Reading for Pleasure: Go Do It Now!
Before I had the courage to call myself a writer I would feel guilty about reading. I thought I should have spent that time getting done something productive and not be ’selfish’.
When I started calling myself a writer I realized it became a part of my job description to read as much as possible, especially novels that I enjoyed. I realized that I MUST make time for reading because reading will make me a better writer and good reading always makes me excited to write.
There’s a great phobia that solves any and all problems with finding time to read:
Abibliophobia: having the morbid fear of running out of reading material
Suggested Usage: “Jamie is such an abibliophobe that she NEVER leaves the house without a novel tucked into her purse – otherwise the world may end.”
Suggested Usage: “Jamie is such an abibliophobe she included the word in the ABOUT Jamie Thornton section of the blog.”
Allow me to count the ways in which I am an abibliophobe:
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- I will choose a purse to take with me based on the size of the book I’m currently reading.
- The side slots in my car doors contain at least one novel.
- If I’m going on a roadtrip that number increases to at least five (and that’s five on top of what I’ve managed to pack in my purse and other bags).
- Some people can’t get away for a weekend without packing 10 pairs of shoes. I’ll decide to wear only the flip-flops on my feet in order to make room for another book in my bag.
- My To-Be-Read pile is four stacks at least three feet high.
- I’ve been known to sacrifice water bottle room in my hiking pack to make room for a novel I just might get the urge to read.
- I’ve been known to bring a book, or two (or three) to family dinners.
- Going to the movies? Need a book to read before the movie starts.
- Even if I was willing to purchase The Kindle, I would still carry around a backup novel just in case the batteries ran out, I cracked the screen, or someone set off an EMT.
- If I absolutely could not fit a novel in whatever purse I was taking, I still print out an article and fold it like crazy until it fits.
- If folding it like crazy still won’t make it fit, I’ve been known to stuff my husband’s pockets instead.
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The above list is what I’ve managed to brainstorm in about five minutes. Thank goodness reading is now a part of my job description.
If you’re interested in feeding your own reading habit, check out my post on:
