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?

[Lisa Almeda Sumner]

I do this on a pretty regular basis, especially while walking the dog. When I was a kid I did it all the time, and nothing touches me like seeing a kid walking down the street reading.

[Amber Cross]

Hi Lisa,

Happy that I am in good company!! I haven't had the pleasure of ever seeing a kid do this, but I can understand how it would warm the heart. Children reading always has an effect on me....and when I am selling my books at the market, I always throw in something for free. I figure that the more I can do to keep kids reading the better!!

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

[Amber Cross]

Hi Barbara,

At least you've given it a try! I don't want to encourage anyone to injure themselves in the process, so you've probably made a good choice.

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

[Kathleen Garber]

Yes I can read and walk at the same time and I do. I even walk and read and push a stroller! You are not alone!

[Amber Cross]

Hi Callista,

Glad to hear that I am not alone!! Pushing a stroller at the same time is even more impressive. Girls are always good at multi-tasking.

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

[Rex Lee Reynolds]

I don't walk and read myself but know others that have mentioned that they read while cooking and doing almost everything. It isn't exactly the same thing as reading, I guess it is in a way, but I listen to books using text- to-speach sofware while doing quite a number of things like washing dishes, shaving and whatever, and find it helpful in catching typos in my own writing that I somehow missed with my eyes.

[Tina Branco]

Not only do I listen while I walk, or work out on treadmill or elliptical, I listen while I cook, while I do laundry, and WHEN I SWIM. I recently got a water-proof arm pouch for my MP3 so I can listen while I'm working out in the pool. The only place I don't take it is the sauna--I don't want the high temps to melt the seals on the pouch. It's fabulous. I've read 75 books already this year, and 32 of them have been audios. I'm never far from my 'ear-reading'.

[Alyia Kallen]

I have been known to do this when I'm really into a story - so much so that I once walked into a parked car. Of course, that was during elementary school - so I've gotten much better at it since then.

[Amber Cross]

Hi Alvia,

Ahhhh, the old walking into a parked car trick!! I've been and done that many times. I swear they just pop out of nowhere. Thanks for making me feel normal in my habit.

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

[Karen Burgess]

No, you are not a freak, it just means you are reading something really excellent. I've been known to read and shower. It's hard, though.

[Amber Cross]

Hi Karen,

Reading in the shower!! Now there's a real feat!! Do you use special wet weather gear???

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

[Caitlin Martin]

I've been walking and reading since I was in elementary school. These days it's to and from the BART most often, although I also walk and read when I'm running errands.