More than Textbooks

I'll admit it. I fell into the trap of saying, "I don't have time to read because I'm a college student and I'm always reading textbooks!" Most people seem to accept this excuse, giving me a, "But of course! You're busy!" and "This is such a busy time of life for you!" Yes, I am busy, I'm not disputing that, but truth be told, I'm not always spending my time wisely. With the new year, I decided to stop making excuses and start finding time in my life to read again.

The biggest jumpstart to this decision was my parents buying me a beautiful Kindle Paperwhite for Christmas. I love this little device. It's thin, has a touchscreen, and it allows me the luxury of having Sherlock Holmes and Pride and Prejudice at the touch of button everywhere I go. Yes, I still adore the smell of new books and such, but I'm grateful for the convenience of having a lightweight device storing dozens of books. It helps me stop making excuses about not having books with me. I have been taking advantage of the library Kindle downloads and I am on 4 different waiting lists for these books:

1. Elizabeth the Queen: The Life of a Modern Monarch
2. The Maze Runner (I started reading this one but my 2 week borrowing period expired and I'm back on the waiting list. Boo.)
3. The Host
4. Life of Pi

All I can do is hope that they all don't come at once! What a wonderful dilemma to have!

I've also started borrowing audiobooks again. I listen to them while walking around in the 2º weather, scurrying from building to building. I've also started listening to them while working out at the gym. Aaron goes and plays basketball with friends and I find an elliptical machine and engross myself in a delicious audiobook. I've gone through 2 1/4 books this way in the past month!

First was this one: 

She's my favorite writer on the show "The Office" and her autobiography was entertaining to listen to!

Next was this gem:

I know, I know. I should have read this like 3 years ago when everyone else was. What can I say? "I was a busy college student." It was wonderful and inspiring, to say the least.

I'm currently listening to this one:

My sister Allison read this one and found some good parenting ideas. Not that I'm planning on moving to Paris to raise children, but it's nice to know what ideas are out there!

So there you have it. Lots of books in progress and I'm even starting a new workout regime. And my apartment is still clean from Saturday. Here's to turning over new leaves (and pages)!