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 nose in a book, we really do miss the regular habit of reading. These days we're all so busy and stressed that we when do have 'date night' with a new novel, we can't focus and 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 you're too busy... 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 want-to-do list, especially when the new year comes around again. 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, Peppermint Teal has fifteen ideas that might just, hopefully, get you turning 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. And for those of you who think that reading is boring, well - maybe you just never met the right book! Reading is a lot like baking or knitting these days - it's suddenly become cool again. 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.
And talking of the library, it's probably time for you to become a member 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 for one type or the other 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 and 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 time of course!
If you can't put down the phone or your tablet, then at least stick some books on it! But be warned - you might get distracted by phone calls or incoming messages.
So here's our fifteen ways to get you into the habit of becoming an avid reader again.
1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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 'til the end in the hope that the story will get better or do we ditch it and find something that really holds our interest? FOMO vs YOLO is always a hard one!
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. After all you only live once, right? 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.
4. 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.
5. CREATE A READING LIST
We all know the benefits of a list - it enables us to remember what we need to do and get things done. 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. CREATE A BOOK NOOK
There's nothing quite like a cosy, charming, inviting space for you to sit with your book and read in peace. Your reading nook could be a small corner of a room; an entire room; the disused space on a landing, or it could even be outdoors - just anywhere where it's quiet and where you won't be distracted. What you need is a comfy seat, a good reading light, and a little table for your tea and cake.
9. JOIN/CREATE A BOOK CLUB
If you want to get into the habit of reading but keep putting it off, joining a book club might be a great way to get motivated when it comes to reading especially if you're someone who likes socializing. You'll feel as though you're part of a team, there's the social aspect and who knows - you might make some great mates as well. Plus book clubs are great places to share ideas and read books that you might not otherwise have come across.
And furthermore, if there isn't a book club in your area, there's nothing to stop you from starting your own.
10. START A BOOK BLOG/VLOG
Those who have started a book blog or vlog have done so because they are keen readers who want to share their love of books with likeminded people. As a novice or born-again bookworm, there's no reason why you couldn't do the same. Starting a book blog/vlog or bookstagram is another way to get your motivation levels up; to inspire you to complete each novel, keeps you accountable for your goals, and is also a unique way to document your journey as a soon-to-be avid reader and fiction fan. It's also a great way to build up a community with other book fanatics, where you can bounce around ideas; share news... and maybe make some book buddies!
But remember, blogs and vlogs do take time and effort so start one if you feel you have the time, energy and patience to keep it going.
11. READ OUTDOORS
On a day when the weather is good, the outdoors makes a lovely calm, and serene environment to get comfy with a book, whether it's your garden, the park or the beach.
12. WATCH A TV/FILM ADAPTATION OF A BOOK
The debate over film and TV adaptations has been raging on since the creation of film and TV adaptations. We're not going to get in on this debate, but as a tool to get you back into reading, adaptations do come in quite handy!
True there can be subtle differences (and sometimes major changes) between the original literary work and it's screen adaptation. And of course the book gives more in-depth background and details than its screen counterpart due to time constraints on the latter's part. But the essence of the book remains the same: the plot; themes; characters; setting etc. So watching the adaption may help you decide if you'd like to then pick up the book.
Admittedly its a massive spoiler to watch the adaptation before reading the book, so this is not a tip for those of you who don't wish to know what will happen. But if you're unsure as to whether or not you're going to enjoy a literary work, and don't mind knowing how the story ends, then screen adaptations might be the way to go.
13. CHECK OUT REVIEWS FOR INSPIRATION
So you can't judge a book by it's cover or by it's title - but you can (a little) by the review! Book reviews are very helpful to potential readers when deciding what to add to the all-important reading list. They give you a general idea of what the book is about, and if you're already a fan of the genre or the author, it might well be a novel you can't wait to get stuck into.
Although reviews are useful, remember that whether a book has been deemed good or bad is the reviewer's opinion. It's not necessarily gospel, so make up your own mind. We've come across some books that got fairly negative reviews and we found them to be quite good. And then there were some that got rave reviews and went on to become best sellers - and we really don't know why (no titles mentioned!) So stick to the facts - if it's your genre and the synopsis intrigues you, then you might enjoy it.
14. GO TO A LITERARY FESTIVAL
Also known as a book or writers' festival, these are generally annual events which bring writers and readers together in certain towns or cities. Lit fests are a fantastic way to discover or rediscover a love of books. They are so much more than just authors sat at individual tables with a pile of books! There are readings given by authors; book signings; poetry recitals even acting performances. It's a great occasion for people who really enjoy the creative scene and will have you falling in love with the written and spoken word. And of course it's a chance to discover - and talk to - new authors, and find knew titles you might want to read. Check out what literary festivals are going on in your area.
15. HAVE YOUR NEXT BOOK ON STAND-BY
When you're nearing the end of a book, make sure that you have selected your next title from your list and you have it ready to jump into as soon as or almost as soon as you've finished reading your current book. This will help you keep the momentum going as a longer than necessary pause might have you falling off the book cart again!
Happy reading!
Photos: Pixabay
Word Cloud: Angel Noire
I do love a good book. But with two teenage boys who keep me on my toes it's not always easy to find the time (it's a myth that it gets easier as they get older!) But whenever I do find the time I prefer to roll with the classics!
I really do like to curl up with a good book but I never seem to find the time. Hopefully some of these hacks will help me.