“I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book.”
― Groucho Marx
I love to read. I read blogs, poetry, literature, journalism, and quotes. Reading deepens the abyss of my imagination, teleports me to alternate dimensions, and ignites my ambition.
Reading frequently will sharpen your mind, challenge you, and make you a better writer and smarter person.
How can you read more often?
Photo Credit: shutterhacks (Creative Commons)
1. Put in the time to find great books
Take your time to select books that you really think you’re going to love. Reading is a whole lot easier when what we read captivates us.
2. Always have a book you’re reading and one to read next
I try to bring the book I’m reading everywhere, so I can chip away a few pages here and there. I also keep a stockpile of a dozen or so books I have yet to read, so I always have choices for what’s next.
3. Find a designated time each day
For me, this time comes after I work out each day when I sit for 20-30 minutes in the sauna. I make sure to bring the book I’m reading and relax, really focusing on enjoying the words that the author slaved to produce.
4. Make it a habit
Read consistently, every day or every other day, at about the same time. Do this for several weeks, and it will become instinctive to pick up a book each day.
5. Don’t be afraid to quit on a book
Be quick to pick up something else if what you’re reading isn’t holding your interest. That way, you will continuously read only books that really grab you, and your reading time will be continuously enjoyable.
6. Stop at a place where you really want to keep going
If you can force yourself to always leave off at a place where you’re really anxious to know what comes next, you’ll be quicker to pick the book back up the next day and find out.
7. Get a bookshelf
When I bought a bookshelf, I felt that proudly displaying my collection made me appreciate them more. A bookshelf will remind you that you are a person who values reading and wants to read a plethora of books.
8. Read for joy
Don’t make it a chore or force yourself to pick up the book. Look forward to the beautiful words and savor the relaxing, intimate time you spend with them.
9. Forget about speed
It isn’t a race. Take it one word at a time and give yourself as much time as you need to fully soak it in.
10. Add a social element
Join a book club online or in person. Or, find a friend with an equal zeal for reading and pick up the same book at the same time. Discuss it as you go along or afterwards.
Remember that reading is a leisurely, relaxing experience with a whole host of benefits. The written word is the key to unlocking millennia of wisdom and teachings.
So go on. Take a few steps to read more often and immerse yourself in our worldwide cultural pastime. It’s what all the smart people are doing. 😉
“It is what you read when you don’t have to that determines what you will be when you can’t help it.”
― Oscar Wilde
What have you been reading lately? What other tips do you have to read more often?
*Photo Credit: shutterhacks (Creative Commons)
About Jordan Bates
Jordan Bates is a Lover of God, healer, mentor of leaders, writer, and music maker. The best way to keep up with his work is to join nearly 7,000 people who read his Substack newsletter.
Lovely and useful tips! I myself am that book-lover who’s been drifting away from reading lately, much to my distress, as the modern world of technology and instant pleasure takes hold. With the help of guides like these, I’m able to say no thanks to watching that extra half-hour of television and instead pick up my book and read for a good long time, much like I did tonight. Thank you 🙂
Thank you for the comment and for the praise, Jordan! Gosh, I know exactly what you mean about the pesky world of modern technology wrenching us away from our beloved books. Reading the ol’ fashioned way requires more effort and dedication, but it is so much more rewarding than drifting around on Facebook and Twitter. Stay strong and read on!