The Life of a Distracted Reader

I’ll admit it—I’m a distracted reader. One minute, I’m engrossed in a novel’s intricate plot; the next, I’m scrolling through social media or daydreaming about dinner plans. It’s a constant tug-of-war between my love for reading and the myriad distractions that modern life offers. Smartphones buzz with notifications, and even the book itself can send my thoughts spiraling into a hundred different directions.

I used to beat myself up over it, thinking I lacked discipline or a true passion for reading. But I’ve come to accept that it’s just how my brain is wired in this fast-paced digital age. Instead of fighting it, I’ve found ways to make it work for me. Short stories, articles, and chapters become bite-sized pieces that fit into my fractured attention span. Though it’s not ideal, it keeps the pages turning and my love for reading alive. And that’s good enough for me.

My Weekend Oasis: Books, Buttons, and Touchdowns

Ah, the weekend. Those glorious two days where I can finally take off the work hat and just be myself. You know what that means? Time to dive into my three favorite things: reading, video gaming, and, oh yeah, the start of college football season.

So, first thing’s first. Books. There’s something about losing myself in a new story that’s like hitting the refresh button on my brain. I could be in the middle of the most hectic week ever, but give me a good book, and it’s like an instant vacation. In a way, each page turned is a step away from stress, a mini-holiday for my overworked neurons.

But hey, reading isn’t my only escape hatch. Let’s talk video games. Whether it’s a first-person shooter, an intricate RPG, or just a good ol’ platformer, games give me this sandbox where I can hop in and just mess around. The real world has enough rules, thank you very much. When I’m gaming, I’m the one setting the pace, deciding what challenge I’ll conquer next.

Now, let’s not forget the cherry on top. College football is back, baby! There’s something about the start of the season that feels like cracking open a can of pure excitement. Maybe it’s the crowd roaring from the TV speakers or the drama that unfolds on the field. Either way, when it’s game time, you bet I’m glued to the screen, caught up in every pass, tackle, and—yes!—touchdown.

So that’s my weekend in a nutshell. A good book in one hand, a game controller in the other, and college football on the screen. And you know what? It’s exactly what I need to recharge and tackle another week. Can’t ask for a better way to spend my downtime.

Finding Time to Read

One of the biggest irritations I have as an author is hearing someone say: “I don’t read, I don’t have time.”

Finding time to read can be a challenge in our busy lives, but it’s crucial for personal growth and relaxation. My advice: Start by identifying idle moments—waiting for appointments, commuting, or even 10 minutes before bed. Turn these snippets of time into your reading sanctuary. Small steps lead to big gains; even a few pages a day can add up to entire books over time. Make reading a habit, not a luxury.

My 15th Reading of Fahrenheit 451

The first dystopian novel I remember ever reading was at the age of 13 when on a snow day, I pulled a copy of Ray Bradbury’s Fahrenheit 451 off my father’s shelf. I’ll be honest, I didn’t quite understand it, but the story hooked me—the idea of a world where people burned books instead of reading them? I had never heard of such a thing.


For several years, I’ve made it a yearly tradition this weekend to take a day off to put the phone and world aside and reread it. 

Today I finished my 15th reread, and It’s still just as good as it was the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th time. 

Ray Bradbury was a master of imagination and creativity. He was known for crafting unique worlds and weaving complex ideas such as censorship and human nature into engaging stories with his inventive prowess.

Every speculative author should read some Ray Bradbury because his innovative approach to storytelling blends the fantastical and the mundane, offering a unique lens on society that challenges conventional thinking and inspires creativity in character development, theme exploration, and world-building.

If you haven’t read any Bradbury- Go correct that problem now!