As soon as Elisabeth posted “What’s saving your reading life?” I knew I was going to use it, and I’ve been saving it for a day when I needed a Hail Mary. I have to get up at 7 am and won’t have time tomorrow, so Hail Mary it is. I say that like it’s a problem for me to talk about books.
So here are the two things saving my reading life lately:
An audiobook saved my reading life last week because my students had their book study guides for Travelers Along the Way by Aminah Mae Safi due on Thursday and I was way behind in reading it on Tuesday. Normally, I would teach without having read it, but given that my students are writing their papers on it. I didn’t think that to be the most prudent move. I had a lot to do on Wednesday so knew I wouldn’t be able to sit down and read it for as long as I needed to. Enter the audiobook.
Because the audiobook was on my phone I could take it everywhere I needed to go while I was putzing around the house or moving between errands. I knew that would work because I had successfully done it before with a book club book.
Normally, I wouldn’t use the audiobook to get a book done quickly because I read so much faster with my eyeballs, but, unfortunately, I haven’t yet figured out a way to eyeball read and walk and do errands. Also shout out to Libby without whom any of that would have been possible, especially since I didn’t have time to stop at the library.
The other thing that’s saving me is reading books I choose. The fastest way for me to get into a reading slump is if I have too much assigned reading–even if I like the books. For example, I was enjoying eyeball and earhole reading Safi’s book. I was also enjoying Viola Davis’s audiobook. But the Viola Davis book is a book club pick (and not the one I nominated). And yes I know I assigned Travelers Along the Way to my students so technically chose it. But I chose it for work. And while I might have read it for funsies, reading it on a deadline really makes it feel like work.
So after I finished that book, I picked up the book I got for Christmas. I’m getting ready to choose my next audiobook, which will also be something that I have been meaning to/wanting to read. I need to do that o my reading life will be saved.
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Audiobooks for the win! And yes, I totally know what you mean about a book feeling like work if you have to read it for work–even if it’s something you chose yourself.
Those two things are so helpful for maintaining a reading life! One of the reasons I like being in book clubs is that they push me to read books outside of my comfort zone, but having a lot of “assigned” reading to do lately has definitely slowed down how I’m moving through books! –And I agree that audiobooks really help as well–both with finding more time for reading (my colleague who reads the most also has the longest commute–it’s not a coincidence!) and for getting pulled into books that might feel more daunting in print. I hope you encourage your students to use both strategies as well!
I started listening to audio books some years ago. I enjoy them and I listen while doing other work ???? I also listen to a lot of Kannada books on Storytel. Though my mother tongue is Kannada , my reading speed is slow. I could have increased my speed but somehow it never happened. Storytel is a boon to me.
I’m so glad I came to read your slice. I need to revive my reading life and your two ways of saving yours could be mine too. Thank you
Audiobooks and Libby are two of the things helping me to read more every day. So much love for them both. I really enjoyed Travelers Along the Way. How did your students react to it? I review YA books, but I am a LOT older than the intended audience and can only guess if young people enjoy what I like.