I've been reading more lately, and at first I wasn't sure how that was happening. Well, I figured it out, and it's very simple. So I'm going to share my trick with you.
Five minutes here and there adds up. I realized there are plenty of places where I can pull a few minutes. The problem is that I'm usually doing other things. While I have perfected reading while running on the treadmill, I can't read while doing a lot of other things, like cooking, getting dressed, doing my hair, etc. So, I let my Kindle read to me. Yes, the mechanical voice is annoying, but after a while I stopped noticing it.
So now, I read when I can, and when I can't, I let the Kindle read to me. All those minutes add up, and I'm finishing books quicker than I have in a long time. If you've been following my blog for a while, you know I'm a big multi-tasker, and this is just that. I'm multi-tasking, and it's making it easier to keep up with all the great books I want to read.
Now I'm challenging you. Where are some places in your day that you could allow your ereader to read to you?
Right now I'm reading the audiobook of Matched. I love it. I borrowed it online at the library. I might do more audiobooks. I've been tempted to listen to them while I work, but I'm not sure if that is the same as listening to music...
ReplyDeleteLOL Do it anyway. ;)
DeleteI love the concept of audiobooks, but it just doesn't work for me unless I'm driving. Even then, it has to be highway driving where I can put on the cruise control and relax a bit.
ReplyDeleteYes, I love it when I'm driving too.
DeleteI have a stationary bike at home, and I try to exercise on it every day. It's quite boring, so I read while sitting on there. I'm a huge fan of multi-tasking. :) I could probably squeeze in a few minutes reading time in between classes, but I try to write a bit in between hours. I don't have an eReader, so all my reading has to happen from paperbacks or my laptop.
ReplyDeleteThat's a great time to get in some reading.
DeleteI'm trying to get more reading in too. I'm just coming off some intensive revisions, and I need a break before plunging into the next project. I've got a bunch of titles loaded on my Kindle, and I really want to get through them before I get caught up in a manuscript again.
ReplyDeleteTry this technique, Dianne. I love it.
DeleteThat is a great feature. I read on my ipad mini so I can't do that (at least as far as I know). I have been reading a lot of books lately too and I can't wait for new summer releases. I see you are reading Easy - how do you like it? It is one of my favorite books!
ReplyDeleteI'm not too far into it and I feel like I'm figuring things out a lot faster than the MC, which bugs me a little, but overall I'm enjoying it.
DeleteKelly it is hard to find the time to read. I fit it in during my hour break at work, while the hubby drives, during sporting events for my three kids, in the wee hours of the night. I hadn't thought about the Kindle reader as an option- mainly because of the mechanical voice you wrote about, but I might reconsider.
ReplyDeleteYou really do get used to the voice.
DeleteI have the kindle app and not sure if that function works. Hmm.. will have to look into it.
ReplyDeleteI read almost constantly. There are times in my day that I need a "time out" and tuck myself somewhere with coffee in hand and read, even if it's just a page or two.
I am, however, listening to an audio book, Fall of Giants by Ken Follet. I tried reading it and it was quickly becoming a snooze fest. I am enjoying the book. I listen to it while washing dishes, cleaning the rooms, bathroom, pretty much anytime I can't sit and hold my Nexus 7.
So, I am reading two books at a time but the audio book is my back up book when I can't physically read.
"Time out" love that!
DeleteHow do you do that? I can't figure out how to do the "read to me" feature, but I would love to!
ReplyDeleteKatie, on my Kindle I put the cursor on the page and hit the up arrow and the sym key at the same time and it starts reading.
DeleteHmm, don't have a sym key, but I have a Kindle Fire. Maybe that's why? I'll have to Google it :).
DeleteLet me know if you figure out how to do it on a Kindle Fire since that will be what I get next. :)
DeleteI can read while cooking but not while running on the treadmill.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad I learned how to do that. I get a lot of reading in and I get exercise. :)
DeleteI've tried but I get dizzy.
DeleteI'm going to teach my e-reader to hypnotize me into writing more. :D
ReplyDeleteActually, I need to play around with the voice thing. I never tried it.
I'll warn you that it takes some getting used to, but it's worth it.
DeleteI never used to be an audiobook person, but I've really been getting into them recently (especially listening in the car). It's amazing how many more books I've been able to squeeze in that way.
ReplyDeleteI know! I can't believe how much more I can read.
DeleteWow, I never even considered the possibility. Hmmm. I think I will need to try that.
ReplyDeleteYou should!
DeleteAudiobooks are great for that reason, but it's hard to get my hands on them sometimes. I always listen to an audiobook while driving. But while cooking? Great idea. I had no idea your Kindle could read to you. I'm a tiny bit creeped out hahaha
ReplyDeleteIt's a little funny at first, but I'm loving it.
DeleteI don't mind being read to when I'm in the mood for slow and easy,but I read so fast that I grow impatient with audio books. The story doesn't come fast enough for me.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean, but it's great for when I can't read myself because I'm busy cooking or something.
DeleteHmmm... I guess in the car. although I do love music in the car, so...
ReplyDeleteI find time though. I usually read every night before bed. and I used my Kindle app to read on my phone yesterday while the girls were trying their hands at swim team.
Great idea!
DeleteSome great tips and advice, Kelly! My to-read pile is dangerously high and it takes me forever to get through a book. I'm lucky if I can squeeze in 20 minutes a day to read. And I so want to be able to finish more than one book a week!
ReplyDeleteYou should try this, Faith.
DeleteI think audiobooks would come in very handy for me when I'm out walking.
ReplyDeleteYes, definitely!
DeleteWow. This is one tip I would not have thought of. I (still) don't have an E-reader, and had no clue that they can read to you.
ReplyDeleteWith fourteen 'to-be-read' books on my shelf just from the last batch of BD presents, I am looking for any help I can get. But, for now, it would have to relate to the paper-printed sort.
I resisted getting an ereader because I love print books, but I like having both now.
DeleteI've been on such a reading kick lately, but that means I'm writing less! I've found the subway is great for getting in several chapters of reading, but lately the books have hooked me so that I can't stop when I get home (Probably because my reading list has mostly been from the best sellers / book club lists lately).
ReplyDeleteThat's a great use of time!
DeleteGreat idea. Now why didn't I think of it? :) I'll check to see how it works on my iPad. I multi-task too, just can't seem to do only one thing at a times, except for mywriting.
ReplyDeleteI love multi-tasking. :)
DeleteWonderful idea. I should start doing that too
ReplyDeleteI'm amazed at the difference it makes in how quickly I can read a book.
DeleteI love that you found more time for reading. I don't have a lot of time that I can have my ereader read to me- but I do listen to audio books in the car. I try to squeeze in reading whenever I can- and I try to read a couple pages while I blow dry my hair and brush my teeth. :)
ReplyDeleteWhile blow drying your hair! I love it. I'm doing that this morning. ;) Thanks!
DeleteI find that my mind wanders more if I try to listen to a book. But I read while cooking, brushing my teeth, etc. The only place I can't read is in a moving car. Makes me queasy.
ReplyDeleteReading in the car makes me sick, too. :(
DeleteThat's a good idea, Kelly. I don't yet have a Kindle (shock horror) but I can see the advantages. I try to snatch reading time after lunch and in bed. Yup, I fall asleep....though I think it's my age!! As writers, we are always told to read, read, read. Nobody gives us the extra time we need as busy people to do it though!
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean. That's why I'm so glad I discovered this little trick.
DeleteThat's very clever! I've also been reading more lately, but I think it's my brain trying to compensate for the fact that I might not be reading for months.
ReplyDeleteCan't read while editing. Unless it's someone's book I'm supposed to crit. :-)
LOL Yeah, reading while trying to edit is tough.
DeleteFor some reason my ipod doesn't let me comment! I would have been one of the firsts! Oh well.
ReplyDeleteJust sharing that i listen to audio books or text to speech while vacuuming, driving, yard cleanup (we have dogs.), and any other time I can ditch the kids to clean. This was a great invention.
While vacuuming? I'd think that would be too loud. I'll have to try it. :)
DeleteI can't follow audio well for some reason.
ReplyDeleteWhat I do to quicken my reading is read each book in short spurts. I'll read 10% of an ebook at a time--and it's neat to keep track so easily with an ebook---reading several ebooks in the same period, and before I know it I've finished a few books. If I read one book at a time I get sluggish, even if it's good.
I like to read more than one book at a time too.
DeleteYou are the master of time, or mistress, rather. I go in binges when it comes to reading. I might go weeks without reading a book, and then read several books in a row. I just finished The Night Circus, a hefty read at 500 pages, but I was through it in a few days. Yesterday I read Miss Pettigrew Lives For A Day (delightful read). I am a fast reader, which is good and bad, so I've not yet given into a bot reading to me. I still like the touch of a book in my hand and turning the pages, although I do have an e-reader. You are right about the minutes adding up. I am never without a book in the event I am stuck in line or waiting for something I have something to do.
ReplyDeleteI should really carry one with me for the same reason. Thanks, Brenda.
DeleteHey! New follower here! Thanks for stopping by my blog!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.shesinlovewithbooks.blogspot.com
Thanks for following, Chloe!
DeleteI don't have an e-reader and I've tried audio books but I can't seem to concentrate. I'm horrible at multi-tasking! But I do like the 5 minutes of reading here and there. I sometimes read when I'm waiting for the bus, or when I am ON the bus (not great for the eyes, so I'll curb that). Usually, I read when I'm waiting for a student to arrive or when I can really unwind after my lessons and work. (Kelly, reading while running is a feat!)
ReplyDeleteLOL. Reading while I run took some getting used to but I've got it now. I got headaches at first from the bouncing words.
DeleteThanks for the follow, I'm following you back. I have your book Touch of Death to read. Once I read/review it I will send you a link if you would like.
ReplyDeleteFirst, thank you for following. Second, a huge thank you for purchasing Touch of Death. And third, I'd love it if you reviewed it and sent me the link. You've made my day, Christy. :)
DeleteI've been reading a lot of books-non-fiction and novels as research for the eighteenth century part of my current WIP, but felt I was missing out by not reading the books I'd usually read. So I've started setting aside extra time recently to read those books too. Didn't know a Kindle could read to me-don't expect mine will as it's quite a basic one-but will make a note of that for future ref (thanks!). I email my WIP to my Kindle to read through and it would be handy if the Kindle could read that to me too.
ReplyDeleteI've never had my Kindle read one of my books to me, but I should!
DeleteSometimes I don't read for a week or two and then I'll bust out two books over a weekend. And by that time, I'm like, "Ohhhh I missed you, sweet stories!!!" So lately I've been thinking / obsessing about the idea of audiobooks. :0)
ReplyDeleteI try to read every day, even if it's only a few pages. I miss books too much if I don't.
Delete