I have noticed that only when I pick a book something comes to my mind or someone comes. I’ve always thought that one must find the peace to sit down with a book. However, that’s not the case in today’s time. It could be the constant ringing of the phone or just life as it happens everyday.

Often, when I pick a book there’d be someone who would come over to talk with me. They’d hardly stop even as I try to hold the book in my hand to indicate that I am actually reading. And, finally when I have no choice but to close the book and put it down, that look on their face like they’ve achieved something great. The look that says, after all you were doing something boring, it’s definitely not better than what I am going to tell you. That’s the pain of living with other people who don’t read or prefer talking to reading. Not conversing, but talking.

Being a mum, I am learning that, there’s no best time or place to read a book. Everywhere is a good place, just like any time is a good time to read a book. That’s when I was gifted Kindle. It brought in so much peace in my reading life. While my daughter naps or when the whole house is asleep, there I’d be in my own world reading a book.

In the middle of the night with light on my face I’d be deeply immersed in a book. However, when the husband turns around or wakes up, he says that I look completely relaxed only then. Though at other times, he has made fun saying that I used to look like I was falling in love (ghost!). Oh, yes, that’s how you look when you are in love with stories/words, don’t we? Well, he has got used to it over time.

As much as I’d love to set a reading target and achieve it, I feel it’s too rough on me. It’s not like that adrenaline rush isn’t there anymore to achieve targets. It’s just that I am more into reading for pleasure now, than ever and only when I could. As long as I am able to do it, I am glad. I’ve stopped forcing myself to pick a book just because of social media pressure (that I put myself into).

Reading More Books

My TBR was just growing because I tried to run and find books that were being posted by many accounts I followed. Not that any of them asked me to read what they posted. It was just me trying to be on the same page with the rest of the globe. Instead, I started reading what I could find in my capacity.

I might stay in UK just for a few years, buying too many books and shipping them back home isn’t a great choice, at the moment. I buy books, but I buy those like I am on a tight budget. Post-COVID, (Covid is not even a word!) I managed to register at my local library. My husband lends a hand with books from his office library. The money always go to charity so I make-do with those choices.

I’ve loved the Facebook groups and the number of charity shops here that allows me to buy those books. I am trying to detach myself from hoarding books. So, this has helped me look into second hand books. It’s just me. Every time I visit pit stops during our trips, I’ve stopped by to take a look at books and at least pick one or two I would never find in the shelves of many bookshops.

This has helped me find a variety of authors and different subjects. There’s a lot of local authors and reading about the lifestyle here is definitely a different experience. Plus, I could always give those books back without trying to get attached to them. I buy only those which I think I might love to read again in the years to come.

Reading with my Little One

Even though we started late, I love that we make the time to read. Almost every night, I read her two or three short stories from Prime Reading. If not that, then we read one of the books from the bookshelf or the one from the library, the choices are many. As important as the story, it’s the way we read it together that makes it all the more special. She either sits on my lap as I read or cuddles up next to me on my arms as I read. It’s more like a bonding time as well.

A lot of children books interest me nowadays. My prime purchases have been on that front. Every book is new to me and we read a lot. Thanks to my daughter who loves stories and nowadays I enjoy reading them even for more than 5 times in a row. Mainly because I understand that she is trying to memorize the story. I found it when I made mistakes while reading and it amazed me. A child’s ability to remember things is something I’d like to pick up too.

I can go on about reading with kid(s). We get a book a week to read at home, from her school. Apart from the weekly read at home books, they could pick one from the library once in a fortnight. She loves the experiences and I am curious about her choices. (Yes, there’s a book on potty or poop coming in every now and then).

I don’t really know how much this going to help her, but it does a great deal to me. I wondered why I never explored children books. We could have read this in our early schooling days. However, I don’t remember much. Truly, I cherish these reading moments with my daughter and above all, I love these books and how wild can one’s imagination go. How my daughter understands a book and how I understand a book is different. It’s true that I had many limitations while she opened up many arenas of creativity for me.

When I find a Quick Read.. I grab it

When it comes to my reading, I find quick reads a real blessing. Without second thoughts, I grab them. I could finish them either in one go or in a span of two or three days. This really made me happy as a reader. This gave me such a big relief and it was honestly not about targets like the number of pages or number of books I managed to read over time. Truly, it was the different subjects that opened up for me.

Also, my recent ways to read is now so varied. After my story time with my daughter, I tell her that I am sleepy and sneak under covers and read. (sometimes) At other times, if she’s fast asleep on my arm, I use that time to read a bit. Interacting about books with friends has helped read and talk about books.

Making Better Choices

Sometimes I wonder if I’ve side-tracked reading too much. The answer is Yes because it’s like confrontation sometimes. You have some part of you that you are not ready to deal with and you don’t want to deal with it anytime soon. Now, I’m not sure I’m ready, but I find that reading has helped me to open up to myself and my feelings. It’s more like talking to myself and dealing with things. Owning up to my own-self.

Even I’ve wondered why I started reading a lot, then figured the answer. This is one of the prime reasons because I realized I am not a good conversationalist. Or, at least I am not up-to-date with people stuff. I am so outdated, and I lag much on people updates in general. Most times, the words are manipulated and I am finding it difficult to explain and make people understand that’s not what I meant. So, I’ve chosen to zip it and spend time reading than explaining myself in places that’s not needed.

I don’t want to compare my reading to anyone here, who’s doing amazing stuff. It’s just my thoughts on my reading and how I feel it has improved over years. How much there is to read and try to not be overwhelmed by it or drained by the thoughts, but instead Just take the time read. If there’s one thing I want to continue doing for the years to come, Read More Books.

I noticed there’s very less that I’ve written about how books has made me feel, the last was my pact in 2020. That feels like ancient times now, though I think the pact still holds true in many ways! 🙂

The post I Started Reading More Books.. How, Why? appeared first on JAYANTHY'S FREE SPACE.

I was busy piling up my Bookshelf that I forgot to pick one and start reading it. Well, that’s the story of the last two years. So this time I have come up with some terms and conditions to abide by. After deciding this around November 2019, I bought my last book in the first week of December 2019. That’s it.

I figured a lot of other blogger friends also have a similar pact this year. Well, ain’t we all buying books all the time.? I was initially shocked to see almost everyone I know were ready to slay their TBR list. So I’m now part of this movement as well. I’ve decided on these 7 conditions at the moment.

I’ll tell you here I’m not a lists person at all, but these lovely, organized blogger friends have made me good at making lists and also accomplishing them. It’s all about seeing and learning. Also, I can proudly say, I have the best lot.

Here goes my list of conditions that

1. No-Buy Pact

Honestly, this is the first thing I realized was the hardest to break. I was on the verge of uninstalling my Amazon app. However, I realized I need it for other things. So, I’ve decided that I will instead add books to my wishlist and buy them next year or if anyone wishes to gift me, let it be books. Did you know that I didn’t go to the book fair this year because I knew I am still not strong enough to resist buying?

2. Now, it’s All in the TBR

So, just like my bookshelf and Kindle are overflowing, it’s time for my TBR wishlist to overflow. If you know me, you’d know I’d rather buy books than dresses. I’ll tell you a secret here, if you see my cloth cupboard you’ll figure out it’s the bookshelf that I clean often. I’d rather have a huge list in the digital form than in the physical form. Now, I’m almost a nomad, running between mom’s and in-laws. So I’d prefer to build the new list for later.

3. Borrow, don’t Buy

Isn’t this the only way now? I’ve decided I’d borrow books, either from the library (mostly) or from friends instead of buying. We all have a thing for our books. I’d actually love to be possessive of my books, but somehow I believe more in sharing books, because not everyone can buy books. I was there as a young reader, so I’d love to share, however, I have terms and conditions for that too. In case you want to know,

A) How you maintain your school bag/books and pencil box is something I must know.

B) Where you carry the books with you matters to me! Bathroom reading is strictly prohibited.

C) Folding the book is not allowed

D) If you have a kid(under 5), I’d take a guarantee beforehand that you’re supposed to keep my book strictly out of their reach.

E) No scribbling, no underlining, no marking anything on the book. If you want to do something, you are free to note it down in your notebook.

F) If I’m sending you the book by post(I pay), it’s your duty to send it back to me by post and you pay. If you’re coming back to give it in person, I’d be honored too.

G) If you end up loving the book so much that you plan to buy one, I’d be happy.

Just a small list actually. Going by the drama of sharing, I’d improvise my terms and conditions.

This is my small set of conditions. For books like Atomic Habits by James Clear or Big Magic by Elizabeth Gilbert, I’d just gift them the copy instead of sending mine.

4. Gift More Books

I have always wanted to do this and I will do it this year. Be it to family or friends, I want to gift more books. I want to give away a few more to the library too. It gives me a nice feeling to give back to the local library which has been my constant support to explore.

5. Explore Genres

I’ve hardly read a lot. I must accept that. I’m not a fan of romance, it’s been a while since I touched a thriller. Personally, most hyped books bore me quickly. I’m not talking much about awarded novels. It has been ages since I read a regional book. So, this year I am going to slowly open up to more variety.

It has been a while since I sat down with any book for a long time. This year is not going to be about the number of books, but variety. It’s going to be a different reading year. My daughter demands I sit and read to her or narrate the story we read once in a while. So it’s more about “Amma close the book and come and sit with me” time. Let’s see how I fare. ?

6. Giveaways, Contests, this and that.

I’m not buying books this year because I want to read the lot I already have. If at all any giveaway shares a book I’ve wanted to buy, I’d be a part. Otherwise, I’m not going to be joining every other giveaway, contest, this and that to just pile up more books. I’m honestly taking a break from buying books that’s all.

7. I love Reading Challenges

When Corinne started the WriteTribe Reading Challenge last year, I was excited and thought it would be a breeze to complete 24. When Shalz and Sou came up with Slaying The TBR, I really wanted to be a part of it. This time I sat again writing down the prompts and listed the books. I really thought I’ll manage 20. In 2019, I managed to read 15 instead of 24 and I hardly updated on Goodreads. This year, I didn’t want either of us to feel disappointed so I didn’t participate. I’ll tell you that I figured I love Reading Challenges. It’s all fantastic when we map books to each prompt. It’s just I need more time to stick to the list and manage to complete them.

That’s all folks! That’s it about my book pact for 2020. Do you have any terms and conditions for your books? Above all, do you share your books? I’d love to know.

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