Apart from the busy school work as a student-volunteer, consultant to various student organizations and being a "big brother" to many friends, my short-attention span has prevented me from finishing a book I’ve started to read.
I’ve joined the TBR Challenge of 2010 and at present, I’ve only finished reading two books in the list. The third one, "The Birth of Venus" by Sarah Dunant is stuck at Chapter 11. Remember that I’ve started reading this last March which was two months ago!
Now what could’ve distracted me from steadily reading this book? Let me list down the culprits:
Facebook – It had never occurred to me that I’d be so hooked on a social networking site, ever. Being an introvert and a geek, joining one was never big on me. When Friendster was still king, I was among the last of among my friends to join the site. Now, practically 1/3 of the time I’m online is spent on Facebook, playing games, checking out the latest posts from my friends and promoting my online publications.
Naruto Shippuudden – both the anime and manga series have become a staple digital consumption. It can’t be helped. I’m a solid Naruto fan and the series is top notch!
Online newspapers – Half of my RSS feeds are from news web sites as I continue to write about politics, social issues and commentary.
Movie marathons – On a lazy day, when there’s not much to do online, I spend the day away watching DVDs with my girlfriend. When we have the money to spare, we go to the mall to watch the newest movies.
TV – Despite being online for more than 8 hours a day, I still spend a great deal of time watching TV. Mythbusters, CSI: Las Vegas and New York, HBO and Star Movies are my daily TV fare.
Other books – This is the context of finishing the books on my TBR list. If I wanted to finish it on time, I have to prioritize what’s on the list. Unfortunately though, I keep on picking up books that are not on the list.
Come to think of it, the only time I get to read a book is when someone else is using my laptop or the connection is so slow I can’t do anything online.
Perhaps I should trim down the time I spend on the things that distract me from finishing the books I’m reading. It’s a matter of self-control and channeling the passion for books and reading into something more positive and productive. Like finishing my TBR list.
So which would be scratched from my daily routine? Facebook? Movie marathons?
How about you guys? What are the things the distract you from finishing a book you’re reading?
[...] din sa bakanteng mga araw, malapit ko nang matapos ang librong mahigit pitong buwang ko nang binabasa. Nakakatuwa talaga, mas kapana-?panabik ang ikalawang bahagi ng nobelang "The Birth of Venus" at [...]