We live in unprecedented days when the available methods of communication are abundant and cheap.  It’s easier than ever to connect with authors that you appreciate. But there are so many. How can I know which authors I should follow on facebook?

First up, let’s deal with the question–

Why I should follow authors on social media at all?

Let me just say straight up that some authors are great on social media and some aren’t. 

There are only 168 hours in a week, after all.  Many a great writer is focused.  They write.  Everything else is periphery.  

Of course, they have to deal with the limitations of their time. When they get to the point when they have thousands of fans who want to communicate with them, it becomes an impossibility.  

But, there are plenty of emerging authors who have time for fans.  Some established authors, as well, are committed to responding to fans.  But communicating isn’t the only reason to follow authors on facebook. 

Some post thoughtful, insightful or beautiful images and words for everyone to enjoy for free. 

There’s a lot of different types of writing.  Interacting with people on social media is a lot different than outlining a novel.  Some authors are (gasp!) extraverts.  They love the back and forth quick wit retorts. Others need to hunker down in their ivory towers to crank out the good stuff. 

All that to say, some authors are worth following.  

For the rest, just keep up with your librarian or bookseller to find out about new releases and read what they’ve published.  It’s their best stuff and it’s where they put the time in.  It’s why they’re good.  

How did I choose the authors for my list? 

They’ve written at least one book that I love

Yep.  You got it. This is a biased list.  And, I admit to being a fiction snob. There’s scads of books that other people love that I don’t.  So, yes, it’s skewed toward my tastes.  

But, in general, these authors and the books I love are not unearthed out of obscurity.  They have lots of fans.  

They have a following. 

They’re active on facebook

You might think this goes without saying.  But, some authors that I like and admire don’t have a facebook page at all.  I’ve looked them up on instagram and, yes, they will make my instagram list if they’re active and worth following there. 

They have the potential to write a lot more great books

I loved Tara Westover’s memoir, Educated.  Fascinating, inspiring, brilliantly written.  I don’t know what Tara has planned for her future, but she’s told her life story already.  Of course, there’s aspects she didn’t cover, and her life’s not over yet.  But, I get the feeling this isn’t the first in a series.  She’s not a novelist who will be cranking out two books a year for the next thirty years. 

Read Educated.  It’s excellent.  But, I wouldn’t follow Tara Westover looking for the next best seller to top the charts. 

I picked authors to follow who are interesting people or who are doling out information about upcoming new releases and other bookish news. 

As far as I know, I like them as people

Some of these authors are new to me and I don’t know a lot about them.  I have definitely quit reading authors after finding out something that wasn’t a good fit for me.  Maybe I’ll drop some from the list who are on it now. 

But, as far as my knowledge at this point, I stand behind these authors.  

An exception to that rule is Anne Lamott.  I can’t think of anything she’s said politically that I agree with.  And from my point of view, a lot of her theology is screwy. But her writing is so quirky, so hilarious, so human I just can’t help but stand in awe at her giftedness.  

They are primarily full-time authors 

There are thousands of people who have written great books.  Many of them do other things.  They don’t write for a living. These authors do.  

They are alive today (with one exception)

C.S. Lewis has an active facebook page. 

He’s been gone for decades. 

He’s also one of my all-time favorite authors.  Apparently, there’s a lot of people who feel that way.  So, he has a following on facebook.  He was so prolific, that it’s easy to keep posting quotes or trivia or discussions surrounding his books ad infinitum. 

I can’t quote a source, but I heard during my bookseller days, that not a single C. S. Lewis book has gone out of print since its was published.  That. is. amazing. 

And, now, on to the list.

Which authors should I follow on facebook in 2020?

Novelists

Sujata Massey

The Widows of Malabar Hill is one of the best books I’ve ever read.  Set in 1920’s India, based on the history of the first female lawyers in the country.  Great story, great characters, fascinating cultural and historical setting.  

I have yet to read more of Sujata Massey’s books, but if Widows is any indication, I’ll be a long-time fan.

Sujata Massey

Lisa Wingate

Before We Were Yours tells a difficult story.  Crimes against children are heart wrenching.  Somehow, Lisa was able to tell it in such a way as to offer hope in the midst of unspeakable pain. That’s a tall order, but she does it well. 

Lisa Wingate is a prolific author. She’s won the right to be the top of the heap by perfecting her craft.

Lisa Wingate

Sharon M. Draper

I’ve only read one of her books, but she has written many.

 In Out of my Mind, I thought she did a great job of getting inside the mind and thoughts of a physically challenged girl.  It felt real.  Amazing story line as well and satisfying ending. 

Sharon M. Draper

Amy Lynn Green

Amy Green is not a bestselling author. She’s written middle grade fiction in the past. She’s about to release her first historical inspirational fiction. I’ve had the privilege to read the first chapter of her new release, Things We Didn’t Say. Half way through that first chapter, I connected with the main character.

She’s an emerging author. Keep your eye on her. She could be the next Lisa Wingate. I’ve known Amy her most of her life, so I know where’s she coming from and I can recommend her to you.

Amy Lynn Green

True Accounts

Heather K Morris

I’ve only read one of Heather Morris’ books, The Tatooist of Auschwitz, but I appreciate her work on this important story. The further we get from World War II, the easier it is to forget what happened.  We are losing our eye witnesses.  It’s so important to get their stories while we can and to never forget what happened, and most importantly, how we got there. 

Heather K. Morris

Laura Hillenbrand

I’m not a big fan of Seabiscuit, but Unbroken is one of the best books I’ve ever read.

The articles I’ve read about Laura Hillenbrand’s writing process have been fascinating as well.  She struggles with health issues and does incredibly detailed research on her books and works on them for years.  

Laura Hillenbrand

Memoirist

Anne Lamott

Even though I don’t agree with Anne Lamott politically or theologically, I am in awe of her talent. Her writing is so quirky, so hilarious, and so human. Pure delight.

If you’re new to Anne, Bird by Bird, her memoir of the writing life is one of my favorite. Operating Instructions is another great one.

Every once in a while she’ll post a rant or essay on facebook that is worth the whole price of admission.

Anne Lamott

Multi-Genre Bestseller

C. S. Lewis

C.S. Lewis is one of my all-time favorite authors.  I think The Chronicles of Narnia is the ultimate in children’s literature.  I was surprised to see that he had a facebook page, since he hasn’t been walking this earth for decades now.  But, it is well deserved. And now I’m a fan.

C.S. Lewis

Thought Leaders

Jeff Goins

I’m indebted to Jeff Goins for a lot. I went to his third Tribe Conference in Franklin, TN. I’ve read most of his books, I follow him on social media and I appreciate his vulnerability, insight and instruction. His book, Real Artists Don’t Starve was especially thought-provoking. Follow him if you’re interested in writing, speaking, influencing or becoming a thought leader.

Jeff Goins

Michael Hyatt

Michael Hyatt’s going to be most helpful if you’re leading a team or heading up a business or looking for leadership advice.

In my opinion, his groundbreaking book was Platform, introducing the concept of how to build an audience of followers in the digital age.

Michael Hyatt

Ruth Soukup

The planner I’ve used for the past two years is one that Ruth designed. She’s a New York Times Bestselling author, even though her latest book didn’t hit the list.

Here’s my theory: she’s grown past the majority of people and now she’s only talking to the minority. When her books were about saving money and making money and building a business, she had lots of attention.

Her latest book, Do It Scared, is about facing your fears. Honestly, I think most people just aren’t ready for that. Humanity is a pretty spineless bunch as a whole. That’s my theory for why fewer people are buying her newer book compared to her older ones.

Ruth Soukup

Bible Teachers

Priscilla Shirer

Priscilla Shirer is best known for being a Bible Teacher and has produced many Bible Study workbooks. She has also done some acting in the Kendrick Brothers’ Christian movies, including their newest one, Overcomer. 

Priscilla Shirer

Beth Moore

I’ve done quite a few of Beth Moore’s Bible Studies. Her teaching has taught me so much. Some studies have just been over the top incredible.

I’ve also read her one novel, The Undoing of Saint Silvanus. Every genre takes a different set of skills. She’s gifted in writing Bible Studies.

Beth Moore

Lysa Terkeurst

I’ve only read one of Lysa’s books, It’s Not Supposed To Be This Way. But, I admire the way she is able to connect with so many women and feel their pain and offer hope. I also admire her courage to share (albiet selectively) her current story and her current pain.  

Lysa Terkeurst

David Platt

I loved David Platt’s most recent book, Something Needs to Change.  The book was written from the notes of his personal journal during a trip in the Himalayas.

Platt was overwhelmed by a first hand experience with a dark corner of the world in desperate need, spiritually as well as physically. He eloquently invites believers into his pain as the first step to impacting the world.

I know he’s been a pastor and served a stint as president of The International Missions Board for the Southern Baptist denomination. Now he’s a pastor again. 

David Platt

I took some time to think about what I’m looking for in good books.  

Most of these characteristics apply to great novels, but as I look over the list, I see they are necessary for great non-fiction as well. 

What I’m looking for in good books applies to true accounts, memoir and to other non-fiction as well. No one wants to read a dry textbook that has no emotion, no characters, no story.  Even when reading about principles and facts, all the elements of great fiction would elevate it to a great book. 

Truth

The first element every great book has is truth.  This especially applies to fiction.  It has to ring true.  Even if the main characters are mice or aliens or vegtables. Obviously, those characters are mirroring human personalities. The way they act and interact has to be true to life as we know it, even if they are faced with fantastical challenges. We still have to see ourselves in them. 

Relatable Characters

This is closely related to truth, but we have to identify in some way with the main characters. Either with their fears, or their predicament or their line of thinking. We have to be able to travel their road with them, or else it’s not a good story. 

Emotional Connection

My personal theory is that emotional connection is the main reason girls and women read.  It’s a chance to vicariously process the emotions of the characters through the emotions of the readers. 

Female emotions are complicated. It helps to walk with a character for awhile and experience theirs rather than your own. Your character’s grief has expression in your tears. The same goes for your character’s triumphs. 

Transcendence

Relatable characters and emotional connection are important if the book is going to transport you out of your own life into the world you’re reading about. It’s necessary to become immersed in the story and to temporarily forget about the life you’re living in order to walk in the character’s shoes. 

Good writing

Good writing is a nonnegotiable. Beautiful writing is a plus.

Bad writing breaks the spell by calling attention to itself. Grammatical errors, awkward sentences, even a typo can remind you that you’re reading. Good writing becomes the vehicle and eventually it’s not even noticed. It takes a lot of hard work for the writing to become invisible.  All that’s left is the story. 

Beautiful writing elevates it to another plane.

Clever Plot Line

I actually have mixed feelings about a great plot line, because I feel like some modern books are all plot, with no character development or attention to writing. That’s not what I’m talking about. Some of the best books ever seem to have little plot, but in reality it’s so subtle you barely notice it. 

Unpredictable

This is related to plot. If you can tell where the story is going and you’re always right, it loses the mystery.  When you’re blindsided by a plot twist, that can keep you on the edge of your seat. Unpredictable is good. 

Insight into God, humanity, society, relationships and self-awareness

This relates back to truth. I like books that are able to articulate what I know to be true, but haven’t been able to put into words. I also like to discover new insights that wise writers have unearthed and captured in their books. 

When I finished the rough draft of this post, I remembered having recently skimmed over Sarita Holzmann’s seven part test for choosing literature for Sunlight Curriculum. Going back to read it carefully, I saw some overlap between her list and mine. Apparently, looking for good books for kids doesn’t differ much from adults.

New thoughts and ideas

This applies mostly to non-fiction, but any fiction writer that can introduce new thoughts and ideas through the vehicle of fiction is a hero in my book. 

Unique Voice

Unique voice actually might be negotiable.  Voice isn’t something you are aware of consciously.  It’s an indistinguishable part of the whole package. The flip side is that you will recognize a voice that grates on you to the point that you can’t tolerate it. 

Story

I added this mostly for nonfiction, since it is the very essence of fiction. Without the element of story, nonfiction is just dry facts and principles. Some of my favorite nonfiction is told through the vehicle of fable, which fleshes out those dry principles so you can see what it looks like. 

Besides. Story is the door.

Clarity

Another characteristic that becomes invisible when done well.  If the writer puts in the work, the reading is effortless.  There’s no confusion.  It’s all crystal clear. You get lost in the story, you’re struck with the new thoughts because the author has written with clarity. 

Hope

I’m a typical American.  I like stories with happy endings.  I believe that justice will prevail in the end, that evil will be punished and that the righteous will live forever.  So it makes sense that I want my books to reflect that same world view. 

Speaking of world view, I don’t like books that are obviously pushing an agenda, especially one I don’t agree with. This becomes more important when giving books to young readers who haven’t developed their moral compass yet. More mature readers can appreciate good writing without swallowing incompatible philosophies.

Satisfying Ending

Riding on the coat tails of hope is the desire for a satisfying ending.  That’s not to say that every lose end has to be tied up, nor every fantasy fulfilled.  But, in the big picture, the ending needs to satisfy. 

How about you? What do you look for in a good book?

Reading with kids can be one of the greatest pleasures in life.  Don’t miss it!

Believe that reading to your child is the best investment of your time 

You have to believe in it, down deep in your core. Believe it’s the best way to spend your time and it’s going to have the greatest benefits. 

It’s worth fighting for.  It’s worth preparing for.  The payoff is the pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. 

And what benefits are those?  Making meaningful and lasting connections with your kids through books, as Sarah Mackenzie so aptly put it. 

It’s easy to get sidetracked with things that are just blips on the screen.  Things that will be over quickly.  

Sometimes you have to walk away from work to make time for reading.  Believe that it’s important. There will always be work to come back to. 

If reading aloud is your favorite part of the day, the enthusiasm will be contagious.  

Find great books that please you and your child

Pick great books that you both love. 

Find books you like.  Find books you both like.  

“I am almost inclined to set it up as a canon that a children’s story which is enjoyed only by children is a bad children’s story. The good ones last.” – C.S. Lewis

It’s worth the time you put in searching and acquiring great books.

Two of my favorite sources are Read Aloud Revival’s list and Sonlight Curriculum’s list. I also have a couple lists for the youngest listeners. One Book a Month for Babies. And One Book a Month for Toddlers.

Another great resource is Sara’s checklist in what she looks for in a book for Sonlight Curriculum.

Don’t be afraid to abandon books that aren’t pleasing you both. 

Don’t worry about not finishing the book if the child loses interest.

Move on to other books if they don’t like the one you’ve chosen.

When reading to multiple ages at the same time, work to find books that please everyone.  

There are some books with universal appeal— great for any age, like the Chronicles of Narnia.  Young children, older children and adults will find appeal in the stories based on their knowledge and experience. 

Great literature and great art are the targets. 

Don’t be afraid of big words when reading to kids.  (Do you remember the soporific lettuce in the Peter Rabbit books?) They can take big words in stride.  That’s how they learn new vocabulary, in context. 

The great thing about children’s literature is that you can mix the classics that you loved as a child with some great new books that are being published today. 

Hide books you’re tired of. 

Follow the interests of the child, as long as they are interesting to you as well. 

Keep a steady stream of great books coming in—borrowed or bought. 

Keep great books handy. Fill up the baskets and bookshelves with great books next to all the comfy chairs and nooks. 

Be prepared to read repeatedly. 

Laps are made for reading. 

Delight and affection are the goals when reading to babies and toddlers. 

Make reading part of your routine

Have a regular library day every week.  That ensures that you always have new books in the house.  

Before nap time and before bedtime are great times to read to your child

After all school work is done if you’re homeschooling, or after all homework is done if kids go to school. 

Read aloud time was the favorite part of the school day when I was homeschooling.  It was our reward for getting everything else done.  We all looked forward to it. 

Grab a snack and something to keep their hands busy, especially when you move on to chapter books. 

Small amounts of time still pays dividends.

Don’t worry about not reading hours at a time, or even hours every week. Ten minutes every other day. That’s enough time to make memories. 

Sign up kids for summer reading programs and story time at the library, if it’s available in your area. 

Find a compfy spot to read. 

Create a book nook where reading happens.  A couch next to a bookshelf works well.  Or a window seat with built in storage.  Compfy places to sit, good lighting is important.  Book storage is a nice plus. 

Reading books on road trips is a great way to get a lot of books read.  You have a captive audience, and there’s a chance everyone’s getting bored, if they don’t have too many movies and electronic games to play. 

Long road trips was when we got the most reading done as a family.  Those weren’t necessarily easy trips.  But reading together is a good memory. There’s just something about the shared memory of a story. 

Keep reading long after they can read themselves. For any age of child, you can read to them at a more advanced level than they can read themselves.  

I’ve given my nieces and nephews books for Christmas and birthdays.  So many times I’ve missed the mark.  But, once in awhile I hit a home run.  I give a book that a kid devours.  That makes it all worth it. 

One of the best aids for the spiritual journey is a devotional book. Not a Bible Study, not a commentary on the Bible, not preaching or even teaching, per se.

Sometimes the meditations of devotional books can help us connect to God and scripture in a way that we can’t our own.

One thing I learned in my ten years as a bookseller is that there’s some books most people prefer to borrow and some books most people prefer to buy.  Most voracious fiction readers don’t have the budget to buy everything they want to read, so they borrow.  

But one category of books most readers would prefer to own rather than borrow is devotionals.

They also make great gifts to friends and family when you want to give something meaningful that will encourage their spiritual growth. 

The question is, which one is going to meet the need? 

There are thousands of devotionals out there. Amazon has 15,000 for listed for sale. How do you know which one is the right one for you or to give as a gift?

I listed my top picks based on my years as a bookseller as well as the confidence I have in the authors who penned them.

The Classic Devotionals have stood the test of time. Sometimes they are weightier with lots of food for thought. They contain the universal truths that still speak to us today.

The Newer Devotionals tend to be more conversational in tone. The authors are experiencing and dealing with life as we know it today.

(Note: Each picture is an Amazon affiliate link, meaning if you click through and purchase, a percentage will go to support this site.)

Classic Devotionals

Streams in the Desert

by L. B. Cowman, edited by Jim Reimann

Long time best seller written by Lettie B. Cowman, missionary to China and Japan. Focuses on God’s provision and purpose in dark times. First published in 1925, now with updated language.

Morning and Evening

Daily Readings by Charles Spurgeon

Two devotional thoughts for each day: one to be read in the morning and one in the evening. Chock full of wisdom and insight. Profound thoughts.

My Utmost for His Highest

by Oswald Chambers

My favorite devotional for years. Timeless wisdom. Titled after the sentiment that we need to give our best efforts for God’s glory.

Devotional Classics

Selected Readings for Individuals and Groups Edited by Richard Foster and James Bryan Smith

Pulling from classic authors from different Christian backgrounds, this collection encompasses a variety of traditions. It reads more like a textbook than a daily devotional.

The Valley of Vision

A Collection of Puritan Prayers and Devotions by Arthur Bennett

Thoughtful, written prayers from the Puritan tradition that continue to instruct and inspire.

Newer Devotionals

Jesus Calling

Experience Peace in His Presence by Sarah Young

Sarah Young writes as if Jesus is speaking to you directly. This is my current favorite. I love the large print edition that has the scripture verses printed after the meditation. Relevant and timeless.

New Morning Mercies

A Daily Gospel Devotional by Paul Tripp

Down to earth and relatable. Bringing God’s Word and wisdom into practical, everyday life.

Awaken

90 Days with the God Who Speaks by Priscilla Shirer

90 days of devotionals, with two pages of reflections per day. A nice addition is a couple of pages to journal after every day of devotional thoughts.

Too Blessed to be Stressed

3 Minute Devotions for Women by Debora M. Coty

180 devotions that include a verse, short meditation and a prayer. Super short time commitment. Perfect for the busiest schedules.

100 Days to Brave

Devotions for Unlocking Your Most Courageous Self by Annie F. Downs

Meeting us right where we are, Annie F. Down’s explores what it means to be brave. Challenging and encouraging.

Embraced

100 Devotions to Know God’s Love Right Where You Are by Lysa Terkuerst

Focusing on God’s love for us, each day has a scripture verse, meditation and finishes with a prayer. Lysa is gifted in painting pictures from her life to illustrate truths.

Whispers of Hope

10 Weeks of Devotional Prayer by Beth Moore

Each daily devotional is followed by two journal pages with space to respond personally to the thoughts in the devotional.

1000 Gifts Devotional

Reflections on Finding Everyday Graces by Ann Voskamp

Ann Voskamp focuses on the importance of gratitude. Acknowledging God’s little gifts and giving thanks for them changes us.

The Love Dare Day by Day

A Year of Devotions for Couples by Stephen and Alex Kendrick

Based on the Love Dare, there are 52 weekly challenges and 7 days per week reflections that correspond to the dares.

How do you find time to read more?

In order to answer this question, you first need to ask if you’re reading for entertainment or to learn? Or both?

4 Tips if You Read for Entertainment

Limit your work hours

Stop working. When you’re working, race against thethe clock. Then, when time’s up, walk away. 

Shut it down.  Take a break.  Make sure you have time to refresh. 

Work is endless.  If you don’t curb it, it will invade everything.  Planning your work so that you do the most important things gives you peace of mind when it’s time to walk away and stop working. You can leave knowing you’ve done the most important things.  

It’s easier than ever to work from home.  That means that it’s harder than ever to leave the office.  Cal Newport, author of Deep Work, talks about hard stops. Even winding down from the office routines, so you can leave work at work and be fully present at home.  

Read on your lunch hour

Reading is perfect for downtime. 

It slows your heart rate and eases muscle tension.  It takes you away from the stress of daily life, escaping via the magic of story. 

Take a book or Ereader with you everywhere

Take it to the park, beach, back yard, school pick up, and appointments.

Having something on hand to read makes the difference between squeezing reading into your life and letting those minutes slip through your grasp.

Surround yourself with great books

There are people who like to read and those who haven’t found the right books yet. 

Having the right books is key.  Finding the right books is important. 

How do you find the right books for you? A little bit of time spent treasure hunting will pay dividends.

5 Tips if You Read to Learn

Get up earlier

Realize that managing your time is really about managing your energy.  Factor that into the equation.  Which times during the day is your physical energy at it’s peak?  When do you need to relax and recharge?  

How about your mental energy?  If you’re learning something new that is stretching your brain, when is the best time to be reading it? For a lot of us, challenging, mind-stretching reading is best done in the morning.  Relaxing, recharging, escapist reading is best left for afternoon and evening, when the highest priority work has already been done.  

Planning your day the night before sounds like such a great idea.  Sometimes it just isn’t possible.  Sometimes you can’t face anything else at the end of your day.  That’s a good sign that you’re doing too much, that your health isn’t optimal or you’re struggling with depression.  

Plan your days and weeks better 

Reading is a great way to self-educate.  If learning new things is important to you, then prioritize your reading.  Put it on your list of things to do.  Make it part of your morning routine or evening routine.  Put some time and effort into selecting books.  Believe that reading to learn is the best use of your time.  You have 168 hours every week.  The hours you invest in reading to learn will pay dividends.  

Learning to say no frees up time to say yes.  Being clear on your priorities helps you know when to say no and when to say yes. 

Also, if you’re reading to learn, sometimes bite-size is the right size.  Reading just a chapter, or even and page or two and walking away can give you some time to digest what you’ve just learned. Don’t worry if it’s only 5-15 minutes at a time.  You can still get through whole books. 

“Throw your phone in the ocean”

That’s Austin Kleon’s number one tip if you want to read more.

But the truth is, reading can replace most other forms of entertainment — playing on your phone, TV, movies, magazines, newspapers and surfing the internet.

Many times, books are “higher reading”. In other words, more thought was put into them, more editing, more research, more sweat equity.  They’re often more worthy of your time. 

Listen to audio books during routine tasks

That way reading isn’t tacked onto an already busy schedule.  It means you are reading in addition to what you’re already doing. It doesn’t make your life busier, it brings more meaning to routine tasks.

Commuting, exercising, walking the dog, folding laundry, doing dishes, getting ready in the morning are all times when you can be listening to audio books. 

Build better habits

“Habits are the small decisions you make and actions you perform every day.” –James Clear

In Atomic Habits, Clear talks about “habit stacking”, meaning linking new habits to habits that are already established. 

If you brush your teeth every night before bed, consider getting your workout clothes for the next day out after teeth brushing and wipe down the mirror while you’re in the bathroom.  Stringing a lot of small habits together, one after another, eliminates decision fatigue because you know what comes next and you don’t have to use up self-discipline psyching yourself up to do something.

Consider linking your reading to a habit that you already have.  If you walk the dog after breakfast, listen to a book.  If the kids have naps or quiet time  after lunch, pick up a book. Making reading part of your daily or weekly rhythms fits them effortlessly into your life.

Sure, you believe in all the benefits of reading.  You wish you could read more.  But, your life is so full already.  Every spare minute is packed from morning till night.  There’s no way to squeeze in time to read. How can you find time? And what should you read?

The first solution feels almost magical. 

Surround yourself with great books that you want to read. 

Stash them near all the comfy spots in your home. Carry them with you when you leave.  All of a sudden, little cracks of time will appear.  Because you’re looking for chances to get back to the book you love, you’ll find chances.  Like magic.

But, the real trick is finding great books you love. How do you do that?

Multi-Task with Audio Books 

Consume your books while you’re doing something else: commuting, exercising, walking the dog, doing household chores, waiting in line or for appointments. 

Here’s a list of recommended titles to get you started:

Pride and Predjudice by Jane Austen

The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis

Born a Crime by Noah Trevor

Into Thin Air by Jon Krakauer

Unbroken by Laura Hildenbrand

The Martian by Andy Weir

On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King

Murder on the Orient Express by Agatha Christie

The Mysterious Howling (The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place#1) by Maryrose Wood

Focus on Effortless Reading

This mind set shift is especially helpful if you’re looking for entertainment rather than knowledge.

A genre rocketing in popularity is graphic novels. If they are new to you, start with El Deafo by Cece Bell, Zita the SpaceGirl by Ben Hatke and The Action Bible by Doug Mauss and Seregio Cariello.

Another genre of effortless reading is middle grade novels. Some are surprisingly well-written. Usually the plots are straight forward and there’s not a long list of main characters. I made a list of Middle Grade Novels Adults Will Love and More Middle Grade Novels Adults Will Love.

Check out Parables 

They are a great way to absorb important principles quickly and easily.  The ones listed here are quick reads.  Even though the principles are profound, the time investment is small.  Best of all the principles are wrapped in an engaging story. It doesn’t feel like a textbook at all. 

The 5 Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni

The One Minute Manager by Ken Blanchard

Gung Ho! by Ken Blanchard

Who Moved My Cheese? by Dr. Spencer Johnson

Quit telling yourself you don’t have time to read 

You have 168 hours every week, just like everyone else. Busy people read.  They make it a priority, they schedule it in, they make it work. Sometimes getting up earlier to read is a good option. Sometimes it’s not.

Cut out other forms of entertainment, such as TV, movies or surfing the internet. Replacing these items with reading, even if it’s just an hour or two a week will add up over a year.  Austin Kleon’s advice is to throw your phone in the ocean. Maybe that’s a bit drastic, but curbing it’s use might help.

Read Short Books

Sometimes all the encouragement you need when you don’t have time to read is getting through a book quickly. The idea of picking up a long book doesn’t appeal because you know you don’t have time. 

But, if you can get halfway through a book in one sitting, you feel like you’ve made progress, like it’s possible to reach your reading goal.

I was a stay at home mom for 18 years.  Then I became a bookseller.   Both jobs are full of interruptions. All day. Day after day. It destroyed my ability to concentrate.  I’m regaining it, now, but, boy is it WORK.  I have to force myself to stick to the task.  Even 25 minutes is a hard go sometimes.  

Of course, if I get lost in a book, time disappears.  That’s the magic of it, right?  

Here’s a short list of some great books with a low page count to get you started:  

Gift from the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindberg

Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankel

The Traveler’s Gift by Andy Andrews

The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis

Call of the Wild by Jack London

Eat That Frog! by Brian Tracy

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis

Consider collections of essays, poems or short stories

Not every book is a 300 page story. 

Some are broken up into little bites, easily consumed in small pockets of time here and there.  Blogger Sarah Dickenson thinks essay collections are underrated.  I agree.  Some are great food for thought that don’t work in other forms of literature.  

Collections of short stories and poems fall into this category as well. A ten or fifteen minute window of time might be all you need for a quick dose of great literature.

Read to your kids or grandkids

Reading to my kids was the best part of parenting. Now it’s the best part of grandparenting.  At each age, there are new delights to discover.

Reading works well before bedtime, before nap time, or as a reward for finishing school work. 

Always pick the best books.  As Anne Bogel says, “Life’s too short to read bad books.” It’s doubly true when you need to please a child and an adult. 

And the joy of shared reading experiences with children you love is unparalleled. 

Great chapter books are The Chronicles of Narnia, The Little House books, Cheaper by the Dozen and The Great Brain series.

There are scads of high quality picture books and board books as well. Check out Read Aloud Revival’s booklist for great suggestions.

Add Accountability and Deadlines 

Sometimes when we don’t have time to read we need someone to pick the books for us, give us a deadline and accountability. 

Enter the Book Club. Or the college class.  All of a sudden, the pressure’s on.  No procrastinating!  Get that book read. Form your opinions. Be ready to discuss it. 

Additionally, you have the advantage of help picking out your reading material. You open yourself up to books that you might not have chosen for yourself and you’re surrounded by like-minded readers.  Book people are the best people, according to Anne Bogel. 

Reading books changes your life by lowering stress, opening up new worlds and connecting you to authors throughout history and other readers.

Direct your mind and guide your thinking

Our minds are incredible things, and cycle through millions of thoughts in the course of a day. 

Undirected thinking can easily slip into negative thinking and depressed thoughts. 

The beauty of reading is that you can make a conscious effort to choose what you will think about. You can choose books that will fill your mind with inspiring, uplifting thoughts. When you’re not reading, you can still think about what you’re currently reading. 

Open up new worlds of knowledge and experience

Books are great for introducing you to new ideas, to whole fields of study and experience.

You can get to know the leaders and pioneers in the field.  And get to know conflicting philosophies of thought in the field.  You can sit at the feet of masters and decide for yourself if they’ve earned the right to be gurus. You can expand the base of your knowledge by absorbing theirs. 

Provide you with an education

It’s a great way to satisfy your curiosity by researching something you don’t know, but would like to or learn more about something you already love. 

Sometimes you have a problem in your life, and you don’t even know what it is.  All you know is the pain that you’re feeling and some symptoms.  Sometimes reading can help you figure out a diagnosis. 

After you discover a diagnosis, there’s often lots of books to help you solve your problem.    

It’s a great way to increase your understanding of yourself, humanity, God, the world.

Additionally, reading is a great way to increase your vocabulary

Connect to authors across miles, continents and centuries

Though the miracle of reading books, you can connect with the greatest minds in history.  

It’s impossible to have a cup of coffee with every person you might want to meet, either for reasons of geography or simple time limitations. Yet, you can still pick their brain by reading their books. You can learn, agree or disagree and stand on their shoulders.  

When you write, you can continue the conversation.

Connect with family or friends in a shared reading experience

There’s nothing like the experience of reading aloud with a class or family.  You now all know the inside jokes, the shared memory of a great story plus the memory of experiencing it together.   

Sarah Mackenzie of the Read Aloud Revival says that reading as a family is all about “making meaningful and lasting connections with your kids through books.” 

A book club shares the same characteristics of a group of people discussing thoughts and ideas about a book that they’ve all read recently. 

Lower your stress 

It’s a great way to escape the stress of your life

Amazingly, the physical act of reading can slow your heart rate and relax muscle tension in as little as 6 minutes.  In addition, there are 5 other ways reading can lower stress.

Take you on a mini-vacation

What’s going to happen next?  Who dunnit? How is the hero going to get out of this jam? 

From the comfort of your recliner you can have the greatest adventures through the medium of a book.  

There’s nothing quite like the contentment of a satisfying ending.  Read for the pure pleasure of it.   

Give expression to your emotions

For some reason, humans have a hard time knowing what they’re feeling and expressing it appropriately. 

When you become involved in a story, you identify with the players and you become emotionally invested. You can vicariously feel and express emotions with them.  You might not realize you need “a good cry” or that the satisfying ending was just the emotional uplift that you needed.    

Provide inspiration for your life

You can hijack someone else’s courage, even a fictional character. 

Reading The Hobbit, you can identify with Bilbo Baggins and tag along on his journey with him and borrow his courage. 

Reading a biography or memoir can inspire you to live better.  

Ben Carson and his brother grew up with a single mother who worked hard to provide for them. She required her sons to read books and report back to her on their reading, in spite of the fact that she was illiterate.  They went on to world class educations and become leaders in their fields.  

Give you a vision of how your life could be different 

Other people are farther ahead on the trail of where you want to go. 

They know the pitfalls and the obstacles.  Plus they know the shortcuts and the hard won secrets. So, they can give you a blueprint for making specific changes.

I made a list of some of the pivotal books that were game changers for me.

Provide you with a new hobby

Everyone needs meaningful work.  Everyone needs relationship and connection. 

A much less understood need is the need for play and recreation.  Reading helps you learn everything you need to dive into a new hobby.  

What does it mean to pre-order a book? 

Traditionally published books and, sometimes, self-published books, have an anticipated release date. On that date, and not before, the book will be available to buy. Traditional publishers usually choose a Tuesday.   

When you pre-order a book, you reserve your copy before the publishers’ release date.  You have to wait until the release date to receive the copy you bought. 

Why is it important to pre-order books?

1. It encourages the author

Breaking into a writing career is an uphill climb.  

So many factors affect the success of an writer.  One thing for sure:  you can’t be a successful author without readers.  Even more than readers, a writer needs some people willing to buy their book and not just read a borrowed copy.  

Every sale is important to an emerging author.  Someone has gambled their money that they will enjoy the book. 

Just like a rocket leaving the earth’s atmosphere, the launch of a new author takes a lot of momentum to break through the barrier of obscurity.  

Trust me, seeing your pre-order will encourage the author. 

2. It lets the publisher know there’s interest in the book

Preorders may influence the size of the run As the publisher takes a look at the number of preorders, he gains confidence that he’ll be able to sell the quantity of the books he’s printing.  It might even influence the decision of how big a run to start with. 

Established authors have a track record.  Publishers have an educated guess of how many copies of a their next book will sell based on past sales. 

Emerging authors are an unknown entity.  It’s hard to predict how sales will be. Any hard data that predicts how well a book will do helps the publisher make informed decisions.  Preorders do that.  

3. It lets booksellers know there’s interest in the book

Every day booksellers have to decide which books and how many copies will sit on their shelves.  Lots of factors go into making that decision, including knowing their clientele and knowing their authors.  Seeing a lot of interest in a book before it’s released gives booksellers more confidence to stock that book and keep multiple copies on the shelves.  

For most of my ten years as a bookseller, I was responsible for what we ordered to carry on the shelves in our store. 

It wasn’t a precise science.  Some books you thought would sell didn’t.  Others surprised you and flew off the shelves. 

New authors were always riskier.  Established authors were (sometimes) more of a sure thing.  Readers tastes differ.  It’s not always easy to guess which books will connect and which ones won’t. 

It was always a matter of trying to match your customers with books they liked.  

Books that were getting a lot of pre-release buzz were more likely to end up on our shelves.  Part of that buzz is preorders. 

4. It stacks up sales for release day

Preorders that have been coming in for weeks or months ahead of release day all count as release day sales.  

With a lot of anticipation and pre-release buzz, those sales can stack up to a significant number on release day. 

5. Stacked up orders in one week are important for hitting bestseller lists. 

Traditional bestseller lists are based on weekly sales. In order to hit a bestseller list, you need sales to spike during one week.  Of course, to stay on the list, sales have to continue week after week.  But, often, when  book hits a list, it gains enough attention to compel more people to purchase.  Without hitting the list, it often doesn’t win the same amount of attention. 

Amazon bestseller lists are another beast altogether.  Sales of books on Amazon are updated hourly.  There are also a plethora of categories that your book could be a best seller in.  Sporting a best seller badge on Amazon gives your book validity, but it’s important to note that you can game the system and choose obscure categories to win the badge.  

On the other hand, people go to Amazon to buy.  They are searching for products to buy, so if the best seller badge catches their eye, it will influence sales.  

6. Sometimes authors offers bonuses to people who pre-order their books which aren’t available after release day. 

Pre-order bonuses create urgency for readers to purchase books before their release date.  Some authors offer over a $100 worth of bonuses for a pre-order of their book.  Maybe the author will offer a free copy of the audiobook or a free online course or swag connected with the book.  Authors offering bonuses should make sure they are within the law with their incentive programs. 

7. It often guarantees price and availability

It’s frustrating to plan on buying something and find that it’s out of stock.  Of course, with pre-ordering you have to wait till release date anyway.  But, with a preorder, you’re guaranteed to get a copy, although some testimonies attest to the fact that they don’t always arrive on release day like they’re supposed to.  

Amazon offers a price guarantee as well so that if the price drops, you will get the lower price.

8. It gives you the chance to spread the news on social media networks

Word of mouth is easier than ever with social media networks. It’s also harder than ever to stand out from the crowd, and get noticed on a noisy internet. There’s a lot of demands for people’s time and attention.

But, the good news is, spreading the news by social media networks can be very affordable. With dedicated fans, news of a book release can spread far and wide. It’s fun to be part of a movement you believe in.

Along with sales, reviews are critical. They build credibility. They influence the word -of- mouth factor.  People need to be talking about new books. They need to tell their social networks about it, and especially why they liked them.  All this builds the critical buzz for book sales to take off.

How do you pre-order a book on Amazon?

Click on the title of the book.  If it has not been released yet, there should be a pre-order button.  Click on that button to reserve your copy when the book is released. 

Case in point. Amy Lynn Green’s new book is now available for preorder on Amazon. There’s plenty of time to build buzz between now and it’s November release.

Follow my affiliate link below to find out more about Amy’s book. (Note: If you purchase using this link, a small percentage will go to support this site.)

Things We Didn’t Say by Amy Lynn Green

Reading is my survival strategy.

Stress is real and relentless. Reading opens the door to escape. It provides a change of scenery that is vital to my survival. Reading lowers my stress.

Come to find out, research shows that reading lowers stress better than other traditional approaches.  

How does reading lower your stress?

1. Reading absorbs the mind, pushing away anxious or fearful thoughts

Your mind literally escapes to another world. 

Researcher and cognitive neuropsychologist Dr David Lewis stated:

“Losing yourself in a book is the ultimate relaxation. It really doesn’t matter what book you read, by losing yourself in a thoroughly engrossing book you can escape from the worries and stresses of the everyday world and spend a while exploring the domain of the author’s imagination.”

Stress comes from negative thinking about your current situation. 

Reading breaks that negative thinking cycle, by distracting you from your present circumstances. 

Sometimes taking a break from your own life is just what you need.  Reading gives you a chance to “get away” even if you can’t get away.  It’s a mini-vacation. 

Who couldn’t use more vacations?  What a great way to deal with stress. Take more vacations.  

The real trick is to choose reading material that is a panacea not an extra stressor.  

Americans typically like stories with happy endings.  We want everything to turn out okay and we want justice served.  We want the good guys to win and the bad guys to suffer. That feels satisfying. Especially if it’s not working out that way in our lives right now. 

Meditating on happy endings lifts our mood and lowers stress.

2. Reading relaxes the body, slowing the heart rate and easing muscle tension 

Reading is more effective at reducing stress than other approaches. 

A study at Mindlab International at the University of Sussex found that reading reduced stress better than other traditional approaches, including a cup of coffee or tea, taking a walk, or listening to music.  

A slower heart rate and reduced muscle tension was reported in as little as 6 minutes of reading according to the study.

There’s a wide range of books to read, from taxing to effortless.  

I’ve found that easy reading is the best bet during stressful times.  Without any concentration to follow the plot line or the characters, pages flip at warp speed and the process is as effortless as floating. 

3. Reading eliminates social anxiety by low risk involvement

At the root of social anxiety is the worry about being judged by other people.  

Reading allows you to be an invisible observer to another world.  The fears of personally interacting with people no longer exist.  You can vicariously enter and escape that world unscathed.  

At the same time, you can identify with the characters you read about.

Involvement in the story is a very low risk involvement. 

4. Reading encourages emotional expression by identifying with the players, fictional or real  

We connect with a story at an emotional level. We transcend reality when we get lost in a story. There’s a real sense of “coming back” to real life when the story’s over.  Because, for a while, we were there with the players.  Seeing through their eyes.  Feeling their emotions.  

Real grief can be expressed by identifying with characters who touch you emotionally. Sometimes it’s a relief to be able to express grief that you’ve been carrying when a story touches you. 

On the flip side, successes, wins and triumphs can be enjoyed vicariously. We love the hero’s journey.  How much better when he’s an everyman like Bilbo Baggins– little leery, a little anxious, a little tethered to the comforts of home.  But, he timidly accepts adventure and flexes his courage muscles.  At each bend in the road, he becomes stronger.  We feel it.  We celebrate his ultimate success because we have been there every step of the way. 

The same dynamic can happen with non-fiction as well, such as a celebrity memoir or based on true facts account. 

Reading about characters and real people who solved problems helps us believe we can solve the problems in our lives.  

That increases the optimism in our lives.  It makes our thoughts happier.  It makes our self-talk happier.  

We can literally renew our minds by thinking about uplifting stories.  And we can control our emotional state by regulating what enters our minds.  And we can consciously choose our books to lift our mood. 

We can orchestrate our own emotional state. 

Now that’s power.  

5. Reading unlocks the most powerful vehicle for learning: story 

Story is the door.

The magic door that unlocks the imagination and emotion.

Through that door we embark on our personal journey.

We transcend time and leave our lives behind.

We walk with the hero. We follow the guide. Our hearts beat faster as we feel the fear. We feel the despair. Our cheeks are wet with sympathetic tears.

But then. We conquer the dragon. We exhilarate in victory.

We come down from the mountain, we pass through the door and return to our own lives.

But we bring the courage with us.

It creates within us a hope that we can conquer the dragons in our world.

That’s the power of story.

6. Reading stimulates the mind with dopamine hits from learning new things

Research shows that introducing new information to the brain results in a dopamine hit.

Dopamine produces a natural high that makes you feel better. Learning new things is exciting. Reading is a great way to learn. 

Increase your dopamine hits by consistently having a To Be Read stack of books featuring new things you want to learn. 

How does reading help you lower stress?

PS Looking for a place to start? Check out 8 Stand Out Novels to Rekindle Your Love for Reading and 9 Stand Our Memiors That Will Inspire You.