Start Reading for Leisure Today
One of the biggest hurdles when trying to pursue anything new is consistency. However, this post isn’t necessarily about the consistency of reading it’s about discovering yourself through books and finding ways to cultivate the space for literacy within your life.
It’s always quite simple for me to flat out tell you to pick up a book because essentially that’s where you must start. But here are three small, yet transformative, ways to incorporate books into your life.
Finding Community
There is a community of readers out there already, you just have to do a little digging to find your people. With the rise in virtual book clubs (cough, cough Eclectix the Book Club) you can jump into conversations from the comfort of your home with little commitment and large connections.
If you aren’t ready to meet new readers quite yet, bring your significant other, bestie, or a family member, on board with you to buddy read. Buddy reading establishes a form of intimacy between you and another person as you work through books together. Check-ins are important for accountability and reflecting on what you’re reading in real-time.
Transfer Your Current Entertainment
You’re probably accustomed to more instant gratification through movies, tv shows, and podcasts - use that as your inspiration for choosing a book that will keep you invested.
When you visit a bookstore or meet an avid reader, express what shows have your undivided attention and ask for book recommendations that have a similar heroine, antagonist, setting, time frame, etc. This is a form of self-identification through reading because knowing your type, your “yucks” and “yums”, assists you in narrowing down the books worthy of your time.
(Honestly, most of the best tv shows were adapted or inspired by a book anyway!)
Track Your (Reading) Goals
Are you a visual person who enjoys having a representation of your progress like me? Well, StoryGraph and Goodreads, are my go-to apps for tracking my reading progress. Each app has benefits and tracking systems that document your progress through each book, and allow you to connect with other readers.
Both apps are also great for checking out book details, reading other people’s reviews, and finding new book recommendations based on what you’ve already loved along the way.
These three tips, paired with the desire to read, can take you from being a novice reader to an avid reader - one final chapter at a time.