How to Rediscover the Joy of Reading

Maybe you’d like to read, but lack practical ways to fit it into your schedule

Reading gives us a portal into the minds and spaces of others, as well as into ourselves.

Reading dares us to grow, challenges our perspective, and emboldens our lives. It requires us to reimagine the world that we thought we knew in order to create a reimagined version where our thoughts and dreams are allowed to roam free. It’s also a sacred space where our innermost self can take flight in any direction imaginable — from the depths of ancient Mesopotamia to the roaring 20’s or Dystopian futures, reading is a highly underutilized tool during this age of anxiety.

Journey back to a book that you loved as a child. What did you love about it? Was it the plot, the characters, the time period, or the ability to be transported instantly wherever you wanted?

Reading allows you to experience multiple realities.

We all have a uniquely valuable role in life. But many of us, even if satisfied with that role, often wonder what it would be like to live in a different place, work at a different job, or even be a completely different person. For temporary moments of time, books release us from the constraints of our own reality. They take us beyond our world and into someone else’s, whether real or imaginary. They satisfy the curiosity of the elusive “What if?”.

Reading challenges your perspective.

When you experience life through the eyes of another, you encounter diverse viewpoints on life’s most common situations. Talented authors will naturally inspire empathy for their characters, and while empathizing with perspectives different from your own can feel uncomfortable, reading offers you the opportunity to understand those viewpoints better.

Research

Reading is a revolutionary act of engagement in a culture that encourages us to disengage.

According to the A.C. Nielsen Co., the average American watches more than 4 hours of TV each day (or 28 hours per week, which equates to two months of nonstop TV-watching per year). In a 65-year life, that person will have spent more than nine years glued to the tube.

But less than 20% of American adults read for pleasure on any given day in 2018, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That’s a new low, and the numbers have been dropping since the 1980s. Source

Start reading more now to expand and engage your mind. Find out how to make time for reading and enjoy each book to the fullest.

Making Time for Reading

Maybe you’d like to read, but you need practical ways to fit it into your daily schedule. Changing how you use your leisure hours can create more opportunities.

Try these ideas to fit more reading time into your schedule:

1. Start small.

Set goals that you can reach. You might aim for at least 10 minutes or 20 pages a day until you get used to reading for longer stretches.

2. Give up.

Quitting can be a smart decision. Instead of pressuring yourself to finish an unappealing book, move on to something that interests you more.

3. Build a library.

Prevent long delays while you search for something to read. Collect books that you think you will enjoy. If you appreciate minimalism, you can make a reading list instead.

4. Carry supplies.

In addition to a home library, you’ll need to have reading material with you when you’re away. Stock up on paperbacks and magazines, or use technology to access almost any title online.

5. Plan your time.

Be prepared for situations that will give you time to read. That could include waiting in line at the DMV or overnight business trips.

Refine Your Reading Skills

You’re more likely to read if you make reading more satisfying. Strengthening your reading skills, meditation, and other mindfulness practices will sharpen your concentration.

Try these techniques to enhance your reading skills:

1. Make it relatable.

Look for personal connections in what you’re reading. You’ll find that books become more meaningful and memorable when you see your own experiences reflected within them.

2. Take notes.

It may help to jot down your thoughts as you go along. Pick out passages that make a deep impression on you. Write down questions you have about the text. If you own the book, it’s totally acceptable to write in the margins.

3. Build your vocabulary.

Looking up unfamiliar words can be distracting. However, if you keep reading and learn a new word each day, you probably won’t need to consult a dictionary as often.

4. Resist multitasking.

Give your full attention to what you’re reading. Otherwise, you’re likely to forget what happened.

5. Slow down.

Important works often require more effort to read than the average mystery or romance novel. If you’re used to scanning, you may need to adjust your pace and reread key sections of thicker volumes.

6. Check reviews.

You can benefit from the experience of others. Read comments and reviews from other readers and literary critics to see the same work from different perspectives. I like Goodreads for this.

7. Talk it over.

To expand your understanding even further, discuss what you read. Join a book club or participate in online forums. Exchange books that you like with friends and families, so you’ll have something interesting to chat about.

8. Practice regularly.

The most effective way to become an accomplished reader is to keep reading. Look up lists of recommended books and ask librarians for suggestions. Cut back on TV time or social media, so you have more time to read.

Numerous book lovers have testified that reading gives them purpose, helps them persevere through difficult times, and unlocks parts of themselves that they didn’t even know existed. For all of the reasons in this article and more, reading makes us feel breathlessly, tenaciously alive.

Enrich your life by reading for pleasure. You’ll broaden your experiences and enjoy greater health and happiness by constantly challenging yourself to achieve more with your next book than you did with your last.