Why you DO have time to…

I don’t know what the “…” is for you. 

For me, it has been ‘read’.

I’m the guy who loves to browse and buy books. As I write this, there are eight books to my right that are unfinished. Plus two eBooks I’m reading on my iPhone.

My excuse has always been that I don’t have the time to read. I have time to buy the books – that’s quick and easy. But no time to read them.

* * *

This blog is good at a couple of things…I’m not sure what they are, but I am sure this small corner of cyberspace has something to offer. Even if what’s being offered is only consumed by three people per day.

Anywho, there’s one thing this blog has been consistently bad at. Predicting future trends.

The chances are you don’t stop by here to find out what’s the next big movie, CD or fashion accessory.

What I have tried to provide is analysis and reviews of those things (apart from the last one), once they’ve arrived.

But all that could be about to change…

* * *

Back to the reading…or lack of it.

I was engaging in the usual browsing-with-every-intention-of-buying-but-no-intention-of-reading-this-decade attitude.

The shop’s name was Waterstones. For the benefit of my American friends, Waterstones is pretty much the sole remaining bookshop chain in the country. We’ve lost the rest to that great British invention – the Web.

I came across a novel called The Hunger Games. I’d heard a couple of people talking about it and was aware the film was coming out in a matter of weeks. £7.99 though…hmm let’s see what my ingenious iPhone app ‘ShopSavvy’ thinks of that!

One look at the barcode and ShopSavvy informs me I can get it for £4 in ASDA, which is 0.2km away.

The rest is history.

I cannot remember the last time I read a 400 page novel in one week.

It was totally gripping. I haven’t read hundreds of novels and I’m no expert. But to say I “enjoyed” The Hunger Games is a massive understatement.

You see, the problem is not having enough time to read. The problem is I haven’t been reading books that I’ve actually wanted to read. I might have liked the idea of reading them when I bought them, but that feeling soon worn off and I simply didn’t make it a priority.

Not having enough time is never the problem. The problem is making the wrong decisions on how to use your time.

I finished a 400 page novel in a week as busy as any other week. So what did I stop doing in order to make time to read? I have no idea, but whatever it was, I obviously didn’t miss it! It was probably Facebook or something trivial like that.

So let me attempt to make a prediction without falling flat on my face.

The Hunger Games is the next big thing. When the film hits our cinema screens during the last weekend of March, it will create a stir comparable to Twilight and Harry Potter. The only difference will be The Hunger Games is more real, gritty and powerful than anything Myers or Rowling will ever write.

I’ve nailed my colours to the mast. I’m team Collins.

So what are you waiting for? Grab the book and get reading, then watch the film.

You have time.