Reading Better

I've always loved reading. In fact, I was the kid who was told to stop reading so I wouldn't finish my entire book in one day and, in turn, need another new book to read. I've been a book borrower, book lender, book recommender, and book collector. I've rarely ditched a book (although, it has happened occasionally), and I've often returned to reread a favorite again and again.

In recent years, I've challenged myself to read more than I had been after the never-ending course reading I faced in college. I realized I watched far too much television, and actually felt my brain melting, so I picked a series and started reading. Then I read some more. Since 2020, I've read over 50 books each year, and hope to continue that trend this year as well.

However, I'm realizing that might not happen this time.

Not because I'm not reading.

Not because I'm not finishing books.

Not because I'm consuming other types of media instead.

But because the quality of the books I have been choosing this year is different than in past years. Richer. Fuller. More substance. More challenging, if you will.

I always loved a good romance novel, even as a teenager. I could finish a chick lit book in a few days and pick up another immediately. I didn't see any issues with it. It was light-hearted, fun, and got me reading an entertaining story.

But then I started really reading my Bible and began understanding sin and footholds and temptations. I started realizing that when I'd read a romance novel in the dead of the night, with my husband laying next to me, I'd compare our relationship to the one in the book--the one that was made up. It wasn't fair to my husband, and it wasn't fair to me.

I didn't stop reading these right away. I started reading them less, sure. But I would still download them onto my reading app, and open them occasionally when the other book I was reading was too heavy.

But then this year rolled around, and I downloaded one and felt an actual pang of guilt. I knew it wasn't healthy for me to be reading the book--not that there was anything wrong with the book itself. It was a Christian romance novel, and it was wholesome and didn't include many taboo topics of other romance novels. But the reality that it wasn't for me set in.

I didn't want to read it. I knew I needed something lighthearted after the too heavy non-fiction books I'd finished. But I didn't want to read something that was going to take me down the path of comparison.

So I picked up a classic--To Kill a Mockingbird. And I really enjoyed it. I'd read it in high school, but it meant more as an adult. I realized that there are a multitude of great fiction classics that I can dive into when the non-fiction are getting too heavy--The Pilgrim's Progress, Emma, Jane Eyre, and so many more.

But I also realized that the quality of writing in those books is more complex. Those classics take a little longer to read. I can't just sit down and finish one of these puppies in a day or two.

So, while my goal this year was to read 60 books, we're approaching the end of April, and I'm only on number 15 (with two more non-fiction books currently in progress). And while I'd love to pretend that I could read 5-6 books a month, I'm not sure it is possible with these more substantial books! Oh, and not to mention that whole full-time wife, mom, and chicken tender thing!

I'm okay with that, though!

I've read 11 really great non-fiction books, so far, that have challenged me and with each I've grown. I've read 4 novels that I have thoroughly enjoyed and that (with the exception of 1), also challenged me in difference ways.

I'm excited to see what else I pick up this year and what I learn through both the non-fiction and fiction books I read!

Will you join me in evaluating what you're consuming? Will you make the choice to pick more content with more value? If you do, let me know! I'd love to have you join me on this journey!

<3 Becca, MommifiedLife