I’ve always loved to read. I remember one Christmas – I received a Nancy Drew book from my grandparents and had it finished before the day was out. I’ve always wanted to rush through a book to see what would be said next.
That contines to be my biggest problem with reading: if the book is a good one, I wind up reading it through the night and then have to face the next day minus a lot of sleep. I’m already losing enough sleep as it is, so I try to avoid the temptation.
The solution I’ve found is to “read” books on tape. Since I’m in the car so much, it just makes sense. Listening to a book while driving does take a bit of practice, though. The first time I did it, I missed my exit off the expressway due to a particularly exciting part. Ive gotten over that and consider myself a fairly good driver while reading.
Books on tape have become a habit for me not only in the car, but while I’m in the studio doing repetitive work. I listen to quite a range, from murder mysteries to political intrigue to historical fiction to comedy – and lots in-between.
The one I just finished is The Full Cupboard of Life from the No. 1 Ladies Detective Agency series by Alexander McCall Smith. I love the series! The voice of the book is so gentle it pulls you in without thinking. And the characters become close friends.
I have to say that my sons were aghast when I first disclosed this habit. They were too embarrassed to admit to friends that their mom didn’t read but listened to books. As though that made me less literate. Oh, well. They got over it and I continue to listen.