Summary

The article outlines seven common mistakes new readers should avoid to enhance their reading experience and become more avid readers.

Abstract

The author, Poonam Bhatt, shares personal insights from 17 years of reading experience, emphasizing the importance of selecting books that resonate with the reader, avoiding overcommitment to unenjoyable books, engaging in multiple reads to maintain interest, investing in new books without guilt, creating an optimal reading environment, minimizing distractions from technology and noise, and prioritizing reading consistency. These tips aim to help new readers navigate their reading journey more effectively.

Opinions

The author suggests that new readers should start with accessible books rather than immediately tackling bestsellers that may be challenging or unenjoyable.
It is important to stop reading a book if it fails to engage you within the first 30 to 50 pages, as life is too short to spend on uninteresting reads.
Reading multiple books simultaneously can cater to different moods and prevent reading fatigue.
Investing in books is valuable, as even a single impactful line can offer a significant return on investment.
Reading in dim light or when sleepy should be avoided to prevent drowsiness and ensure a focused reading experience.
Keeping phones and other distractions at bay is crucial for maintaining concentration while reading.
A quiet reading environment without the interference of TV, radio, or music is recommended for new readers to stay immersed in the reading material.

7 Mistakes To Avoid While Reading

Great tips for new readers

I started my reading journey 17 years ago. Back then I was a new reader and was not native to the English language. But somehow, self-help books in the English language attracted me. I couldn’t help but read and couldn’t stop reading.

But frustration came with a great struggle to understand new words in the English language and reading at poor speed.

With my continued efforts in reading, things started to become easy in my reading process.

I figured out that a few things that didn’t help me in my reading and made me lose track of my reading. So I stopped doing those and that gave a boost to my reading and helped me become an avid reader.

I thought I should share the same with you so that you can also benefit from my experiences.

Things to avoid while reading are:

1. Don’t read bestsellers that you don't enjoy or understand:

People usually start reading bestsellers, but when you are new to reading start with a small and easy read. Bestsellers might not be easy to read when you are just starting out in your reading journey.

2. Don’t continue reading a book that you don’t like:

Not all books can strike a chord with you. If you find that book is not able to make you interested (in its 30 to 50 pages) in further reading it then it is better to start exploring the next book in your list. Forcing yourself to continue reading a book that you don’t find worthy enough of your time is a waste of your precious time.

3. Don’t read a single book for many days instead do multiple reads.

I have a habit of reading many books in parallel. In the morning I might read one book, in the afternoon I read another and at night I read the third one. At a given point in time, I might be reading 3 to 5 books in parallel. It helps me to choose my reading based on my mood and I don't get bored with reading the same stuff.

4. Not buying a book as it will cost you some bucks or there are already TBR books at home.

Yes, books cost some money, and when you buy them, you might feel guilty about not reading existing ones and still purchasing new ones. But books are the best investment you can ever have. If one line of the book can change your thinking for good then also it is a good ROI. More the unread books you have on your book shelf more enthusiastic you will be in your reading. So keep buying them without guilt.

5. Don’t read in a low/dim light or don’t read if you feel sleepy:

Reading itself is a calming experience. If you read in a low/dim light, you will feel sleepy soon. So avoid reading in a dim light and also avoid reading while you feel sleepy. For the same reason don’t read while lying down on bed.

6. Don’t read with your phone near you:

With a phone near you, you might get tempted to roam on social media with just one notification. The chances of your reading getting disturbed are high with a phone nearby.

7. Don’t read while TV, Radio, or Music is on in your surroundings:

As a new reader, any surrounding noise can be distracting. TV, radio, or any music in the surroundings can easily distract you from your reading and make you easily forget about reading. So avoid it.

These were some of the things that I avoided when I started my reading journey. It helped me to be consistent with my reading and made me an avid reader. Hope it will help you too in your reading journey.

Follow me (Poonam Bhatt) for more such stories on reading, non-fiction books, writing, and self-improvement.