5 Tips for Finding Reading Time During the Busy Holiday Season

The holidays are a magical time of year, but they can also be overwhelmingly busy! Between shopping, decorating, cooking, and attending festive events, it’s easy to feel like there’s no time for yourself—let alone for reading. But if you’re a book lover like me, you know how important it is to sneak in those quiet moments with a great story. Here are five tips to help you carve out reading time during the holiday rush.

1. Start Your Day with a Chapter
Set your alarm 15 minutes earlier to enjoy a peaceful start to your day with a book. Pair it with your morning coffee or tea to create a calming ritual that helps you ease into the day.

2. Carry a Book Everywhere
Whether it’s a paperback, e-reader, or audiobook on your phone, having a book with you means you can read during those unexpected pockets of time—waiting in line, during your commute, or between holiday errands.

3. Replace Screen Time with Reading Time
The endless scroll can wait. Dedicate a portion of your evening, even if it’s just 10-20 minutes, to putting down your devices and picking up a book.

4. Embrace Audiobooks
Holiday prep doesn’t have to come at the expense of your TBR pile. Turn on an audiobook while baking cookies, wrapping presents, or decorating your home. It’s multitasking at its finest!

5. Schedule a Cozy Reading Break
Block off time in your calendar for a dedicated reading session. Whether it’s an hour by the fireplace or 30 minutes with a warm blanket and a cup of cocoa, treat it like any other important holiday appointment.

Now that you have these tips, why not put them to good use with a festive mystery? My newest release, A Corpse Among the Carolers, A Food Blogger Mystery, is a Christmas-themed cozy mystery packed with holiday cheer, twisty clues, and plenty of suspense. It’s the perfect book to curl up with during this busy season—or to give as a gift to the mystery lover in your life.

You can order your copy now from Amazon or Barnes & Noble, and don’t forget to treat yourself to some well-earned reading time this holiday season. Happy holidays and happy reading!

Debra Sennefelder is the author of the Food Blogger Mystery series and the Resale Boutique Mystery series. She lives and writes in Connecticut. When she’s not writing, she enjoys baking, exercising and taking long walks with her Shih-Tzu, Connie. You can keep in touch with Debra through her website, on Facebook and Instagram.