My Grandfather had 5 kids, a wife, a couple of dogs, a cow, and others always vying for his attention.
He'd try 'hiding' in the bathroom, but someone always wanted/needed in.
Needless to say, he spent a good deal of time in his shop at one end of the barn. Of course, the cow was a bit of an issue at times. So. . . 'reading' was rarely in the cards.
I guess that's why he took up crossword puzzles.