That’s the hardest thing about reading. Well, other than reading a book that is slow starting and hard to get into.
“Just one more chapter”.
But I have housework to do.
“Just one more chapter”.
But this bath is getting cold and I really need to get out.
“Just one more chapter”.
I really have to get back to work.
“Just one more chapter”.
I really should have gone to sleep half an hour ago.
Not only is it the hardest thing about reading but it’s also the thing I love about reading.
Getting so lost in a book that you need to read some more. You need to know what is going to happen next.
I hang up some washing to dry (god I can’t wait for the summer so I can hang it up outside), put a white wash load on, have a hoover, and take the rubbish outside to the bins.
I’ve earnt myself another chapter.
Chores then reward.
That’s what motivates me.
Especially when that reward is a chapter (or two if I am feeling rebellious) of a book I am really struggling to put down.
Putting in the page I’m up to on Goodreads to see the percentage of the way through the book I am.
That also feels like motivation, and a reward.
However, can also sometimes make me not want to just read a chapter, but to then hit a certain percentage.
“I’m almost at 50%, I might as well keep going”.
After these chapters I’ll do my ironing.
Chore then reward.
Then hoover upstairs.
Chore then reward.
I could do enough housework that I get to finish the book!
CHORES THEN REWARDS!!
I love getting lost in a book.
It’s just me and the words on the pages.
Just me and the author.
Just me and the characters.
It’s similar to watching a tv series and getting to the end of an episode and wanting to just watch one more episode.
Except with a book, you don’t read it with someone else, in the same way you might watch a tv series with someone else.
There’s no one to talk to about what you’ve just read. No one to say “What you do think is going to happen next?”
And I like that.
I like that this comfort is just mine.
The anticipation is just mine.
The questions, predictions, feelings, thoughts, all of it. Is just mine.
Not influenced by someone else.
I need to go and do my ironing.
Then I can enjoy more of my reward.
Just one more chapter.
