Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

  • Home
  • About
  • Books
    • Peace in the Process
    • Bringing Home More Than Groceries
  • Contact

How to make time for books

December 17, 2020 by Kristin 1 Comment

On my real-life and virtual porches, people often ask: How do you make time to read so many books?

“So many” is relative because I know some people read more books than I do. But, hey, I like to watch TV too. Even so, I thought I’d share nine ways I manage to read books while also mothering my children, who are currently 13, 11, and 5.

1. I read on a Kindle.

Say what you will about missing the physical turning of pages and the smell of an actual book, a Kindle is convenient. I can have hundreds of books at my fingertips wherever I go. And when I finish one, my next ones are right there.

I do read actual books, especially when I get them free, discounted, or from the library. And I read more physical books in 2020 because I needed a break from the screens.

Also, Amazon Prime members get a free book each month as part of the First Reads perk. It helps with quality Kindle reading. (Try Amazon Prime for free for 30 days! Kindle books are only one perk. We also love free, fast shipping and streaming music and TV shows.)

2. I review books on my blog.

I get quite a few free books through launch teams and blogger review programs, although I did less of that in 2020. Weird year. The deadlines that come with the review process keep me reading too. Plus reviewing books helps me process them and connect with other readers.

3. We spend a lot of time poolside.

I devour some fiction books at the pool. In the summer, I’m easier going when it comes to chores and household tasks. (I’m trying to adopt that mentality year around, though!) Just one more chapter and then I’ll move the laundry to the dryer and start a new load in the washer! This was true before we had our own pool, and it helps that my kids are strong swimmers.

4. I read when I’m waiting or sitting …

… at the doctor’s office, at the school pickup line, and when I eat breakfast. I’ve been known to buckle in my youngest and show up at the big kids’ school early just so I can read. Now with waiting room restrictions, I take a book with me to read while my youngest two kids and I sit in the parking lot while my oldest has her monthly orthodontist appointments.

5. I stop reading books I don’t like.

There are way too many good books to waste time on the ones that aren’t working for me. For real, ain’t nobody got time to wait and see if a book might get good. I’m also picky about historical fiction and don’t read fantasy or scary stuff, especially if it involves missing kids, husbands dying in car wrecks, or other situations that could hit too close to home. I don’t really like time travel or anything that’s too far-fetched either.

6. I read what I’m in the mood to read.

Typically, I read one book at a time. I tend to go through fiction binges. I don’t pressure myself to read through a list. I choose my next book when I’m done with the current one. Surprisingly, I don’t set reading goals. It’s a free for all, and that works best for me in this one area of my life!

7. I keep a wish list of books.

I love book recommendations, so I have an easy-accessible list on Amazon. I add to it often, order from it sometimes when prices drop, and consult it in the library. I also keep an Amazon list of good reads to share with others. As much as I like reading, I certainly also like talking about books.

8. I splurged on Book of the Month.

I’d seen people talk about, share the books they received, and brag about the subscription service. I gifted it to myself a couple of months ago and am gifting it to a few people this Christmas. I’ve gotten two monthly picks so far: “This Time Next Year” by Sophie Cousens and “The Wife Upstairs” by Rachel Hawkins plus “Atomic Love” by Jennie Fields as a free add-on pick I earned from the gifts I purchased. (Join BOTM here.)

9. I use the library.

I typically don’t re-read books, so borrowing them works well for me. In 2020, our hometown library did a great job with curbside pickup service. I like to browse, especially the well-stocked new release section, at the library in the neighboring county where my kids attend school. It was opened some this fall, but it’s been shut down again recently. So, yes, COVID made library usage different, but there were still ways to support my reading habit.

Fellow readers, what would you add to your list about how you make time to read?

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email this to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: books Tagged With: books, life, motherhood

Trackbacks

  1. Books of 2020 says:
    December 21, 2020 at 4:01 am

    […] Turns out I managed to read more than than I did in 2019 (53 total), 2018 (52), 2017 (47), and 2016 (53.) I did read almost twice as much non-fiction this year compared to last, but that’s because I was on a memoir kick. I guess reading worked out for me, even though there wasn’t much of a rhythm to it. (Read here about the nine ways I make time for books.) […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Let’s Connect

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter

About Me

Telling stories is my therapy and I love sharing them with friends on my porch.

The main characters in my stories are my entrepreneur husband, our ninth-grade girl who never forgets, our have-no-fear sixth-grade boy, and our joy-filled kindergarten girl. As we live out our stories, we seek God as the author of them all.

Learn more about my story here.

Subscribe for Updates

Recent Posts

  • Books of 2022 … so far
  • Helping adopted teens belong
  • Laundry talk
  • Brave Ben & his broken heel
  • Fifteen

#PorchStories button

Join the Conversation

Join the Conversation

On Instagram

Well, COVID has changed our vacation plans. Honest Well, COVID has changed our vacation plans. Honestly, it’s hard to believe two-plus years later, and COVID is still interrupting all kinds of things. I know it’s a privilege to travel, but there’s still disappointment. Regardless, we can’t board a cruise ship in Canada on Monday to go to Alaska when my boy tested positive for COVID last night. (Yes, twice. 🤦🏻‍♀️)

But the real point of this post: we are regrouping and going to Wisconsin Dells next week. I’m excited to see somewhere new, even if it’s not what I’d been planning. Let’s be honest, the logistics to get to the cruise were already a lot, so maybe this closer-to-home trip is meant to be right now. 

Anyway, who has been to Wisconsin Dells area? We found a condo and have a list of things going, but I’m accepting all entertainment and restaurant recommendations.

#wisconsindells #reallife #covid_19 #covid #momlife #88daysofsummer #summervacation
I don’t really want to get into an abortion deba I don’t really want to get into an abortion debate here, but I will always champion the unborn, advocate for life, and support mothers and families. When I say “choose life,” I mean in and out of the womb. Choosing life begins with not having an abortion, but it continues to advocating for adoption, foster care, support for moms in lots of different situations. 

Western Kentucky is blessed with resources that do this, including @lifehousemurray in Murray and @_hopecenter in Mayfield. Those are great places to send your money and diapers, recommend to moms expecting or raising little ones, and keep in your prayers. 

If you know someone fostering, we have Partners In Care Foster Closet that offers clothes and supplies to western Kentucky foster families. No strings attached. 

I will forever be an open book about adoption, so I’ll be happy to talk about that with anyone who desires to know more. I even wrote a book about our adoption stories: bit.ly/PeaceInTheProcess #linkinbio 

My three kids have life because three women chose it for them. Those decisions changed my life for the better, and that’s only one piece of a much bigger story. 

#prolife #chooselife #adoptionislove #momlife #authorlife #livingfaithfully #PeaceInTheProcess #reallife #unplannedpregnancy #adoption #family #sisters #siblinglove #currentevents #roevwade #lifematters
Here we are halfway through the year, and so far I Here we are halfway through the year, and so far I've read 40 books. That pace is well beyond my usual number for the year. Last year I read 62 total. I don't join challenges, plan what I'm going to read next, or even have a goal. But I still love keeping track. 

Some things to know about my reading habits: I like actual books, but I've been reading often on my waterproof Kindle Paperwhite. I introduced audiobooks into my life this year and especially enjoyed some memoirs while I was driving around while the kids were in school. I will quit books if I can't get into them, and I've done that a few times this year. I almost always have a book (or books, hello, Kindle) with me, you know, just in case I happen upon some time to read. Here are some other tips for making time for books and reading more.

Today #ontheblog I'm sharing the list of the 40 books I've read so far this year. #linkinbio What else do I need to read this year?

#KHTreads #bookstagram #booklover #kindlebooks #librarybooks #bloggerlife #amreading #favoritethings #choosingJOY
The third installment in Abby Jimenez’s The Frie The third installment in Abby Jimenez’s The Friend Zone series may have been my favorite in this enjoyable rom-com series that also takes on some serious topics. (See two previous #KHTreads posts for the other two!)

I was reading it on my Kindle, but then I was early to pick up one of my kids … and realized I forgot my Kindle. I swung by the library and read a few chapters in print while I waited. I couldn’t waste reading time! 

#KHTreads #bookstagram #booklover #librarybooks #kindlebooks #kindlepaperwhite #reallife #momlife #romcombooks
We’ve taken Cate on two mission trips to Guatema We’ve taken Cate on two mission trips to Guatemala with our family, but sending her with our @hardinbaptistchurch family still felt like a big deal. I’m so thankful for the influence @cbright2, @j.essicalouis, @maggiehelms, and others get to have on my girl during these important high school years.

Cate and her friends got to help host a block party, serve at a local church, work in community gardens and at a foster home, and see some Chicago sites. Through it all, I’m thankful she could draw nearer to Jesus and experience ministry in a new way. 

#livingfaithfully #momlife #firstborn #churchlife #88daysofsummer #missiontrip
I stayed up well past my bedtime to finish this se I stayed up well past my bedtime to finish this second book in a series by Abby Jimenez. (See previous post about the first book, “The Friend Zone.”) 

I like this being another character’s story and not just a continuation of the first book. Yes, I have the third installment ready to go on my Kindle and I hope to start it today. 

#KHTreads #bookstagram #kindlebooks #booklover #kindlepaperwhite
First (official) day of summer well spent. ☀️ First (official) day of summer well spent. ☀️

#bettertogether #summerisbest #88daysofsummer #choosingJOY
We have some fierce guard cats! #catsofinstagram We have some fierce guard cats! 

#catsofinstagram #PorchStories #countryliving #catlady #choosingJOY
My own experience with Father’s Day has always b My own experience with Father’s Day has always been a little weird, but I’m forever grateful for the good parts my dad passed on to me, my husband who is a wonderful dad to our kids, and a Heavenly Father who makes friends into families. 

With that said, our gathering today with some others who love Bethel Ministries International and our missionary friends @chopenhannahmooney and @sauljchopen seemed to fall on exactly the right day. 

“There is one body and one Spirit — just as you were called to the one hope that belongs to your call — one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ’s gift.” — Ephesians 4:4-7

#livingfaithfully #fathersday #PorchStories #bettertogether #choosingJOY #reallife
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Favorites

Categories

Archives

Copyright © 2022 Kristin Hill Taylor | Design by Traci Michele | Development by MRM

loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.