One of the things I sometimes miss about my life pre-Lula was spending a big chunk of my weekends with my nose in a book. I often stopped by the local library on my way home from work on Friday afternoons, picked out a few promising novels and under a cozy blanket, became wrapped up in another world. A rainy weekend made the experience all the more enjoyable.
blooming forsythia
Six months after having Lula, pleasure reading has again become an option for me. Much of my reading is done online now but being unplugged is important to me too. Lula and I stopped by the library this past week and I picked up an old favorite.
New books can sometimes be disappointing, If I don’t enjoy the book, I feel an obligation to finish it in case it gets better toward the end- it rarely does. Because of this, occasionally I reread books that I loved the first time through. This is one of those books! I am currently rereading The Pillars of the Earth, by Ken Follett.
This is historical fiction at its best and it is a commitment- almost 1,000 pages- plus there is a sequel to look forward to. It follows a number of different characters through medieval times- monks, bishops, peasants, etc. There is a fair amount of romance, a few scenes that are difficult to stomach (not as bad as The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, mind you) and the book sucks you in from the start.
As a new momma, I hear more than ever about women who don’t take time for themselves. With books like this one, I work hard to ensure I can escape for a little while every day. Lula’s nap time is a great excuse for me to put up my feet and get lost in a book. What about you? How do you take time to relax? What good books have you read lately?
You are right. There is so many moms who don’t take time for themselves.
I think that is why I enjoy my exercise time so much because that is time for ME. Time which I can spend on myself.
Exactly- I can’t help but come back refreshed after a good workout- even when I have her with me in the stroller, it’s still a break- for both of us!
I know this is so trendy but I loved the Hunger Games. I just bought the second one in the series. I just found a used book store in my area where you can buy and sell back so I plan on going there often. And I know this sounds terrible but TV can be pretty relaxing to me, although I only turn it on for a little bit after the kids go to bed some nights. It is just completely mindless, no effort required. I have been a mom for 3 1/2 years and I have still found the balance with “me time”. I use running with the kids in the stroller as my me time. And when we are driving, I turn up the radio and just sing, which is pretty mind clearing and re-energizing. And I love that my 3 year old joins in now!
Oooh, I want to read the Hunger Games- thank you for the reminder! Much like the Twilight series, I am jumping on the bandwagon super late but hey, a good book is a good book! I watch TV too in the evenings and it is interesting how stroller running does give you a break from each other- at least that has been my experience!