband is one of those people. On another blog this was described as a 'mixed' marriage. The example they used was when one partner spends hours in a bookshop and the other is waiting impatiently. I also said in my answer that teaching children to read is a priority. I'll feel like I have failed if one of my children become an adult who doesn't read, and since they're the product of a mixed marriage I may have to brace myself as this may happen.......
ReplyDeleteThat would be tough! My husband reads but he has a narrower sphere of interest than I do -- he mostly reads science nonfiction. I'll bet if you read to your kids they will at least have a really great start on reading!
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