As an English major, it’s perhaps a little ironic to say that there have been periods of my life where I felt an immeasurable disgust or distance towards reading. Reading has truly been an on and off constant in my life, and I still can feel insecure or bored about it. Throughout this past year, however, I have really reconnected with it in a beneficial way. So, while I don’t claim to be an expert on becoming a more frequent reader, I wanted to share what’s helped me get in the groove of feeling comfortable with reading for pleasure, and I hope that you find some value in these tips.
1. Don’t Let Genre Restrict You
I’ll be the first to say it. It’s intimidating to consider the amount of genres there are in literature and all the knowledge or reflection you could gain from any one of the books on a bookstore shelf. How to overcome that intimidation? The best place to start is by simply browsing through the sections, and not thinking too much about “this will make me look smart” or “this is a popular book right now.” Take time to read plot summaries and consider what interests you in them. You may be surprised what sticks out to you.
2. Goodreads and Online Lists are your Best Friend
Still unsure of what to pick? It’s easier said than done to walk into a bookstore and immediately find something that you can see yourself reading. If you’re stuck, or if you find something but don’t know if you are completely sold on it, look no further than the glorious platform of Goodreads. You can also look up a recommended books list; there are thousands that will pop up with honest reviews on new and old releases. There’s no guarantee that you’ll feel the way those overwhelmingly positive or disappointed reviews feel, so don’t feel it’s the only way to dictate your reading of a book, but let it be a guide to you.
3. Read One, Two, Three…!
Don’t restrict yourself to reading just one book. Try and read two or three at a time. Four, if you’re feeling really ambitious. It’s really okay to have a few books you’re rotating between in the span of a week or month. It’s been helpful for me, like if I feel my interest in one is waning, it’s easy to just pick up something else and come back to the deserted book another time. This isn’t for everyone, since cycling between different genres or stories can be a lot to manage, but you won’t know if you don’t try!
4. Marking as DNF is OK
If a book really isn’t doing it for you, sometimes a DNF (did not finish) is well deserved. You shouldn’t feel bad about it either. I used to think it was the worst thing if I didn’t like a book, and I would sort of force myself through it. It’s up to you to gauge whether or not you can make it through, or you really would rather be reading something else. So, don’t feel bad about not finishing a book. Maybe it is your best friend’s favorite book, or a professor has raved about it before, oh well! It didn’t click for you. That’s okay. Keep in mind what didn’t appeal to you, because it may be worth remembering for the next time you’re browsing in a bookstore. Was it the genre? The author? The style of writing? A DNF is not necessarily the bad thing it’s made out to be; you can learn a lot about your reading taste from it.
5. Your Mood Can Dictate Everything
Listen to your mind and body. For me, knowing when I genuinely want to read and when I don’t has been the simplest but most rewarding part of my reading journey.
Don’t push yourself to read when you don’t want to. You’re deciding to read more because you want to because you want reading to be a more consistent thing in your life. You are reading for some personal reason for you, for no one else, so don’t feel like you have to be on top of your reading game all day, every day. We all lead busy lives, so that factors in, but sometimes it’s just not the right time for you to sit down and read, which is 100% okay.
You’re going to get so much more out of a book if you’re really feeling into it. So, trying to be in tune with yourself is really key because a mood can drastically impact your reading experience and simultaneously how you may end up feeling about that book.
To reiterate from earlier, I hope any of these tips can become meaningful to you in your reading journey, whether you’re beginning it, or you’re knee-deep in it. Reading is a joyous outlet at its core, and really, it’s a gradual journey that involves your personal commitment and desire to learn and immerse yourself in stories, so the best and most minuscule tip of it all is to do what feels right for you.