How do you read so much?

'How do you read so much?' Today, I am answering that very question. I will be telling you about my schedule, my reading habits, and how reading has become one of the biggest and most important parts of my life.

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[officialmkamzeemwatela]

I am a single mom with a child. And I read! A lot! You’ve affirmed my love for classics. Thank you. I’m also working on my first novel💃🏾

[tahlia__nerds_out]

Hi, I'm a new subscriber; I found you through @BookZealots .
8:44 I agree wholeheartedly. When I was a nurse, I used to hear this all the time from people in regards to knitting: "oh, I don't have the time to knit/learn to knit". It used to drive me nuts, because there was this undertone of bragging that they had more important things occupying their time. Eventually, I made the same point you just did; you make the time for what is important to you; the same people who claimed that they didn't have time to knit made time to go out drinking, go rafting, or binge-watch Netflix. They just chose to use that time for those pursuits instead of for knitting; time wasn't the issue... it was a matter of what they prioritized. Case in point: I used to knit while walking, while grocery shopping (forearms pushing the cart while my hand were busy knitting, or while knitting in line), on lunch break, etc. I always have access to a book and/or my knitting, and on a good day, can knit [a simple project] and read simultaneously. I think that, a lot of time, fatigue - whether due to medical issues or a crazy-busy/stressful life - is more likely to be a deterrent to getting any sort of hobby done, due to the inability to focus. After all, most people can squeeze in knitting one row, or reading one paragraph or one page here and there.

[ladyfox]

I love the silence, too. I can't concentrate with music or distractions about. Only birds and the wind in the trees for me!🌲🐦

[TheLinguistsLibrary]

'reading is a priority'....words to live by ❤

[Yesica]

I get a lot of my reading done these days while I am at the laundromat! There's nothing else to do when you're waiting for the machines to finish. I love it!

[MariaVivian-zn]

Thank you for this Emmelie! Reading does need to be an intentional activity. We can always find excuses not to do a thing so if reading is important it need to be prioritized. Basically I'm just paraphrasing something you have already said. You said it much better!
Also I think that we all go through different stages in life where reading can be made more intentional. As an older person I now have more time to read than when I was younger. Life in not as busy and priorities are different.
I can't image not reading. A life with books is so much richer. 😊

[jenstudies-booksbones]

I also spent 3 hours a day commuting in Brussels and oh boy, with 2 buses and a metro full of people, reading books was always impossible.

[martindiaries]

Very eloquently said! Keep on reading ^^

[ToReadersItMayConcern]

This is the perfect topic for you, and you nailed it. The effects of great literature is unlike anything else and worth the effort to prioritize. Great job, Emmelie!

[ladyfox]

I'm 52 and have loved to read since I learnt how to read, and my teachers were always impressed with how much I read as a child. Always loved story-telling in any format, and enjoyed writing stories when I was younger. Now I love not only books, but also video games and the way stories and lore is told through that media.
I have very eclectic taste, too!

Have just started The Three Body Problem by Cixin Liu which I'm enjoying (love the show, too!)

[binglamb]

I have always found time to read and I especially like to read for 2 hours in the evening after dinner. It's relaxing and I find I sleep much better as a result. I also listen to an audiobook during my morning walk outside for about an hour or so. As you say, it is about priorities and if you really do love to read, you will find the time.

[DominikBialy_]

I picked up reading mostly because it's one of the things that can be fit into any amount of time in any place. I may only get like 30 minutes of uninterupted time in a day, but if I add all that small little 10 minutes windows here and there and listen to audiobook during walking/commute it can reach easily 2-3h/day which is usually more time that I can effectively focus my attention.
I had many other hobbies in life, but nothing fits so well into busy schedule like reading I think.

[ArthurKain]

Yes! Yes to all you said here! I can easily flow into reading and writing, but I need to think about watching one movie or playing a video game. Even then I can only watch one movie in a single sitting and maybe play a video game for ninety minutes on occasion. Audiobooks are beautiful for when I'm workout out too, especially on my long hikes and evening walks around my town.

[TriumphalReads]

I definitely think getting a few pages in here and there at random opportunities is helpful. I think there is a mindset that that kind of reading isn't always worth it or that it won't be retained or something but it really does add up over the course of time. Great vid Emmelie

[kiseryo]

you're like my new favourite booktuber ahhh!!😭🤍 i live for the victor hugo contents and some french lit, and the coziness!! thank you for putting these treasures🫶💌

[richardfairley]

As a suggestion ( if you haven't already! ) - and a challenge with HUGE reading rewards - have you yet tried Edmund Spenser's 'The Faerie Queene'? I think you might fall in love with it if/when you do... 💟

[davidmccalip]

Hello Emmelie! I hope you are doing well. I also try to bring a book with me everywhere I go, especially when my wife wants me to take her shopping as then I try to find either a quiet place or a food court where I can drink a coke and read and not bother her with "let's go." Believe it or not, I get more reading done in spring/summer/fall than winter b/c I love reading either in the front porch or back patio with classical MPR either on Alexa or my phone in the background. In the winter, I read in our library, but it is not the same as outside. Also, I love reading with classical music in the background since it is instrumental music; but can't read if I were to listen to heavy metal like Van Halen, Rush, Cinderella, Scorpions or Led Zeppelin (total child of the 80's 😉) as I would not be able to concentrate. Great topic and I look forward to the next one. Have a great day!

[SevenUnwokenDreams]

Reading is an automatic priority for me. I don't even think about it, I just reach for a book when I'm in between tasks. I get bored watching TV too. I do subvocalize, I can't help it. I tried not to, and it works, but it's less delicious to me haha.

[gladouhills]

I also read in public transportation and by doing so, I realised that I start reading more books because I finish books faster. After I finish a book I journal about it. And I spend less time watching TV shows or videos 'cause I read instead 😊

[rupatiwary]

Hey Emmelie, do you read poems? Or poetry? I don't know the difference.
If I want to start reading it what should I do go and search chat Gpt for good poems or buy an anthology. And what about understanding. I know nothing about meter, etc.
Whatever. Or what's best book. And also I think want to reach that level where I can truly feel euphoric reading a good poem. So think classics poems will be only good. That's just what I think.
I searched for best poems, many said sonnet 18, I read, quite good even though I didn't understand many things, but I say music is way better. Why not not music . I think it might be a silly question still I ask as you are experienced-
1) is it really that some hard books, novels or poems give to much pleasure than some very engaging and exiting movie ? ( I mean I like reading books but I also like some moments of movie or anime which gives me goosebumps every time I see it, I appreciate book and I really love some book, but I can't say same about books)
( Does it have to do with - you reach a certain level when you read them and can appreciate that poem more than an engaging music?)
2.) or it isn't about pleasure?

They are two questions...

Thanks

I know I always make you read a lot with my sorry english.
..