Let’s be real… finding time to read as a mom can feel like trying to finish a sentence without being interrupted. Between snacks, laundry, and bedtime routines that somehow take hours, reading often ends up on the back burner. But when we do get that quiet pocket of time (or at least a few stolen minutes in the car line), it feels like a little piece of ourselves again.
Over the years, I have learned that not all reading looks the same. Sometimes it is a paperback, sometimes it is a voice in your earbuds while folding towels, and sometimes it is an e-reader glowing softly while you hide under the covers. Each one has its season in life, just like us.
Physical Books: The Classic Comfort
There is nothing like holding a real book; the weight of it, the smell of paper, the way you can physically see your progress. It is grounding in a way that screens just are not.
But let us all be honest…half the time my bookmark disappears, a child uses the pages for “art,” and I forget what chapter I was on. Still, there’s something about curling up with a physical book after the kids are in bed that just feels right.
Why I love them:
- No notifications, no distractions. Oh, you called? I was busy.
- A real break from screens. Screen time is too much… don’t even get me started.
- That cozy, nostalgic feeling of reading before life got loud.
Why they’re tricky:
- Hard to sneak in during chaos. Why do they always know?
- Not super diaper-bag friendly… she be thicc.
- Easy to forget where you left off… or where your toddler “borrowed” it… SOS.
Audiobooks: The Busy Mom’s Secret Weapon
If you have not discovered audiobooks yet, this is your sign. I swear they have saved my sanity at least more than once. You can listen while cleaning, driving, grocery shopping, walking, or hiding in the laundry room pretending to fold.
Sometimes it is the only “me time” I get in a day, and it still counts as reading. Bonus: when a narrator is really good, it feels like being read to. What mom doesn’t want that kind of energy?
Why moms love them:
- Hands-free reading while multitasking. Chores AND literature? Yes, please.
- Makes chores way more bearable. We love a halfway happy moment.
- Great for long drives or stroller walks (I promise if my children are talking, I am mostly listening).
Why they’re tricky:
- Easy to zone out mid-tantrum.
- Hard to rewind to that one line you loved and needed to hear again.
- Narrator chemistry is everything. Like more than half the battle.
E-Readers: The Practical Middle Ground
Ah, the e-reader, a.k.a. my bedtime BFF. It is dim, quiet, and you can read in the dark without waking anyone (hello, 2 a.m.). You can download books instantly (no library trip needed, though I do miss those), and it fits perfectly in your purse. It is not quite as romantic as a paperback, but it is practical. And these days, practicality wins a lot of arguments.
Why moms love them:
- Perfect for night reading when you’re finally horizontal and cannot sleep.
- Easy to sneak a few (hopefully more) pages during naptime.
- Lightweight and clutter-free (honestly, say less).
Why they’re tricky:
- Another screen in a screen-filled day, but different.
- Doesn’t smell like paper or nostalgia (is this available in a candle??).
- Battery life becomes one more thing to charge. (Where can I plug in?).
So… Which One Wins?
Honestly? None of them, because they all fit different seasons of motherhood.
When life feels slow and cozy, I want a real book.
When I’m running around, I want a story in my ears.
When I’m tired but can’t sleep, I reach for my e-reader.
The best part? It all counts. It is still reading. It is still you taking a moment for yourself; I promise you deserve that. So, however you are “reading” these days, keep doing it. The format doesn’t matter nearly as much as the fact that you are still turning pages, in whatever way you can.
