Detail of a bookshelf of embroidered books, appliqué quilt

One of the best parts of my week requires me to wake up much earlier than I would on my own, but it’s something I wouldn’t change. It’s to join in with an online Reading Retreat. The idea is to show up, say hello, mention what book you’ll be reading, and then for all participants to then read in silence from their books of choice. Five minutes before the session is done, we regroup and if so inclined, say something about what we’ve just read. I find it a lovely way to get a bit of reading and connection with community in. I have been exposed to so many other books and authors over this past year of meeting weekly.

A passage was brought up a couple of weeks ago by one of the members as she was reading, Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times by Katherine May:

“Mostly I read at this hour, perusing the pile of books that live by my favorite chair, waiting to offer up fragments of learning, rather than inviting cover-to-cover pursuits. I browse, a chapter here, a segment there, or hunt through an index for a matter that’s on my mind. I love such loose, exploratory reading. For once, I am not reading to escape; instead, having already made my getaway, I am able to roam through the extra space I’ve found, as restless and impatient as I like, revealing in the play of my own absorption. They say we should dance like no one is watching. I think that applies to reading, too.”

I find that paragraph delightful and enjoy the permission given to dabble and explore. To take what’s needed, find what’s interesting and leave other bits behind to read later or perhaps never. I like being off the hook to read a book from cover to cover. It feels much like being at a really good bookstore where every pile or bookshelf has more interesting looking books to spend sometime with, except more comfortable because of being at home.

This perusing and roaming can also be applied to so many other creative areas to learn from exploration and play. It’s good to remember that dipping in and out of things is also a perfectly valid way of learning.

Do you ever let yourself take time to browse through your books or projects this way? When was the last time?