Book Getting, not Reading

So I read an article a couple of days ago about the Japanese word for having a lot of books and not reading them, just buying them to have them in your house. Its called Tsundoku: the stockpiling of books.

I read the article, then took a moment..”Hmm is that me” naww… then I realized ugh, that might be me. I totally buy books as soon as I see the news ones, old ones, pretty ones, popular ones or I just hear it and immediately down load it on my Kindle. I totally haven’t read but maybe 20% of those books, although I thoroughly enjoy reading, I think I have gotten bogged down in the mundane and as I pledge to myself, that I will begin a nightly routine of reading when I awaken that morning after my coffee, I always renege on my promise and fall straight to sleep or talk to my husband about whatever of the day, and then fall asleep. But no matter what I do, I don’t do what I say I am going to do and that bugs the crap outta me.

Now Tsundoku, its actually a serious addition little did I know. Just like with any addition/affliction one would use and lose money and mind to get a quick fix. The same with books, so I by no means make light of a unique but could be, damaging condition.

But for me, I haven’t gotten to a point such as to label it, but I do have to stop going back on my own words and making promised to myself that I know I cant keep. Side note: Why do we do that? “Hey self we working out today” 5 hours later ( in my SpongeBob announcer mans voice) “You know what self, I was gonna work out but, I was like you know, im tired and stuff and blah blah blah” knowing ourselves weren’t gonna do it the moment the declaration came out our mouths.

Reading Regular:

Put it down: I put it on my TO DO list, That way I can make myself accountable to it. If not my todo list I often put it my calendar. It easy to say what you are gonna do when you don’t hold yourself accountable, but once you right it down somewhere, even if its not to you on an alarm it holds you accountable for what you are doing, supposed to do or gonna do. We are simple creatures, we see it. Then we do it..See the steps, on the fitbit you walkin. Hear the alarm noting its time to read… then you read.

Get it Ready: Already have the book ready to read, a head of your impending reading schedule. Break out the book that you are going to read. So that when you are ready you will just pick up your book, or turn on your kindle and its right there. Sifting and searching is more time for you to say forget it and move on to something other than reading.

Baby steps: You know with anything, like with anything, if you haven’t done it in a long time you may tend to forget how to do the simplest thing. Not to forget how to read, but the best way to read. Meaning Sitting in the right position, comfortable place, quiet, if you like classical music in the background if you have a fav room, fav chair etc. All these make a difference especially if you haven’t done in a minute.

Lastly:

Start with an area, genre you love first. I totally love mysterys and thrillers and horror and of course history. Due to business I may read contracts and the like everyday, so the books I like to read are books that I want to take me away and think have something else on mind before I call it a nght.

This is still a work in progress, but with determination and time reading will not be that chore the norm. and it will not longer become the night time past time, but every time you have Free time.