I work a full-time job and write almost every single day while maintaining relationships with friends and family. Sometimes people ask me, Where do you find time to read?
Others wonder, Where do you find out about all these books?
And others, But how can you afford your book-buying habit?
These are the tools that allow me to keep up an active and enjoyable reading life.
1. Audio books & multi-tasking.
The truth of the matter is that I simply would not be able to read as much as I do without embracing audiobooks. I listen while I fall asleep at night, while I get ready in the morning, and while I’m in my car.
2. Audible & multi-tasking.
Again, audiobooks. A fantastic and flexible subscription to Audible.com allows me to have almost any audiobook on hand anytime I want it. I listen to these when CDs don’t make sense: while exercising, while tanning.
3. I repeat: multi-tasking.
I don’t do anything mindless without listening to a book, a TEDtalk, or a John Green video. I mean, if I even want to play a quick game of Tetris, I make sure I have something to listen to.
4. Book blogs & Bloglovin.
I follow 85 blogs,over 50 of them writing- or reading-related. I couldn’t keep up with this many blogs without the help of my blog reader, bloglovin.com. It’s easy and intuitive and a time-saver!
5. Google Alerts.
How do I decide which book blogs to follow? I have Google Alerts for my favorite authors, so every day I’m emailed news and posts about them. If a blogger loves one of my favorite authors or books, I add them to my Bloglovin reader (assuming they have a similar taste as mine!).
6. Goodreads.
I don’t use Goodreads as much as some other readers, but I do like that it gives me personalized recommendations and that I can read quotes from the book before I decide to read it. The reviews can be hit or miss without any context for the reviewer (i.e. How do I know if this person has good taste?), but they are sometimes helpful. It’s also nice to see a collective reader rating on a book before diving in.
7. Barnes & Noble membership & Mastercard.
My membership gives me free shipping on everything (worth exponentially more than the membership dues), and my Mastercard gives me Barnes & Noble giftcards as rewards. I keep my wishlist items in the “save for later” bin on the B&N website, and when a giftcard arrives in the mail, I spent it in about seven seconds.
Hope you’ve found something helpful in this list! I’d love to hear YOUR best tips!
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme over at The Broke and the Bookish.
JACKIE LEA SOMMERS 
I didn’t think of audiobooks, but they’re a lifesaver on long car rides or the many walks around the neighborhood I take with the dogs.
This is a great list. I’m totally with you on audiobooks and audibles. I haven’t heard of bloglovin before, but I am definitely going to check it out.
I wish my Mastercard did that (it occasionally gives me a coupon for whatever percentage off my next purchase at Chapters Indigo but that’s about it. But it does give me points for food…I suppose that’s important, lol)!
Great list! Most of the blogs on my Bloglovin account are all book-related too 🙂
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I really think I should try audio books sometime. Thanks!
They’re the best!
I should have added bloglovin’ to my list too. I’ve found it very helpful. Great list!
Definitely agree with Google Alerts! I use it for a few of my favorite authors. And I do the same thing. Before following a blog, I always check to see if they’ve reviewed a book by one of my favorite authors, and if they have – I just follow them. Even if they didn’t enjoy it. I love the variations in opinion.
– Tabitha @ Tabitha’s Book Blog
Two things that have helped me get through more books…
1. I always carry a book on me. Always. I have a Kindle reading app on my phone, so if I finish one, I have access to over a hundred new titles in my library. If I have 5 minutes here or there, I fill it by reading a few pages rather than by blowing it by checking Facebook or e-mail.
2. I don’t get bogged down with books that bore me. If the book hasn’t hooked me by page 50, I set it aside and go with something different. Oftentimes I am just in the wrong mood for a particular genre and I’ll end up getting back to the book in a few weeks or months.
I am sooooooo the same way: there are too many great books out there to waste my time on one that is boring or not well-written.
LOL- Clearly Multitasking is a big hit! Go you.
~Decadent
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🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
I canceled my BN membership after having one too man fights with them over logical things. It makes me miss Borders awesome rewards program.
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Oh gosh, LOVED Borders. Remember when you would get a coupon with every purchase? And sometimes it would be for like 30-40-even-50 percent off? Sigh.
Great advice! I like the Google Alerts tip. I use Google Alerts for my job, but I never considered doing it for my favorite authors.
I buy gift cards for my Nook and load it with cash. That way the money is already allocated for books and I don’t fun up my credit card.
I also carry a book with me if I know I’m going to have to do any waiting.
Do you download audio books on your phone or ipod?
I download them to my mp3 player! I used a Galaxy Player, which is like a smart phone except I don’t pay for it monthly!
*Run* up my credit card. Though sometimes it’s “fun” to run up my credit card. 🙂
hahaha, no joke! 🙂
Ooo, audiobooks, for sure! They certainly allow me to get more books read every year. I often listen to them while I’m getting ready in the morning, driving places, or cleaning and other household chores. They’re the best!
Agreed! No better way to get through the mundane activities!
Oh, yes! I didn’t think to put Amazon in my list, but their free two-day shipping is made of awesome. I love that I can order any book, not pay shipping and receive it lickety-split.
Jackie, I like you. You are swell, and an admiration. I hope I can multitask as well as you some day (I can’t to save my life).
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