In Episode 44 of The Lit Gals, I’m leaning into a question we all feel in education right now: in a world that’s always hurrying, how do we slow down enough to make space for what matters—like reading? Anna, Morgan, and Martie talk through what it looks like to be intentional with our time and to build reading habits that actually stick. The big idea is simple: reading isn’t one more thing to cram in—it’s something we can savor, model, and protect. I also share a stack of titles that support this “pause and turn the page” mindset across ages. For young readers, we highlight Reading Makes You Feel Good and Hurry Up! as natural conversation starters about feelings, pace, and noticing the moment. For middle grade, we point to powerful stories like Freewater, Nine, Ten, and Your Heart My Sky—books that invite reflection and empathy. And for adult readers, we name a range of options (from 1929 to Reconnected) so you can rebuild your own reading life, not just assign it. If you’re a teacher, coach, or parent, my takeaway is: choose books with intention, make reading visible, and create routines that help readers linger—because that’s where lifelong habits grow.