Before I started seeing lots of posts regarding reading challenges for the new year, I read this post from my friend Lauren. She had read 27 books in 2015 and wrote a detailed review of each! #thingstoaspireto
I had already identified reading as one of the things I had let slide in 2015 that I wanted to get back on my plate. I’m far too ENFP-ish to commit to just one plan or strategy, but with a new Kindle Fire and gift card in hand, I got started!
Today, I thought I’d take a page out of Lauren’s book (#punintended) and answer some basic questions.
When do you find time to read?
I certainly haven’t found an uninterrupted hour of concentration and reflection. So good news, that’s not a prerequisite for trying this out!
I try to keep my Kindle charged and close by.
Sometimes, we got ready a little earlier than I thought we would in the morning so I squeeze a few pages in.
Yesterday, I had an unexpected 20 minutes waiting in the car.
And most nights, I try to take 15-30 minutes before bed. Though I do recommend reading with caution if you’re using your Kindle. I thought I might have chipped a tooth when I fell asleep holding it and it cracked me in the face. Yeah. Finishing that chapter was not worth it.
How do you choose the books you read?
Friends social media recommendations.
Goodreads.
Whatever is on Kindle Daily Deals.
If the cover looks fun.
You should know that I feel no compulsion to finish a book if I’m not enjoying it. I feel like this helps me to be willing to start a lot more books. Less pressure, you know?
Have you always been a reader?
Yes. Books are friends.
As a kid, I wasn’t allowed to open presents that were books until everything else was opened and people were going home because as soon as I had my hands on a book that I wanted, I was done.

Hoping my boys will be readers some day too.
But after being in school forever (and not being able to free read) and then having kiddos, I just got out of the habit. It takes way more concentration to read a chapter of a memoir at night than to watch another episode on Netflix. Here’s hoping 2016 gets me back to my reading self.
So, my challenge doesn’t have a number to it. Or a specific genre. Or really any guidelines other than giving myself over to reading more intentionally this year.
I’d love to hear what you’re reading!
And how to prevent future Kindle facial injuries.