5 Weird Ways I Squeeze More Reading Into My Day

Lately it seems that the only time I have to read is bed time. And even more recently then that there's been no reading except on weekends. As it turns out reading a little out loud before bed time has made it easier for The Boy to sleep, and since I love to read it's really not a problem. Except, of course, when I'm so tired that I want to fall asleep the minute I put my head to my pillow.

It's a habit that we picked up around mid-summer, and to be honest it was a whole lot easier to keep up with bed time readings then. I didn't feel as wiped out as I do now, but every day we do our best to pick up the book we're reading and, you know, read it. The book we're reading right now? Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. Haven't heard of it? Check out this book trailer. It's really really cute.

I'll be real honest. I've fallen asleep the few times that The Boy has read, and I may have gone back into the story needing The Boy to tell me what happened. We're a little more then halfway through and so far we've both enjoyed it a lot. Recently Mrs. Readerpants posted 10 Ways To Squeeze More Reading Into Your Day which I laughed at a lot and nodded my head at a few times. But I had to ask myself what weird ways do I try to squeeze more reading into my day? I do this especially when I'm so into a book that putting it down just isn't going to happen. Here they are:

5) Read While Grocery Shopping. Yes, I've actually done this. I've wondered around my grocery store with a book propped up on my bagged veggies and tried a read a few lines every time I wondered up and down the aisle. I wouldn't say it's the  safest way to read since I have to look up constantly to make sure I wasn't going to bump into another person or cart.

4) In My Car Just After Parking. Usually when you get somewhere you have to get OUT of the car. Except I'm more than likely some one who climbed in with my book and am dying to read the next line. So just before I turn off my car I read the next few lines of my story.

3) Standing Up In The Book Store. I'm SO guilty of doing this SO often. My book stores don't have chairs (except in the Starbucks in Barnes and Nobles which are always so packed with people on laptops that getting a seat is moot) so a lot of the time I'm reading a new book I'm thinking of reading while in the store. Some times it can be just moments, and some days it can be 10 minutes. It really just depends on what it is I'm reading.

2) At 3 AM. Some days I just can't sleep. The only way I can is if I read until I know for sure I'll fall asleep when I do. Ever since I bought an e-reader it was much easier to do that because it glows. The bad thing about that? My cat always wants my attention and doubly so when I have something in my hands or on my lap. Most times when I'm trying to read I have my cat sticking her butt in my face wanting my attention. Put away the e-reader and she bounds off as if I don't exist anymore.

1) Standing Up While Brushing My Teeth. Yes, seriously. I will brush my teeth and read at the same time, and if the book is really, really good. Well it's really hard to put it down and do something different.

How about you guys? Do you have any weird ways that you use to get more reading into your day?

It's ok to not like that (award-winning) book.

Today I had a brief conversation with a teen. I looked at the book the teen was planning on reading, and saw it was an award-winner. I made the comment that I'd heard good things about that particular book, paused, then said "Oh, it's an award-winner." The teen said, "Yeah that's why I picked it."

I then said that not all award-winning books are good books. I then regretted saying that simply because I didn't have enough time to give my whole meaning. I meant this; not all award-winning books will appeal to all teens. Same as any and all books that exist. One person can rant while another person can rave.

I love lists from ALA that list which books are best for Reluctant Readers and awards that are given to YA novels. But, they are just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to reading. Award-winning books should be the jumping off point which leads the child, at least, to more books of the same genre or written by the same author. In school however, teachers and students may rely just a little too much on that shiny award sticker on the book before learning what the book is about.

Just because the book won an award doesn't mean that every child who picks it up will like it. But what if the reader, like me, reads a book that's an award winner and doesn't like it or just can't get into it? Shouldn't these students know it's ok to not like the book? It's an award-winning book so I'm sure the writing it well thought out. I'm sure the characters are well-rounded, and I'm sure that the book is a well written piece of art. I know I've personally been in the position where I read an award-winning book, look at the sticker, look at the book, and think "I just don't like it. What's wrong with me?"

There was a panel of people who read that book. Who judged it on its merits and decided that it was good enough to deserve, out of perhaps hundreds of books, a shiny sticker on it's cover stating how wonderful that book was...And I didn't like it. I know when I was young I felt that I was missing something. I guess when she said that her reason for picking a book was because of its award sticker I had the immediate need to tell her "It's ok to not like it."

Because it is.

Have you ever read an award-winner you just plain didn't like?

Online Classes for Librarians

Right now I'm waiting for my photo order for Walgreens to load. I decided to take the time out to update this blog.

I've started work again, and as such my time is no longer my own. Every minute of it is spent either with work, with family, or with The Boy. Life is stressful, but not nearly as stressful as it was last year. Last year was so stressful that I would come home, sit on the couch, and stare at the TV. I wasn't actually watching TV. I was simply staring at it.

This year I'm better able to do my work and keep up with things at home. But, that doesn't mean that I don't feel like using that handy little Stress Reduction Kit over on the right.

It's really a good thing, too, that I am better able to handle the stresses of home and work together this year since I am taking one online class that is a requirement to get my eventual certification for school librarianship. The last time I took an online class was about four years ago through the same university that I am now.

The last time I also took an online class I took full-time coursework with a part-time job because I was pretty much sure I couldn't handle both full-time work and part-time school. As you can probably tell it meant that I had way more time to devote to school. This time around I have to prioritize my time. When I get home, most nights, I go straight to my computer. Ok, wait, that's a lie. I go home and get dinner. Whether that means making it or buying it. Then I sit down, watch a bit of TV with The Boy, and THEN I sit down with the computer. Some days it's with my book so I can do my best to answer a question, or respond to a post, or even to just to read the book.

Seriously my dad wanted me to take MORE classes at one time, but I said no way! I felt I'd have more then enough to do with just one class and my job. Guess what? If I was taking more then one class right now I'd probably have quit. Master's classes are a lot of work. A lot of reading, a lot of group and individual projects, and a big time commitment. Even though everything is online you are committing yourself to visit that discussion board at least three-four times that week. You commit to giving up your weekends and some nights simply because you have something due that week.

But honestly guys? I love this class. I love that I am back in my element and learning about something I truly love. As much as I love my school kids I know that a lot of what I do now is for them. I love them. I go to work each day to see them grow and learn and be ready to do something so wonderful; read. I can say that I love what I'm doing now, but I know in my heart that eventually I want to be a librarian again. To work in that field again. Which makes doing all that work for my class and my kids just that much more rewarding.

So please do expect more updates on what it's like being on and online school and full-time work. I'll definitely be updating more on that. Now I'm off to work on a book review for later on in the week.