How do you read more? How do you make reading something you enjoy and want to do on a regular basis especially if you are not used to doing so?
1. Don't feel like you have to read certain books (and if you don't like one, you can stop).
Finding books is hard to do, but finding a good book can be even harder. This is especially true for those who have read a lot or hardly any at all. To avoid this problem, experiment with books and try out different genres, authors, and topics. Asking others their favorite books is a great way to find a good read, especially if you share tastes in music, TV shows, or hobbies. Additionally, there will be a post about books to read coming out soon to give you some book ideas!
One important thing to remember is that you absolutely do not have to finish a book. If you are not enjoying it, it is okay to move to something else (especially if you have another one you want to read!) Reading is a process, what matters is putting interest into what you are doing.
2. Take your book places (and read it).
In forming a reading habit, it is important to practice it. This is not to say you ALWAYS have to be reading, but you can give yourself the opportunity to do so. For example, instead of scrolling through social media while waiting at an appointment, you can get a few pages in. It will also make your free time or waiting time more interesting and feel like you are not wasting it. Books are also great because you can go at your own pace, and take your time. They are quite forgiving if you take a break for a while.
3. Make the experience something to remember.
Reading does not always have to be limited to reading a book. In fact, it often is not. In order to motivate yourself or get more out of a book, you can try the following things. If you want to make reading a social experience or to keep yourself accountable, you could start or join a book club. If you are feeling more personal, you can always set your own goals. Do you want to read a certain amount of pages in a day or a certain amount of books? Maybe your goal is to read that one book you have been meaning to read forever. Additionally, you can remember your books by writing down quotes or things that stood out to you.
4. Try different types of reading
Like life, people prefer different things and experiences. Reading can be the same as there are many ways to enjoy a book. Perhaps you like audio books and listening to them when working out or traveling somewhere. Or maybe you are like me and want to have a real book that you can carry around and hold. Additionally, many people like reading on electronic devices, and that option can often be a lot cheaper and manageable when it comes to space and carrying something around. Both Coe's library the Cedar Rapids Public Library has books in all types of formats that you can try.
Again, there will be a post about books to read coming out soon to give you some book ideas!
via GIPHY, Alexandra Dvorniokova
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References:
Babauta, L. (2017, June 29). 14 Ways to Cultivate a Lifetime Reading Habit. Retrieved October 29, 2018, from https://www.lifehack.org/articles/featured/14-ways-to-cultivate-a-lifetime-reading-habit.html
Kaplan, E. (2017, March 27). How to Read (a Lot) More Books This Year, According to Harvard Research. Retrieved October 29, 2018, from https://medium.com/the-mission/how-to-read-a-lot-more-books-this-year-according-to-harvard-research-e1dfc55e0b9f
Popova, M. (2016, September 06). Neil Gaiman on Why We Read and What Books Do for the Human Experience. Retrieved October 29, 2018, from https://www.brainpickings.org/2016/08/03/neil-gaiman-view-from-the-cheap-seats-reading/
Rampton, J. (2017, June 27). 25 Expert Tips to Reading WAY More Books This Year. Retrieved October 29, 2018, from https://www.inc.com/john-rampton/25-ways-to-read-a-lot-more-books-this-year.html
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