Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
What we're reading

Find your new favourite book or recommend one on our Book forum.

Original poster

How many books do you read in a year?

114 replies

Posey · 05/01/2008 22:14

Roughly. I know it varies and depends on how thick they are etc...

I keep a list of what I've read (anal maybe, but I like it) and realise that I'm reading fewer books these days (although I always have something on the go).

So, to answer my own question, I read 20 - 25 books a year.

OP posts:
Beauregard · 07/01/2008 22:15

Can i ask how you all find time to read?
Genuinely interested as pre dd's i used to read a lot .

suedonim · 07/01/2008 22:24

I actually find it harder to make time to read now my dc are older than when they were small. I used to read oodles when bf-ing and also they used to go to bed at 7.30-ish. Nowadays, one or other of the older three is always on the phone wanting this or that or dd2 is constantly bending my ear. They say there's no peace for the wicked....

psychomum5 · 07/01/2008 22:24

clicked the lakelands link....am heading there too in the morning.

tis opp. waterstones too, so two trips in one!!!

Beauregard · 07/01/2008 22:30

no hope for me then Suedonim .

EachPeachPearMum · 07/01/2008 22:40

Tis true Suedonim- I squeeze in odd hours here and there while she naps, she goes to bed at 7 and I don't watch tv so fit in loads still. Once she actually drops naps and stays up later, will be much harder ,groan.

wheelybug · 08/01/2008 10:22

ooh I've just ordered one of the book journals - thanks for the pointer Sue !

When do I find time to read ? Well, I find if I put my laptop in our study which is 2 floors up, I read so much more ! I don't really watch much television so as long as I don't have MN to distract me in the evenings I'll read then and then in bed.

DD started 'on her own' swimming classes yesterday and I was disappointed to find that I knew most of the other mothers so I won't be able to spend 30 mins sitting drinking tea and reading as I'll have to be socialable - grrrrrr....

Pre-dd most of my reading was on the train.

TrinityRhinosDhWonHerAnIPOD · 08/01/2008 10:26

pre dds - 2 or 3 a week

post dds - 2 or 3 a month....still not too bad

WantThisWantThat · 08/01/2008 10:32

My library opened in August and since then I've read approximately a book a week. I can order books that I really want to read on line and they usually are available within a couple of weeks, and I think its a brilliant service.

I am very impressed with those that can read over 100 books in a year.

admylin · 08/01/2008 10:34

I got 8 books for Christmas sent to me in Germany from UK and I am now reading the 7th so I read far too quickly because I am going to run out really soon.

psychomum5 · 08/01/2008 10:38

didn't get to waterstones

mr psycho didn't get to golf as the weather is too bad, so he not letting me out.

now brain dea cos trying to fill in what seems to be a thousand forms for the solicitors for my car accident

(tis really just for me and the children, so 6 thick wads, but feels like TONS....been at it since 9.15am, and only done me and DD1 so far......)

Boredveryverybored · 08/01/2008 10:40

I read at least two books a week, another one who'd go a bit mad if there wasn't a book to hand! Am also a very fast reader and get through them in no time, my mother despaired of me and often ended up giving me completely age innapropriate books of hers to read to shut me up about needing new ones
DD has an extraordinary ammount of books, I can't stop myself from buying them for her. She doesn't seem anywhere near as interested as I was though, despite being an excellent reader

bozza · 08/01/2008 11:04

I read so much less than I used to before the children. I have been reading The Grapes of Wrath since before Christmas, although admittedly with a break to read Trinny and Susannah and Nigel Slater books that I got for Christmas. And am also part way through RHS Garden Encyclopaedia. The only time when I read to any level is on holiday, where I invariably run out of reading matter early in the second week. I remember scouring Aigues-Mortes this summer for an English language book and failing to get anything but a guide book or a newspaper. So that was all my books I took, DH's Harry Potter (after waiting an interminable time for him to finish it) and two books I found in the accommodation.

My problems are - the children, the housework, mumsnet, and DS's new nintendo DS.

mrspnut · 08/01/2008 11:06

I read over 200 a year, usually manage 4 or 5 a week depending on where I am and what I'm doing.

Given the right circumstances I can read 2 or 3 books in a day (but that tends to be on holiday or if mrpnut is home to look after the littlest one)

I too have a couple of standby books in my car and a book in my handbag just in case. I also have about 30 books on reserve at the library - some of which haven't been published yet.

My OH said that he might buy me one of these so we don't have to pay any excess baggage when we go on holiday this year.

Wisteria · 08/01/2008 11:08

2-3 books a week, although if I had more time I would read a book a day at least - used to before I had children....

ChippyMinton · 08/01/2008 11:19

About 8 reading group books, and probably 2 in between each of those, so about 24-25. Currently have about 3 on the go.

suedonim · 08/01/2008 20:59

Wow, eight reading groups! Do you attend each one in person or is this web-based groups? Whatever, I'm impressed!

I'm currently getting together a shipment to be sent to Nigeria and intend for it to contain more than a few books. I've ordered two bookcases as well, to hold all my (and dd's) reading matter. I've never been able to read in the car due to travel sickness until recently, but the traffic in Lagos is often so slow I can easily take in a few pages. I have discovered a peril of carrying a book in my hand bag though; I kept setting off the alarms in a local bookstore. It was aaaages before I realised it was my book, I just thought it was my magnetic personality being picked up by the machine.

psychomum5 · 08/01/2008 21:54

I got to waterstones, I got to waterstomnes, I got to waterstones

sorry, , doing a little a dance......

psychomum5 · 08/01/2008 21:58

bought myself.....

PS, I love you (celia ahern(sp?)

7th heaven (the new James patterson 'womens murder club' book)

You've been warned by James Patterson.

and also a really pretty silk covered journal for my book lists, as with the time constricions (thanks to Mr Psycho being mean), I didn't have time for lakeland!!!

for a happy me!

suedonim · 08/01/2008 22:04

and what books did you bring home?

psychomum5 · 08/01/2008 22:13

many......but saw many many more

am allowed back next week tho, or maybe the week after....tis my b/day on the 21st and so hoping for more vouchers

and really should get off here and read shouldn't I

suedonim · 08/01/2008 22:22

Oh ok, cross-posted, I've seen your list now. Yup, off you go and do some reading!

3andnomore · 08/01/2008 22:27

oh depends...but last year it must have been at least 30 books....thing is, once I get engrossed into a book, I can't put it down...and tend to even mildly neglect my poor dc's, lol....

Elphaba · 08/01/2008 22:29

Not enough.

Probably 5-10 but I just do not have the time. I barely get time to breathe never mind relax and read a book. I'm only flicking on MN now because I'm working and losing the will to live!

Earthymama · 09/01/2008 13:36

What about holidays?
I read all the time so love beach holidays, read 17 in 14 days on one holiday!
i went on long walks, swam, eat lovely meals, and partied too, so I don't know how I did it, It was amazing!!

I have a book journal that was a prezzie from DP; I was rubbish at completing it so I'll dig it out and give it another go.

saltire · 09/01/2008 17:12

I'm not sure, I have just bought my self 8 this week