Five Things Getting in the Way of Reading

I think every bookworm agrees that we would be happy if reading was a full-time job. Sadly, that cannot be. Even if you're an editor or a librarian, there's lots of other things that go with your occupation besides reading. I think most of us are not even editors or librarians—so what keeps us from reading as much as we would like? Here's my list.

1. Family. I live in a multi-generational household, which includes my sweet two-and-a-half-year-old niece. I've generally had her in my direct care anywhere from 2 to 8 hours every day, and though I wouldn't trade it, that's also a lot of time to focus on a high-energy little one. We love having pretend tea parties, playing outside, and taking naps together. Her dad recently got a new job so he's home every evening, which should free up some time soon.

2. Working. Although I do take a book to work every day, I don't always get around to cracking it open. I work at a Christian school as a one-on-one tutor for grades 6-12. If there's a break between students I read a bit, but otherwise I'm teaching things like how to find indirect objects, how to solve for x, and explaining events from world history. Plus this time of year is crazy for teachers everywhere.

3. Taking care of myself. I could read a lot more if I never slept. 😉 Or exercised or cleaned or made dinner. Alas, these things are important too! One can, however, listen to audiobooks while they do a number of these things. I keep forgetting to check out the free Christian audiobooks on YouTube, but that would be a great way to incorporate more reading into my regular routine.

4. Writing. As an aspiring author, it's important that I spend time working on my manuscript too. I can't get my stories to readers like you unless they are out of my head and into written form. 😃 If you'd like to follow my writing journey, I invite you to check out my website and subscribe to my newsletter.

5. Writing-related activities. You might be surprised how much an author is supposed to do besides just write. I've already mentioned my newsletter, but there's also creating content for and engaging with social media, connecting with other authors, taking time to learn the craft, and (if you're published) doing promotions for your books. To name just a few! While I actually enjoy doing most those things and believe in their value, they do take up a lot of time. I just try to keep up with them as efficiently as possible. 🙂

How about you? What keeps you from reading?

Find more Top Ten Tuesday posts at That Artsy Reader Girl.

"Wildflower Road" by Janine Rosche

Shane Olson arrives in Montana days after getting out of jail. A disgraced former megachurch pastor, Shane just wants to be forgotten and hide away, finding himself while not being found by the public.

Ryann Matthews lost her husband when she was barely out of her teenage years, and she can't forgive herself for any role she might have had in Tyler's suicide. She feels the weight to keep her parents' woodsy resort alive and flourishing, even though the ghosts of her past threaten to tumble the place to the ground.

Working in close proximity, Shane and Ryann quickly develop a friendship with interest in something more. But both have things they must work through, and an outside force is determined to keep them apart by any means necessary.

I enjoyed this well-written, complex story. Shane is so honorable even after his weakest moment sent him to jail in such a public fashion. Ryann carries so much, and though our personalities are different and I wouldn't have made the choices she did, I could see why she made them. At times the bad guy seemed almost cartoonish with the sway he held, but unfortunately I know there really are such powerful men lurking in small communities all over the nation. The journey to the end was filled with twists and turns, heartwrenching moments and triumphant joys.