Here are my practical tips getting into that bookworm life and for building a sustainable reading habit!
Reading provides a great deal of enjoyment in my life. However, I have only recently made it part of my regular routine. Before this year, I hadn't read a book for "fun" for over a decade.
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Choose books that you *know* you will enjoy, rather than what you *think* you will enjoy
I am sure that I am not the only one with a large collection of books I have bought over the years but they are gathering dust as they are yet to be read. A bestselling book has won numerous awards is not always going to be a book that you will enjoy.
Think back about the books you have previous enjoyed and thing about what themes, genres and styles you find the most enjoyable to read. Do you prefer a fast-pasted, plot driven novel or something more poetic and descriptive? Everyone has a different taste so if you aren't a regular reader, ease yourself in with something you know you will enjoy, rather than a book that you think will make you seem cool or intellectual by reading.
Get recommendations from trusted friends
Most people will surround themselves with others with similar tastes to them, so it is likely that you will have similar reading taste as your friends. Surrounding yourself with fellow bibliophiles is the best way to be encouraged to read more.
The last tip encourages you to read what you know you will enjoy reading from previous experiences, but a side-effect of this is that it can cause you always read similar books. Of course there is nothing wrong with this, but there is tremendous value in diversifying and expanding the perspectives and world-views that you read about. It can difficult to know when to start with a new genre, so why not ask your friends for their recommendations? If they have a similar taste, it is likely that you will also enjoy what they enjoy, even it is outside of your regular genres.
I highly recommends the Goodreads app, where you can see what your friends are reading and what they think about it.
The last tip encourages you to read what you know you will enjoy reading from previous experiences, but a side-effect of this is that it can cause you always read similar books. Of course there is nothing wrong with this, but there is tremendous value in diversifying and expanding the perspectives and world-views that you read about. It can difficult to know when to start with a new genre, so why not ask your friends for their recommendations? If they have a similar taste, it is likely that you will also enjoy what they enjoy, even it is outside of your regular genres.
I highly recommends the Goodreads app, where you can see what your friends are reading and what they think about it.
Make reading a social activity
The stereotype for those who enjoy reading is someone anti-social and would rather spend time with their fictional friends than real-life people. Reading is an experience which doesn't have to end as you finish the last page. Sharing the perspectives, stories and wisdom gained from reading with a loved one or dear friend is a way
You can facilitate this shared reading experience by passing on your physical books. There are numerous benefits to this. It's a great way to stay in contact and bond with long distance friends as it will give you an shared experience you can discuss together, despite not having to be geographically together. This will give you a reason to meet again, so that your friend can return your book.
Ease yourself in
Don't expect yourself to go from reading zero to tackling 500+ page novels overnight. Reading is like any skill; it needs consistency to maintain proficiency. If you haven't read for a long time, don't start with book that could used as a fire door-stop. I found it easier to start with books that are shorter in length, and simpler in language and vocabulary.
Structure is important for readability. I like to read books where the writing is clearly divided by chapters or sections that offer natural end points for reading sessions. For those books without these natural end-points or excessively long chapters, I often find myself having to re-read pages to remember what I had previously read. In general, little and often is more conducive to forming a regular reading habit forming.
Structure is important for readability. I like to read books where the writing is clearly divided by chapters or sections that offer natural end points for reading sessions. For those books without these natural end-points or excessively long chapters, I often find myself having to re-read pages to remember what I had previously read. In general, little and often is more conducive to forming a regular reading habit forming.
Mix it up
Reading fatigue is real. Too much of the same thing will always become a drain. The range of books you can read is huge, so why not make most of this? For example, I enjoy a cycle of fiction, (auto)biographical, and non-fiction books. I think that when I started reading again there were so many topics I wanted to learn about so I lined up many non-fiction books to read. However, there is only so much factual information that your brain can absorb at once. Mix it to keep things interesting.
You don't have to read cover-to-cover
Sometimes a book is not as interesting as you anticipated and that's okay. Many people - myself included - only ever read one book at a time, and will only start a new book once the previous book has been read cover-to-cover. Whilst there is nothing wrong with this approach, this can become an issue when you read a book that is not as interesting as you originally anticipated and it becomes a chore to continue reading.Due to sunk cost fallacy, aborting a book halfway through may feel like a waste of the time you've "sunk" already. This is probably why there are so many people who have read the first few chapters of "Sapiens" by Yuval Noah Harari and not picked up another book since. Don't be one of those people! There's no shame in half read books!
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I hope these tips help you to get (back) into regular reading. It is a hugely worthwhile habit to have. Let me know if you have any other tips in the comments below!
