Does anyone else walk and read at the same time, or am I the only freak?

[Amber Cross]

Is it weird that I walk and read at the same time? I love reading, but I
run my own business and have quite a hectic lifestyle. Finding time to
keep physically active and feed my reading habit is a struggle. So I’ve
learnt how to read and walk simultaneously. You would think this skill
would take some time to develop, but I have to say that I mastered the
art pretty quickly. Sure, there’s been the odd stumble complete with the
frantic glance around to make sure nobody saw it happen, but all in all
I’m a pro.

This odd reading style has made me something of a local celebrity. I
often combine walking and reading with a trip to the corner shops to
pick up some groceries. My sojourns always include friendly, and often
humorous, comments from locals the most common of which is ‘Must be a
good book’. To my delight these off-hand comments sometimes lead to an
in-depth conversation about the book I’m reading or books in general.

What has become most clear from the comments I receive is that most
people are astonished that I can actually achieve this feat. Is there
anyone else out there like me or am I really a reading and walking
freak?

[Jess M.]

As you can tell, Amber, you're definitely not the only one! I've been walking and reading since I could read, basically. I like to think I've pretty much perfected it by this point--haha! I'm in college now, and I've definitely gotten some weird looks throughout the years as I'm crossing the quad, but for the most part, nobody's really said anything to me. Walking and reading is one of my favorite things to do!

[Amber Cross]

Hi Jess,

Sounds like we're soul sisters.....just on different continents. Keep up the walking and reading. The weird looks are probably just from those who are jealous they can't do it themselves.


Amber Cross
Ambire Secondhand Books
http://www.readinghabit.com.au
http://feedyourreadinghabit.blogspot.com

[ben brown]

I can't even walk and talk at the same time ;-) I have to have complete silence to read so all other activities are out.

[Krista L]

I have definitely done that! I take public transportation to and from work or school every day, so I always use that to carve out some extra reading time for myself. If a book is really enthralling, I'm usually unwilling to close it to walk from the train to my apartment and find myself having to dodge bikers and fellow pedestrians with my nose in a book. Definitely warrants some stares. :)

[Miss Giggles]

I am always reading on the bus to the university. I find it interesting that I get more reading done when I'm in school than when I'm on break because of that.