Winter Reading to Spring into Action

Winter occupations: Indoors, Accessible, Available in a Variety of Methods

This is the time of year that spending time indoors and reading books seems to come with a little more ease. In the northern climates, the extra cold January temperatures often means more time indoors— combine that with a time of year where there are often more illnesses and the odds of choosing reading as an occupation, finding good books as wise companions, our odds of reading as a match for such an occupation jumps yet again.

In short— books are some of our best friends in January and February. What is read in the winter, becomes catalyst for actions both immediately and in the spring when we venture out into the world a bit more.

As we consider how to occupy our time (occupations) during the winter months in the northern climate— reading seems to emerge as one that checks plenty of boxes in terms of wants and needs.

Considering Reading as an Occupation throughout the Lifespan

Reading is one of those occupations that has the ability to be adapted and enjoyed throughout our entire lifespan— being read to, reading via written word or audio book, reading for the sheer joy it brings or to advance our knowledge and skills. Reading offers us friendship, a place to see ourselves in another or expand our awareness of lived experiences we have never witnessed or experienced. It offers a safe space to be curious, to fail, and feel whatever emotions may come up for us.

For me, reading books did not begin as a chore. In fact, it was quite the opposite— I would forgo sleep to read one more chapter or one more book at night. So many nights were spent turning the lamp back on or turning on a flashlight to read a bit more after it was time for bed. Reading being a joy didn’t stay that way without exception (years in college with huge reading assignments left me with a wonder if I would ever enjoy reading for fun again). Thankfully, this habit and occupation has woven itself back fully into my daily rhythm not just for my own pleasure or to increase my knowledge of a subject but also because it is one of the most preferred occupations and methods of learning and playing for every member of our household.

Sitting at a kitchen table listening to the stories of my elders has long ranked among my top three (if not consistently number one) favorite ways to spend/occupy time. So reading a book comes in a close second (or first, depending upon the purpose of the occupation) as it allows for that deep listening and learning, without the requirement of having to be with someone in person or even having had to have lived during the same era. Sometimes that distance in space allows for deeper learning, understanding, and appreciation.

Trusted Indoor Winter Occupations— What is your Version?

What does this have to do with you, you may be saying?

First— if you’re an avid reader you may already be nodding and smiling of similar experiences. Next, you may be pausing to notice what your favorite ways are to occupy your time when the conditions around you invite you to consider a slow down, a pause, some more time to be by yourselves. Perhaps reading or a visit with a two or four legged friend is a preferred activity or maybe it is something different.

Not sure what that is for you this year? Feel free to gather some ideas from this post to try out as you learn or remember what works best for you.

Today, I’d like to share a bit about how reading children’s books this month has offered far more than an enjoyable way to spend time indoors.

Reading is a portal into someone else’s lived experiences, understanding and perception. And children’s books— sometimes offer the “just right challenge”.

We tend to average at least 10-16 library books per week in our home year round and bump those up in the winter months. This month, our family was interested in learning about the lived experiences of people who have made significant contributions to their communities and the world at large. Our question was— how did they get there? How did they have the courage to take the actions they took and act on their visions?

What to Expect Next

For the rest of the month, you can expect to hear about several of those books and people who stepped fully into their roles as citizens, acknowledging their gifts and making the world a better place as a result. They are people whose ripple effects can still be felt and inspire us to take action.

Consider this an invitation to read with me— remember those book reports you had to do in elementary school? This is the adult version where I’m simply very excited to shar with you some possibilities. Like clothing— you can try them on and if they don’t fit for you— feel free to leave them for the next person. Whether you appreciate the books themselves, the people in them, or wondering what indoor occupations matter most to you in winter— I look forward to appreciating the possibilities with you.

Here’s a glance at a few of the books we’ll talk more about:

Image description: Six children’s books on a purple background. Left to right: Top : Counting the Stars: The Story of Katherine Johnson, NASA Mathematicia; Magic Ramen: The Story of Momofuku Ando; Watercress; What Do you Do with a Voice Like That? The Story of Extraordinary Congresswoman Barbara Jordan. Bottom (L to R): Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop: The Sanitation Strike of 1968; Shirley Chisholm is a Verb!