My most common lament over the past two years is how little time I’ve managed to set aside for reading. It’s been such an important part of my life – I’ve written before about some of the books and authors that shaped me, and obviously in my ten years as an English teacher it was at the very core of what I did.
But since becoming a mum books have taken on a somewhat soporific quality. The pile of things I want to read has been growing bigger and bigger, but no sooner have I got a few pages in than my eyelids have begun to close. That hasn’t been universally true – I have managed to finish some books – but certainly nowhere near as many as I would have liked.
This state of affairs is particularly ridiculous given my current ambitions to be a published novelist. I may not have read many novels since Arthur’s been born, but I have written two! In some ways this is part of the problem. I don’t really like to read fiction when I’m in the midst of working on a work of my own. I think I’m worried that too much of what I’m reading might seep into my words. But I can’t be a writer without being a reader, there’s just too much I still have to learn.
So this week I decided, whilst mulling over the feedback I’ve been given and my own ideas for the next edit of my novel, that I would make time to read. And it’s been awesome!
It’s been surprising how many moments I’ve actually been able to find to lose myself in a book. And also how long I’ve managed to read for without falling asleep when my reading time wasn’t relegated to when I was already tucked up in bed…
I’ve read two novels already since last weekend, and I’m just getting stuck into a third. The first two were thrillers I hadn’t read before – You Should Have Known and The Book of You, both fantastic and more than a little bit creepy. The third is an old favourite of mine, The Time Traveller’s Wife. All three have certain things in common with the novel I’m currently working on, and being immersed in their worlds has helped me realise things about the one I’m trying to create – an added bonus to what has generally been an immensely enjoyable week.
My reading certainly hasn’t gone unnoticed by Arthur either: he’s been increasingly curious about what I’ve been up to (when he’s been awake) and has often crawled into my lap to take a closer look. I think he’s been a bit miffed by the lack of pictures, but it’s inspired him to pick up his own books too.
He loves books anyway, and adores being read to, but there’s been something very special about both sitting quietly reading. Arthur has actually discovered a new favourite book in The Little Engine That Could. We discovered the film a couple of weeks ago – it was kind of inevitable really given his general train obsession, and we’ve both really enjoyed it. He was thrilled to find the characters also existed in the pages of a book, albeit in a slightly different story.
It has been so brilliant to break through the barriers I’d put up for myself and sink into some really good books. I should do it more often I realise, though I think I’m pretty much ready now to get back into my own. In fact I’m really looking forward to it.
Sophie is... 
Oh, you know how I love to read, too. It makes me feel like I’m getting a break, and it’ll always be my favourite way to do so. Glad you managed to make some time for it, and it is lovely when the little ones get on board, too 🙂 Thanks for sharing with #WotW x
I thought you’d like this post 🙂 It is just so wonderful to be lost in books again. I definitely need to make sure I prioritise it from here on in… x
What a lovely post Sophie and very sweet photos. I need to take a leaf out of your book (!) and make more time to read xxx
It is most definitely worth it! Though I’m sure my reading’s going to slip again next week when I’m trying to fit everything else back in… xxx
What a wonderful post! I love reading but never find/make the time. I really should! So glad you have made the time 🙂
I’ve been saying I should for the past two years – it’s definitely worth taking the leap! x
Goodness. I wrote this novel like comment and then connection problem =P
Reading is something that I have learned to love late. It is because I was forced to read and react and do summary in school so many times that reading is connected to assignments and homework. Then I read A Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L’Engle. Its a children’s book but theres something about it that transported me inside the book. And I didn’t stop reading. Books are expensive in my country and you have to buy it as we don’t have libraries so most of my income would go to books. But I am okay with it. It is my happiness and escape. When I gave birth reading became a luxury and it still is. I look forward to when I can read again.
Thank you for your lovely comment. Reading is just so magical isn’t it? I hope you find the time to fit it back into your life more often again soon x
Dropping by from #wotw
I absolutely love when our little bear has a nose at what I’m reading/writing and then sets to, reading or writing herself! And you know what? I find I get too distracted to read too many novels when I’ve got proper writing projects on the go, of which I’ve got 2 at the moment! #Wordoftheweek
Yep, I’m back focusing on the writing this week so I know the reading will take a back seat! I was nice while it lasted though 🙂
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