Reading routines, the 5️⃣ books I’m currently reading, and my TBR list

Writing about reading

“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies . . . The man who never reads lives only one.” -George R.R. Martin

It’s been 8 months since I got back into reading and we are still going strong. In the past, I would get in a reading kick of reading a bunch of books and abruptly stopping. The kick would usually only last a month or two so 8 months for me is quite the achievement. I started to think about what was different this time opposed to the other times and I came up with 5 things:

1. Always have a book/kindle with me - no matter where I am, if I have a few minutes to spare, I am able to get in some reading. A couple minutes at a time might not seem like a lot, but overtime it adds up.

2. Setting aside time specifically for reading - at first I would schedule reading into my day. Now it is an everyday normal for me that I don’t even think twice about reading at some point throughout the day.

3. Reading with others - me and my best friend read our first book together last July and while we have our own books we read now, occasionally we will read the same one. It is a great way to hold yourself accountable and it’s nice to have someone to chat and reflect with.

4. Creating a to be read list - the best way to ensure you continue reading after finishing one book is to always have your next read planned. I have found some great recommendations on TikTok, Goodreads, and here on Substack. I keep track of all the books I have already read and the books I want to read on Goodreads.

5. Having variety - before 2024, I only ever read one book at a time and never let myself start another one until I finished the first. Since January, I have been reading 2-5 books at a time and I think it’s helped to keep me motivated. I usually have a few different genres at a time so I depending what I am feeling that day, I have options.

And just to mention the fact that reading can be therapeutic. It stimulates your brain while having a calming and relaxing effect on your body. There are so many benefits to reading regularly.

My Reading Routine

Morning - If I wake up early enough and have ample amount of time, I like to spend 20-30 minutes reading in the morning. I prefer to stay of my phone and kindle as much as I can early in the day so I usually will pick up a physical book. This is not a sure thing, but I like to start off the morning with a light read as it is still early and I am not fully awake. I tend to reach for something more positive and uplifting to get me motivated and prepared for the day ahead. That usually includes some kind of self help book if I am currently reading one.

Lunch - I like to spend my lunch break outside doing some kind of simple activity that brings me joy. So I usually either go on a short walk or sit outside and crochet. If I have a really good book that I can’t wait to pick up again, I will spend my time reading, but during lunch is when I usually listen to an audiobook so I can listen while I walk or crochet. I used to be so bad at listening to audiobooks because I would get distracted and be 3 chapters in and not remembered a single thing I heard, but I noticed when I pair it with another activity I am able to focus better, especially when I crochet my temperature blanket as not too much thought or counting goes into it. I like to listen to the more science-y books that are recommended reads for my health coach training as they are sometimes easier to get through when listening rather than reading. I will also listen to the occasional thriller.

Evening/Night - Depending on if I have plans after work, will I read in the evenings. If I don’t have plans, I will read for about an hour or so. During this time, I will read whatever book is sparking my interest the most. Whether I read in the evening or not, I try to read at least a few minutes before I go to sleep. Again, I am trying to avoid screen time as much as possible when waking up and before bedtime so I will most likely pick up a physical book. I don’t usually get very far, as reading at night makes me sleepy so I might get just 5 minutes or I might get 30+ minutes. I will normally read whatever I want before bed, but as a being thriller book lover, most nights I try to avoid anything too intense or crazy as sometimes it leads to some equally intense or crazy dreams.

Sporadic reading- If I have a few minutes here and there throughout my day, now I am more likely to grab a book to read rather than mindlessly scrolling through instagram or TikTok. I am proud of myself for that simple accomplishment because I would not have done that a year ago.

Books I have read so far in 2024 & my rating

Hidden Pictures by Jason Rekulak 4.8/5

The Wife Upstairs by Freida McFadden 4/5

The Last of The Moon Girls by Barbara Davis 3.5/5

Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine 4/5

Immune System Hacks by Matt Farr 4.5/5

Gut Health Hacks by Lindsay Boyers 4.5/5

The Power of Your Subconscious Mind by Joseph Murphy 4/5

Oral: The Swedish-Inspired Secret to Full-Body Health Starting in Your Mouth by Jessica Lederhausen 3/5

The Teacher by Freida McFadden 4.3/5

The Night I Died by Anna Frasier 3/5

The 5 books I am currently reading

1. When Breath Becomes Air by Peter Kalanithi

I have been wanting to read this book for years, but never got around to purchasing it so when I found it in a secondhand bookstore I couldn’t pass it up. I was also on the hunt for a March book club book and took it as a sign that I needed to choose this one. With that being said, if you still want to take part, it’s not too late to start. And it’s on the shorter side so it won’t take you long to catch up. I will be sharing this Sunday 3/17 some thought provoking and conversation starting questions. I am just about half way through and I find myself still thinking about the words the author wrote after I put it down.

2. The Good Daughter by Karin Slaughter

Another secondhand bookstore find, for a whopping $1.50. You can’t say no to that. It’s a longer book and drags on a bit in the middle, but now that I am closer to the end things are starting to pick up. Overall, I have enjoyed it so far. One thing I love about a physical book is that I am able to pass it on to a friend or family member to read and enjoy once I am done.

3. Hormonal by Margie Haselton

I have been traveling a lot the last couple weeks and so far this has been my flight read. I downloaded it on the IPhone books app a couple years ago, read 1 or 2 chapters and never finished it. So I decided to start over last week when I realized it was the only book downloaded in my phone that I hadn’t read. I am about a third of the way done so far and it has been an interesting read. I already have knowledge and understanding of most of what has been covered so far, but it is also good to brush up on that knowledge.

4. How Emotions are Made by Lisa Feldman Barrett

I originally downloaded this book to my kindle as it was one of the recommended reads for my health coach training, but when I realized there was a free audio version I decide to listen instead. Covering the science of emotion, it is a very thought provoking read (or listen). If you’re interested in how the brain works and why we think the things we think, this is the book for you.

5. One Left Alive by Helen Phifer

Another audiobook. I had a credit left from my Audible free trial and decided to purchase a thriller for me and my best friend to listen to on our roadtrip to Florida. We ended up getting distracted and didn’t comprehend much of what we heard so I recently started registering to it. This time around it’s going a lot better. Another book that has been predominantly listened to while in flight. I switched off reading book #3 and listening to this book on my last trip. As far as thrillers go, 40% in I would give it a 4.2/5.

My To Be Read List

My TBR list is way too long to include here so I will share the 5 books I am most excited to read.

1. Eat Right 4 Your Type by Dr. Peter J. D’Adamo

2. A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas

3. The Choice: Embrace the Possible by Dr. Edith Eva Eger

4. The Chain by Adrian McKinty

5. The Wish by Nicholas Sparks

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I would love to hear your thoughts on this week’s newsletter. I have been wanting to share more about books and reading, but don’t know if I room to fit it in with all the other things I want to share on The Mind Reset. So I was thinking of creating a second Substack specifically for all things books. It would include a review of all the books I read that month, book clubs, book recommendations, things that all book lovers need, etc. What do you think? And would you follow along?

Let’s Chat

Do you have a reading routine?

What are you currently reading?

What is your favorite book you have read?

What is on your TBR list?

If I do create another Substack all about books and reading what should it be called?

-Leanna