If you're a voracious reader, you always find the time to read. It's a priority in your life, so it finds a time.
For me, I read while I'm on the treadmill in the morning. I always have a book in my car so if I have to wait for a client, I have something to read. When I did Open Houses, I'd always bring a book. In the bathroom, there's always a book (in the house we had in Tennessee, we even designed a bookcase over a storage cabinet that kept books within reach). When I'm in the pool after a long day, if there's still light, I'll have a book to read by my "swim out". My considerate husband will occasionally bring out a lamp on an extension cord so I can keep reading after dark - but that's not a usual occurrence.
When I travel, I bring books along - always more than I have time to read. I read on the plane, I read while I'm in line. When I travel for fun, I read in the morning before my husband wakes up. When I travel with daughter Tami on business, there's usually only enough time to blog, not to read, other than during travel time. We both enjoy reading. I remember years ago when we were at a convention in San Francisco, and spending an extra day in our wonderful boutique hotel near Union Square - it was raining heavily, so we each curled up in a cushy armchair in our room with a book and a great bottle of Cakebread that we had bought in the Napa Valley. When we get engrossed, we've also been known to stay up after everyone else and read into the wee hours to finish a book.
Ever had your family grab your arm when you're in a mall walking near a shoe store, to keep you out of it? My kids did that whenever I went near a book store.
One of the best gifts you can give a child is a love of reading. Read to them, lots. Give them books to read, that match their interests. I've found that if an adult loves books, they've usually been exposed to them when they were a child. Those who weren't introduced to books then often never gain the love of them.
Wow what a great post. I enjoy reading myself. I have been told that my brain is a muscle and if I don't use it that it will turn into flab so I use it on a daily basis. It is my strongest muscle in my body. Our children are all readers. Each has their favorite stories. Our youngest is 22 months old will get a book or magazine for us to read several times a day. I always make time to sit and read to him. He does not care what it is he just wants it read to him. I have caught him several times a day "reading" as well.
Ann - glad to know you're another reader!
Lisa - what a great introduction to books for your children. Your youngest enjoys time with you and with books.