For as long as I can remember, I’ve had my nose planted in books. From the series that defined my childhood --- sagas such as The Wind in the Willows and The Chronicles of Narnia --- to the timeless novels that heralded my young-adulthood --- classics like To Kill a Mockingbird and The Sound and the Fury --- reading has always been my beloved pastime. In my experience, good books can become close companions. Though inanimate themselves, they animate and nurture my imagination, and though unable to talk aloud, they “speak” intimately and almost magically to my inmost thoughts.
In ways that other media do not, books invite us to slow our lightning pace, to quiet our distracted minds, to ponder, and, best of all, to wonder. Unlike our screens and platforms, they demand our attention for longer than a 30-minute episode, possess far more than 140 characters (usually), and are rather indifferent to whether we “like,” “dislike,” or “love” them. In an era characterized by ephemeral and largely virtual communication, books offer a measure of comfort in their constancy and tangibility. Even in the spheres of fantasy and fiction, reading books helps to tether us to our shared reality and to give us a sense of our common humanity.
All right… that’s enough of the soapbox. Now, on to more practical matters. If you find that you identify with this love of books but have lost touch with it for quite some time, take heart! While reading is an easy habit to lose, it’s just as easy to pick back up.
Consider the following suggestions as you look to revive your love of reading:
- Choose books that align with your passions and interests. Friends, there are no brownie points in leisure reading. If you really dread the idea of trudging through Moby Dick or The Red Badge of Courage, then don’t feel obligated to do so. Instead, find books whose subject-matter truly excites you and piques your curiosity. Reading is for enrichment and enjoyment, not self-aggrandizement.
- Carve out time. One of my favorite things about books is that you can tote them with you just about everywhere you go. Tuck one in your backpack, briefcase, or purse, and then, when an opportunity comes, take it out and crack it open. This is a productive and edifying way to fill those awkward dead periods in your day --- that 15-minute block between meetings, your 30-minute bus ride to work, etc. If possible, even set aside a time-frame at the beginning or end of the day to devote to uninterrupted reading.
- Keep your focus. Put the phone away; turn the TV off; find a secluded spot, if you’re able. Our devices are some of the most persistent and successful deterrents to attentive reading. As much as possible, tune out the frenzied din of your surroundings and get lost in the world of your book.
- Do a “taste test.” Before settling on a book, read the synopsis on the back or on the dust jacket. Even scan a few pages at the start. If you find the content intriguing, continue on; if not, set the book back on the shelf and find another one that better appeals to you.
- Reading is a marathon, not a sprint. Whatever your speed, really savor the process, and don’t feel as though you have to race from cover to cover. Remember that reading provides a rare opportunity to press pause on the breakneck pace of your day.
- Use book reviews. If you’re having difficulty choosing between two books, “ask” others for their opinions by searching for reviews online. If one is more highly rated than the other, that may help you to make your decision.
- Head to your local library. In the words of Arthur the Aardvark and his pals, “Having fun isn’t hard, when you have a library card!” The library is a great place to peruse a broad selection of books, request reading recommendations, and connect with fellow bibliophiles. And don’t forget the best part: it’s free!
- Fill your collection with used books. Fortunately, you don’t have to shell out top dollar to start building your personal library. Rather than hunting for new copies online, find gently used copies at your nearest used bookstore. You’ll get a deep discount, and you might even be able to trade in books you’ve already tackled for ones that are still on your reading list. If you’re a frequent buyer, you could save hundreds of bucks over several years as you support a local business.
- Make reading a social outlet. If you’re searching for some thoughtful literary conversation, think about banding together with a group of friends to begin a book club. Choose a book of mutual interest and then set aside an evening each week to gather for discussion.
Reading turns our attention from the trivial and fleeting to the essential and enduring. If you wish to broaden your horizons, as all lifelong learners do, books will serve as some of your greatest tools. There’s a big, wide world out there --- with reading, it’s literally at our fingertips.
