I fel i have to do my chores etc before the blissful act of reading , another icecream before greens gal here. I may try to just have days when I just read and have icecream 🍦
You've got a bunch of goodies in that pile! The first time I read Nina Stibbe's 'Love, Nina' (this being quite a few years ago) I laughed so hard, I thought I'd tear a groin muscle. Then I ordered copies for my sisters and BFs and sent it as gifts. Every now and then, I read it again. It's a jewel. She's whip smart and funny.
Fantastic, it's going right to the top of the pile. I'm away for five weeks with my man who although kind and thoughtful is most definitely not a laugh. Hopefully Nina Stibbe will provide some much needed light relief.
Like you, Sue, I think I should write after I've done the chores BUT.... I don't do the chores!! Some days I do snatch some time to read but it still feels like a treat or a luxury; you know, ice cream after having to eat my greens!!
That's a really good way of putting it Linda, like ice cream without having eaten your greens. Just how it feels! It's funny, I can write first thing, and often am writing right up to lunchtime, but reading feels only for the afternoon/evening and then I fall asleep.
My ADHD brain means that if I love a book, my hyperfocus will move in and all other things don’t exist 🤣. I read SO many books!! I would like to be writing more but 🤷🏼♀️
When my husband was alive we used to take huge piles of books on holiday and, yes, i did read all day (punctuated by meals and cool sea dips). It was bliss! Now reading is elusive, I put a new book to read beside my bed two nights ago and have yet to open it. Have i been brainwashed by scrolling? I have read two brilliant and absorbing books in 2026 but.. maybe I need a bookshop rather than buying online? Read more has definitely been top of my aspirations list for too long.
Really interesting article Sue. I would read all day if I could. Guilt would probably kick in though. At the moment I am managing on average about 3 hours a day. I have read Roy, as you know, and loved it. And I loved Tyler's Three Days in June too. Dying to get my hands on Strout and O'Farrell books. Good luck with the stack over the next 6 weeks 😃 🙂
It's just that I have some free time right now. And it's broken up across the day generally. When I was really busy with work and commuting my reading was really constrained. I had reading deficit anxiety 🤣
It is THE oddest thing, that impulse not to prioritise the things that bring us joy. I bet if you were talking about anyone else or mentoring another writer, you’d be urging them to pick up a book every moment they could … and you say writing is easier because it is your work - yet reading is part of the writing job. I so hope that saying it all out loud helps to give yourself permission to bump reading up the list. Taking words like ‘books I smuggled’ also removes the illicit feel of it. Seize joy, take those pleasures … because you are SO worth it! The writer in you needs the input! PS … here at Encouragement Farm, we’ve reserved the reading corner for you.
Ah, Barrie, thank you. I'd love to come and sit in the reading corner, but even writing that, I'm feeling guilty about not being available to chat. What is this nonsense? I clearly need to let go of it
We do most of our chatting over supper and then bumble along in blissful silence the rest of the time, veering in and out of each other’s space as we go (mind you, there’s always a tune playing) … we’ll share our ‘no guilt vibe’ and send you off with a jar-full. There’s no better time than a holiday to try out new ways of being! You’ve got this!
Sue, I usually read late at night, when my work is done, and I feel free to settle into a good book. Fortunately, I'm a night owl. Since childhood I've had a habit of turning out the light after bedtime. What a promising line-up of books you've chosen! I've been reading great things about Strout's latest. Enjoy.
Hi Sue. I can only concur with your piece on the Puritan work ethic. Somehow we have been conditioned to believe that reading and by definition sloth and idleness are a sin against God, hence why capitalism needs us busy and productive. Knox has a lot to answer for.
I'm also neuro divergent. I can read in the small hours when Kim is asleep, but of course that makes me crabbit the next day.
Well said, Rob. There's a brilliant book, Caliban and the Witch which talks about this, and how capitalism first started with the Puritan church and their social control.
Before I retired, I rarely read during the day and I did feel it was somehow 'wrong' to read when there were jobs to be done. Now, I read anytime and tend to read a novel alongside a non fiction book. I love reading about the place I'm in; I read The Soap Man by Roger Hutchinson whilst we were in the Outer Hebrides and I'm rereading a Beatrix Potter biography now we're in the Lake District. Reading always felt like a reward when I'd finished my jobs, but now I'm much more flexible and there's nothing better than sitting in our van with a good book and a cuppa when it's raining. Today, it's sunny and dry, so we're walking to Coniston 💚
I’ll have to look out for The Soap Man - sounds interesting! That’s great to hear about your reading habits, and love that you match your books with places being visited. The Lakes will look stunning today - is there any snow on the tops? The walk up the Old Man of Coniston is sensational, although I don’t think my old knees would manage it now. Enjoy!
We visited Port Sunlight a couple of years ago, so knew a little bit about Lord Leverhulme. It's a fascinating book and it was great to have a better understanding of the history of the Isle of Lewis whilst we were there. The Lakes look stunning at the moment...we've climbed Old Man many times and are debating whether to do again or just admire the view from the lake!
I fel i have to do my chores etc before the blissful act of reading , another icecream before greens gal here. I may try to just have days when I just read and have icecream 🍦
Sounds like a plan! Maybe I should organise an ice cream and books day for the RIPE🍓 community?
You've got a bunch of goodies in that pile! The first time I read Nina Stibbe's 'Love, Nina' (this being quite a few years ago) I laughed so hard, I thought I'd tear a groin muscle. Then I ordered copies for my sisters and BFs and sent it as gifts. Every now and then, I read it again. It's a jewel. She's whip smart and funny.
Fantastic, it's going right to the top of the pile. I'm away for five weeks with my man who although kind and thoughtful is most definitely not a laugh. Hopefully Nina Stibbe will provide some much needed light relief.
I hear you, sister. Well, we need to create our own chuckles, if need be. Enjoy! 😁
Have heeded your advice 😘
Like you, Sue, I think I should write after I've done the chores BUT.... I don't do the chores!! Some days I do snatch some time to read but it still feels like a treat or a luxury; you know, ice cream after having to eat my greens!!
That's a really good way of putting it Linda, like ice cream without having eaten your greens. Just how it feels! It's funny, I can write first thing, and often am writing right up to lunchtime, but reading feels only for the afternoon/evening and then I fall asleep.
My ADHD brain means that if I love a book, my hyperfocus will move in and all other things don’t exist 🤣. I read SO many books!! I would like to be writing more but 🤷🏼♀️
Priorities.
Interesting 🤔
When my husband was alive we used to take huge piles of books on holiday and, yes, i did read all day (punctuated by meals and cool sea dips). It was bliss! Now reading is elusive, I put a new book to read beside my bed two nights ago and have yet to open it. Have i been brainwashed by scrolling? I have read two brilliant and absorbing books in 2026 but.. maybe I need a bookshop rather than buying online? Read more has definitely been top of my aspirations list for too long.
I do think phones and scrolling have a lot to answer for
Really interesting article Sue. I would read all day if I could. Guilt would probably kick in though. At the moment I am managing on average about 3 hours a day. I have read Roy, as you know, and loved it. And I loved Tyler's Three Days in June too. Dying to get my hands on Strout and O'Farrell books. Good luck with the stack over the next 6 weeks 😃 🙂
Am in absolute awe of your three hours a day. I really do need to prioritise reading in my writing life. You've inspired me..
It's just that I have some free time right now. And it's broken up across the day generally. When I was really busy with work and commuting my reading was really constrained. I had reading deficit anxiety 🤣
It is THE oddest thing, that impulse not to prioritise the things that bring us joy. I bet if you were talking about anyone else or mentoring another writer, you’d be urging them to pick up a book every moment they could … and you say writing is easier because it is your work - yet reading is part of the writing job. I so hope that saying it all out loud helps to give yourself permission to bump reading up the list. Taking words like ‘books I smuggled’ also removes the illicit feel of it. Seize joy, take those pleasures … because you are SO worth it! The writer in you needs the input! PS … here at Encouragement Farm, we’ve reserved the reading corner for you.
Ah, Barrie, thank you. I'd love to come and sit in the reading corner, but even writing that, I'm feeling guilty about not being available to chat. What is this nonsense? I clearly need to let go of it
We do most of our chatting over supper and then bumble along in blissful silence the rest of the time, veering in and out of each other’s space as we go (mind you, there’s always a tune playing) … we’ll share our ‘no guilt vibe’ and send you off with a jar-full. There’s no better time than a holiday to try out new ways of being! You’ve got this!
Sue, I usually read late at night, when my work is done, and I feel free to settle into a good book. Fortunately, I'm a night owl. Since childhood I've had a habit of turning out the light after bedtime. What a promising line-up of books you've chosen! I've been reading great things about Strout's latest. Enjoy.
Hi Robin, I'm jealous of your night owl tendancies. I'm counting the zzzz's by ten o'clock. Yes, Elizabeth Strout. ❤️❤️❤️
Hi Sue. I can only concur with your piece on the Puritan work ethic. Somehow we have been conditioned to believe that reading and by definition sloth and idleness are a sin against God, hence why capitalism needs us busy and productive. Knox has a lot to answer for.
I'm also neuro divergent. I can read in the small hours when Kim is asleep, but of course that makes me crabbit the next day.
Well said, Rob. There's a brilliant book, Caliban and the Witch which talks about this, and how capitalism first started with the Puritan church and their social control.
As for reading in the wee hours. Impossible! 😴🥱
Before I retired, I rarely read during the day and I did feel it was somehow 'wrong' to read when there were jobs to be done. Now, I read anytime and tend to read a novel alongside a non fiction book. I love reading about the place I'm in; I read The Soap Man by Roger Hutchinson whilst we were in the Outer Hebrides and I'm rereading a Beatrix Potter biography now we're in the Lake District. Reading always felt like a reward when I'd finished my jobs, but now I'm much more flexible and there's nothing better than sitting in our van with a good book and a cuppa when it's raining. Today, it's sunny and dry, so we're walking to Coniston 💚
I’ll have to look out for The Soap Man - sounds interesting! That’s great to hear about your reading habits, and love that you match your books with places being visited. The Lakes will look stunning today - is there any snow on the tops? The walk up the Old Man of Coniston is sensational, although I don’t think my old knees would manage it now. Enjoy!
We visited Port Sunlight a couple of years ago, so knew a little bit about Lord Leverhulme. It's a fascinating book and it was great to have a better understanding of the history of the Isle of Lewis whilst we were there. The Lakes look stunning at the moment...we've climbed Old Man many times and are debating whether to do again or just admire the view from the lake!
We’re very grateful for the recommendation, it's gone on the wish list.
I'm very happy to stay at river level these days and watch those fit enough to leap up mountains.