Submitted by snarkitall t3_11444x7 in books
I was a book worm child and young adult. I read constantly, everything and fast. If my parents wanted to punish me, they took my books away. I read in the car, under my school books, in the bathroom, under the covers, at parties. Books were such a central part of my life until I was in my 20s, when slowly but surely, I lost the ability to focus on anything but rereading a few favourites.
Maybe the combination of smartphones, social media and kids did it, but suddenly I'd rather do anything but read. I would read a couple things on vacation, and that was about it. I felt so guilty about it (and weird - to go from being an objectively well-read young adult to a mindless FB scrolling adult), but I just didn't have the stamina or interest to consume new books.
Finally, I downloaded the Libby app. It was my daughter that inspired me to get it set up, because I was getting concerned about her screen time and how much less she read than myself as a kid, but also because she's dyslexic and audiobooks are a much better media for her. So we both started using the app and IT. CHANGED. MY. LIFE.
I have already read 48 books since the new year. I have read non-fiction, new fiction, reread books I haven't thought of in years, classics that I "read" in university, all the books that I have heard about but somehow never got around to. Someone mentions a book to me, I can find it and borrow it right away. The library doesn't have a book, I can place a hold and it shows up automatically a few days later. I can even have two libraries (my current city library has a smaller English collection, so I added my hometown's library). I can suggest the library buy books! I can try a book I'd never have bothered to buy, and return it in an instant if I'm not interested. As an easily distracted, disorganized person who regularly racked up huge late fees, all the guilt and frustration associated with borrowing and returning books is gone.
Libby made it possible for me to deal with my internet addiction and stick to a social media diet. I can read in bed again without waking my spouse, or listen to audio books. It's even helped me go to the physical library more often, when I read a book on the app that I realize would be excellent in physical form. It sounds crazy, but I'm sleeping better, I'm happier, and overall just feeling like a real human being with a brain.
​
So, if you are a disheartened formerly voracious reader and you haven't tried it (or whatever the library app in your area is), give it a shot.