Eco-Conscious Reading: For many, reading is a wonderful escape into another world, or even realm.
Where plots twist, good guys win and villains get their comeuppance.
However, as technology advances and phones evolve, the humble book has fallen by the wayside and has almost been forgotten.
According to the 2021 National Reading Survey, it is estimated that 75 per cent of Australians read at least one book per year, with a quarter of the population failing to read even one.
As a busy parent, the idea of sitting down with a book amidst the chaos of everyday life almost feels impossible. Yet I have always loved to read and I enjoy a good page turner.
While book waste isn’t a top contributor to our waste problem in Australia, it is still a factor to consider before your next book purchase.
Borrow before you buy
Our Whitsunday Regional Libraries are a treasure trove of books and resources. They are filled with nostalgia, including that distinctive scent that all bibliophile’s love.
I have not encountered a book that the library team has not been able to source.
They still hire DVDs for those that want to reminisce with their kids about the old Blockbuster days.
Purchase preloved
Our second-hand shops and Neighbourhood Centre are packed to the brim with books, with a huge variety of topics on offer, both fiction and non-fiction.
We are fortunate to have the amazing Beach Book Boutique, next to the lagoon in Airlie, who are great at sourcing specific titles that you are chasing.
Online options include eBay, Gumtree and Berry Books, where you can have titles shipped directly to your door.
Time poor, but love to read?
Audio books are my personal go-to and have got me back into the world of reading after a long hiatus. There are some great paid apps, such as Audible and Scribl, that have every latest release.
However, free options include Spotify, Castbox and, if you have a library card, there are over 790,000 titles available through WRC Libraries.
Some of the free options have limits on the amount f hours/titles per month.
Travel friendly options
If you are a frequent traveller, or always on the go, e-readers are an absolute must. You can carry all your current reading list in one convenient tablet.
Time to start reading your next book today!
