Grab A Book And Take A Moment To Yourself – Fuzzy Wuzzy Wednesday
What? A moment to myself? But, it’s the busiest time of the year for me!
How on earth will I ever find time to read a book? I’m getting my menu and grocery shopping list together for Christmas dinner, putting the tree up, decorating the house, shopping for presents, and doing all the regular stuff, too. I find it difficult even to find the time to get a shower in, let alone sit down and read a book.
But, I was waiting for a prescription to be filled the other day and wandered over to the book aisle. Oh, the books I’ve been missing! It just about broke my heart. You see, I used to read a lot of books. Then I got busy with family, home, and work – all those things that fill up my days. Yes, a busy life is a blessing, but I do miss my reading.
So, I’m making a commitment to myself today. I’m adding “read” to my to-do list. I’m going to set an alarm clock to go off during the day, grab my book, and sit down for a half hour and read. I think I can afford to give myself thirty minutes.
I’m also going to buy a purse that’s big enough so I can carry my book with me where ever I go. That way I can pull out my book anytime I have to wait for something as I’m running errands, like waiting for a prescription.
Now, what to read… there are so many books to choose from! I could go straight to the bestsellers display in the bookstore, but that’s really not the best strategy for me. Just because a lot of people are buying a book doesn’t mean it’s a good fit for me. So, I did a little searching online and this is what I came up with.
There is a site called The WILLA List wiki which was designed by a group of women called Women In Letters and Literary Arts, or WILLA.
Because women authors were woefully left off of Top Ten lists like the one in Publishers Weekly, this group of women developed a website and started a list of their own using a wiki format. You’re probably familiar with this format from the site wikipedia. It’s an interactive site so you can sign up and add your own input if you so desire.
But, the real draw for me is their list of favorite books by women authors. There are hundreds of books listed by category; fiction, non-fiction, poetry, etc., with links so you can read the synopsis of the book as well as some of the critical acclaim. When you click on the link, which is the title of the book, you may be taken directly to the author’s webpage or you may get a wiki review. This website is worth a few minutes of your precious time.
Another great place to search for books is a nice little website called Indie Bound, which is a site in which independent booksellers across America post their own Indie Bestseller Lists. Because independent booksellers often attract independent thinkers, their lists contain titles that are both interesting and unusual. This list lets you know what indie readers are buying right now.
I’m thinking I found a few places to start searching for my books. So, I’ll set my alarm now and spend my first half hour scrolling around these two sites. Reading through these sites may take a while, but it will be a labor of love!
I hope you’ll join me and take a minute or two, or maybe even thirty, and pick out a book for yourself today. I just think we all deserve to treat ourselves as well as we treat others. Have a great day!
p.s. I found one title already that I can’t wait to dig into. If you’re interested in what I’m reading right now, you can find it by clicking here. Enjoy!
Tags: bestsellers, books on the bestsellers list, books to read, top 10 books, women authors
December 20th, 2009 at 9:48 pm
I love to read, I always have. I found out that my local library has a book club that meats once a month. I always meant to join, but first it was work, then it was part time classes at college, but last month I went for the meeting, and I have to say, it is proving to be the best think I have done for myself in a long time! I have met some interesting people of all ages, and it is fun to hear what others have read and recommend. We all just talk about what we have read for the last month. I don’t know if I would like the type of club where everyone reads the same book. I don’t want to be told what to read. But if someone introduces an interesting book, I am likely to pick it up.
December 23rd, 2009 at 2:46 pm
I always make sure a new purse is big enough to fit a book and I carry one with me EVERYWHERE. You’d be amazed how much time you sit waiting for things to get done. Even just waiting for a traffic light to change (as long as you’re not the first one in the line. LOL) There are books scattered around my house in strategic places where I know I may sit down for a moment and read. I usually have 2 or more that I’m in the middle of at any given time. Good luck with your reading!!