I love reading. Some of my favourite memories are riding my bike to the library in the town where I grew up. The library there was converted from an old train station. Walking in the doors to the smell of the books and the old wood brought so much joy to my heart. Scouring through the Nancy Drew and Babysitters Club books to find one I hadn’t read or grabbing an old favourite was simply the best.
I always have a book on the go and many on a waitlist. Controversial, I know, but I mainly read on an e-reader, getting my books through Libby, the free library app. My love of reading centres around fiction and biographies. I feel like I have lived a thousand lives and travelled to so many worlds through books. I will never live in ancient China but I experience it through gifted authors. The love God has given me for other cultures and countries was cultivated through books. Growing up in small-town Ontario, I had no way of knowing what the world outside my door looked like except through books that opened my perspective.
I could talk about books all day but the point I’m getting to is that I love fiction and struggle to read non-fiction, the ‘good for me’ books by spiritual mentors, leaders, teachers, pastors etc. I set goals for myself and fall behind almost immediately. One year I told myself I had to read a non-fiction book in between my novels. I read one.
It's good for my spiritual growth to pair my regular scripture reading with books by other Christ followers. Books like "Good Boundaries and Goodbyes" by Lisa Terkhurst, "Power to Change" by Craig Groeschel, "Gay Girl, Good God" by Jackie Hill Perry, "The Problem of God" by Mark Clark, and the list could continue on and on.
So here is how I got myself into the habit of consuming non-fiction without infringing on my reading time, realizing that non-fiction is my hobby, my relaxation, and the thing that helps me unwind at night.
I started finding these books in audiobook format and replacing my podcasts for a week at a time. I discovered that Libby, the free app I mentioned, has a lot of audiobooks and I joined a paid subscription, Scribd, that also has a lot of audiobooks and no wait times. I walk a lot, so listening while I walk is helpful. With Scribd, I can also get a copy of the ebook that I can highlight and make notes in. So, if something jumps out to me while I’m walking I go back and find it in the ebook and make a note. It's a bit of extra work but worth it. Finding affordable Christian content can be tricky and Scribd has a lot of the books I’m looking for so it’s worth checking out. (Libby has some but there is usually a waitlist.)
I knew I needed to find a way to do the thing I knew was good for me but felt like I couldn’t get there. I believe the Lord led me to think outside of the box and I found something that works for me. Obviously, reading Christian content does not replace daily scripture reading; it should complement your daily reading, not replace it.
This worked for me and I’m glad Kaitlin and Joel told me about Scribd... So, I’m telling you! I’d love to hear if you have another app or way of reading great content that works well for you.
Enjoy!
Pastor Erin
THIS SUNDAY
SUNDAY, AUGUST 20 @ 10am
KINGS & KINGDOMS
Ahab Becomes the Worst King Ever
Erin Jamieson
Join us for our IN-PERSON SERVICES OR
LIVESTREAM on Sunday!
10:00 - Live Service & Kids Church (+Church Online)