Why I Give My Husband Assigned Reading

If your husband is anything like mine, he likes to read … but often doesn’t have time or the focus to actually do so. For him, reading is something done in short little spurts – not for sustained periods of time.

With that in mind, why do I give my husband assigned reading? He doesn’t spend much time per day reading, and giving assigned reading reduces the “fun” reading he does.

If only the answer were simple.

Firstly, I should address the fact that I “okay” books with my husband before adding them to his “assigned” reading list. If he doesn’t agree to read a book, it doesn’t go on the list. He is a fully grown man, after all!

The next thing to address is that he takes assigned reading at his own pace, in his own order (usually). If he wants to mix up his list with fun books of his choice, he does. There is no obligation from him to read these books; he simply does it at my recommendation – that it is a book that will benefit him, or help him grow in some way. The books that go on the list are books I’ve already read.

So … why do I “assign” my husband reading?

My husband and I are both interested in personal growth and development, especially with him being a mental health counselor and me suffering from mental illness. (It’s a fascinating dynamic to be sure!)

The books I give my husband to read are books I believe are helpful in some way, shape, or form. Usually, the entire book (or the majority of the book) has to fit that standard, or I simply read aloud the beneficial section.

If my husband starts a book at my recommendation and doesn’t find it beneficial, then he is free to put it down and read something else. I put books on his reading list because they are books he otherwise wouldn’t read – not because of lack of interest, but they simply aren’t books that are usually brought to his attention.

Too Long; Didn't Read:

In short, I assign my husband reading because they are books he wouldn’t otherwise read (due to lack of time and/or knowledge of the books) that can help him, us, or our relationship to grow in some way. These are books I’ve already read – I don’t assign him anything to read that I’m not willing to read first!

By putting these books on a husband-specific “assigned” reading list, he gains knowledge of them (one problem solved) and prioritizes them during his regular reading time (something he already does).

Do you give a significant person in your life assigned reading? Why or why not?