reading for the love of reading (I'm finally there!)

Exciting announcement, you guys!

I am a READER.

Don't worry, I'll explain ;)

Like any habit, it takes time to form, and since December (so almost 5 months) I've been working towards it. Reading for the love of reading. I can say, without reservation that I'm finally a reader.

I mean, I've always read books, usually a few per year, but not for fun, not to relax. Reading has always been something I valued, because I value learning. When I was a student, I read my textbooks without complaining; as a Christian, I read theology because I long to know more of God and it's a joy, but it's not something I do to unwind. Likewise, the other hats I wear cause me to read, but again, always to gain knowledge, not to kick back. Parenting books, cook books, etc. I've always read, because I've always loved learning. But I've never been a reader. Until now.

Since Christmas, I've read:
Thank You Jeeves, The Royal We, All The Light We Cannot See, Mindy Kaling's first and second book, Bonhoffer: Pastor, Martyr, Prophet, Spy, Miracles, Unveiling Grace (for the second time), and I'm still working through Tim Keller's book on Prayer. They have all been excellent. I'm not just saying that - I actually have started and chosen to stop a few books around the 30% marker because they just weren't that great (Primates of Park Avenue, Crazy Rich Asians, and another that was so bland I literally can't remember the title!).

I used to watch TV or surf the Internet as a way to relax and unwind at the end of the day, and now that seems so unfulfilling! Sure, I still check my beloved Instagram, read my fav blogs, etc, but I'm not aimlessly wandering around online or clicking through the Netflix new releases looking for a way to pass the time. Now, if I watch something, it's because I've thought about, weighed the pros and cons (there are always cons, let's be honest) and actually made the decision, instead of TV being my knee jerk reaction to the house being quiet.

It started as a method to improve my night's sleep (which wasn't so hot), because I'd read from numerous sources that screen time right before bed can actually give you a second wind and negatively affect your sleep. That was SO true for me. I'd be super tired at a reasonable hour, then as I'm crawling into bed, I'd hop on Instagram, and whadduya know, it's 1am and I'm wide awake. Reading before bed, instead of TV or my iPhone helped me get to bed earlier and sleep deeper, but more than that, it started me on to the glorious path of reading for the love of reading.

Once I was out of the habit of watching TV every evening, I was able to be more critical of it. Not just the shows I was watching, but the very nature of TV and how I felt afterwards. After binge watching just about anything, one tends to feel WRETCHED, amiright? Binge reading? Feels pretty darn productive, and even beneficial! I was suddenly reading such terrific content, that TV shows fell flat. Sure, The Office is funny (sometimes, and other times just dumb, there, I said it), but why watch that when I can read Mindy Kaling, who is freaking hilarious? I love the historic drama of Downton Abbey, but reading novels that take place in WWII was even richer, deeper, and more captivating.

Yep, I'm a reader. For the love of reading! Next on the agenda are these two I downloaded this week: How To Be Parisian Wherever You Are (looks fun + easy!) and The Goldfinch (won a Pulizer Prize!). I'm trying not to get stuck in any one genre for too long (i.e. no more historical fiction for a while), and I'm totally open, so tell me, what's on your reading list? What should I read next?

ps - To save moola, I asked for a Kobo eReader for Christmas (thanks, Dad!) and the vast majority of books I've read this year have been free from the Library. Most eReaders only allow you to buy eBooks, but the Kobo wins life, because it is connected to your local library! Highly recommend!