It’s a tale as old as time: Someone easily blows through a dozen books a week as a kid, gets frustrated while failing to keep that pace in school and then mostly ditches it except for whatever they’re required to read for their classes.
I was in a similar spot for a while after high school, but I managed to get out of it and enjoy reading for fun again. Here are five things I found helpful.
- Find a comfortable yet consistent pace
There can be a lot of pressure to read quickly, especially if you’re competitive.
Unfortunately, starting with a high goal and then repeatedly failing to reach it tends to be pretty discouraging. Between college, work, family and other obligations, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed while trying to get through a tall stack of books.
That’s why one of the first things I did to start reading for fun again was to drop the competitive attitude and start with a smaller goal instead.
For example, reading a chapter a day between classes for a month may not be three novels a week, but it is better than squeezing in five hours a day for two days before getting tired and taking an everlasting break.
Over time, you may even naturally start to speed up again! I found myself able to comfortably read faster as time went on, but only by starting at a slower pace first.
Taking longer to read a novel now than when you were 11 doesn’t mean you’ve gotten bad at reading; it’s probably just because you’re reading something more complex than “Diary of a Wimpy Kid.” That’s a good thing.
Planning a dedicated time and location to read can also help; pick your favorite spot on campus and make reading a regular part of your routine.
- Use it to replace scrolling … and also procrastinate on other things
Instead of doomscrolling in bed, consider reading eBooks on your phone. Or, to spare your eyes at night, get a rechargeable reading light and keep some books nearby.
You can also keep lightweight books in your bag, so you can read while you’re waiting for other things. If you don’t want to start a full novel during these short periods because you won’t have time to read as much of it as you would like, check out an anthology of short stories.
We’re in a golden age of audiobooks, too. Some people like to listen to the audiobook and read the text at the same time to help them focus, or listen to audiobooks while doing other things.
You can use the power of a good book to put off your homework that’s due tomorrow morning. That way, you can experience the thrill of writing your essay the hour it’s due while also getting more time to read. Not recommended, but, like … it’s an option!
- Read with someone else
Having someone to geek out with about what you’re reading can make it even more exciting. If your friends are also trying t
o get back into reading for fun, pick a book to read together so you can gossip about the characters and collectively lose your minds at unexpected plot twists.
Consider seeing if your local library has a book club, too, or start your own. Fresno State has a silent book club, if you want to join a book club without the pressure of talking or reading the same book as everyone else.
Try reading the same thing as a family member so you can bond over that — or question their tastes. If you have younger siblings, reading with them can be good for their development and a lot of fun.
If all else fails, sit next to a random friend group in the University Student Union and start talking about what you’ve been reading. It’s not like they can stop you. However, maybe don’t do this if they’re eating burgers and you’ve been reading “The Jungle” by Upton Sinclair.
- Take advantage of libraries, used bookstores, stealing from family members (joking! … kind of) and other free or cheap sources of books
Having books is different from reading them, and I know that plenty of people already have piles of unread books begging for their attention. Still, at least in my experience, trying new genres and authors keeps reading exciting. Getting a book that you’re not sure you’ll like feels less risky when you got it for $5 or less.
Unless you specifically want the fancy gilded versions, skip Barnes & Noble. You don’t have to pay $25 for a hardcover when you could get that same book in good condition for far less.
I think used bookstores generally have a much better variety than new bookstores, especially for older books. I love looking for old-school fantasy and sci-fi from authors I’ve never heard of.
For nonfiction, don’t underestimate the massive library right here on campus. It’s an incredible source, especially on niche topics that you wouldn’t think had been written about.
You can use your ID card to check out physical books, and there are also countless eBooks available on the library’s website. The latter is where I found “Slender Man Is Coming: Creepypasta and Contemporary Legends on the Internet,” an entire collection of academic articles on Slender Man and other online horror stories, which was definitely unexpected. The Fresno State Library basement also has entire sections on niche topics, including vampire folklore!
Other free online sources include Libby, which you can sign in to using a library card, and Project Gutenberg. Some indie authors also share their work online for free or at a low cost, which is great if you like work that’s “weirder” than what most big publishing houses will take a chance on.
You can also “borrow” books from your family members when they aren’t looking. Just put them back before they notice.
- Do it for yourself
Don’t look at reading as an obligation you have to trudge through. Don’t read as a performance because you want to look smart. Don’t read just because you want to make the number of pages you’ve read go up. Don’t chase trends.
Read because you’re interested in a good story or want to learn new things. It’s like how you’ll enjoy exercising more if you look at it as a fun and soothing activity rather than focusing on weight or muscle.
I’d like to emphasize that these are just things that I personally found helpful, so they might not work for everyone. Still, I hope this helps at least someone start making progress on their never-ending to-be-read list.
