📚 How to Read When You Have No Time (But Know You Need To!)
Juggling life, work, and responsibilities? Here’s how to fit more reading into your day—without adding stress.
Dear Fancy Readers,
Apologies for being a day late on this newsletter. Behind the scenes, there have been some truly wonderful things happening… and also some really terrible things. In due time, I’m sure I’ll share.
For now, let’s talk books.
My nightstand is stacked with books—everything from Let Them to parenting books, faith-building reads, and of course, classic literature.
My Kindle is just as overloaded, filled with library loans and recent purchases I promise I’ll get to. But when life is busy, how do we actually find time to read?
Here’s how I do it.
✨ 5 Ways to Read More (Even When You Have No Time)
📌 Audiobooks are your best friend.
Every morning, I listen to my Bible reading plan while walking the dog—it’s non-negotiable. I also squeeze in audiobooks on Spotify while driving or at the gym. (Did you know some full books are on Spotify? Worth checking out!)
“Books are a uniquely portable magic.” — Stephen King
📌 Use Readwise.
I love Readwise. It collects all my Kindle highlights, notes from physical books, and even pictures of pages I’ve saved. Then, every day, it resurfaces 10 -16 quotes. It’s amazing how you can read something profound and forget it months later—Readwise brings it back right when I need it most.
“The reading of all good books is like a conversation with the finest minds of past centuries.” — René Descartes
📌 Wake up earlier.
I haven’t been sleeping much these days, so the lines blur between “waking up early” and “just being up all the time.” But I always set an alarm for 5:00 or 5:30. The minute my eyes open, I grab my phone (dangerous, I know) and fill out my Five Minute Journal app (worth it!). I jot down three things I’m grateful for, my plans for the day, an affirmation, and I read the daily quote. So right away—I’m reading and writing.
“A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies… The man who never reads lives only one.” — George R.R. Martin
📌 Always have a book with you.
If you have kids, you know how much time is spent waiting—in the car, at practices, in random in-between moments. Instead of scrolling, read a few pages. It doesn’t seem like much, but those small moments add up.
“We read to know we are not alone.” — C.S. Lewis
📌 Read aloud to your kids.
This one is the money shot. I used to think bedtime stories had to be fiction, but now? I read books I want to read too. The Power of Positive Thinking, The New Rules—books I wanted my oldest daughters to hear, my other kids, but I also wanted to read myself. It’s a win-win.
“Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.” — Emilie Buchwald
💡 Homework Assignment:
Try one of these tips this week and let me know how it goes. Or, if you have your own secret to squeezing in more reading, drop a comment!
📖 Coming Sunday for Members:
I’ll be revealing our new book club pick, reading plan, and guide. If Les Misérables felt like a marathon, don’t worry—this one is much shorter and easier to digest, though still a classic. Stay tuned!
Happy reading,
Karen
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🏫 Study with the Greats: If this post sparks your passion for timeless literature, consider exploring deeper studies at Ricketts Great Books College, where classic works come to life through engaging discussions and supportive faculty guidance. I’m enrolled and would love to see you around the “online halls”! Be sure to visit their website for scholarship opportunities.
