Editor’s note: This is part of an Illinois Lawyer Now series focused on resources available to ISBA members on Practice HQ, our "one-stop microsite" for practice management and technology information. This wealth of resources was designed to help you practice smarter by housing high-quality information in one place.

By Jeff Schoenberger, Esq.
Affinity Consulting Group

Two things often in short supply for lawyers are time and money. Harried schedules chase away things lacking immediacy. One thing I sacrificed was pleasure reading. Between family, work, and other commitments, sitting down to read a book was a lost joy.

Thankfully, within the last several years, books have become more accessible for people with chaotic lives. Here are some ways that you can find time to read and learn while still moving at a frenetic pace.

1. Pocket / Instapaper / Safari Reading List – For those looking to enjoy web-based articles on the go without the annoying ads, I recommend taking a look at Pocket, Instapaper, or iOS Safari's built-in Reading List. Each of them is a variation on a theme. Safari's feature is free, while the other two cost nominal monthly amounts. Each allows you to "save" a webpage, such as news article or blog post, for later reading. The webpage is downloaded and saved, usually in plain text. As you save articles, you create a customized "newspaper" of stories you'd like to read. The app keeps them handily in a single location. Whenever you find yourself with downtime, just fire up the app and read an article. It's a great way to keep the articles you’ve been meaning to read in one convenient place. 

2. Kindle / iBooks – In the decade since Amazon launched Kindle in November 2007, it has grown from a single hardware device to an entire ecosystem of software and devices across all major smartphone, tablet, and computer platforms. Now that books are electronic, we can easily read a bit, whether curled up on the couch, waiting at the doctor's office, or just standing in line at the grocery store. In addition to reading everywhere, digital books offer the opportunity to highlight and take effective notes in a way far superior to writing in a book's margins. Additionally, with both Kindle and iBooks (Apple's competitor to Kindle), you can import PDFs or other non-book documents into the app for easy reading.
 
3. Audible – For those with an extremely busy lifestyle, Audible turns the time you would spend listening to background music into reading time. Audible is a subscription service where, for $16 per month, you get a new audiobook of your choice. Audible has apps for iOS (and CarPlay), Android (and Android Auto), Kindle eReaders, and even Echo/Alexa speakers. No matter whether you're stuck in traffic, at the airport, or just out for a walk, you can incorporate audiobooks into your daily routine.

4. Overdrive – This service is a combination of eBooks and audiobooks. Best of all, it's free. Really. Overdrive partners with libraries around the country to provide electronic resources to patrons. If you're a member of a library that has partnered with Overdrive, you can reserve eBooks in Overdrive or Kindle format. You can reserve audiobooks in the Overdrive format, download them, and read them during the lending period for free in the Overdrive app available on iOS and Android. There can be waitlists, as with any popular title at a library, but you get books and audiobooks in modern, digital formats.