How to Read More: Four Easy Tips

First, you need a good reading chair

Instead of wishing I read more (NYE resolution for the last 100 years), I actually have been reading more. I read 44 books in 2024 and 34 in 2025. Impressive numbers I am certain I have never before attained, including in college while I was acquiring degrees in journalism and English literature. 

I plowed through Yesteryear last week, finishing it in a few days. (I was hooked.) So I've tried to capture how I "did" all this reading so my future self cannot make excuses. 

1. The Kindle Paperwhite — Lil boo thang. 

Getting the Paperwhite was a huge game changer. It kickstarted my reading habit in a way physical books hadn't. It's so much more convenient than a physical book in a way that I cannot explain, though part of that is the ability to get books from the library stat. 

That hasn't stopped me from buying physical books, but I buy way fewer, and I do buy "trophy copies" of the books I read on my Kindle that I love and want to a copy of. I still have 400+ physical books and I love them too, but I like reading some of them on the Kindle. Crazy. 

2. The Cincinnati Public Library and Libby— ILYSM, queens. 

It's like a shot clock above my head. Libby giveth and Libby taketh away. And that is motivating. Also, did you know many Ohio libraries have reciprocity, so you can get cards from various libraries with your CHPL card? I have about six library cards on my Libby account, so if one library has a super long wait or doesn't have the book I want, it's likely one of the other libraries has a shorter wait time or the book. 

3. A reading nook/reading chair — A seat of own's own. 

I've also become being less precious about where/when I am reading. I read at the kitchen table while eating, sitting on the back porch, etc., whereas before I felt like I had to be in a certain headspace to capital R Read. Nonsense. Anywhere, anytime works great, but having a space to devote more time to it is wonderful, and I love this little corner of our light-filled dining room. 

4. Audiobooks — Speak to me.

Before Libby, I rarely listened to audiobooks, and then only during long trips. But now that I can get pretty much whatever I want via the library, I've found that having an audiobook and a "reading" book at the same time is perfect. 

I typically do memoirs on audio since they are easier to follow and often shorter, so I can listen when I'm cooking, painting, driving, etc. Then I devote reading time to the book-book. I put up big numbers this way. 

Somewhere a river of happiness flows

We'll sit on the bank while the warm breezes blow.

My heartbreak over losing Dolly Parton last week was made better only by reading the heartfelt, powerful tributes to her from all around the world. I feel lucky that I got to share the same time and space with her. 

Pride was a riot

This morning I shipped off 11 envelopes full of tiny pride art, some for friends, some for strangers. One of the strangers was a woman who runs a FLAG (Free Little Art Gallery) in Georgia. She needed pride art to fill her FLAG for the month, so I sent her myriad cards to help stock it. 

Remember kids, the first pride was a riot. Don't be afraid to flip over a table or sock someone's jaw if anyone insults your queer friends or family. I got your bail money. 🌈

A moment for the lashes

 

It Was (Previously) Valentine’s Day

Hi. No, you did not drop acid, my handwriting sucks. 

It seems I can only keep my painting mojo during a holiday or theme — Christmas, Valentine’s Day, spring, etc. 

I need a project. Dolly Parton has some ideas, specifically bird paintings.

Speaking of birds, I recently watched A Glimpse Into Extreme Birdwatching, a two-hour doc on YouTube about "big years" in bird watching, i.e. trying to see as many birds in one year as possible. It's an ad-free, AI-free sheer delight by two twenty-something brothers. 

I smiled nearly the entire time at the joy, humor and perfect balance between reverent and irreverent. 10/10, no notes.

"I'd walk through a brick wall for that bird." Quentin 

Here is the full doc.

 

This Gun’s for Hire

We’ve been going to Elk Creek whenever the weather is nice. I got this sweatshirt so I could feel legit while I push the button and keep score. ‘PULL!’ 

It’s like wearing the band tee to the concert. 

Never forget - Ungrateful Cat

 

The speculation around the "meaning" of this went on for weeks. I asked anyone who would listen. 

There probably was no meaning other than the sender thought it was funny. That was 11 years ago. So, was there meaning? I believe I sent something back. But I can't remember what.