Why I Can’t Handle Reading 12 Books A Year

Balancing Parenthood, Work, and Reading in the Fast Lane

We all know the benefits of reading. A guaranteed stress-reliever that provides empathy, inceased focus, enhanced memory — the list is endless. In a world that often lauds the avid reader, and the rightly so, the pressure to get on the reading train is real.

In early 2023 I challenged myself to read 12 books for the year. A book a month, around 10 pages a day. To some this is child’s play. A cinch. Something done without thinking. For me, in my life right now, it’s an exceptional output. However with only 3weeks of the year left, it’s likely I will fail this challenge.

“The person who deserves most pity is a lonesome one on a rainy day who doesn’t know how to read.” — Benjamin Franklin

The Pressure of Reading Goals

Completing “xx books a year” has become a bit of a trend — to set an ambitious reading goal that demonstrates personal growth and going above and beyond. It’s charm is not lost on me.

Finding a way to kick start a habit usually works for me. Whether it’s getting out and running consecutive days, improving my chess rating iteratively or trying to improve the house bit by bit, challenging myself to complete something is usually enough to make something stick.

For whatever reason reading just hasn’t taken off. The problem with setting a target is I’ve had an element of guilt when it gets to the end of the month and I simply haven’t found the time or will to complete a book. Rather than just enjoying the process of reading when I do remember, I’m left giving myself quotas to try and achieve for pages read or chapters completed.

Life Beyond Books

Believe it or not I actually studied English Literature at University. I was a regular book reading, essay-writing student who excelled at it all. But life comes at you fast.

Long gone are my endless days of free time and little to no responsibility. In it’s place a mixture of a fairly serious career, parenthood and the boring activities of middle-aged life.

As the pages of my careers turn, finding time to engage with literature has become a balancing act, one that often tips in favour of immediate responsibilities.

Parenthood: A Full-Time Commitment

Parenting is fraught with both joy and challenges, often leaving little room for personal pursuits. The constant demands of nurturing, guiding, and simply being present for our kids can easily consume the hours that might have been dedicated to devouring novels. From sleepless nights to rugby practices or acting classes, parenting takes precedence, making the prospect of reading 12 books a year seem like a distant fantasy.

“You can never get a cup of tea large enough or a book long enough to suit me.” — C.S. Lewis, Author of The Chronicles of Narnia amongst other books.

The irony of failing my 12 book challenge, is that I read to my children every single night before bedtime. If I were cheekier, I would rattle off the 7 Narnia books, Harry Potters or other smaller chapter books as some sort of success — but that’s cheating. Much as I enjoy reading a chapter or two a night with my 6 year old, it’s no way to overcome a paltry 12 book challenge.

Reading to children is magical and nothing makes me happier than unlocking the excitement and spark books provide my kids with. They will be readers. Just like I was. Just like I am?

Embracing the Alternative

Rather than succumbing to the guilt of unread books on dusty shelves, I’ve begun embracing alternative forms of literature. Audiobooks, podcasts, and even well-crafted summaries offer a convenient way to absorb knowledge and stories while multitasking. Whether you’re commuting, exercising, or doing household chores, these alternatives allow for the reading benefits that books give you.

I read more Medium articles than I ever have before. Medium is a platform which offers the sumptuous quick bites of information or story telling that my hectic life can handle. Having recently upgrade my membership to “Friend of Medium” status — I’m keen to read and share stories I find useful. If you’ve got good stuff to share, please give me a follow and draw my attention to your work in the comments.

For longer runs or work commutes I’ve turned to podcasts on Spotify. A mixture of educational listening and mild escapism has allowed me to really go deeper into different topics. I suspect I will use audiobooks too, especially when commuting to get information without bumping into my fellow passengers in a busy London underground.

On the books I have read… The 6 completed have been fantastic — I’ll write a full update of my New Year’s Resolutions in a separate article. If you have enjoyed this article, please consider following me and giving some feedback.