Study Reading Strategies

Oh geez--it's nearly June. Time to consider my summer study reading. 

My usual process- I grab likely titles from the books I've purchased but haven't read, and a book or two that I need to reread.

A stack of aspirations is one thing. Actually reading the books is quite another.

So, strategies--

Narrow down that pile. Thirty-seven books WILL NOT be read, and that's just a lot of hauling and getting daunted. Start with ten or less. A dozen if you absolutely cannot help yourself.

One book at a time. I'm easily distracted and often read several books in the same stretch of time. My brain doesn't appreciate this when it comes to professional reading.

Notes of some sort. If it's on my Kindle, I highlight and export the notes later. On paper, I have a notebook for my reading, with a page for each book-- I jot down a quick insight and the page number so I can come back to it as needed.

Small chunks. Most often I set a 10% goal. If it's a 300 page book, that's 30 pages until I take a break. (This is even easier when technology puts the percentage read right there on the screen.)

Rewards. Not just a burgeoning Goodreads number. Getting to read fiction, hang out in a hammock, find a frosty beverage, go for a swim.

Couch Scenes

You might be a religious professional's child if you flip through religious magazines and read aloud the interesting tidbits.

It could be a time management strategy for me, no?

Summer Reading?

I spent much of today reading. Fiction, even! A lovely way to spend a quiet day off.

And it reminded me--soon enough summer comes and vacation. A couple of weeks to read whatever the heck I want.

Sure, I have shelves of unread books, but what should I be adding to my fun reading list?

(Really. FUN reading. Not the three hundred books I should read for work. I'll get to those as sanity allows.)

"A Person's A Person, No Matter How Small"

March 2nd marks the 111th anniversary of the birth of Theodor Seuss Geisel, the author better known as Dr. Seuss.

Mr. Geisel is sometimes listed among "Famous UUs", but I've yet to see any proof that he belonged to a Unitarian Universalist congregation, or claimed to be a UU. 

His works are remembered for their combination of whimsy and social values. His characters were every hue, every species (real or imagined), and utterly relatable.

My favorite Seuss character is Horton the elephant--which character most speaks to you?

Restraint, Of A Sort

Last year I came home from this work conference with nearly two dozen books. This year I only brought home six books.

Mostly because I have a bunch of last year's reading left to do.
And I wasn't checking any luggage today.

Places/Times To Read A Few Pages

So many books to read, so little time, right?

Here are my sneaky places.moments to read a few more pages--what are your favorite tricks?

*In the car. Mostly while waiting for my kids to be done with clubs or whatever, but sometimes in really bad traffic.  I think I read most of Tom Sawyer driving home last year--there's a bad backup two miles from my office.  And whenever someone else is driving, of course.

*At breakfast meetings with myself- after I figure out to-do lists and hit a writing deadline, I'll read while I have another cup of coffee.

*Outside in a camp chair, as weather allows. It's good to remember that there's an out of doors. The chair can help me believe I'm on an adventure.

*Inside in a camp chair, when weather does not allow

*In the three minutes waiting for a meeting/webinar/whatever to start

*Airplanes. Note to self- the new Percy Jackson book comes out soon...

Tonnage

Like many, I have a professional development plan, and mine has a line about books to read in the coming year. 

Being a quantifying sort, I sometimes put in a number of books. And sometimes shelf inches.

Perhaps this year I'll put it in pounds. 

Because the carrying back and forth? It might as well count as weight lifting. At any given time there are a pile of partially-read books on my nightstand, on my desk at work, in my purse and backpack, and another box of to-be-read books in my reading nooks.  

If I read just two pounds a week, I'd have a sixth grader by the end of the year.

Don't Hate Me Because I'm Slothful...

I spent much of the day today reading The Golem and The Jinni, getting lost in 1899-1900 New York City.

Most of the decisions in the day involved where I should read--bed, couch, and even on an idyllic blanket in the shade.  Because it was only ninety-four degrees this afternoon.

I'm storing up some sweet ahhh moments as I head into the wacky start-up time of the church year. (Perhaps there will be fewer stressed ahhh moments to come?)

And now I'll get back to the hundred pages left to read.