I can picture it vividly; me, at 11 years old, huddled under a mountain of blankets reading the Harry Potter series for the first time, terrified by whatever mayhem was going down at Hogwarts. I used to be such a voracious reader as a kid, consuming books in less than a day and constantly haunted by my own vivid imagination. Despite my love of literature, as an adult I often found myself struggling to pick a book up. Many of us have had similar experiences where we went from being avid readers as kids to barely touching a book in a year. We were so into it and then one day we just…. stopped. For me, I imagine my chapter a night minimum ended the day I got my first iPhone.
There is just so much more to do these days, from homework to jobs to social events with friends. It seems impossible to find time to do anything else, especially when our phones are always less than a foot away. A novel may be enjoyable, but it’s a slow, painstaking effort to reap the rewards. Whereas scrolling through TikTok seems to have an instant flow of gratification, providing a never-ending release of serotonin.
But you, like me, may still carry fond memories of reading as a child. Every book I read had such a profound impact on the way I viewed the world during my formative years. I craved that level of investment in a hobby. But, over the past year, I’ve found that passion again. Here’s how to get it back.
Discover your genre
I think one of the great misunderstandings of reading is that it can’t be fun. It’s true, a lot of the books we are required to read for school can be total snooze fest. But there is so much more to the world of literature than the books selected for summer reading. My recommendation is to find a genre that excites you. It’s different for every person. Maybe it’s something that lets you dream like fantasy, or something that sparks your love of science like sci-fi.
Whatever it is that floats your boat, don’t be afraid to read something that piques your interest even if it feels unfamiliar at first. Another important note: the type of books you loved as a kid may not be the type of books you love now. If it’s been as long for you as it was for me, chances are, you’ve changed as a person. And don’t get stuck on the books you’re supposed to like. Reading should not be a chore, and you don’t have to force yourself to read something you don’t like just because it’s critically acclaimed.
Adapt to your current lifestyle
It’s 2023, and there are multiple ways to read a book. You might not have the same amount of time and energy you did as a kid. Don’t let the busyness hold you back from doing what you enjoy. Try a Kindle or other type of e-reader if you don’t want to mess with physical copies. You can contain the Library of Alexandria on one little device, and it’s easy to throw into a backpack when you’re on the go. There’s no need to stop in a bookstore or cruise through your family bookshelves when you’re ready to find your next fix. Plus, an e-reader can be perfectly anonymous if you don’t want people in public seeing what you’re reading.
If you think you’re too busy to designate a lot of time for reading, you could also try audiobooks. That way you can hook it up to your car and listen while you’re driving or put in some Air pods and go on a walk. Either way, these alternative reading methods can seamlessly integrate a new hobby into your current lifestyle.
create an experience
One of the most enchanting qualities of reading for me is the escapism. It’s a way to disconnect from the often chaotic world around us and be somewhere else for a few hours. I’ve had my most fun times reading when I take it seriously and set time aside specifically to do it. I recommend finding a comfortable, quiet spot where you know you can go undisturbed for a while.
Set the mood for yourself, maybe even listen to ambient sounds while you read. There’s actually a surplus of instrumental music on Spotify and ambiance videos on YouTube you can play as you read to really immerse yourself. I suggest picking a song or playlist that really suits the setting of the book. Maybe that’s gentle folk music and harp sounds if you’re reading medieval fantasy or instrumental jazz music for historical fiction. For me, part of making reading an experience includes getting a coffee or sweet treat which enhances the vibe tenfold.
Surprisingly, I’ve had the easiest time reading on vacation. There is truly nothing better than curling up with a good book by the beach or whipping one out to read on a road trip (if you don’t get carsick.) Those are times when you are truly far removed from your typical environment, and thus have more time to spend on pleasure. The bottom line here is: reading is fun. You learn a lot, and feel a lot of things, but you’re doing it because you enjoy it. So don’t be afraid to go all out with it.
talk about it
There’s nothing better than talking about something you’re interested in. I firmly believe the discussion of literature is what perpetuates it. If you do find yourself rediscovering your passion for reading, the community that can come out of that will be a reward on its own. I highly recommend joining a book club. Discussing with others may challenge your perspectives, expose you to alternative viewpoints, and deepen your understanding of the key themes and core characters in your book. Additionally, if you are really struggling to keep a consistent schedule, the recurring meetings will provide a helpful guide to pace yourself.
However, I understand there may not be book clubs at your disposal left and right. In that case, there are plenty of websites and online forums that make hosting discussions very easy. A lot of internet platforms use hashtags and other tagging systems to help you find information on a specific topic. I personally love to scroll through the Goodreads reviews of my favorite books just to hear someone else’s opinion on them. It’s also a lot of fun to encourage your friends to try the same books you are reading, and it can become an exciting activity to catch up on the latest chapter when you hang out. I’ve found that finding space and time to talk about the books I’m reading makes me so much more dedicated to the practice.
The main takeaway here is that finding your love of reading again is all about personalization. Get away from the mindset that reading is boring or something you’re only ever forced to do. You’ll get the most enjoyment out of a book if you find a way to really connect with it and make the experience your own. It’s a time to explore new ideas, self-reflect, and most importantly, have fun.