Reading is one of the most enjoyable pastimes we can never make time for. Obviously, this isn’t speaking for everyone, but it’s safe to assume that the majority of us don’t make time in our daily life to sit down and really enjoy a book. And that’s a shame. Books can offer so much — knowledge on a new subject, deeper exploration of a passion, or just a fun escape. It’s something we should all take advantage of more. But regardless of what you might think, it’s never too late to fall completely in love with the hobby. Here’s some ways how you can make reading an important part of your life again.
Start small.
There’s no need to jump right back into things by reading War and Peace. Allow yourself warm up to the joys of reading. Get back into the habit of reading on a regular basis by tackling smaller, more manageable pieces. Nowadays information is so readily available on social media and other platforms that we dedicate only a few seconds to reading one topic. You need to reintroduce yourself to long-form reading. Seek out short stories, magazine articles, or a collection of poems. It doesn’t have to be anything too time-consuming but it can help get you used to blocking out the rest of the busy world and becoming absorbed with the page. Honestly, if you haven’t done it in a while, it can be hard to get into.
Read for joy, not just to read.
While there are a lot of great classics out there that everyone says you just have to read, no book is going to please everyone. Reading shouldn’t be done to check off a list of ‘must-read’ books, it should be done for the pure enjoyment of it. You know your own tastes well enough to figure out the types of books you’ll be interested in. Don’t be shy about embracing those interests and reading whatever you like. There are no such things as guilty-pleasures in the world of books.
Re-read old favourites.
The beauty of books is that once you finish one, it just creates a new book ready to be revisited. When you re-read books that you love, you find so much more to appreciate that wasn’t there the first time. So if you’re looking to rediscover your passion for reading, why not revisit something you know you love? Think back on your all-time favourites and become reacquainted. Now there is always the possibility that the book you once loved doesn’t hold up as well, but that’s part of the fun too. See how your tastes change over the years and find something new that fits your current interests.
Read then watch.
Nowadays, there’s hardly a bestseller that doesn’t get turned into a movie and it’s pretty likely that the books you grew up reading became films at some point over the years. While there’s a debate as to whether the book is always better than the movie, it can be a fun exercise to compare the two. Read a book and then watch the movie to see where each medium outdoes the other. What did the movie improve on? What parts of the book were missing in the movie? How did your favourite moments play out? How close were the actors to how you pictured the characters? At the very least, it’s a fun way to experience the same story and can actually help you to enjoy the book more deeply.
Create your own reading space.
Sometimes you can find the time to read, but can’t find the right environment to read in. Having a comfortable and regular reading spot can make the whole thing a lot easier. Reading a few pages while in bed is a nice way to end the night, but finding a nice reading area can really help you get lost in your book. It doesn’t have to be anything too extravagant. It can simply be a comfy chair by the window, or maybe a neighbourhood café. Any spot in which you can be uninterrupted and really dive into a good book will serve you well.
Join a book club.
One of the joys of reading books is being able to share it with others. Sure, you can certainly enjoy a book on your own, but being able to discuss it with others just makes the whole thing a lot more fun. Therefore, to reignite your passion for the reading, consider joining a book club. Discussing a book in a setting like this can give you the opportunity to express your own opinion on the piece, revisit your favourite moments, and maybe even discover something you hadn’t considered yourself. It doesn’t matter if it’s a book you loved or hated, this is a chance to explore your passion for the reading.
Reading is something we should never deny ourselves so find the time to explore the great fun, adventure and knowledge inside the pages of any book you can get your hands on. It will always be time well spent.
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