Diana Gabaldon, one of my very favourite authors, recently discussed a common question she’s asked in media interviews on her blog. The question is, how do you read?
I thought this was an interesting question and she gave an interesting answer that basically boils down to “I read everywhere, all the time.” For someone with a busy life such as hers, she has to multitask to fit in all the reading she has to do for research for novels, reviews and for fun. She reads while she cooks and cleans and while she exercises and travels.
One tip she gave for people who are super busy but want to fit in some good literature is to always have a book close to hand. This is excellent advice and something I do myself. At any given moment I have a book on or near my person. Whether I’m on the bus, waiting in line, by the lake or at the coffee shop I have a book. Or two. I have at least one book on the go for every room in my house. And I love to read while I cook, sometimes to the detriment of my supper.
Now, I will admit that this habit does add to the general disarray in my house. There’s books stacked all over the place; on every table and in every purse. But no matter how busy life gets I can always find spare moments to read and I always have a book ready when those moments arise. I think it also helps me lower my stress level because I’ve got someplace where I can escape no matter where I am.
I’d like to know, how do you read?
