Reading

I love to read! I truly think books are one of the greatest forms of entertainment. The thing is, I do not read often. I do not read "ok" books. You can call me a book snob. If I am not in love with, immediately sucked into, and entranced by a book the first time I pick it up, I can gaurentee I will never pick it up again to finish it. But if I come upon a book that does tickle my fancy I become engulfed. That book consumes my life, and I do nothing else but read that book. And when I am not reading the book (because there are things in life you HAVE to do that you can not read while doing) all I can think about is the book. That being the case, I finish books in a matter of hours, and if a really long book, days. I can honestly say I have never read a book over a week. I will even sacrifice sleep to finish the book. And with that snobbiness, it is a rarety for me to read (BIG book snob here).

In my relationship with Jared (Jan 2008-Aug2010, over 2 1/2 years) I have only read 3 (technically 6) books: The Twilight series (finished all four in 3 1/2 days, Jared and I were engaged), Babywise (finished less than a day, two weeks after Paige was born. A book about baby sleep patterns, not really for entertainment), and Austenland (finished matter of hours, mostly because I promised my sister I would read it but then ended up being REALLY entertained by it). Thats all. You would think being the book/reading lover I am I would have read more. Nope. Nothing caught my interest enough to read/finish.

With that little background information on me let me bring you in on my thoughts today. I started thinking about the scriptures in reference to my state of mind about reading. I read my scriptures, but honestly (confession time!) its more of a "I'm reading because I'm supposed to" instead of a "I really can't wait to pick up my scriptures and read them some more!!" Yes, now it is known how unrighteous and medeocre I am. haha. But I got the desire today to change my attitude about scriptures. Why can't they consume my life as much as a good book does? They are the best book in the world afterall. When I read a good book, everything comes secondary to that book, and I try to think of every possible moment I can read it. Reading my scriptures I do for the minimal amount of time I deam necessary, and most of the time they are not the top priority and therefore get pushed to the last minute. Bad I know.

My new goal is to make scriptures a more desired and overtaking part of my life (but in a good, normal way). I wil not go to the extreeme I tend to go when reading a book, I will just try to go partway there, and try and engulf myself more in them. Afterall, I was thinking about when I read Austenland (last week) and realized how much of my day to day activities I did without and replaced with reading that little book. That was not a big book, or even a tough read, not even taking up the entire day. I could totally rework my activities to fit more scripture time in. =>

My new goal, (and the point of this post was to get this goal out 'there' so I am somewhat more accountable for it), is to finish the Book of Mormon by my birthday (the end of the month). I am going to start from where I already am (just starting Jacob) and finsih the entire book. I know I can (I read the last Harry Potter in 1.5 days for goodness sake). So here it goes: sifting my life so that some activities fall out, some get toned down, and to replace that time with better more engulfing scripture reading! =>

I told Jared my new outlook/goal and he was the one that came up with the end of August deadline. He also thought it would be fun if I challenged those who read my blog to try and do the same. Finsih the Book of Mormon by the end of August, or another time they think a good challenge for them. I think thats a fun idea! So I CHALLENGE each and every one of you: Take a look at your life and see what can be "rearranged" to fit more scripture reading in. And see if you can finish the Book of Mormon by the end of August, or whenever your desired goal is, but make it a bit challenging. (Yes, even you non-members => Love you guys!) I think it would be a fun and wonderful challenge to put yourself thru! (hey, I'm doing it!) And the best thing about the scriptures, when you finish, turn it over and start again! => Reading never hurt anyone! haha =>

I would love to hear if you are doing it and what your goal is! And I will let you know of my progress! => If not for you, for me, to give me some more motivation to do it. Now, get to reading! => haha