How To Start Reading?
1. Set aside dedicated time for reading:
2. Start with something interesting:
“To avoid getting bored while reading, start with something interesting. It could be any genre, anything you like. For example: romance, thriller, adventure, sci-fi, etc. For example, my book reading journey was also very challenging. I just could not get past 2-3 pages. Then I started reading a romance novel, as romance is one of my favorite genres, and it got me hooked. I started reading more books like that and eventually made it a habit. So, you can also try this method if you are struggling with reading. Visit my book recommendation section for choosing books based on genre.”
3. Make a separate place for reading:
“Making a separate place for reading could be a really good method to start reading. It can also be applied if you are a student and have difficulty studying. Making a separate place for reading can make your subconscious mind automatically set your mood for reading. So, whenever you sit in that spot, you can concentrate more on books. Selecting or choosing the spot is not difficult. It does not necessarily have to be any big or fancy spot. It can be just a corner of your room or a peaceful place like your balcony, somewhere you are comfortable. So, choosing a separate spot is necessary.”
4. Maintain consistency:
“For building or achieving any good habit, we start with a bang, but after some time or days, it slowly fades away. So, keeping or maintaining consistency is the most challenging job. This is not just about a reading habit. If you want to become successful or achieve anything else, you must practice consistency. Without consistency, all your hard work will go in vain. So, you must understand the importance of consistency. To maintain consistency, start with 5 minutes every day. Continue for 1 week. After 1 week, increase this to 10 minutes. Slowly increase your time. In that way, you will not put pressure on yourself. Also, set deadlines. For example, I must complete 10 pages every day or complete 1 book in 1 month. This will also keep you motivated. It can be applied to any habit you want to achieve.”
5. Read a novel or thriller book:
“To get started reading, you should read something that is very engaging. This should keep you engaged in the story so that you look forward to reading it again. For that, any novel or thriller/adventure book genre is best. For example, if you love romance novels, start with some books like ‘It Ends with Us,’ Colleen Hoover’s book series, ‘Twisted Love’ series – those are viral books that are very popular these days. If you love thriller books, read ‘3 AM’ series, ‘The Silent Patient,’ ‘The Girl on the Train.’ So, choose something engaging to get you started.”
6. Be passionate about reading:
“Whatever things or work we do, being passionate about that is a must. We have to love doing whatever we are doing. So, when we decide to start reading books, we have to be passionate about it. If we persistently and passionately continue this, we will succeed.”
7. Highlight or Underline interesting/favorite quotes:
“For me, this trick has worked. Since childhood, I have loved taking notes, highlighting, or decorating my books. So, underlining or using highlights helps me concentrate. Whenever I try to read again or revisit that book, those quotes take me down memory lane. I know this sounds funny, but I really love making memories with my books. I think most book readers understand that. So, you can also try this.”
8. Build a reading community:
“Building any habit or finding interest in any hobby is best done by connecting with people who share similar interests. Like movie lovers enjoy discussing movies with others who love them too, similarly, by building a book community, we can find people who love to read. Through this, we can learn about upcoming books, discover others’ favorite books, and share thoughts. Now, the question is, how do you build a community? You can do so through any social media platform, join groups on Facebook, or follow accounts related to books. You can find dozens of these on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc. Also, you can build a strong network and establish a book community.”
9. Read books by various authors:
“Try reading books by different authors to broaden your reading experience. Each writer expresses a unique perspective. To gain more knowledge about writing styles, one should explore books by many authors. There are tons of good writers out there, including some underrated ones. Give newcomer authors a chance too; you might discover some hidden gems.”
10. Experiment with genres:
“To avoid getting bored with reading, try switching to different genres to keep yourself engaged. If you typically enjoy dark genre books, try reading something soothing or light for a change. It can help refresh your mind. On the other hand, if you usually read simple or easy books, try something more complicated. It can stimulate creativity and increase intellectual abilities. Switching genres according to your mood can be a great source of enjoyment and keep you engaged in reading.”
I hope these suggestions help those struggling to develop the habit of reading.