The responsibilities of adulthood and 24/7 access to digital content mean it can be difficult to find time, and the mental space, to sit down and read a book.
We all understand the benefits of reading. From building vocabulary and comprehension to encouraging empathy and improving social skills, building a reading habit early in life can have huge benefits for children. And these benefits continue into adulthood too, and in many of the same ways.
If you’ve lost your reading habit lately, you might find the inspiration and help you need here. Keep reading for your rundown of seven ways to get your reading mojo back.
1. Start small and don’t beat yourself up if it’s been a while
Finding quality time for yourself can be difficult as a busy adult. Everything from starting a family to forging a busy career and succumbing to the lure of social media can make settling down with a good book difficult.
Don’t be hard on yourself. If you’re committed to getting back into reading as a habit, you’ll find time. Just be prepared to start small.
Poetry, short story collections, and the Reading Agency’s “Quick Reads” can all provide the leg up you need.
2. Try audiobooks to help you “read” on the move
Listening to books rather than reading them might feel like a cop-out, but it shouldn’t.
As a species, we’re hardwired to enjoy stories. Research suggests that hearing tales told activates the same areas of the brain as reading a story does, but with the added benefit that audiobooks are easier to fit into your busy life.
Whether you’re out for a walk, gardening, or on a road trip, listening to a book can be a great way to try something new.
3. Think about what interests you but don’t be afraid to widen your search
The easiest way to get back into reading is to think about the types of stories or topics that interest you and seek out the books that cover these themes.
Joining a local library can be useful here. You’ll be able to find books that match your interests without having to make a financial commitment. Librarians will also be on hand to give recommendations based on your previous reading.
Online book-selling and review sites will do a similar job, directing you from your chosen book to ones that you might also like, or that customers frequently buy together.
4. Consider a book club and step outside of your comfort zone
A local book club might help you find a new genre or topic of interest, with the added benefit of meeting like-minded individuals.
Use social media to find local groups and clubs and then meet up in real life to discuss your take on that month’s book. You might find that you’re exposed to genres that you’ve never considered before, so be open-minded. You could find a new favourite.
If you’ve always been intimidated by non-fiction – or worried that it might be stuffy or boring – look out for non-fiction prize winners.
Each year Pulitzer prizes are awarded in various non-fiction categories, including history and biography. Other book awards are given for UK nature and travel writing (the Wainwright Prize) and science (the Royal Society Trivedi Science Book Prize).
5. Have a robust reading routine and remove distractions
If you’ve ever set yourself a new year resolution to get fit or eat more healthily, you’ve probably tried using baby steps to make these new life choices a habit.
The same approach can help you to read more. Start by setting a small amount of time aside each day to read, even if it’s just 10 before bed.
You might find a book you’ve always wanted to read and put it on your bedside table. Even if you only read a page, try to read it every day.
As you get more into the book and allow yourself to relax, you might find that making time for reading is easier than you think.
6. Keep a reading diary to track your favourite reads
Keep track of the books you read by making a note of the author and title in a book diary. This can be a useful way of thinking about the types of books you read, helping you to pinpoint what you like or suggest new areas that you might try.
It can also be an interesting way to look back over your year, remembering where you were and how you felt during the reading of a certain book. This can help you to reflect on and process your emotions.
You might opt to include more detail in your diary, adding the genre, date of publication, or even a short review. This will help if you’re wary of taking ideas to a book club, helping you to think critically about the books you read before you share your views with others.
7. Surround yourself with books but know when to stop
We’ve already looked at how the simple act of placing a book on your bedside cabinet could help you form a reading habit. But why stop there? Surround yourself with books and you’ll always have a good supply of new options on your to-read pile.
But, just as you shouldn’t punish if you haven’t read for a while, don’t worry if you want to put a book down.
A good rule of thumb is to give a book 50 pages or so. If you’re not enjoying it by then, put it down guilt-free and move on to the next. After all, life’s too short to read a bad book (or even one that just isn’t for you).
