I used to absolutely hate reading. I would never read books for English class. The thought of someone reading for fun baffled me.
How could someone consider something so boring a fun activity? I never understood when people “read for fun.” Though I must admit, I loved the aesthetic of reading. The idea of curling up next to the fire, or laying on the beach, reading a book intrigued me.
So, while in quarantine, I decided to give reading a try. I ordered two Christmas books (as my interest in reading emerged around December). It took me around two weeks to read my first book, Kiss Me In New York. This book was your classic YA, easy read.
In all honesty, I didn't really like it. It was boring and cliché. However, when I finished the book, I felt a sense of achievement.
Even though it might have been an easy, 200-page book that took me embarrassingly long to complete, I did it. I read a book for fun.
This sense of gratification led me to read my second book: Christmas in London. This book was a bit more challenging, a bit longer, but much better than the previous book. I began to wake up early before school to read my book and stay up late reading. Soon I realized--I actually like to read.
After finishing my second book in three days, I continued to read. I dabbled in each genre, and explored my preferences for reading. I would finish some books in less than two days, and others in over two weeks.
However, one thing stayed constant: I enjoyed reading. Despite boring books here and there, I still found myself excited about reading every day.
So, through teaching myself to love reading, I gathered a few tips to help you become a reader. Here they are:
1. Don't give Up After the First Book
If I had given up reading after my first book, I would never have become the reader I am today. It is important to understand that you will not love every book you read. Some will bore you, though others will excite you and reignite your passion for reading with every flip of the page. If you don't like the first book you read, try another genre, another author, or a different level of difficulty.
2. Find Other Readers to Connect With
Finding other avid readers is extremely helpful in finding recommendations or exchanging ideas with them. You can scroll through #booktok on TikTok or use apps like GoodReads to not only track your reading, but also connect you with other readers from all across the world.
3. Track your Progress
I cannot stress this enough. If you track the books you read, you will definitely feel a greater sense of achievement after each book. Additionally, logging the books you read can help you notice patterns.
For example, after looking through my “book list”, I realized that I normally rate fantasy books low. Thus, I tend to avoid fantasy books as I know I will most likely not like them.
4. Create a routine
Choose a time every day that you will read. Whether that be early in the morning, at lunch, or before bed, coming up with a routine is extremely beneficial. Additionally, choosing a dedicated reading space with a relaxing atmosphere can make reading much more fun. It may be difficult to find the motivation to read for the first few days, but soon enough, you will be excited about your daily reading time.
My Favorite Books
After reading many books, some good and some bad, I feel that I have a good repertoire of books to recommend to non-readers! If you are looking for a mystery book, One of Us is Lying by Karen M. McManus will definitely intrigue you.
If you are looking for a romance, I recommend Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch. If you are interested in fantasy, I recommend Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo. And finally, my favorite book of all time, which I recommend to everyone, is Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens.
Overall, remember reading should be fun. Don't force yourself to read complicated books, focus on reading books that you genuinely enjoy.
