March 1, 2016

Let's Chat: Why I Don't Read

I though that once a month - the first day of each month - I would post a discussion post just to get people posting and chatting a bit more.  

This month I thought I'd talk about why I don't read.  Yes, yes I know - I'm a book blogger so I should be reading all the time.  The truth is - I LOVE to read, but I don't always read and there are many reasons why that is.  

Here's just a few:

  • I have three kids and they take up a bit of my time and attention!
  • I work full time, so many days I get home, and I'm just too tired to read.
  • I'm in school as well.  I'm getting my school media specialist license, and I won't be done with that until 2017 some time.  Now cool enough a few of my classes require that I read YA, MG or early chapter books so that helps BUT many don't.  That means I have other homework to do, so that cuts into my reading time.
  • I like to hang out with my husband and do things together.  He completely knows that I love to read and would let me read all the time, but I happen to like going and doing things with him as well.
  • I don't feel like it.  Yup I said it.  There are times were I really just don't feel like reading! I'm tired.  My brain is gone.  I just want to stare at the TV.  All those things.  Reading can be very emotionally draining for me because I really get inside a book, so sometimes I just don't have the energy to do that! 
  • I'm writing.  I don't write as much as I'd like to either, but when I do that takes time away from my reading.
  • I've just fnished an AMAZING book and don't have it in me to start another.  You know - the whole book hangover thing.  It's hard to pick up a new book when you just loved the book you finished.
  • My TBR pile is huge and overwhelming at times, so I avoid it :)
That's all I have for now.  The simple truth is - reading is not my end all - be all.  It's something I love and enjoy BUT I don't have other parts of me.  I'm wanting to run more, so that will cut into it as well (well unless I listen to audio books!).  And the other truth - it doesn't bother me that I don't read 24/7 because I know that usually what I'm doing instead is important.  My daughter is almost 17, so she won't be home too much longer.  I'd rather chat with her than read! Would I like to read more? OF COURSE! But why beat myself up over something that can't change.  Life is good.  I still get time to read good books.  I still get time to blog about them or talk to others about them, so it's good.  It's really good.

What about you?  What are some of the reasons you don't read????


2 comments:

  1. Yes, yes to all the reasons that you've listed. Although, I don't think I've ever had a book hangover. One I also have is waiting for the next book to come out in a series before starting the first book, especially if I know it's going to be a series that I might enjoy. Then I can read at my own pace.

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  2. I've been in a little reading crisis since my husband died two years ago. It's easier to lose myself in TV than a book at night. I'm finally getting back into reading at night, but found for awhile I need to read adult novels with more adult characters. I can relate to them better with all the challenges I've been going through. I don't pressure myself to read anymore, but still enjoy it.

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