“The books transported her into new worlds and introduced her to amazing people who lived exciting lives” From Matilda by Roald Dahl. 

A rainy day, a cup of tea, a blanket, a good book. This is an image I conjure up in my head on a regular basis. The reality is a different story. Life has been so busy, particularly in the last 5 years, and this notion of cosying up with a good book becomes less of a possibility. With a house to run, a job, a child and another one on the way, I find my day is taken up with duties and responsibilities. Whenever I get time to myself, I try to fit in exercise, rest and reading. It can be tricky. As a result, slightly less romantic tactics have to be deployed to make sure I get my reading time. This isn’t as easy as I imagine, but I have found many ways to build reading into my daily life.

e-reader

Eight years ago, myself and my now husband were on a 6-month, round-the-world trip. My other half had bought an e-reader before coming on the trip and was raving at how great it was. I scoffed at the idea, insisting that there’s nothing like a real book with real pages as I lugged unnecessary weight around in my backpack. During the trip, I celebrated my birthday and he bought me an e-reader, and as I gave him a watery “Thank you” I placed the device in my bag with no intention of using it. Within two weeks, I was hooked, and had posted most of my books back home. 

Although I still buy and read “real” books, I find my e-reader makes the challenge of daily life much easier. It is so small, compact, and portable, that I can slip it into my handbag and take it out anywhere or anytime I get the chance, in a waiting room, on public transport, or in a café. 

Benefit of lists

I am a list-maker and a goal-setter. Some may believe that this tactic takes the pleasure out of reading, but I thrive on having an objective. At the beginning of every year, I resolve to read one book a month. Being a slow reader, I don’t always achieve this goal, but it’s something for me to work towards. It means that sometimes when the urge to turn on the TV or scroll through my phone appears, I reach for my book instead to try to keep to my resolution.

Escapism

Why is it important for me to fit reading into my daily life? For me, it’s a great way to escape. I love to delve into another world and forget about realities surrounding me. Fantasy and Science Fiction are my favourite genres, which are perfect for experiencing a dimension beyond reality. 

I also struggle with down-time. If I spend my free time in front of a screen, I feel I have wasted it, and this feeling is quickly followed by guilt. These days, with life being so hectic, time to myself is so rare I feel I should spend it wisely, and in my opinion, reading is a productive way to relax.

Knowledge, knowledge...

As well as helping me to chill out, reading is also a source of knowledge for me. Although I enjoy the other worlds of fantasy and sci-fi; I am partial to books which can educate me in science, history or even about a person’s life who I admire. I have always been keen to learn new things, and sitting down to a good biography has always appealed to me, as I love to know how a well-known person grew up, how a band got together etc.

Interesting books covering scientific topics can be difficult to come by, but someone like Bill Bryson can be unique in his ability to explain big ideas in simple terms. Books about travel always appeal to me especially during that period of the year when you feel like your next holiday is so far away! Usually when I visit a new place, I pick up a book about its history. I find this helps me absorb the information long after my visit to a museum or historical monument and gives me great context. Reading is something I find both relaxing and exhilarating. The fact that I can transport myself into another world helps me deal with some of the challenges that life throws at me apart from providing me with additional perspective and wisdom on certain difficulties that I might be experiencing.

Human growth 

Reading about a character (either real or fictional) who has to struggle a lot makes me grateful for what I have. Reading helps me gain not just information and facts on certain things, but also improves my emotional awareness and ability to solve problems more easily. 

At times, I find myself leaving the housework, abandoning my phone and the TV and simply curling up with a book. I know that making time for reading can be challenging, but the benefits that I gain from it, is part of the magnet drawing me closer and closer again to books.