The habit of reading has been with me from a very young age. But it’s not necessary that you can be a reader if you have been into books from a long time. The most common question I get asked is “How do I start reading?” Trust me if you dedicate your self to it, you too can befriend books.
Since this question has come to me time and again, I thought to share some tips on the same.
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Set aside a time of 15 minutes
Books are a great way to unwind and end the day. Take a break from social media. Avoid all distractions and sit down with a book for at least 15 minutes to start. Trust me when the book starts getting interesting, you will move from 15 minutes to an hour, and you would not even realize how much time has gone by.
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Start small
The best way to start is to start small. Read articles or blogs to begin with. Gradually move to small books. Don’t dive directly into books with 300 or 400 pages.
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Commit
When you practice anything for 21 days, it becomes a habit. So don’t give up. Try and stick to the book. In case you lose interest in a book, remember most of the books get interesting from the 2nd So, stick around. As the pages go by, you may start liking the book.
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Ponder
Reading a book is not just going through the pages and then forget about them once the book is closed. After you are done reading, think about what you read. Think about the characters and what happened to them. Where do you think the story will go? What will happen in the end? When you do all this, you get excited to read the next day and feel connected to the book.
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Get a friend
When we do things in a group, it becomes even more fun. So, get hold of a friend. Start reading the same book at the same time. Discuss the book once done. With a friend involved, you will enjoy the process of reading and talking about books.
6. Follow Bookstagramers
Instagram is filled with book influencers and there are some accounts which do a fabulous work of recommending and reviewing books. Follow their page and check the books that they have reviewed. This will give you an idea about a book and make it easy for you to decide your next read.
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Join a library
During my collage days, I convinced few of my non reader friends to join a library with me. From random scrolling to picking a book, they gradually got interested in to reading. Library gives you a variety of books to choose from when you feel lost on where to start from. You can pick a genre that excites you like a romance, thriller or fantasy and just start reading.
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Maintain a Reading Journal
Start tracking your reading. Maintain a journal and write down about the book you are currently reading. How are you liking it? Is it a good read and or you are losing out on it? What you want to discuss about this book with your buddy and what did you learn from it? This will quip your interest and help you finish the book.
Reading as a hobby can be built over time. All you need to do is take a dive and get yourself immersed in them. With no time you will realise that you have got a new habit- Reading.
If you are looking for some quick reads to begin with, check out my blog “5 reads under 200 pages for a quick read”
This blog is a part of Book Marathon by https://outsetbooks.com/
This article is written as a part of The Bloggers League conducted by Vidhya Thakkar Neelam Sharma and Siddhi Palande powered by Penguin India, Dreamland Publications and Acclidesign should not be repurposed, republished or used otherwise. The content herein is owned by the blogger. Hosts are not responsible for any infringement caused.”
66 replies on “How do I start reading? A question I get asked the most- The Bloggers League 2022 ”
Well what I believe is that if reading habit need to get developed then start it when the child is of growing age. Rest not much effort will be required.
True but when someone wants to start later on… they still can do it.
All these points are very much needed for sure to start reading. Especially the timing that u mentioned is very much needed which I too believe…your post will act as a guide to all readers… tysmmmmm for sharing.
I agree to the point that anything done for a period of 21 days becomes a habit. I likes all the points that you have mentioned to start reading… good post… keep writing
Thats corrent when any one want to start it at leter age. I think reading habbit should be grown up from early age
I am thankful for my reading habits developed since childhood. However the tips you shared if implemented can help people read more.
I agree having a friend on reading journey is very helpful and save you from slump
I second all your suggestions and I am glad that I do follow all of this but one thing I need to incorporate is following Bookstagramers.I am sure this will help me in getting good recommendations.
The suggestions are nice. Would also like to add about starting with mother language books?
maybe that helps in keeping attention at first..
Absolutely a great way specially for kids to understand the story n build interest in books
I think we can also suggest starting with books of mother tongue
In my view there could be some gems in mother tongue, which many be easier to read as well
Absolutely I think in case of kids they would connect to the story better when told in their mothe tongue.
wow that is a nice post and insightful..
Thanks
These are great tips for beginners. Your idea of finding a book friend is a great tip. I have missed libraries for the past 2 years.. looking forward to going back.
In my case it is usually how do I stop reading
Hahhaha same pinch
One thing I always recommend to people who don’t read but want to – read graphic novels! Helps with the initial push required!
Absolutely that’s a fab way to start too….
I started reading quite late in life😁. During my flying days, my fellow crew got me a book and she promised that it was a perfect book to start with. After I finished the book in 2 days, there was no stopping. Reading indeed is a great habit.
From childhood I like to read book and the tips which you shared is really nice. Specially the Follow Bookstagramers point this was a great idea to get glimpses of the book before actually start reading it.
From childhood I like to read book and the tips which you shared is really nice. Specially the Follow Bookstagramers point this was a great idea to get glimpses of the book before actually start reading it.
Actually that’s what I do too. And get some amazing and varied book recommendations….
These are great tips for beginners. Your idea of finding a book friend is a great tip. I likes all the points that you have mentioned to start reading… good post… keep writing
Great tips for not just when someone wants to start reading but also for getting out of a reading slump or restarting your reading habit after a break. I’ve used several of these myself, and I can say that this list is a keeper.
Thanks 👍
I need to show this article to some of my friends who struggle to get into reading
I need to show this article to some of my friends who struggle to get into reading. Thank you for writing this
Amazing
I need to show this article to some of my friends struggling to get into reading
Such amazing tips for beginners. Such well thought post. I can relate to the Library part the most because my reading journey started because of my school library.
Such amazing tips for beginners. Such well thought post. I can relate to the Library part the most because my reading journey started because of my school library. And reading 15 minutes a day for the beginners wil help so well. Also, many people start their reading journey by Rich dad, poor dad or any other non fiction like this which at the very beginning might not work so well for them, for many it did, for many it don’t, so deciding the genre and picking up a book by their own intrest will help a lot rather than starting with the book which others are reading.
Same pinch… I too use to read a lot frm school library… sweet valley and Nancy drew series were in vogue that time …. aahhh the memories.
Such apt tips loved it!
Such amazing tips loved it ❤️❤️
Gonna share this with my non reader friends!
Such an insightful post. Loved reading it. I will help a lot of new readers.
This is a perfect guide for someone who wants to start reading. I am someone who don’t have reading stamina. I leave the books in middle so I shifted to audio books. I finished them while driving but your idea of keeping a reading journal is a great one. I will definitely try that.
Yes it’s a fabulous way to keep track of reading plus keep one connected to the story.
Reading is one of the best habits one can inculcate in one’s life which helps you grow throughout the life. I havent been able to devote so much time to reading as I would like too however, your pointers will surely help. Thanks.
As a reader myself I agree with all these points. Joining a library introduces us to manu new titles as well. Small books helps set the reading mood.
I used to be an avid reader but now I hardly get time to read. But you are right from now on I will try to set apart few minutes before bed probably for reading. Also I will start with my favorite genre and with a smaller book. Thanks for inspiring me to start reading again.
This is amazing post . I havent been able to devote so much time to reading . These are helpful pointers . Thanks.
First three points are very important. Consciously taking out time is necessary in the beginning. We tend to turn towards social media in free time, instead making books our friend will put us on the right track.
Great tips Hansa and you have covered all important points. I believe start small and follow a consistent routine can help a lot in building a reading habit. also, getting help from supporting community is great idea to enjoy the whole process.
I really need to read a book religiously. These tips seems great and doable for people like me to start with. Thanks for the tips
I have started to follow Bookstagrammers & reviewers for getting regular inspiration to read new books. I am also thinking to start small with books with less pages.
These are great tips . When I was in college ,i was crazy about reading,books and finding new book to read. After marriage ,it become difficult to continue my hobby.
Wow interesting tips for new readers. Would surely help them pursue reading as a hobby too. Will send it to my non reader friends to check out.
I agree with all the point mentioned. That’s correct when any one want to start it at leter age. But I think reading habbit should be grown up from early age
Yes but I knw some people who have found interest in it at a later stage ….
I have been an avid reader since I was a child but now I feel like I am losing my interest in reading books. I still like to read blogs and articles but books have taken a backseat. I am going to try out these tips to restart my reading journey. Thanks for taking up this question and answering it so beautifully.
I am glad you like this and hopeful that you will pick up your reading habit soon
Truly in the era where OTT is omnipresent , it take a while for new generation to pick reading habit .. Your post surely helps in developing habit step by step .
Thanks
I loved reading this, there isn’t a fit formula for all when it comes to writing. However, using these tips one can definitely start the journey of finding a magic in the world of books 🙂
Absolutely
Reading is like a habit, once started it is for life and I am happy that I follow all these tips. Discussing the books and looking for recommendations through like minded people is great way to increase our TBR.
That’s amazing. Yes I love to discuss books a lot too
Such a good read. The first step is always tough. These tips are really helpful.
Ive been an avid reader ever since my school days and for both my kids I started reading out right from when they were in womb. I also introduced books early as three months and we made bed time reading a ritual so it made reading lovable for us. These tips are helpful
That’s fantastic
Are used to read lot of books but now I don’t get time with two babies but now I need group of people who are book readers an Avid readers so that I can also start reading again
Do let me know if I can help you in getting back to reading and book recommendations
I have been asked this question a numerous times and i would say, cut down your social media time.😂
Hahahhah true 👍