How I Read More Than 50 Books a Year

"I put the Lit in Literature" - Poe (jk - once a Poe fan, always a Poe fan)

I get asked all the time how I read so many books each year. I often joke that I am just a bad mom and neglect my children – those of you who know me in real life know this is not true. However, there have certainly been occasions where I have not paid them as much attention as I should have because I was stuck in a good book.

Aside from my weak parenting, here is how I get so many books read each year:

1. Since I work from home, I read during nap time. Now that my kids are no longer napping for two hours a day, this is harder. However, I do have an enforced quiet time in my house. This is when I read during the day
2. I always have a book with me. I have books stuck in the side consoles of my car, in all of my purses and totes, on my phone’s Kindle app, and in most rooms of my house. There is always a book within arm’s reach.
3. I choose books I enjoy reading. Far too many people do not like to read because they just don’t like the books they are reading. When I worked in the library surrounded by more books than I will ever read, someone told me that there were simply too many good books in the world for you to waste your time on one you do not love.
4. I read before bed often. Just reading a chapter before bed is enough to help you finish a book within a month (sometimes even a week). Plus, reading before bed helps you get better sleep.
5. I surround myself with people who encourage my love of reading. The people who fill me with the most joy are the ones who do not make me feel weird for spending my extra time with my nose in a book.
6. I am a fast reader. I always have been, but I do not have any tips to help you read faster. Sorry! Though I think there may be a correlation between how often you read and how much you read…
7. I am involved in a book club – actually, two fantastic book clubs. Books clubs truly encourage you to read so you can discuss life & books while you eat delicious food and drink wine. 
8. I listen to audiobooks if I am in a position where I cannot sit and read (i.e. when I drive, clean, do laundry, etc.).
9. My house is seldom cleaned from top to bottom. If the downstairs is clean, the upstairs is a mess, and vice versa. Why? Because I’d rather read than clean.
10. I prioritize reading. Like those who prioritize working out, I read to work out my mind and heart. So, I make it a priority.

A book reading friend of mine recently told someone who was explaining how hard it is to read with kids and housework that she should make those kids do more so she could read more. I could not agree more. 

10 Ridiculous Things I Did When Pregnant

Now that my baby is 3 years old, I feel comfortable admitting some of the ridiculous things I did during my last (and final) pregnancy.

1. I used a rubber band or hair tie to “button” my pants in the beginning instead of just buying the maternity pants.
2. I stood outside with my belly exposed to the full super moon hoping the moon would cause my baby to make her appearance.
3. I walked laps around my kitchen island while watching full-length movies to help my baby make her appearance.
4. I drank a whole lot of sparkling grape juice and Shirley temples.
5. I rolled off of my couch on to all fours in front of my poor brother-in-law because it was easier than standing up.
6. I ate the entire pan of brownies standing up over my oven. 
7. I did not act like a lady when the gas arrived.
8. I taped down (or put a band-aid over) my belly button that decided to pop out and suddenly become an outie.
9. I wore a bikini with my giant pregnant belly exposed and taunted my brother (he found this sight very unsettling).
10. I stopped reading. Yes, me. I could not focus. I could barely even read a magazine.

Way back in the beginning of my first pregnancy before I knew it was about to get weird

Pregnancy is weird. It makes you feel a little bit anxious, fat, and silly. There are times when I do miss the excuse to eat the food and have strangers tell me I am glowing. But, I do not miss the gas or all the peeing or the heartburn or the extra weight or the lack of wine or the lack of certain cheeses or the swollen feet…you get the idea.

What about you? What weird stuff did you do when you were pregnant?