Reading – not a magazine or a blog, but a novel – takes you on a magical journey. It allows you to become immersed in different worlds, expand your imagination, and experience another life. Through reading, we work out issues and solve problems in our daily lives, we connect with other people who feel or think similarly, and de-stress when we need it most. The list could go on and on.
If you’re already a bookworm, I don’t need to sell you on the awesome benefits of reading. But we’re all different. Some children consider reading a chore, as homework that needs to be completed. For them, reading is difficult. Getting through a novel is tough, especially when a film version’s available. And that’s such a shame.
Whether you’re already a bookworm or don’t fully enjoy reading, there’s always room for improvement. If you’re not reading as much as you want or struggling to pick up a book at all, use these 10 steps to guide you into becoming a better reader. Implement these steps, and you may find you enjoy reading a tad more than before.
Step 1: Find Your Own Pace
Many readers – no matter how frequently they read – feel they don’t read fast enough. Unseasoned readers might compare themselves to their counterparts, and even bookworms seek to increase their reading speed, often speed reading to devour more as quickly as possible.
But when you read faster, you’re less likely to fully comprehend exactly what you’re reading. If speed reading works for you, that’s great. Just don’t forget to be flexible and slow down when you need to. Don’t worry about the time. Just find your own pace, re-read when needed, and absorb each sentence.
Step 2: Change Your Mindset
What type of books do you enjoy? Why? Step out of your comfort zone and explore a genre you wouldn’t ordinarily pick up. You may find you enjoy more than you previously considered, and if not, at least you tried something new.
Step 3: Create Reading Goals
If you don’t already have a ‘to be read’ list, create one. This will help you remember the books you want to explore and expand on your goals. How many books do you want to read this year? This month? Next month? How many times a week would you like to be reading? For how long? Create realistic and manageable goals.
Step 4: Schedule Reading Time
Now, you have to make an effort to actually read the books on your TBR list. You may think you’ll get to it whenever, but this strategy never works. Block out a period of time in your schedule and designate reading time. This will force you to actually follow through and stay on track with your goals. Consider your other obligations and create a plan.
Step 5: Try Out An eBook
Whether you prefer paper or technology, eBooks are a great way to switch things up. Even better, they allow readers to easily look up unknown words or phrases.
Step 6: Take A Book With You Everywhere
We spend a lot of time waiting around in our day-to-day life. If you take a book with you wherever you go, instead of playing on your phone for 5 minutes while you wait for your morning coffee, you could be reading. Even small periods of time make a difference.
Step 7: Make Reading Social
Talk to your friends about the books you’ve read, join a book club, or start a reading group. Not only will this help you keep up with your reading goals, talking to others will help you expand your thoughts and make reading a little more fun.
Step 8: Set The Book Down During The Best Part
What?! Yes, I said it. When you get to the best part of the novel, the part that makes you want to never stop reading, set it down. You won’t want to. It will be challenging, but do it. You’ll continue to want to pick the book up, which will motivate you to read.
Step 9: Focus On The Details
Look at how the author structured each sentence. Identify key passages. Notice how the book begins and concludes, and find all the other parts that organize the work. How does it progress from one page to the next?
Step 10: Reflect
After you set the book down, grab a piece of paper and jot down your thoughts and impressions. Look at how you react to the storyline and explore the deep meaning of the story itself. What does the author want you to take away from the story?
What other tips have you tried? Did you see any results? Let us know in the comments below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovuVl3hiiKs&w=640&h=360
YouTube Channel: Shayeday
Featured image via Stocksnap