Reading is Fundamental - and Time Consuming
Tuesday, September 07, 2010
One of my many dreams is to meet Oprah Winfrey one day - and I know exactly what I'm going to ask her:
"Oprah, how the hell you find time to read all those damn books?!"
Can you tell I'm frustrated?
Here she is, OPRAH, leader of the free world the most powerful woman in television, founder of O magazine, runs her own production company, builds schools in Africa, has her own radio station and television channel and she finds time to not only read but read a lot. So much so, that she helms the most popular book club in the world.
I work a 9to5, run this blog and freelance on the side. That's it. And I complain that I can't find the time to read anything.
*sigh*
I read two books this year.
The Girl Who Fell From The Sky by Heidi W. Durrow and Platinum by my BFF Aliya S. King.
Both books were excellent! But I want to read more. I want to be that person who's engulfed in one book but already has the next good read lined up. I'd love to review more books here on the blog as well.
I've even got a healthy looking bookshelf.
But I want to do better!
I've even got a healthy looking bookshelf.
 |
| I swear I've read about 85% of these books! |
I forget how/why we started following each other on Twitter but what I do know is that homegirl's reading game is tight. Every other tweet is about a new book she's reading, or a review she's writing for her blog (www.notoriousspinkstalks.com) about a new book she's reading. I was starting to get jealous.
How does this chick find the time to get so much reading done?!
So, I asked her.
URBANE URBANITE: When did you become such a book lover?
YOLONDA SPINKS: Must I tell my age? [Laughs] But seriously, I don’t remember. I just remember always reading. I’m not sure how it began.
UU: Why do you love books so much?
YS: I think it came from me being the only child at home. My brother was ten when my mom had me so as he got older, I was the only child left at home. I can remember sitting at home trying to read the Bible. I was about 6 or 7 years old.
UU: What's the first book you ever read?
UU: What's your favorite book?
YS: My favorite book is Single, Married, Separated and Life after Divorce by Myles Monroe. My brother died in September 2003, and I had many rocky years after that. That book helped me begin the process of loving life again.
UU: Who's your favorite author?
YS: Are you trying to get me in trouble? They are all my favorites. But seriously, my all-time favorite is Zora Neale Hurston. She was feisty and real - and I love that.
UU: What's your favorite book store?
YS: Why do you keep using that word? I’ll just send a shout out to Mahogany Books. It is an independent, African-American-owned online bookstore, www.mahoganybooks.com.
UU: What are you reading now?
YS: Walk Like You Have Somewhere to Go by Lucille O’Neal
Mother Wit by Angelia Menchan
Sistergirl Devotions by Carol M. Mackey
I typically read more than one book at a time. Mother Wit and Sistergirl are in my purse, and O’Neal’s book is in my laptop bag. I’m never without a book.
UU: How many books do you read per week?
YS: It varies. This week I’m reading the three books I just mentioned, but I haven’t finished any. Some weeks, when I’m in the groove, I can throw three or four back . Yep, like long necks Budweisers— but I don’t drink beer.
UU: How are you able to get so much reading done?
YS: On a serious note: Reading for me is a release. It is the one thing that I do that is for me. My life is so busy, and I often find myself in the position of trying to be everything to everyone else. I hate telling people no. My reading time is just for me. I don’t like to be disturbed, and I don’t allow anyone or anything to rob me of it. Even if I only read a chapter or two before bed or read a few pages while waiting in the car, I’m going to read. By any means necessary!
UU: What's your stance on ebook readers? Kindle? The Nook? Or are you a hard copy kind of gal?
YS: I’m a hard copy kind of gal. Actually, I’m a certified book whore. Yes, books are my pimps. I have hundreds of them. When it comes to e-books, initially I wasn’t into them. However, when the airlines went crazy with baggage fees and weight requirements, things changed. I’m saving for a Kindle. Ummm, I’m taking donations.
UU: Any good books on the horizon that folks should have on their radar?
YS: Of course!
Re-Rambled by Angelia Menchan is hotter than fish grease. Then there’s The World Has Changed: Conversations with Alice Walker; The Book of Night Women by Marlon James; and Glorious by Bernice McFadden. McFadden announced via Facebook that Alfre Woodard has been cast for the audio book. Wow!
UU: Give people a synopsis of what your blog/website is all about.
YS: Notorious Spinks Talks started out as just a book blog. I wanted to share with the world the books I was reading and what I thought about them. Currently, I’m revamping my site to a one-stop shop. I will be discussing books, babies, health, going green, music (my other love) and my rants.
Books And... (www.booksand.net) is my business website. We currently provide virtual book tours for authors of color. Our goal is to help authors of color get maximum exposure and continue to build their brand.
To get familiar with this Memphis based literary maven and all her bookworm greatness, you can follow her on Twitter at: @notoriousspinks and @booksanddotnet. And visit her websites: www.notoriousspinkstalks.com and www.booksand.net.
Do you get to read as often as you'd like?
If so, how do you make it happen?
If not, what gets in your way?
Did you find Spinks' tips helpful?
Am I the only one who wonders how Oprah is able to read so much?
I'd love to hear your thoughts.
23 comments:
Thanks for the feature! *blushing*
Great interview and reading tips!
Awesome read!
Nice interview.
Love this post and 2 thumbs up for Notorious Spinks! I never even though about how the heck Oprah reads all those books but that's a good question. I wonder does she listen to audio books as she's being chauffeured around?
I think as with everything in life, we make time for whats important to us. And if one can't find time to read, it's not as important to them and they make it out to be.
Great interview. I am "trying" to read 2 books at once and keep up with everything else. Good times!
@Spinks: No! Thank you! This was a fun post to work on! You made it easy!
@readinghaspurpose: You bring up a good point. Maybe Lady O is into the audio books. But I do recall her saying when she goes on vacation she lugs about 12 different books with her. She's such a show off!
Thanks for stopping by!
@Literary Marie
@Around Harlem
@Anonymous
Thanks for reading. Come on back now, ya here?!
@Reg: Man, you're better than me. I've never been able to read more than one book at a time. I think it's my A.D.D. I'm going to try that this fall though. Gonna pick out two completely different novels and give both a go at the same time.
Good luck!
Shy, blackbloggerawards folk got it wrong!!
This. post. is. great. thanks to you and Notorious Spinks, I've got some must reads on my reading list.
Beyond Appreciative,
Chalisse
This was a great interview! Thanks so much for sharing the recommended books.
It's very time consuming to read books, but when you don't have a t.v, like me, you can fly threw them.I use to watch tv from 7pm-10pm, so that's 3hrs of valuable read time that was forced into my life.
What a timely article! Just started my semester and pondering how in the world I'm going to read all this material. Thanks for posting.
@Anonymous hahaha. I say they got it wrong too. We'll get 'em next time. Thanks for reading and let me know which book you decide to read.
@Daniels Duaghter
Hmm. Less TV. More reading. That's a start.
Ha! I wondered the same thing about Oprah. I used to think that maybe she didn't read all those books, that maybe her assistants was giving her notes or something, lol. I love to read and I love books. Although I must admit that I don't read as much as I would like to. I collect books to read and they usually end up sitting on my book shelf. I used to be in a book club and I read a lot more then, but then our club just somehow ended and I haven't really "gotten back on the reading horse". I plan to though. And basically I just find the time. Although we are busy people in this day and age, we can always find time for the things that we love or want to do. :-)
Meisha
Ya'll so sweet! LOL! Thanks for the kind words and glad I could give your some ideas on books to read.
I read everyday no matter what. I always have a book in my purse and in my truck because you never know when an opportunity to read will arise. Currently reading Subsitute Me by Lori Tharps, next up is Getting to Happy by Terry McMillan.
Great Interview!
Shevi
Nice interview!
I am a new and upcoming book author. And of course I love to read on average I get through about 2 a week
" I’m a certified book whore"
Not sure if I'm there yet. LOL. I love what you do.
I will check out your site.
Look at all y'all reading. Y'all better go head!
So, from all of your comments, I'm gathering that I should find a book that I want to read and just keep it with me every where I go until I'm done reading it.
Got it!
UrbaneUrbanite, what a great interview; I thoroughly enjoyed the read. I stumbled upon your site a few weeks back looking up something else, and I am so happy I found it. Excellent site...keep up the great work. I will definitely tune in more.
@Anonymous: Aww! Glad you found me! And even happier that you pulled up a chair and stayed a while!
Also, feel free to subscribe to the blog to get posts sent directly to your email address when I publish!
Thanks for reading!
Great Post! While I do read a lot I never have enough time to read bơks :( However, I try my best. Great interview of one of my fave book lovers Spinksy. I will definately apply her tips and try to get more reading done.
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