23 and counting

I have been keeping track of my book reading since I decided upon my latest strategy for making sure I do it on a regular basis. In order to combat my difficulties focusing on long-form text (which I think stem from a combination of depression and smartphone use) I have added a bullet point to my daily to do lists where I have to read a book until a ten-minute timer goes off. And I’m marveling at how well it has worked for me.

It doesn’t seem like much. It hasn’t solved my focus issues; about half the time, I can’t force myself to keep paying attention past the ten minutes. But it does have me reading books, consistently, on a regular basis. And it adds up. Where once I was reading maybe two books a year, in 2020 I’ve already read 23 books, once of which was the behemoth Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell. It’s such a small change, but it’s made so much difference for me. It brings so much into my life, and lifts such a weight of shame.