I am an avid reader, meaning I choose reading as my main source of entertainment most days of the week. My love for reading began at a young age, and so over the years, I have found the best ways to read within my everyday routines. Some years I read tons of new books and others I do not.
Sometimes I have a plan of action for reading more or a challenge to complete, but more often than not, I just want to enjoy reading every day. Last year, I read over 100 books, all of them new to me. In 2019, I read 30 new books and re-read over 80. How?
#1 Make Reading A Habit
Every day as part of my morning and evening routines I make time to read. The length of time is determined by what I need to accomplish, but the habit remains the same. I choose a book from my personal library or a library download to delve into for my allotted time. Setting time aside every day to read is one of the biggest keys to success.
You do not have to read for any particular number of pages or choose a particular book. Instead, start with nurturing the habit of reading by choosing the same time every day to read. Choose a book that interests you and make reading that book a daily habit (read more about good habit creation here).
#2 Read Books You Like
More often than not, novice readers or people who haven’t read in awhile choose to read the great literary classics. Or they enter into a reading session with a book they are “supposed to read.” Guess what? Reading without enjoyment is BORING! Read something that piques your interest, and you are more likely to want to make time to read.
I’m a moody reader, meaning I keep a stack of books from different genres near and pick up the one that speaks to me at the time. This can be anything from an autobiography to a romance novel, or afro-futurism to horror. The point is to read, and if reading for entertainment, you should definitely enjoy your book choice.
#3 Don’t Be Afraid To DNF
The good ole: Do Not Finish! If a book doesn’t capture you, do not finish it! It’s an idea that is contrary to what you are taught in school, but reading for enjoyment means that if you aren’t enjoying the book, you do not have to torture yourself by continuing. Instead, choose something else to read. Maybe one day you will circle back to the book and find enjoyment in the words on the page, and maybe you won’t. Nonetheless, trying to read something you don’t enjoy will only lead to avoidance and possibly a reading slump.
#4 Audiobooks Count Too
I love hearing autobiographies read out loud. There is something about hearing a life story from a living breathing person that makes the book more interesting. Sometimes, an author reading their story will add things that aren’t on the page. For example, one of my favorite autobiographical reads is “The Mother of Black Hollywood” by Jennifer Lewis. Lewis reads her biography for the audiobook version, and that re-telling includes singing, the emotion behind her words, and sometimes music too! There is no particular right way to consume a book, so don’t forget that audiobooks! I often listen to books while driving, exercising, or cleaning.
#5 Keep A Small TBR File
One way to ensure that you continue reading is to have a few options at hand. As stated above, I’m a moody reader, so I like to keep my options open with a few different genres to choose from. Having a few books on hand will allow you to finish a book and move on to the next when you feel like next picking up a book. Promoting a steady habit of reading instead of stopping and starting because you do not have a book available to read.
#6 Don’t Put Yourself In A Box
The years in which I choose to stick to a challenge is when I read the least number of books. When reading for enjoyment, allow yourself the flexibility of reading whatever captures your attention. Challenges are a great way to expand your book horizons and to help push you through reading slumps, but I do not recommend a strict approach. Read what you want AND participate in a challenge without too much restriction.
#7 Mix It Up
This bit of advice is targeted toward avoiding reading slumps. I find that reading slumps are due to one of two causes: trying to get through a book you do not enjoy (see above) or reading too many of the same books. My reading tastes may be more eclectic than most, but with that comes a good lesson: mix it up. Even within single genres, there are a variety of options to liven up your reading. Instead of avoiding the books you own because you are tired of reading similar dystopian novels over and over again, try delving into a different genre to help reinvigorate your enjoyment of the books you consume.
#8 Your race, your pace
When there is no deadline, read at your own pace. In the bookish community, we tend to compare our reading to others when how many books you read means nothing. Reading for pleasure is a singular experience, so reading fast or slow does not signify. The goal is to read. Nothing more, nothing less.
If you are unsure of what to read, then check out options from your local library. Public libraries are a treasure trove of books that are available for free. So, until you find your rhythm, check out library books. Yes, you can download digital content from your library as well. Plus, libraries are constantly acquiring new reads, so do not sleep on what your local library has to offer.
I do have several lists of favorite past reads and anticipated reads here as well.
Whatever, whenever, and however you choose to read; make it fun. Reading for pleasure does not have the same rules as for grade school or higher learning, so make your goal to simply, read. Challenges, number goals, and community can add to the enjoyment of reading, but the best ways to read the books you enjoy is anything but universal.
