book discussion – GoodeyReads

For the past few months whenever I have posted my monthly wrap-ups I get a few comments and DMs (through Instagram) asking and exclaiming about how many books I read a month. I honestly don’t realize how many books I get through until the end of the month. I *try* to not let numbers be the forefront of the reason I read. I see people read more than I do so I always think I’m somewhere in the middle.

Thinking about all of this had me pondering a post about some tips and tricks that help me reach higher monthly totals.

But first, I will acknowledge I’m a medium-fast reader. This alone helps on it’s own and is not what I’m addressing here. Everyone reads at their own pace and there is nothing wrong with that. I also am blessed to be able to stay home with my child. This definitely influences how much I can read.

Always a book in my hand.

Books have become a bit of a comfort item for me. I never like to not have one around because I never know when there might be a chance to read. Purchasing a book sleeve was the best idea because I throw my book in there and can be on the go. I read in lines, waiting for appointments, sitting in the car, etc.

I am hooked on audiobooks.

They’re not for everyone, but if you haven’t given them a chance I would highly recommend them! Maybe try listening to an already favorite book of yours and see if you enjoy hearing stories over reading them.

I am sitting here now listening to The Battle of the Labyrinth (Percy Jackson). I listen to audio books in the car, while working out, doing chores, writing blog posts, playing with my toddler, anything.

Paying attention to the time I spend on social media and watching TV.

I set a timer on my phone that wont allow me to access Instagram once I’ve spent a certain amount of time on there. BEST DECISION. Another great choice? You can pause notifications from Insta which helps me not pull it up constantly. If I’m not getting a notification, I don’t feel as compelled to scroll.

I don’t have a Twitter account and I don’t really use my Facebook account (I don’t even have the app). Social media can be a big deterrent from picking up a book instead. Lowering the amount I spend on here helps me mentally, but also, I’m able to pick up books more.

Since I have a child I am very aware how much we keep the TV on. We usually don’t even turn it on until the afternoon. I’m able to play audio books or read to them rather than us sitting on the couch watching TV.

Kindle (digital) books are my friend.

I used to NEVER read digital books. Not until I started reading Netgalley’s from time to time. But, I’ve realized that with children I can’t always have a book out. It’s grabbed from my hands, pages ripped, things thrown on it (or the book thrown itself). It drove me crazy, so I got my digital library app and WOW. It’s amazing.

I am devouring digital books like they’re candy. It’s so easy to read because the book is attached to you (we all know our phones are with us pretty much always).

I take what I can get.

Have a few minutes before I leave? Read a few pages.

Toddler playing quietly on their own? Read a few pages.

Quick errand to the store? Listen to a few pages.

There’s a lot more chances to read during the day than you might notice. Over the course of the day I can sometimes get 50+ pages read. By the time the family is asleep and I’m reading on my own I’ve already read a chunk of my book.

I hope you found this helpful, but please take from it what you want! These are purely what I do to help me read more.

What helps you read more? Do you ever feel like you aren’t reading enough? Lets talk in the comments!

Instagram || Goodreads

I know guys, I’m almost being sacrilegious, but here me out.

Instead of a book tag this week I wanted to bring up a discussion I have often: did the review cause me to be swayed before I even read the book myself?

I absolutely adore Goodreads.

I use this app daily. It provides so much content for me. I love keeping up with my reviews, what books I’m reading, what I want to read, what others are reading, and everything else bookish under the sun.

It’s great for people new to reading to help figure out what they enjoy and to start getting into this book community. It’s a platform for all in my opinion.

Where my issues lie, are the reviews.

I look crazy saying this, because I love reviews and love reading reviews, but occasionally I let myself be overtaken by them. I’ll pull up a book I’ve heard about and see that it has a 3.5+ rating. To me, that’s pretty solid (especially if its over 4!), but then I’m wondering, why did some people rate it so low?

I start casually scrolling through reviews, picking out the low-star rating ones and having to know what was said. Thus, the cycle beings. I spin into a vortex of not being able to back out of review after review. So much so, that I convince myself there’s no way I would enjoy it. When I honestly probably would.

What I’m really saying is, don’t let reviews control you.

Book friendships, are forever friendships.

Writing reviews has become a joy in my life. And I love hearing from y’all. I ride on Cloud 9 all day whenever someone adds a book to their TBR because of my review, or they chose to read a book I suggest and loved it. It’s what keeps me reading and reminds me that someone is reading my reviews and getting something out of them.

But also, when you find a book, make sure the reviews don’t overwhelm you! I’ve been trying to stay away until after (doesn’t always work) I have read the book to comment and talk about reviews because I can understand where others are coming from, but can also form my own opinions independently from someone else’s.

Now are reviews worth it? TOTALLY. I have been saved from some iffy books because of reviews, but I never want to miss out on a book because I was overwhelmed with the Negative Nancy’s.