When do you read?

When do you read?

I mean, yes, we all read constantly - social media, online news, text messages and so on. But what about books, graphic novels, and other, more in-depth legible stuff that you can really sink your teeth into?

Lately I’ve been reading a lot of academic research, working on a book manuscript. I’m delighted to share that I’m under contract with Moon Books for a Minoan book in their Pantheons series.

I’ve had to publish second editions of two of my Minoan books (Labrys & Horns and Ariadne’s Thread) in order to update them as the Ariadne’s Tribe spiritual tradition grew and expanded.

Those were necessary revisions, but I’d rather not have to revise yet another book. So with this one, I’m taking the time, along with the rest of the Tribe community, to make sure we’ve filled out our pantheon and sacred calendar as far as it’s likely to go.

And that has taken time away from reading for pleasure. I apologize for not writing as many book reviews as usual lately. My TBR list is towering comically at this point, and I promise I’ll get back to it soon.

In the meantime… I asked a question above. How about I answer it for myself: When do I read under non-deadline-encroaching circumstances?

This may sound odd, but much of my reading for pleasure happens at breakfast and lunch. Five days or more a week, the other members of my household head off to do their own thing for part or all of the day.

That allows me to have a leisurely breakfast and to take my time with lunch, with a book as my companion at both meals.

I’d like to say I’m one of those people who sit out under a tree and read. But honestly, the trees around here usually want a conversation, and I like to pay proper attention to them. So if I’m going to read outdoors, I do it on the deck, sitting in a patio chair.

Reading for pleasure feels almost heretical in our society. The fact that I’ve bought a book is a small nod to capitalism, I suppose. But most of my pleasure reading comes from self-published authors or small presses, not the big corporate publishers.

And of course, there’s never enough time to read. So I do my best to focus on the book and give it my full attention when I do read. Quality time, I suppose you could call it.

Quality time with a book. Not a bad way to spend a part of my day.

When do you read? Please share - I’d love to hear!