Hi friends! I’m joining Joanne at Slices of Life for the Share Our Lives link up. For the month of November, we are sharing habits to make time for reading.
Here are the bloggers that are hosting this fun series! If you are interested in joining, it’s the second Monday of each month! Here are my habits for making time to read! I used to think I “wasn’t a reader.” Because reading felt like something you had to sit down, be quiet, and block off time for. Spoiler: I don’t have that kind of life. But I’ve learned something – reading doesn’t have to look traditional. I get through all my books by listening to them. If you’ve ever said “I wish I had time to read”…this post is for you!
LET’S NORMALIZE AUDIOBOOKS.
Audiobooks count. Period.
The goal is the story, the learning, the escape – not the format. Listening is still reading. It still stimulates imagination, builds vocabulary, increases empathy, reduces stress, etc. You’re not “cheating.” You’re being efficient.
“I don’t have a reading chair. I have a minivan, a laundry room, and a grocery store. And that works.”
WHERE I FIT READING INTO REAL LIFE.
Driving to work in the morning, listening for 20 minutes.
Driving to pickup the kids in the afternoon, listening for 20 minutes.
School pickups, waiting in the carline for 15-20minutes adds up fast.
Walking, my favorite pairing is audiobook + fresh air.
Getting ready in the morning, replaces mindless scrolling.
You don’t need “book time.” You need micro pockets. Consistency = length.
MY SETUP.
App: I use the Libby app on my phone, it’s soo easy! All you need is a library card and it’s like going to the library except digital. Here is the app: Libby App Link
Headphones: Any headphones you have that work with the device you use.
Speed: You can change the speed at which the narrator speaks! I don’t usually mess with it, unless the narrator is ungodly slow. Tip: If the book feels slow or boring…bump the speed up. Sometimes that helps me!
HOW I CHOOSE BOOKS WITHOUT OVERTHINKING.
I keep a small list in my notes app. Anytime I hear a good book recommendation on the tv, or on the radio, or wherever I put it in my notes app. If the book is too slow or I’m super bored, I return the book and go searching for another one!
Reading should feel enjoyable, not like homework.
MY CURRENT FAVORITES.
Here is my online list of all the books I’ve read in 2025 so far. Mandy’s 2025 Book List So Far… You will see the Bible on there twice, I started it once, then restarted it again, I am about halfway through but wanted to take a break and read something else.
You do have time to read, you just have to let it look different. You don’t have to be sitting still. You don’t have to finish books in order. You don’t have to feel guilty because your reading is “on audio.”
This still counts.
You’re still a reader.
You just read with your ears.
How do you make time to read?
Do you read actual books or audio books like myself?
Previous Share Our Lives Posts:
January – Saving Time On Chores
February – Tips for Falling Asleep
May – Celebrating my Birthday
September – 5 Things We Like To Do In Winter/Spring/Summer/Fall
I absolutely agree that they count! If listening to books didn’t count… then why do we read to little kids so much?! I often find my next book by hitting the “books like this” line when I’ve returned my book on the Libby app (of course the suggestions aren’t always in audiobook format but I just ignore those). Libby is strictly used for listening in my life. I almost always listen at double speed except for celebrity memoirs… they just don’t sound like themselves otherwise!
You know, I’ve never thought of it like that! We read to our kids so much when they are little, you’re right! Some people think audiobooks aren’t really reading, but I absolutely do!
I do listen to Audiobooks now and again and I never really thought they counted, so I am a reader. I just listen to them off Spotify.
I listen at 2x speed. Once you get used to it, you can speed it up!
These are great tips! I still feel newish to listening to books but I’m thankful I’ve picked up that habit. I get at least one extra book read a month by listening. Thanks for joining our link up