The popularity of reading for pleasure is taking a dip as it becomes quicker to get entertainment from a screen than a book. In honor of National Reading Month in March, we talked to Plymouth residents and book lovers Katie Timcho and Amy Sundet about their reading habits and how others can start reading again.
Timcho and Sundet run @overbookedmoms, an Instagram account to share their recent reads. While the two stay busy taking care of their families and living life, they always find time to read and to get their kids reading. In Timcho’s case, she finds time to read in-between her kids’ nap times or during sports practices; for Sundet, it’s not uncommon to see her in the school pick-up line with a book in her hands.
Audiobooks are also a way to take in a good book, and they allow you to listen while you’re driving or doing another task. “Some people like to toggle back and forth between the audiobook and the physical book,” Sundet says. “They read when they can but listen when it’s the only option, and they make it flexible to their lives.”
Finding what works for you is the key, whether it’s finding the right method, time or genre of book. Both Timcho and Sundet agree that finding a book that piques your interest is crucial. “Don’t be afraid to stop reading a book if you don’t like it,” Sundet says. “No one will force you to finish it just because you started it.”
Not only is reading the right book enjoyable, but it’s also good for your mind. “Reading is an escape from reality,” Sundet says. “You can’t multitask when reading, so you’re not thinking about work or anything else.”
What’s good for the goose is also good for the goslings. Sundet says leading by example is a great place to start when trying to get your kids into the practice of reading; pick up a book instead of sitting on your cell phone in the evenings. Timcho makes sure she and her 3-year-old read together every night. “We make sure to have books at his interest level, so he gets excited,” Timcho says. “We want to develop that habit early.”
If you’re unsure of where to start, Timcho recommends checking out the local library. "It's all about finding the right book that interests you,” she says.
@overbookedmoms
