6 “Reading Rules” That Will Help You to Make the Most of Your Reading Experience

Be a quitter and stop reading books you don’t enjoy

“Never trust anyone who has not brought a book with them.” — Lemony Snicket

For as long as I can remember, reading has been one of my favorite hobbies.

Whether it’s novels or non-fiction, there are so many genres that I enjoy.

But, the more that I talk about reading with friends, family, or acquaintances, I find that not everyone has had the same positive experience.

Maybe you….

• Pick up books that you never seem to finish
• Get recommendations that never live up to the hype
• Have great intentions of reading but always find yourself scrolling instead

Whatever the case may be, these are my tried and true “reading rules” that I use to make the most of my reading time.

Stop reading books that you don’t enjoy

When it comes to reading, my new motto is,

There will never be a shortage of good books worth reading so never waste time on something you don’t enjoy.

Many of us grow up or are educated by the idea that we MUST finish what we start.

If you are reading a book that others have raved about, you might continue with it, thinking that eventually, it will pick up.

Or, perhaps because of the Sunk Cost Fallacy you keep reading because you’ve already paid for the book and are 100 pages into it even though it’s boring and you dread reading it.

Not every book will suit you and that’s perfectly fine.

If you don’t like a book, never feel like you’re required to finish it.

Key Takeaway:

Regardless of what you’ve previously believed, there is no need to continue reading something you don’t enjoy. Put it down, and find something better.

Use a combination of physical books, audiobooks, and e-books

Physical books will always be my absolute favorite, but I find that depending on the situation, I also like to include audiobooks and e-books as well.

For example, I’ll listen to an audiobook while I’m out walking, making dinner, or getting dressed in the morning.

Then, I always keep a few e-books on my Kindle app on my phone for times when I’ve got a few minutes between tasks or when I’m running errands.

This can be a great way to get extra reading time even if you’re a super busy person.

Key Takeaway:

Keep at least one audio, physical, and e-book on hand at all times. You never know when you’ll have a few minutes of free time.

Keep track of what books, authors, and genres you enjoy the most

When it comes to books, when I find something that I love, I tend to stick with similar authors, genres, etc.

For instance, my husband and I are currently reading through all of the Hercule Poirot books by Agatha Christie.

I’ve also been reading all of Lauren Willig’s books. She writes historical fiction and I’ve yet to find one of her books that I didn’t enjoy.

For non-fiction, I’ve loved all of Laura Vanderkam’s books on productivity and time management.

Key Takeaway:

When you find something that you like, make a note of what you liked about it and find something similar to read.

Find what days and times work best for you to read

Some people love reading while they’re commuting on the train, while others find it difficult to focus or concentrate.

Try reading during different times of the day and see what works best for you.

Here are a few ideas to help get you started:

• Read for 20 minutes before bed.
• Listen to an audiobook while you’re getting dressed in the morning.
• Pull out the Kindle app on your phone while you’re eating lunch.
• Enjoy a few minutes of reading before you start making dinner.
• Give yourself a full hour or two to read on the weekend.

Key Takeaway:

If something doesn’t work, don’t be afraid to switch things up! Try reading on a few different days or times until you find a system that fits your lifestyle and schedule.

Choose books based on intuition and feeling

I find that many of my favorite books or reading experiences are those that have happened serendipitously.

For me, this has looked like browsing the library on a cruise ship or wandering down the aisles of my local library or bookstore.

I used to pay closer attention to the new releases but I’ve found that I’m not always in the mood for what is currently popular.

Instead, I just read what’s interesting to me right now.

Key Takeaway:

Don’t worry about what’s popular or trending. Instead, read what seems most interesting to you.

Turn your reading time into a full experience

Take a minute and think about what the ideal reading experience would look like for you.

• Is it sitting on your couch or at your favorite coffee shop?
• Do you have a hot/cold beverage in your hand?
• Is there background noise or complete silence?

While most of us probably don’t put much thought into how or where we read, creating the ideal experience can really give you something to look forward to.

Of course, you might not have the perfect conditions every single time you read, and that’s ok, but it’s still fun to consider.

Key Takeaway:

Think about what conditions would help you to have the best possible reading experience where you’re feeling relaxed and focused?

Let’s Recap:

• Stop reading books that you don’t enjoy
• Use a combination of physical books, e-books, and audiobooks
• Keep track of what books, authors, and genres you enjoy the most
• Find what days and times work best for you to read
• Choose books based on intuition and feeling
• Turn your reading time into a full experience

There are few things in life that will bring you more joy than a great book so savor those experiences and try to make the most of them. I promise you’ll never regret it.

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