12 tips to help you DEVELOP A READING HABIT
I was surprised to know that many people do not read books. They have no idea who the famous authors are. They have never heard of Enid Blyton or Sidney Sheldon! They also have no clue what book to buy in order to inculcate the habit of reading in their kids. As an avid reader for as long as I can remember, I was astonished because how can one not know Charles Dickens? We grew up with his books!
While some of those people read only self-help (non-fiction) books, the rest have never found the need to read, at all. Shocking, isn’t it?
Hence, here I go with another blog post. Yes, just like my eyes are always looking for good books to read, my mind is always searching for ideas for my next blog post. And what better way than to help non-readers explore the world of reading?
Firstly, identify what you would like to read. While there are mainly TWO genres: FICTION AND NON-FICTION, there are several sub-categories under both genres. Read more here to discover your type!
Strictly, allot time to read. If you have a busy day, set a duration of 10 minutes, 40 minutes or 1 hour at a particular time of day to READ and read alone. Do this every day for a month and you will soon find this glorious habit embracing you.
You have a doctor’s appointment but know that you have to wait until it is your turn. Or you hang on until your kids finish their classes. A book has always proved to be an excellent companion during waiting times or even while you’re having lunch alone.
I guarantee that once you enter a library, you will want to read all the books there. Try it. Find a library close to home and subscribe to it, so that you can find a new book every week.
I have lists for various things (besides groceries). A list of topics to fill my blog with. A list of movies to watch (since 2018). A list of karaoke songs I would love to try at the next party. But, the only list that is active and keeps changing is my list of books to read. As soon as I’ve read a book on my list, it’s struck off and the cover picture is submitted to my Reading Challenge 2022 Book List on Blogchatter. Trust me, as I’ve said before, it’s a great incentive, especially if you like being organized.
I have always read one book at a time but lately, I have 4 books that I read simultaneously. This helps improve your memory and desire to read. Depending on your mood or where you want to read, you can choose to continue with the book that suits the situation. For example, I have a fat Agatha Christie book with 50 stories on my bedside table but I carry a thinner book to read outside the home. This way you can also finish reading several books faster.
I love the smell of books and the feel of books and just possessing books (hard copies). But, these days, with a shortage of libraries around, you are forced to find easily accessible e-books (in pdf format) to read. And, then there’s Kindle. I read both types on the laptop for now.
Then there are Audio books that a few swear by but I haven’t tried them out yet. Perhaps you should!
Many a time we have that friend who suggests what genre you would love. While it’s great to give it a shot, it’s always better to stop and leave the book if you find that it’s not your type or it is not working out for you. You and your friend may enjoy entirely different genres and forcing yourself to like what they like may only push you away from books.
Avoid scurrying to finish a book. It will only take the fun out of reading. Go slow and read to understand the story, content or mystery. Reading should be thoroughly enjoyed in a relaxed mode.
Treat the book, you’re reading, like a friend, a guru or a teacher. Handle it with care, respect it, keep it away from naughty kids who tear things and make sure you visit it regularly.
If you have babies and find no time for yourself, you can indulge in reading while you’re breastfeeding. I did that a lot. Once they are off breastmilk, you can read to them before bedtime. While you narrate a children’s story with hand movements and facial expressions, the excitement on their little faces is gratifying. And, you’re reading!
I have come to realize that I find it a total waste of time to sit and watch a movie every day. I prefer reading, painting, gardening or going for a walk. While I do watch some television, I mostly keep away from it. For a couple of months after we shifted houses, I was unaware of how to get the television to work. Also, it’s always advisable to keep your mobile phone away while you are with a book. Or maybe you can keep it on silent and use it only for Audio books or to Google unknown words from your book. Nevertheless, do not let a ‘ping’ distract your senses.
Moreover, let me brief you on the several benefits of reading books in the first place. When you read a good book, your brain is thinking, focusing on the details, processing the story, understanding the plot, playing the guessing game and waiting for the mystery to unfold or perhaps waiting for the handsome hero to sweep the woman off her feet. In short, you’re exercising your brain as well as de-stressing. Reading also helps improve your vocabulary, general knowledge and mental health. I, for one, get to learn a lot of new words and various other things. It is also said that the more you read, the better sleep you get and the better writing skills you have. Isn’t that amazing? Oh! And, apparently reading also helps you live longer (yet to be proven but it’s good motivation till then, isn’t it? 😉)!
So, start reading and enjoy the journey ahead. Do let me know if these tips have helped you develop a reading habit and what’s your favourite genre.
This post is a part of #BlogchatterBlogHop
I’m participating in Blogchatter’s #TBRChallenge
This blog post is part of the
blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted byÂ
Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla
in collaboration with Baked Happily Ever After.
You are invited to the Inlinkz link party!
Click here to enterFeature picture by Anastasia Golubeva
44 Comments
I’m an avid reader too, and apart from reading 3 books at once, I do practice everything you’ve said. Another thing that helps me, especially as I’ve gotten older with less time to read, is being part of a book community of sorts. I have an active monthly book club and I always do the Goodreads (and now Blogchatter) reading challenges as a way of staying connected to other book lovers.
Wow that’s great, Noor!
Reading helps in many things. It keeps your mind active and enhances your creative ability. And as an avid reader I really agree with your points here.
Thanks, Moni!
I really needed this reminder. I dunno when and why I stopped reading. I was such a bookworm, always having a nose in one. But now other than blogs or online I don’t read anything. I am going to follow your amazing tips to restart my reading. Thank you for the jolt.
All the best!!! You will surely succeed, Harjeet!
I’ve practiced each one of your suggestions, and I can attest that they all work. In a nutshell, we need to stop treating a hobby as a chore, instead as something that needs to be done, and we’ll want to do it.
True, Nikita!
These tips are so helpful. I often struggle to finish books. However, my favourite genre is Thriller and I enjoy reading such books more.
Oh I love thrillers, too, Jhilmil! Let me know which latest one’s good!
Congratulations on winning the blog hop. You are one of the select few who have suggested reading multiple books at a time. That works perfectly for me, picking up a book depending on my mood.
Seriously, I recently started it, Ritu and it’s so good! I don’t even miss a book now once it is done. Hehehe! Thank you for the wishes!!
I love and enjoy my reading time and agree that these tips surely give a good boost. Different formats is something I have to work on still.
Try it, Varsha, you won’t even realize how many books you get done with.
I love reading! I follow the rule of two books at a time. One for outside and one at home. Since I was a kid my parents have put me in the habit of reading than TV. So much so I read while eating also ( now I have lost that habit). Your pointers are perfect for someone who wants to start reading now.
Thanks, Shail!
Very well penned. There are many benefits to reading, from making us smarter to improving our reading and writing skills.
Thank you, Anjali!
For me, my reading time is most precious. I usually stick to my favorite genre but enjoy reading some new books too!
Wonderful post Condy. Reading multiple books simultaneously is not my thing. The only time i tried it was when i was reading a book that i didn’t connect with.
I thought it wasn’t my thing too, Vasumathi, but I seem to enjoy it now! 😉
You have shared some great tips. Reading the kind of books you enjoy is really important. Usually, people give up when they try reading a book they don’t like.
True, they should give it another chance, what say, Madhu?
Great idea Cindy n nice tips too. I think I need to follow all of it cuz from an avid reader I have become a non-reader dunno why😛
Maybe you’re on a break with books. For sure you will come around again, Kaveri! I hadn’t realized I stopped reading (for almost 10 years) so did all this to get back to reading a few years ago!
Great points you’ve highlighted! This would be a great help especially now that I’m trying to teach my girls the habit of reading. Your tips are most helpful and I’m surely going to use them. Appreciate this! Very timely! haha
Thank you, Jeannine! Do let me know if my blog helped!
Reading multiple books at the same time is my strategy as well. All other points are right on mark.
Agree 100% that the people are losing touch with deep work / reading / anything. There is this sense of ‘shorts’ a need for quick bites to cover a wide width of information inflow. Perhaps a balance or reset is needed to allow room for both depth and width.
I too recommend books to peeps all the time… will forward your post next time this topic comes up with peeps.
True, Sakshi. Thanks (in advance) for forwarding this.
I have a habit to carry out a book to clinic. It is always better to stay away from mobile and read. Reading multiple book at the same time is new for me. As I read aloud to my child so can read 2 books. One is mine n other one is her😀. Will try out your tips. So able to read out more books.
Do try, Neeta!!
Great tips Cindy. Agree with most of them but somehow reading 3 Books simultaneously doesn’t work for me. I like reading paper back as well kindle editions but some how audio books doesn’t excites me, I get distracted very often.
Yeah, I haven’t tried audio books either, Swati. May get to it maybe… soon…
Reading always helps and those into the habit of it encourage others.
A wonderful post to highlight the areas where one need to concentrate in order to improve the quality of reading. Thanks Cindy for these wonderful tips
You’re welcome, Samata!
Very good, Cindy. Reading multiple books at a time is interesting as I have done it.
Yes, Geethica, tried and tested!!!
Good tips. But people don’t have time for books today. Too much distraction.
That’s the reason for this blog post, Mr Matheikal. Do send it to those you think would benefit from it. 🙂
This is a very informative post, very beneficial. Worth a 5star 😉.
Do you read, Flavia?
With time, my ability to read books have gone down owing to motherhood and increased workload. A bibliophile once hardly reads a book now. Your tips are going to be handy for me.
I hope you implement them soon, Mandira!