Rediscovering the Joy of Reading
Getting out of a reading slump, abandoning my books and ways to read consistently!
As mid-January approaches, many of us find that our resolutions have already slipped away. However, establishing a new habit certainly demands focus and determination. Therefore, this article is dedicated to both new readers and those returning, eager to take their reading to the next level.
Doing things we love feels natural, and that includes falling in love with reading. Here are five simple steps to help ignite your passion for books.
Revisit Your Bookshelf
Start by picking a book you've always loved. The joy and nostalgia of rereading it will strengthen your willpower to read more.
Try a Bestseller
For those new to reading, why not pick a bestseller from a genre you might enjoy? While these books often come with clichés, they're bestsellers for a reason. So, dive in and start reading.
Begin with Bite-Sized Reads
If finding time is a challenge, start with short stories. While reading a novel and a short story offer different experiences, short stories can gradually build your reading habit until you're ready for longer books.
Read with a Partner
Reading with someone not only creates accountability but also enriches the experience, making the stories more memorable.
It will all come into your mind with the very first words: the sights you saw in that place, what it smelled like, the ice cream you ate while you were reading it... yes, books are like flypaper—memories cling to the printed page better than anything else.”
I've discussed this in my year-end post for 2023 as well.
Explore Substack
has evolved into a vibrant ecosystem filled with thinkers, thought leaders, and writers. It allows you to discover articles tailored to your preferred genre and length, or you can follow curators like myself for recommendations, bypassing the need for endless searches. Starting with three pieces a week is a great way to get into the rhythm. The best aspect of Substack is the opportunity it provides for engaging directly with the authors behind the words. These interactions can significantly enrich your reading journey.Additionally, there are other perspectives I've found particularly enjoyable;
A list of books I am abandoning this year
Last year, there were some books I just couldn't bring myself to read. This inability left me feeling burdened and mentally strained. Gradually, I found myself drifting away from reading. I decided to give up on them this year. That was until I encountered a piece by Alan Jacobs on why he doesn’t make year-end lists.
So yes, I am pretty sure, that I want to go through this journey of self-inquiry and understand what about them made me feel like that. 🤞🏻
Tea and candles can help
in her piece in , explores Habit Layering by integrating a new habit with a pre-existing ritual. This helps you blend in a new habit, like reading into your routine, seamlessly.Getting out of a reading slump
in her talks about what she does to get out her reading slump. In her refreshing take, she spills the obvious yet forgotten fact- we read a lot, like a tens of thousands of words every week and yet we complain about not reading.The way I look at it is to build a balance or the physical and digital. Something that incorporates the inevitable, but makes time for the new stuff! 🙌🏼
If you liked this piece, share your insights in the comments as well!
What is your tip for successfully building a new habit?🤞🏻
Here’s to building consistency this year. 🌻
Love,
Monica