Okay, even I can’t read ALL the time, so I’m guessing that you folks might voluntarily shut the covers from time to time as well… What else do you do with your leisure to pass the time? Walk the dog? Knit? Run marathons? Construct grandfather clocks? Collect eggshells?
Don’t forget to leave a link to your actual response (so people don’t have to go searching for it) in the comments—or if you prefer, leave your answers in the comments themselves!
This week’s question is similar to my Ten on Tuesday post from a few days ago, but the prompt for that one was “instead of watching TV” rather than “instead of reading,” and “read” was the first item on my list. Clearly, I need to make some modifications to answer this question.
To begin by flipping that post on its head, I don’t watch a lot of TV, and I watch even less now due to the writers’ strike. (Side note – does that not point out just how important the written word is?) Most of my TV viewing is done via DVR, in chunks of time or mini-marathons, largely based on whether we can watch the show with the kids or not. I do like my TV shows on DVD, though, and they’re especially suited for marathons. All of the election-related stuff going on these days has me thinking that it’s time to watch the first three seasons of The West Wing again.
My husband and I both like going to movies, but not indiscriminately; sometimes we’ll get to the theater for several weekends in a row, and then not find anything we think is worth seeing for another couple of months.
As you might imagine, writing and blogging take up a fair amount of my time too – I’ll have put up 400 posts on this blog by some time next week (!). Maybe I should spend a little less time on that?
I’ve never been into crafts, but I do enjoy cooking and baking when I have the time to spend in the kitchen; speaking of which, I think the family is overdue for a batch of chocolate-chip cookies.
I’ve given up buying books for Lent, as I do every year (trust me, it’s a sacrifice), so I won’t be partaking in bookstore browsing until after Easter. My husband and I do enjoy visiting quirky shops when we’re out and about, though; on nice weekends, we like going for drives and just seeing where we end up. Last weekend, it was on the Walk of Fame in Hollywood. I enjoy exploring all sorts of places with my husband, actually – he’s always up for a little adventure, and we have good times.
We tend to go off on these random trips on the weekends that my stepkids aren’t with us; when they are, things are a little more planned, and may include family board-game time. The kids got a Wii for Christmas, but I haven’t worked myself up to try it out yet.
How do you like to spend the time you’re voluntarily (or involuntarily) not reading? Your habits might be similar to those of some Booking Through Thursday players.
I gave up buying books last year and it was easier than I imagined. I rarely reread books so I was just accumulating a lot for the sake of a collection which was just a hassel when you move as much as I have. Now I get everything I want from the library or Christmas/birthday gifts.
John M. – I wish not buying books were easier for me. I don’t re-read often either, but I like having the books around at my convenience, so I prefer owning to borrowing. I’ve tried giving up book-shopping for Lent every year for awhile now – some years it sticks better than others.
I don’t buy books often at all. But I do frequent the library!
Maree – When I was younger, I practically lived at the library, but as an adult I’ve just fallen away from it.
I could have written your first three alternatives, almost word for word. 🙂
Sacrificing book buying is a big deal and kudos to you for taking that on each year. I don’t participate in Lent and so haven’t given anything up, but book buying would definitely be very challenging if I tried. Heck, I have tried it before. And failed miserably.
This week’s BTT has been such fun. I love finding out what everyone else does with the rest of their free time.
Giving up on book-buying is actually quite liberating, of course you have to get over the hump at the beginning before it starts feeling that way. Good luck!
Literary Feline – I read your response, and we definitely do seem to have those things in common! 🙂
I don’t know if the no-book-shopping will stick this year. I’ve been known to take advantage of the loophole that lets you do/have whatever you gave up for Lent on Sundays, so I may cave again. But since Easter is so early this year, it comes before my birthday, and that may make it easier to hold out; what often breaks me is wanting to spend money gifts and gift cards right away!
Karen – Thanks! I really don’t want to be liberated for more than the 40 days of Lent, though. 🙂