Some of us haven't picked up a book since leaving school - and couldn't care less! But some of us were once avid bookworms who let real life get in the way: we've got to get to work; study; look after the home; take care of the kids; fit in time with our family and friends... it's a miracle if we're able to squeeze in a decent amount of sleep let alone a good read!
But for those of us who always had our noses in a book, we really do miss the regular and delightful habit of reading. These days we're all so busy that even when we do get to sit down with a good book, we can't focus as our mind is often on the million and one tasks we're mentally ticking off our list. Or you begin a book, make good progress but then have to take a break from reading because duty calls... and then you never get to read to the end of the novel. So once again you unintentionally abandon the idea of becoming an avid reader.
'Getting back into reading' or 'reading more' are goals on a lot of people's to-do list, especially at the beginning of each new year. Our intentions may be good but it's not always easy to restart that reading habit. We live in an age of constant distractions especially digital ones, and sometimes it's hard to get that focus. So how do you get back into reading again? How do you put down the phone and pick up a good book? (With your hands!) But whether you are the prodigal bookworm or someone who's never really been into books and would like to start, An Extra Slice of Nostalgia Pie has ideas that might just, hopefully, get you turning or even scrolling (we don't mind!) those pages again!
But first...
WHAT'S THE BIG DEAL ABOUT READING?
We get it - you're all booked-out after graduating and swore you'd never pick up anything with a cover, a spine and pages AGAIN!!! But to miss out on reading is to miss out full stop - in our opinion at least. There's nothing quite like losing yourself in a novel and partaking in an activity that's known for being relaxing, cozy, and enlightening. There's also something comforting about curling up with a good book and a cup of tea, and also nostalgic - reminiscent of childhood and school days.
And for those of you who think that reading is boring, well - maybe you've just never found the right book! Reading is far from boring, and a lot like baking or knitting these days - it's suddenly become cool again as the plethora of bookstagrams and book blogs and vlogs illustrate. Here's why we think reading is so important:
It's escapism. How many of us have lost ourselves in a book and let our imaginations run riot? It's a great feeling, isn't it? We live in a world of constant, fast-paced information overload and sometimes our poor little brains (OK, not so little!) can't always cope with it. Reading is a great way to relax, slow down and get away from the stresses and strains of everyday life.
We get acquainted with words again. Remember when our English teacher told us how reading would build up our vocabulary and improve our spelling and grammar? Well they weren't wrong! It's a sad fact that many of us have let our spelling slide or use incorrect grammar. This is partly due to text-speak and an over-reliance on tools like spellcheck. Sure, some people might think this is as unnecessary as the ability to do mental arithmetic - isn't that what the calculator function on your phone is for??? But many of us think it's still important and a useful skill, especially in a work setting - and it makes a good impression.
Reading is exercise for the brain. So you should treat reading the same way you would a work out session and read regularly.
It's being productive. More often than not, we are glued to our devices, and a lot of the time we're not being very productive with them - just aimlessly scrolling (come on, we all do it!) Reading is a good way to leisurely use time we would otherwise have wasted and gives us the chance to put down our gadgets and pick up a book (although we will allow digital books in this instance!)
You need to be occupied. If you're someone whose brain needs constant stimulation, books might be the way to go... especially if you're someone who tends to brood or dwell on the negative when you don't have anything else to occupy your mind.
BEFORE YOU BEGIN...
Think about the kind of books you'd like to read. If you're going to start with a book that's not your cup of tea, chances are you'll get bored and won't continue.
You don't always have to read the classics. If Jane Austen or Charles Dickens made you fall asleep during English class, chances were they weren't the novels for you then. And if they're still not, don't fear as there are plenty more different types of literary works that might be more up your street. Don't worry about other people's snobbery with regards to certain types of novels. If someone doesn't like your reading material, then that's their problem, isn't it?
Be realistic. You should aim to read every day in order to create a habit and keep it going. But we don't expect you to finish a book, or even a chapter, every night. Set aside a realistic amount of time - at least fifteen minutes - to fit in some reading. Or if you think in terms of pages, think about reading five to ten pages - whatever works for you - on a daily basis.
Find a regular time each day when you're likely to continue reading, and stick to it in order to create a routine and keep the momentum going. That might be in the morning with your first coffee of the day; at lunchtime; during the evening commute, or before bed.
Read reviews and recommendations which will give you ideas for new books to read. Check out podcasts, Instagram accounts dedicated to books, magazines, your local libraries recommendations etc.
It's time to become a member of the library again if you're not already. You know... to keep those endless supply of books coming in because you're going to be such a read-a-holic... There's nothing like being in the home of books to motivate you into reading again.
Try to work out which format you prefer - traditional books or eBooks. The stories may be the same but some people have a preference and feel that they read better with a certain format: they can focus better and get through the book at a good pace, and still maintain their level of interest. One reason why people love old school books is because they, can at a glance, measure their progress with the number of pages they have got through, and you can make written notes, while others feel they can get through an eBook much quicker than it's printed counterpart.
And don't dismiss audio books either! Admittedly listening to a story is not the same as reading it. But audiobooks are a great way to get into a story for those who are seriously pushed for time but have the ability to multitask. It's also something people can listen to while they're falling asleep. Why not try a book series by listening to the first title as an audiobook and then shifting to a physical book for the follow-up? Providing you have the time of course!
Download books onto a device. It's not our favourite suggestion but if you really can't put down the phone or your tablet, then at least get some books on it! But be warned - you might get distracted by phone calls or incoming messages.
So here's are our tips to get you into the habit of becoming an avid reader again.
1. COMPLETE THE FIRST CHAPTER OF A BOOK... QUICKLY!
Sometimes it's the getting started that's the hardest bit. So getting over that initial potential hurdle - the first chapter - is key. And that's something that former bookworms and novice readers struggle with. So set aside some time when you know you won't be interrupted and just get on with reading that first chapter in all it's entirety. After that you can set time/page limits and take the novel at your own pace - but remember to be consistent.
2. TO READ OR NOT TO READ
It's important to remember that an uninspiring start to a book is not always indicative of how a narrative will develop. It's like a movie - you might feel like walking out of the cinema after the first fifteen minutes but then by the end of it, you're glad you stayed. But on the other hand, we've all come across novels that are painfully hard to get through and we just know that the book isn't really 'us'. So the question is do we continue reading until the end in the hope that the story will get better or do we ditch it and find something that really holds our interest? The decision, as they say, is yours!
No one wants to be a quitter but sometimes it's better to stop something that's just not working and try something else that might. So why waste precious time! Give the book a chance and set a limit - say the third or fourth chapter. If by the time you've finished that chapter, and you think you can handle it - keep reading. But if you're starting to lose the will to live, then now might be the right time to put that book down and go in search of one that you might enjoy. Reading should never be a chore, so if you're not enjoying your current reading material, give it up - or it could potentially put you off reading for good.
3. START WITH SHORTS
If a novel is too full on for you, start with a series of short stories which will be an easier, equally as interesting, and more varied read.
4. PICK UP A SUSPENSE NOVEL
One of the reasons why people get bored with a book is because it's too slow-paced or draggy, and we get bored even before we get to the halfway point of the book. Not a great way to inspire motivation in someone who wants to get back into books. But with a novel that has an element of suspense such as a whodunnit or a psychological thriller, those books are designed to hook the reader and keep them hooked, so they're more likely to be a page-turner; a bit more fast-paced, and really draw the reader into the narrative so you should hopefully want to get to the end.
5. CREATE A READING LIST
Set up a list with books you're just itching to read. Then every time you hear about a title you want to read, add it to your list and tick it off as you finish the novel. It'll be interesting to see how many you get through in a year.
6. PICK UP A BOOK FROM CHILDHOOD
Even if it is Cinderella! Don't underestimate the power of nostalgia to get you bubbling with enthusiasm, and remind you why you fell in love with reading in the first place. Perhaps it's something your parents read to you when you were a child; a book you read when you started secondary school, or a book from a teen series you loved. And if you think that children/teen books are just for kids, well think again! There's a whole host of adults who have gone back to the teen and young adult fiction that they loved when they were much younger. It reminds them of care-free times and how much they loved reading.
7. TAKE A BOOK ON YOUR COMMUTE
If you have a fairly long commute into work and use public transport then trust us - a novel makes your journey so much better. You might be too busy when you're at home, and feel too tired when you crawl into bed but when you're sat on a bus or a train with nothing to do, you have no excuses and depending on the length of your journey, you may well be able to get in a couple of chapters. So make a book your new best friend on those long commutes.
8. GO FOR A BROWSE AROUND A BOOK SHOP
Book shops are generally known for being quaint and cosy with a lovely, warm ambience. It's no wonder that so many bookshops also have a cafe... and why so many cafes have taken on the appearance of a bookshop. They make you want to seek out the comfy, cosiest spot where you can settle yourself with your tea, and cake while you read your latest purchase. And if you could wrap yourself up in a fluffy blanket so much the better... though you might have to wait until you get home for that!
The inviting atmosphere aside, bookshops are of course a great places to find new book titles recommendations. Browsing around book shops is often how lots of people discover their exciting new read - you never know what migtht spark your interest.
Read the next part of this post to discover more tips on immersing yourself into the wonderful world of books.
Photos: Pixabay
Blog graphics: Angel Noire
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