How to get into reading – even when you have kids.

This January I set myself a goal to read 24 books. 

I love reading but too often I find myself in a scroll hole and before I know it time has slipped away. I just needed to watch one more video… x1000

I’ve noticed lately that I struggle to focus. I’m not surprised. We live in a world of 5 second videos, 280 character stories. Instant gratification. 

I knew I needed to train my brain to focus again. I needed to get into reading. So I swapped time on my phone for reading. 

I didn’t realise how much time I was scrolling until I made the swap.

It’s early February 2024 and I’ve read 4 and a half books. 

My kids are needy sleepers. And every night I lie with Martha until she falls asleep. Matt’s in with Ida in the her room. Or their room? They share. 

Rather than scrolling and having Martha appear over my shoulder saying “Beast?” or “Belle?” I started reading. 

Thanks to my amazing little book light Matt got me for Christmas I can read an actual book, too! It’s amazing for the loft too. And for doing puzzles. Linked here.

Reading is a habit. And yes, it’s harder to find the time when you’ve got kids. But, the more you do it, the more you enjoy it.

I can’t wait to get started on my next one now!

Reading is good for you. 

Life is stressful. Keeping up with WhatsApp notifications. Reconfirming childcare choices every three months. Sending stuff on Vinted when you haven’t got a printer. Going to the post office to pay water bills because you can’t set up an account online. Booking doctors appointments. Deciding what to have for dinner when all you have in the fridge is a cauliflower, hunk of cheese and an egg. 

Well that’s me. 

In a study of 24 adults reading was found to reduce heart rate, blood pressure and anxiety. Participants had to do something stressful then read. I wonder what they had to do. Maybe they had a cat meowing at them while two kids were asking for squash, milk and a pink straw. 

Reading’s starting to sound pretty great, right? 

Quick tips to get into reading

1. Find a genre, a topic, or a celebrity you find interesting. Apparently, you should read page 69 to see if a book is going to hit the spot. Sexy little tip. 
2. Join a book club. I have one with a few of my neighbours and we don’t meet often, but we all read the same thing at the same time to get us motivated. We usually chat about it on the drive, or at the park with the kids!
3. Set yourself a goal to read 5 or 10 pages every night. Once you get into a book, you’ll stop counting. Trust me.
4. Read around your kids. If you’ve got 5 minutes, get your book out. Guaranteed this is when they’ll need something, but it’s a good chance to get a few pages in. Soft play is a good reading spot if your kids are happy going it alone. 
5. Read before bed. Scrolling before you sleep is probably when you’re more likely to make random impulse purchases. I think there is some science behind that. I mean, I can back it up. I used to order all sorts when I was breastfeeding. Iron Skillet anyone? 
6. If you wake in the night, or if your child wakes you, read to get back to sleep. Avoid your phone! In fact, leave it out the bedroom so you’re not tempted. 
7. Read a quick book. Something with good size font. Nothing too heavy or fat. Classics have their place, but getting started with loving reading isn’t one of them.

Oh and bonus tip. If a book is boring. Or not holding your interest, sack it off. Life is too short to read a bad book.

Now that’s how you get into reading, now where do you buy books – cheaply?

Of course. Amazon. But, there’s a cheaper, even more eco way. 

• Book swaps with friends. 
• WOB (World of Books for preloved books very cheap, you can even sell them back)
• Charity shops 
• The library (100% free!) 
• Ebooks from the Library (Ask which ebook service your library use and you can download ebooks to borrow for free, and audiobooks, too.)
• The local book shop. They’ll likely match Amazon prices and you’ll be supporting a small business. They might even recommend a book. In Thame there’s a shop called the Bookhouse and it’s such a wonderful place. Why does it smell so good?

My recommended reading list to get into reading

• One Day – David Nichols (Great story)
• The Hand that First Held Mine – Maggie O’Farrell (I’ve never read parenthood nailed so perfectly. An absolute 10 out of 10 stars.)
• Twilight (These are incredible. I stand by it.)
• Anything my John Green. Easy reads, beautifully written. Wonderful characters. Looking for Alaska is one of the best. 
• Prisoner of Birth (Jeffery Archer. Controversial I know. But the man can tell a bloody good story. Fast paced, lots of twists.)
• Everything I know About Love (If you were a teenager on MSN in the 00’s you’ll relate to this.)
• How to Kill Your Family (Bella Mackie, easy read, dark and twisted at times. I mean, you’d never guess)
• Oi Cat. (Kids book. But incredible. I absolutely love this series and thankfully so do my girls.)
• Written on the Body (Jeanette Winterson. Some of the most beautiful lines in this book. “Wallowing is sex for depressives.” I just love her.)
• Adrian Mole (These books are incredible. Diary format. Funny, easy to read. Page turners. You’ll cringe, you’ll laugh, you’ll cry.)
• Three Hours (Rosamund Lupton. Very clever. Disturbing. But, you’ll want to keep reading.)

2024 reading list

• Maggie O’Farrell – The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox (A quick read, light hearted, good story telling) [7/10]
• Richard Osman – The Bullet That Missed (Funny in places, excellent characters.) [8/10]
• Fredrick Backman – A Man Called Ove (Heart warming. One just wants to die, but his neighbours keep getting in the way.) [7/10]
• Rosamund Lupton – Sister (Thriller, fast paced. Good story. A classic page turner.) [7/10]
• Instructions for a Heatwave – Maggie O’Farrell 
• Blurb Your Enthusiasm – Louise Willder
• Richard Osman – The Man Who Died Twice (Funny, easy to read) [7/10]
• Tin Man – Sarah Winman [6/10]
• Failosiphy – Elizabeth Day [8/10]
• Lily – Rose Tremain [7/10]
• I Am Pilgrim [Reading]

I wrote this in Feb 2024. I’ll add to it, so if you like something I recommend and want to get into reading, book mark it for regular updates.