by Heidi McCahan, @HeidiMcCahan
I love giving and receiving gifts. The shopping, the wrapping, seeing the recipient’s expression when he or she opens the present…it makes me so happy. In our family, we shop for Christmas presents based on our loved ones’ wish lists. My husband and I have purchased a lot of cars, trains, video games and Legos for our boys over the years.
We’ve also made sure they each had a new book to unwrap on Christmas morning. Whether they wished for it or not. They aren’t always thrilled. Occasionally their countenance has reflected the opposite of gratitude. Sooner or later, I catch them reading the books, though. It might take them until July, but eventually they take the plunge, which makes my book loving heart expand with joy.
Confession time: I’ve also made sure that I had a new book waiting for me under the tree. Often, it is a book I found while I was out shopping for others. I used to feel guilty about the acquisition of bonus gifts, and I’ve even gone so far as to blame shift by writing Santa’s name on the label.
That used to work when the boys were younger.
Now they’re on to me. Plus, they recognize my handwriting. So, my book buying is no longer a covert operation. What can I say? Sometimes (okay, often) the book section of a big box store calls to me, and I’m unable to resist.
The lure of a new release with an eye-catching cover and a compelling blurb gets me every time.
I believe Mason Cooley gets the credit for saying, “Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are.” Especially this year, I’ve found tremendous joy in reading and listening to books. Through the magic of reading, my imagination and the word wrangling of talented authors, I’ve traveled to fictional kingdoms, tropical paradises, the summit of Denali, and Jane Austen’s hometown. I’ve cruised (virtually) through the Caribbean, survived (fictional) massive storms and natural disasters, sipped imaginary lattes in cozy small-town coffee shops and explored new settings through the characters’ eyes.
Every reading experience and every characters’ journey has changed me. Each new book is an opportunity to enjoy a wonderful story, as well as a chance to learn by observing the authors’ craft. An author’s unique voice is forged through writing, but it’s also honed by reading great books.
Reading replenishes our creative well because it reminds us why stories matter. Listening to an audiobook helps us with cadence and pacing. Getting lost in a wonderful well-crafted novel inspires us to improve our own abilities and strive to tell more compelling stories.
A great book keeps us from mindlessly scrolling through social media. Engages our minds. Perhaps even silences the chaos of a hectic world. I’ve walked one more lap around my neighborhood, folded another load of laundry and cleaned every bathroom to justify listening to one more chapter of my current audiobook.
While you might not be a fan of gifting yourself a book this holiday season, I hope you’ll intentionally find ways to give yourself the gift of more reading time. If you can’t imagine finding space in your life for reading, try making small adjustments to your current routines. Read in the morning instead of reaching for your phone. Listen to an audiobook while doing chores or exercising. Set a timer and read for a few minutes during the day. Try reading before bed instead of watching television (or scrolling on your phone).
Choosing to be a consistent reader requires a long-term strategy. I recommend tracking your progress with a journal, as well as planning which books you’ll read in the future. If you’re overwhelmed by the choices, peruse a list of this year’s best-selling and most popular books, ask friends for suggestions, or listen to a podcast targeted toward readers. I highly recommend reading the genre you write, and if you want to write for a particular publisher, read what they’re publishing.
However you acquire new books, my wish for you, dear writing friends, is that you will carve out time to read this holiday season and in the new year ahead.
Changing your life is never simple…
He needed a fresh start,
but twin babies weren’t part of the plan…
Hoping to start over, Jack Tomlinson intends to leave his hometown—until twin babies are dropped on his doorstep. He needs help, and the best nanny he knows is Laramie Chambers. As they bond over the babies, Jack can’t help but feel drawn to Laramie. But proving he’s not just her friend’s irresponsible brother could be a bigger challenge than suddenly becoming a dad…
Heidi secretly dreamed of writing a book for most of her childhood, but a particularly painful rejection letter in middle school convinced her to tuck that dream away. Instead, she earned a bachelor’s degree in Sports Medicine from Whitworth University in Spokane, Washington and a master’s degree in Athletic Training from the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. After a brief career as a Certified Athletic Trainer, Heidi married her husband Steve. Then she dusted off her big dream of becoming a published author and launched her first contemporary romance into the world in 2014. A huge fan of coffee, dark chocolate and happily ever after, Heidi currently lives in North Carolina with Steve, three active boys and one amazing Goldendoodle.