I have always been oh-so proud of being an eager reader through all of my growing up years, but within the last two years, I have found it more and more difficult to focus my time on reading even though I am still fascinated with books and written words. In part, I blame it on distractions and media, but the most significant life change in these past couple of years has been college. I have decided that reading however many numerous textbooks and required readings for my courses as a full-time student for eight months out of the year has given me a bit of distaste for books the remaining four months each year and, instead, a quick finger to click open a tab for Netflix.

Here are several things I have noticed in my reading decline:

1. I no longer can read four books at a time

There once was such a time where I had the knack of running to the library after school let out for the day to return the books I finished that week and pick up another arm full. Now I find myself renewing and rechecking out the same book for a month because I refuse to admit that I have lost the hunger to read.

2. I begin to get drowsy within 30 minutes

I used get lost in a book, read for a solid day forgetting to eat deep into the night and find myself watching the sunrise at 6 a.m. because I could not bring myself to put it down. I have gotten back up to time flying in three hours of late night reading this summer, which I am proud of, though I have only been reading The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern’s Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure (that last bit is important in my opinion) abridged by author William Goldman.

3. Short attention span and technology readily at my fingertips

This is more of a product of changing times and first-world problems which I don’t think need much explaining because we all experience it.

4. My book list continues to get longer

I still wish to read; I just lack the motivation. Not reading plus new interesting books I stumble upon equals longer lists.

5. The volume of my vocabulary is diminishing

The beauty of reading is that through the expanded diction and vernacular of various authors, as a reader, I gain the ability to utilize those words and phrases in my own vocabulary. Without it I am left with a less-than-satisfying amount of words at the forefront of my mind ready for the choosing.

6. Clinging to determination to become an avid bookworm again

Although I do not have the time or focus to be constantly submersed in worlds of fantasies anymore and probably will never have that amount of time, I do want to gain the passion for reading novels once more.

Despite these things, I will still call myself a bookworm in spirit at the very least. I count all of these as small victories in my battle for the love of reading—because no matter how good a movie is, the books are always better.