Love for Reading

We all know reading is good for you. We’ve been told our whole lives. But sometimes it’s hard to fall in love with reading. Developing a love for reading doesn’t have to be a tumultuous undertaking. After all it’s something to enjoy and there are a few things you can do and different ways you can think about reading that will help you start your journey.

What Not to Do

1) Chores – Reading is not a chore. Sure sometimes we have to read things we don’t want to read. Hey, our life could depend on it but that’s not always the case. So make sure you don’t spend all of your reading energy on reading the things you have to read. There are more things in life to read than contracts, applications, and manuals.

2)Turn off – If you’re a neat freak then maybe a library book grosses you out. If you’re having difficulties with money then don’t buy new books. And if you hate how much time you spend on your computer or telephone then don’t read an ebook. We all have turn-offs. That’s natural. What’s not natural is you trying to read something in a format that doesn’t work with your lifestyle or preferences.

3)Time – Don’t decide to read something when you have no time. Like what’s the point? You’re just setting yourself up for a bad experience. Make sure that the time you dedicate to reading is time that you have available to use. Don’t try to cram a reading session into your life when there are a million other things on your mind.

What to Do

1)Safe Space – Create or find a space to read the book that you know you’ll enjoy. For example, I live with my family and the only time it’s quiet in the house is first thing in the morning or late at night. So I read early mornings when everyone is still asleep. I wake up, go to my living room, open the window shades and plop down on my couch. It’s perfect and I love it. Your safe space is a place and time when you will not be interrupted.

2)Check your body – Are you thirsty? Do you need to pee? Are you in the right headspace to read a book? Then please proceed. Otherwise don’t. You’ll be highly distracted if you don’t answer your needs first. And sure this may sound obvious but I highly doubt it. Because even I sit down sometimes, ready to read, and think, nope I need to go to the bathroom. I’ll be right back book.

3)Your interests – As you begin this reading journey think about the things you like. Recently I read a nonfiction book that was a good book but it served as a reminder that I like stories with duel-worthy fictional plots. I need to steer away from non-fiction. So take your likes and dislikes into consideration when selecting what book to read.

How to Think

1)The cool kids are doing it – I am not into following the crowd but sometimes there’s the right crowd to follow. Readers to me are these people that are global citizens of the world. They are incredibly knowledgeable and understanding of different cultures. They’re also very forward-thinking. They can see outside of pop culture to determine their interests and values. Those are the kind of people I want to be like.

2) You are the creator – Sure movies and tv shows can allow you to experience a different time and place but nothing beats a good book. A book is a much more intimate experience. One where you’re able to understand all facets of a character’s world because you have more insight into their perspective. In visual mediums, our perspective is highly influenced by the visuals. Maybe you don’t like a character or a story because you’re not attracted to the character or the setting doesn’t appeal to you. In a book, you have the complete freedom to design the experience for yourself.

3)I am bigger than this life – Don’t tell me you’ve never pondered the meaning of life. Well, books do it for you all the time in the most masterful ways. Your horizons are broadened when you see how other people live. Dare I say – you may have a clearer idea (if not already) of who you want to be in this world. And you realize that your constraints are only the ones in your immediate environment. Something you can quickly shift.

Where to Start

1)What are you interested in? We all have something that we like in this world. Well, what’s yours? Find a book that encapsulates are presents this topic. Also, make sure it has amazing ratings.

2)What’s your favorite person reading? We all have these people in our lives that are just oh-so-cool. Who’s yours? I’m sure they read. Find out what they’re reading and copy them. Once you find someone who has similar interests in life. You’ll probably have similar interests in books.

3)Start small? Let’s not go crazy. Don’t try to read something that’s thousands of pages and incredibly dense. If you’re getting back into reading find a good children’s book. Why a children’s book? Because the literary techniques used in a young adult or children’s novel is different. Ideas are easier to grasp and follow and it will take less energy on your part to follow.

Once you develop a love for reading. Your life will become one beautiful adventure.