My friend Nate Conrad posed this question in the "comment section" recently...
Hey, how do you get so much reading done in a week? how many hours do you spend reading each week?
I'm not really sure how to answer that question. I really have no idea how many hours. I do know I like reading so I probably just "fit it in"--it's not scheduled out and systematic for me. To be perfectly honest I feel like I don't read enough (as of late in particular--second child in the mix, etc.). It's made me wonder how much do people read? What qualifies as "a lot of reading"? Do articles count? Just books?
Here's the most specific I can be. As I've added up books from this year (including stuff from seminary--not assigned, but actually read, b/c let's be honest I don't read everything I'm assigned) I think I will complete about 30 or so books. One of them this year is the Bible (novel idea fore me). I'm kind of hesitant to put this number because "a lot" is all relative. I hear of guys like Driscoll who will read 30 books for one sermon series. These guys make my number seem puny. I also realize anyone who reads less could be discouraged (or maybe this is just me, since I'm sure part of my identity can get wrapped up in what or how much I've read). How sad.
As for articles, etc. I tend to read articles from that are linked from various blogs I follow. I don't typically search out interesting storeis, but simply follow links from people who apparently have found something intersting/helpful, etc. Usually I print them out and carry with me to read when I happen to have a few spare minutes. Read between the lines...I read them whilst on the proverbial throne. Or I read them when I'm waiting for an appointment, etc.
My goal for next year is to be more systematic with my reading. To pre-select a few topics I want to read up on and then only buy books that pertain to the topics at hand. How big of a nerd am I? Please don't answer. I love reading but it does stress me out. I put expectations on myself to read and when I'm not I have false guilt. I don't meet my own expectations. I do believe reading is a needed discipline, but not one I should feel "enslaved" to. However, I know I don't balance this out very well.
So there's my rambling thoughts. If you are still reading at this point you must be a really gifted reader. Peace.
Ya know, if we were in grade school, I'd definitely call you a geek or a bookworm but now that I'm an adult, I've put away childish things. On the more serious note, I do envy you for getting to read so much.
ReplyDeleteSo.... you read a lot. That's good, I need to set goals too. I have been better since my sabbatical, so I hope to maintain the pattern. At the same time, I feel like I am with people all the time and when I am alone, I want to veg out. I almost never "work" (call, read, visit, write, etc.) once I get home.
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