Book Basket

Confession: I rarely read my books in the same place. 

Fact: John Piper says that one way to have consistent devotions is to pick a place and time and be consistent. 

Fact: I believe that is true and would work wonders, but not for me in this stage of life. 

Instead, I tote my pile of books from room to room. There is usually a pile at the bottom of the stairs just in case the boys are playing nicely together and I can grab a few minutes of reading while they are busy. Why the stairs? Because it is behind a gate and the boys can't knock them over and I will remember to take them back upstairs at night. There is a pile on my nightstand. It sometimes tips over.  I have a whole bookshelf next to my bed of half started books and books to read. My library book basket is at the end of my bed. 

Chaotic? Yes. Overwhelming. A bit. 

I just finished a book about learning styles and personalities. And most of my learning styles mean that I like organized spaces and quiet to study. They say I hate clutter and don't store stuff in stacks... Ha ha ha. Ask my siblings or Jared about that.

I like order. I do. But is doesn't seem to be well applied in much of my living space (other than my kitchen, which is almost organized and perfectly efficient).  I like clean. But I'd rather spend time reading or learning or quilting or playing with the boys than cleaning.

Anyhow. I go tired of toting my stack of books around without a rhyme or reason.  So I organized them a bit better today. Here are all my books that I use at devotion time. Some every day, some some days, some once a week or every other week for Bible study. 

Now if I don't have time in the morning to finish before the boys wake up, I can stick this little basket in any room that I am in and have everything I need. And it looks good on the top of the bookshelf next to my bed (better then a leaning stack of books) and clears up my nightstand. Win win. 

I threw some notecards and pens in too, in case I find the urge to write to someone. I don't have to rummage around finding all the things I need. I left the address book and stamps on my desk because I couldn't put too many things in here. :) 

I can also throw in a library book or two if I want to read it after I finish these. Then they are all in the same spot. 

I love it.

Oh, and I just finished reading the 7th book for the year (I have the posts staggered one a week in case I lose steam mid-year). This giving up Facebook and Instagram is paying off. And having a basket of attractive books to read also helps. And a library basket full of interesting topics to delve into...