The Unwritten Rule of Reading: The "Finish the Chapter" Dilemma

I've been sharing how much I love my nightly routine of reading for 30 minutes before bed. It’s been a game-changer for my sleep and my mental well-being. But there's a confession I need to make. My "30 minutes" often stretches to 40, 50, or even an hour. And it's all because of one unwritten rule I've created for myself: I can't stop in the middle of a chapter.

I'll be looking at the clock, seeing that I've hit the 30-minute mark, and then my brain says, "Oh, but you're only halfway through this chapter. You can't just leave the characters there! What if something major happens on the next page?"

And so, I keep reading.

It’s a strange habit, isn’t it? The logic part of my brain knows that I can just use a bookmark and pick up right where I left off tomorrow night. The book isn't going anywhere. But there's a little voice that insists on closure, on seeing the chapter to its end. It feels like a disservice to the author, to the story, and to my own sense of completion.

This "finish the chapter" habit means my 30-minute session is really just a minimum. It’s an anchor, a starting point. The real end is always determined by the last sentence of the current chapter.

I know I’m not the only one who does this. I've heard other book lovers talk about similar reading quirks. It's not about being a slow or fast reader; it's about a deep-seated need to complete a small, self-contained part of the story before putting it down.

Does anyone else do this? Tell me I'm not the only one who has to finish a chapter, no matter what!

My New Favorite Nighttime Routine: 30 Minutes of Reading

For the longest time, I struggled to find a wind-down routine that actually worked. I tried everything—journaling, stretching, even just staring at the ceiling—but nothing stuck. My mind would race, and I'd end up scrolling on my phone until I was way past my bedtime. Sound familiar?

Then, a few months ago, I decided to try something different: reading for just 30 minutes before bed. It seemed simple enough, and honestly, I didn't have high hopes. I thought I'd get bored or fall asleep after five minutes. But to my surprise, it's become the best part of my day.

Why 30 Minutes Is the Magic Number

The key for me has been the time limit. Thirty minutes feels manageable, not like a chore. It's long enough to get lost in a story but not so long that it feels overwhelming. If I only get through a chapter or two, that's okay. There’s no pressure to hit a certain page count. This low-stakes approach has made reading feel like a treat, not a task.

It’s also an incredible way to disconnect from the digital world. The blue light from our screens messes with our sleep, and getting lost in a physical book is a welcome escape. I've found that when I close the book, my mind is already calmer. The stories and characters I've been with just a moment ago are so much more peaceful than the never-ending news cycle or the latest social media drama.

The Unexpected Benefits

Beyond just helping me fall asleep faster, this routine has had some other wonderful side effects:

• Improved Focus: During the day, my attention is constantly divided. Spending 30 uninterrupted minutes on one thing—a single book—has helped train my focus.

• A Deeper Connection to Books: I'm no longer rushing through books just to say I finished them. I'm taking my time, letting the words sink in, and truly enjoying the experience.

• Better Sleep Quality: This one is a big win. My sleep has become so much more restful. Waking up without that groggy feeling is a game-changer.

If you've been looking for a way to slow down and create a more peaceful evening routine, I can’t recommend this enough. You don’t need to read for hours. Just set a timer, pick up a book you're excited about, and give it a try. You might be surprised at how much a little bit of reading can do for your mind and soul.

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Do you have a pre-sleep routine? Let me know in the comments!

Why Audiobooks Are Real Reading

I’ve heard it whispered in book clubs and typed in online forums: “Audiobooks don’t count.” The argument usually goes something like this: If you’re not physically holding a book and reading the words with your eyes, you’re not getting the full experience. It's a passive activity, not real reading.

I am here to declare that this is a ridiculous and outdated notion.

Audiobooks are not a lesser form of reading; they are simply a different way of experiencing a story, and a powerful one at that.

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The Original Storytellers

Before the written word, stories were told and heard. They were passed down from generation to generation by bards and elders, their voices rising and falling with the drama of the tale. Listening to a book read aloud connects us to this ancient, fundamental way of storytelling. A great narrator doesn't just read the words; they perform them. They give characters distinct voices, infuse the dialogue with emotion, and can make a simple sentence resonate with feeling. You get to hear the story the way the author might have heard it in their own head.

Reading on the Go

Let's face it: our lives are busy. As much as we’d all love to spend a lazy afternoon curled up with a physical book, that's not always an option. Audiobooks allow us to "read" while we're commuting, cooking dinner, working out, or doing chores. They turn dead time into a literary adventure. It's a way to double-task in the best possible way, allowing you to consume a story without having to sacrifice productivity.

Accessibility and Inclusion

For many people, audiobooks aren't just a preference; they're a necessity. For those with visual impairments, dyslexia, or other learning disabilities, audiobooks open up the world of literature in a way that traditional books cannot. Saying that audiobooks "don't count" is not just elitist; it's exclusionary. It denies a valid and enriching experience to people who might not be able to read in any other format.

At the end of the day, the goal of reading is to engage with a story, to connect with characters, and to explore new ideas and worlds. Whether that story comes to you through your eyes or your ears, the experience is equally valid and valuable. So next time you're listening to a book, don't let anyone tell you it's not real reading. You're simply a part of a much older and richer tradition.

From Bookworm to Mom-to-Be: My New Library Adventure

My bookshelf has always been a reflection of my life's phases. There's the “teen angst and fantasy” section, the “early twenties self-discovery” stack, and of course, the “I’m a grown-up now but still love YA” corner. But now, a new chapter is beginning, both in my life and on my bookshelf. I’m going to be a mom!

And with this new, exciting, and slightly terrifying news, my reading habits have shifted dramatically. Gone are the days of leisurely losing myself in a complex thriller or a sweeping historical saga. My brain, it seems, has entered a new mode: information-gathering. I've become a seeker of knowledge, a hunter of wisdom, and a very, very tired future mom.

So, I’ve set my sights on a new challenge: conquering the parenting section of my local library. I’ve heard about the classics, the must-reads, the "baby bibles." But I'm also looking for the hidden gems—the books that make you laugh, the ones that make you feel seen, and the ones that don't just tell you what to do, but help you understand the beautiful, messy, and sometimes bewildering journey of motherhood.

I'm starting with a few titles that have been recommended to me:

• "Expecting Better" by Emily Oster: As an economist, Oster uses data to debunk common pregnancy myths. I love the idea of approaching this whole thing with a clear, rational mind, even if I know I'll probably still end up having a few irrational moments!

• "The First Forty Days" by Heng Ou: I’m a big believer in the "fourth trimester" and the importance of nourishing the mother. This book, with its focus on recipes and self-care, sounds like the perfect guide to a restorative postpartum period.

• "Bringing Up Bébé" by Pamela Druckerman: The idea of a French-inspired approach to parenting—one that supposedly leads to kids who sleep through the night and eat what's served to them—is either a brilliant fantasy or a life-changing reality. I'm excited to find out.

But this is just the beginning. I know there are countless other books out there, from the heavily researched to the lighthearted and anecdotal. I'll be sharing my thoughts and discoveries here on the blog as I navigate this new literary landscape.

Wish me luck (and send me your recommendations)! Because if I can't get the baby to sleep, at least I'll have a good book to read while I'm up all night.

Why Rereading a Book is an Act of Rebellion

In a world full of endless book recommendations, new releases hitting the shelves every Tuesday, and a "to-be-read" (TBR) pile that threatens to topple over, rereading a book feels like an act of rebellion. It's a refusal to chase the new and shiny, a defiant stand against the pressure to constantly consume more.

But why would anyone choose to revisit a story they already know? The answer is simple: because a book is never the same twice.

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You Are a Different Person

The first time you read The Great Gatsby, you might have been a high school student focused on the tragic romance. The fifth time, as an adult, you'll see the crushing hollowness of the American Dream, the subtle class commentary, and the profound sadness that you might have missed before. The book hasn't changed, but you have. Your life experiences, your heartbreaks, your triumphs—they all color the story in new shades. A beloved character you once admired might now feel flawed and relatable. A villain might suddenly seem more complex. Rereading a book is like holding up a mirror to your own growth.

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The Little Details Emerge

When you read a book for the first time, you're on a mission. You're following the plot, trying to figure out what happens next. You devour the pages in a desperate rush to the end. But on the second read, with the pressure of the plot gone, you can relax and truly appreciate the scenery. You notice the clever foreshadowing, the beautiful turns of phrase you raced past, or the intricate world-building details that seemed insignificant before. It’s like watching a movie again and seeing all the little visual clues you missed while you were focused on the dialogue.

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It's a Form of Literary Comfort Food

There's a special kind of warmth that comes from diving back into a familiar story. It's the comfort of knowing that your favorite characters will get their happy ending, or that the suspense will resolve just the way you remember. When life gets chaotic or stressful, retreating into a world you know and love is incredibly soothing. It's the literary equivalent of a warm blanket and a cup of tea.

So the next time you feel the need to pick up a new book from that towering TBR pile, consider a different path. Pick up an old friend from your shelf instead. You might just find a brand-new story waiting inside.

A Love Letter to the Books You Never Finished

 Let's be honest. We all have them. The books we started with the best intentions, only to abandon them for reasons both good and bad. Maybe it was the clunky prose, a plot that just wouldn't get moving, or the simple fact that life got in the way. But I’m here to argue that these books are not a mark of failure; they are a testament to your reading life.

Think of them as literary ex-lovers.

You met, you got to know each other for a while, and for whatever reason, it just didn't work out. But that doesn't mean the time you spent together wasn't valuable.

The Book That Was "Right Book, Wrong Time"

This is a classic. You picked up a dense historical fiction novel or a mind-bending piece of philosophy, and you were genuinely interested. But maybe you were going through a stressful period at work, or you had a million other things on your mind. You read a chapter or two, put it down, and never got back to it. This book is still waiting for you. It's not a rejection; it's a rain check. When you're in a different headspace, you might just find that it's the perfect story for you.

The One That Was "Just Not My Type"

Sometimes, you just don't click with a book. You hear a great review, a friend recommends it, or it wins a prestigious award, so you give it a shot. But after 50 pages, you realize the writing style isn't for you, the characters are annoying, or the genre is just not what you're in the mood for. And that's okay! DNF (Did Not Finish) is not a judgment on the book; it's a better understanding of yourself as a reader. Knowing what you don't like is just as important as knowing what you do.

The Book That Made You Fall in Love with a New Book

This is my favorite type of abandoned book. You’re reading something that's only okay, and it makes you crave something completely different. Maybe a boring plot inspires you to pick up a fast-paced thriller, or a heavy topic makes you long for a lighthearted fantasy. The book you didn't finish served a purpose: it led you to the one you actually needed. It's the literary equivalent of a stepping stone.

So, the next time you look at that half-read book on your nightstand, don't feel guilty. Instead, celebrate it. It’s part of the journey. It's a reminder of what you've learned about yourself as a reader and the many stories still waiting for you. The books we finish are a testament to our tastes, but the books we don't are a story all their own.