‘I used to read a lot, but I don’t anymore’ – A short horror story and a pervasive reality that’s tricky to combat. When it comes to nurturing a habit, it can be tough to get back on track, especially after taking a long break. Reading is no different. No matter how many New Year’s Resolutions we take, sometimes it’s just not easy to re-instil our mojo.

For some of us, there comes a time when the brain officially leaves the building, and we don’t share the intimate relationship we used to with our books anymore. We struggle to explore new plots. Suddenly, we’re no more the torrid bibliophile our friends once identified us as. The novel-reading ability everyone seems to have is completely lost on us which is heartbreaking. 

And if you’re a non-reader to start with, but are intrigued to explore the novel-world, you could always use a little push. Here are six takeaways that might help you ease your way into the world of night-long Reading. 

No matter how much we try to convince ourselves that the movie adaptations are as good as the book, they’re not (except maybe The Shawshank Redemption because wow!). But again, if visual content is your thing, you do you. Forcing yourself is only going to be counterproductive.

Start with short stories or Young Adult novels

Getting into Reading can be daunting while we sit there, staring at a 400-page novel. We can take baby-steps by introducing ourselves to short stories or Young Adult novels. Now we know Young Adult novels may not appeal to everyone, and that’s okay.

According to an article by the blog Tea and Ink Society, these books are engineered to pique our interest instantly. Momentum is key to getting out of a reading rut, and this genre can help us stay committed. Once we’re invested, switching back to the big books may not be so daunting after all.  

Book clubs

Hearing the term ‘book club’ paints an image of middle-aged suburban moms discussing Annie Frank’s writing with wine and cheese because why not. It does sound fun. Book clubs may appeal to those who like deadlines. A book club is a group of people getting together to discuss a common book they all read recently. 

Being a part of one will prompt us to meet deadlines. Obviously, we don’t want to be clueless there or, worse, improvise.

Plus, these can be fun because the only thing better than reading or watching something is discussing it. A book club is a safe space to do precisely that. And if you’re an introvert or in the mood for day-old PJ’s, you could always join a virtual book club because yes, that’s a thing now.

Book Exchanges

We are all familiar with the ‘yearly book exchange’ stories our friends keep posting and reposting every year. While some consider these exchanges mere pyramid schemes, the core idea of a book exchange makes sense. A book exchange is exactly what it spells– except this time users get and gift their favourite books to one another and so on. 

In place of these schemes, we could always trade or exchange book care packages with your nearest and dearest (or anyone we know). This will ensure a good read while also being conscious of book-hygiene. This may open us up to new genres, which is a great way to explore our tastes. 

Audiobooks 

It’s not always easy to spend quality time with our books, given the constant hustle we thrive in.

Audiobooks, i.e., books that are narrated, can be a viable option for both-– busy readers and newbies. We may become restless to stay put and read a book for more than an hour.

Audiobooks allow us to multitask. Whether it’s our everyday walks, grocery shopping, and even cleaning without disrupting our story flow, if it’s challenging to concentrate, these books may be our saviours. Some of us could be aural learners; some fun Audiobooks on Amazon or Google is the perfect way to channel that.

Consistency

Make reading a daily habit— sort of like our multivitamins and trying to fit in a few pages before our bedtime could serve the purpose.

Etaf Rum, the author of A Woman Is No Man, in Cosmopolitan’s dialogue, says – “I like reading first thing in the morning before getting started on my work of the day. I curl up on my couch with a big mug of PJ Tips tea with sugar and a splash of half and a half and read for half an hour. I think the ritual helps with concentration.”

Running Lists

What happens when we successfully, finally finish a book? We feel accomplished like we beat the hovering “I-can’t-read” monster for good. Still, suddenly, the habit is gone again because it’s weeks before we find another book worth indulging in. To avoid this conundrum, it is always great to have a few books ready to go anytime you want to follow up or switch your genre a little. Note down any excellent book recommendation you hear or press the buy on your Kindle cart. 

Actress Emma Roberts in Vogue, mentions, “I put three books next to my bed that I know I want to read in the next month or two. That motivates me and gets me excited. I’m like, okay, this is the order I’m going to read them in, and these are my next three books.” Also, there’s something pretty legit about seeing a stack of books every day.

Lastly, don’t shy away from books you like because others would call them guilty pleasures. Reading is all about finding the rhythm, and in the 21st century, no text is invalid. The task is also not supposed to be a competition with ourselves. Try to approach it from a vantage point of remembering/learning how a good book can evoke so many emotions, and from the start to the end; it should feel fun. If it doesn’t, entirely ditch it.