Oh Rachel, I had the same difficulty when I read the series (I re-read it during my last pregnancy too), except that I just had 1 baby who was still napping 2 times a day, wasn’t crawling yet, and was nursing a lot.  My constant reading was didn’t go quite as noticed.  It’s got to be a good example for your boys to see you absorbed in literature, though!

That series is so wonderful, but if you are able to get any of them on tape (or cd nowadays!) they are truly magical.  They are read so beautifully by the narrator that you really are transported to Mitford!  Bonus? You can listen and fold laundry at the same time! 

I gave up reading years ago, for the same reason.  I neglected my other duties.  I used to read five to seven books a week, now I read maybe one per year.

I’d love to hear the name of the series, too! Reading is a bit of a vice for me, too. I guess anything you really enjoy doing can become that way.

I don’t think reading is a ‘vice’—in and of itself, just like eating isn’t either, but gluttony is. If I am reading to the point that I’m shirking the duties of my vocation—then why? Am I ‘lazy’ (don’t want to do the other work), ‘selfish’ (would rather do what *I* want than what needs to be done)...those are questions I often must reflect on before confession!

I too have to be vigilant about “balance” when it comes to reading…especially now that the children are old enough—no more little ones here at home—it is easy to get lost in other worlds! Haven’t given it up though…particularly as a good deal of my reading often involves *teen* books, as I try to stay a step ahead of the school…they *recommend* certain *teen* books, and then I read them, call the school, and tell them “that one is inappropriate—get it off the list” ...sigh…book police—I dislike it, but no one else does it. :/  All that aside—I am SO glad to know I’m not the only one who can read like that!

I think reading can be addictive, just like video games (for my kids, I couldn’t care less about video games).  I LOVE to read and when I don’t have a book I feel lost. But I also try not to neglect my duties. I read a lot when I’m nursing or at night. I try to have very clear lines about when I’m overdoing it, like if I can’t get out of bed in the morning because I stayed up too late. Maybe if you had a designated hour in your day for reading and then made yourself put the book down.  Something that is very clear so you know when you are overdoing it. That way the story lasts longer too.

Reading is a great example to your children and a nice break for mommy so cutting it out altogether is not a good solution. Then you make it look like reading is a bad thing and you can’t have self control.  Like an alcoholic who can’t drink without getting drunk.  Learning to control ourselves is strengthening our will and also a good example to our children.

An EXCELLENT novel I just finished is “Candle in the Darkness” by Lynn Austin. I highly recommend it.

I can completely sympathize.  I have always been an avid reader, and I would often spend entire days reading a book I was absorbed in.  Alas, now I have a 1-year-old, so the best I can do is 10-20 minutes of reading a night before bed.  I realize even this is a luxury, but I have been aching for a day to just read for hours like I used to!  I am reading Pride and Prejudice for the first time, and even though I already know the plot, I can’t read it fast enough, I love it so much!

Thanks for all the comments and for providing the series title.I just ordered the first 3 books. l love to read so much that my kids would agree that part of heaven for me would include reading! Right now 3 of my 5 kids also love to read.(one cannot even read yet:) We started a 4th grade girls reading club this year with about 10 girls. I usually read the classics and have read many on the “1000 good books list” I too read most new books before my kids do….but the High school reading list is a great resources since the kids attend an excellent Catholic school. Is there a current thread on F&F for books suggestions?? May I suggest anything by Jane Austin !! I also just finished The Count of Monte Cristo ...excellent!!!  Happy Reading! Erin

Oh sure, I can read too much although my reading addiction usually deprives me of sleep more than anything else. I had 4 days after Christmas though where I read 14 hours a day almost but it was ok. I had a SICK baby who didn’t want anything other than to lay on me 24/7. I had just filled my new Kindle and was good to go. Max slept, I read, the other kids fended for themselves with me occasionally giving orders from the couch.

I like the focus on the family website here is the link. erin

http://www.focusonthefamily.com/parenting/protecting_your_family/book_reviews_for_parents.aspx

I’m with you on The Mitford Series. This is the only book series I have collected in hardcover and I constantly reread them. They’re like my good friends! I, too, however, had a problem reading them and avoiding my housework. I let my kids watch “just one more show” so I could get to the end of a favorite part. And the laundry? On an as needed basis. No underwear? Ok, in goes the white wash. Run out of shorts? Ok, that load is next. I actually had to pray and ask St. Zita to help me find reward at the end of the day with my book. It was nice to relax with my book when the kids were in bed and didn’t disturb me. However, I had to learn how to turn off the light because I would stay up and keep reading. Just battle after battle sometimes. Ah well, it’s all good. I find them inspirational and thus my children benefit from the positiveness I then exude. We’re entitled to a little indulgence now and then. Enjoy I say!