As research finds we are reading less than ever, we at Nasher have provided you with a plan to fall back in love with books (without it feeling like hard work)
In an age of streaming, scrolling, and endless distractions, our attention has never been more fragmented – and our books more neglected. But if you miss the joy of getting lost in a great story or learning something from the pages of a compelling non-fiction title, the good news is it’s entirely possible to reignite your reading habit. And it may be easier than you think.
Of all the reasons we don’t read as much as we would like, the excuse many of us reach to first is that we just don’t have time. But while we blame being busy, we simultaneously fill our spare time with plenty of other things: watching TV, doing exercise, meeting friends, scrolling through our phones (take a look at your average daily screentime to see quite how many hours go on that).
The real problem with reading is that it requires a deep, undivided focus, which – in an age of distraction – feels more challenging than ever. If you have ever picked up a book only to read a few paragraphs before your mind wanders, or your hand reaches for your phone, you will know this to be true. Books require us to be present in a way that few of us find that easy.
Here are few tips to get you to read more books and do it regularly.
Never be without a book
Make sure that you always have a book to hand wherever you are. It’ll make it easier to squeeze in some reading whenever you have a spare few minutes whether that’s on the train, the bus, or waiting at the dentist.
You don’t need to carry around a hard cover; you can download a book onto your smartphone or reading device. Picking up a book can be so much more rewarding than checking your social media newsfeed.
Get into a regular habit
Make reading part of your daily routine by scheduling a regular time each morning or evening to dive under the covers. Creating a routine each day will soon make reading become a habit.
A great technique if you are short on time is to read in sprints. All you have to do is set a timer and read until time is up. This is also a really great tip if your mind tends to wander while you are reading, as it will help keep you focused.
Prepare your reading list in advance
Great Expectations? The Great Gatsby? Small Great Things? Always have a mental or physical list of books you want to read – whether it’s a classic or a new release. Once you come to the end of a novel, don’t let not having your next title lined up be the thing that holds you back and gets you out of your habit. Make sure that you have a trusted referral source that can recommend you books so that your list is fresh and you’re always excited for the next book.
Listen to audiobooks
Audiobooks are a good way to familiarise yourself with storytelling because it allows you to multitask. Swap your monthly music playlist for a good story. You can listen anywhere at any time: in the car, at the gym, cleaning the house or out for a run
Of course, listening to an audiobook is not reading but it can help you get back into the habit of following a story. Why not try a book series by listening to the first title as an audiobook and then shifting to a physical book for the follow-up.
Join a book club
Make reading social. Joining a book club is a great way to get reading, meet new people, hear recommendations and generally get into more contact with books. Who doesn’t enjoy discussing their favourite TV shows? Book clubs are just the same. Discuss with others what your enjoyed about the novel or how you couldn’t stand the suspense. It will encourage you to read things that you wouldn’t normally and you never know, you may find a genre that you love but had always dismissed.
A book club is also a great way of getting more out of a title. Hearing other people’s interpretations – whether you agree with them or not – will help you think more about your own reading and is useful for setting yourself a target for finishing that title before the next meet.
Make your environment more reading friendly
It can be hard to concentrate on your book with the TV blaring in the background. Make your reading environment free from distractions. In the warmer months take your book outside and get some fresh air while you read. In the winter read before bed to aid a better night sleep.
It isn’t always possible to remove yourself from a noisy environment especially if you’re squeezing your reading time into hectic family life. Try blocking out distractions in your surroundings by listening to non-lyrical music to focus your mind.
Read Multiple Books at a Time
Don’t think about one while you are reading the other. You also don’t have to keep track of different main characters. Make each book you are reading completely different from the others will increase your book count each year plus it will give you a break from one book if it gets too heavy, like watching two shows at different parts of the day.
Subscribe to a literary newsletter or app
Being in loop helps your literary knowledge and keeps you motivated to learn and read more, like seeing a table full of food so even if you are not hungry you will suddenly have an appetite to eat. In a similar way if you follow book threads or news whether its via newsletter or reading app or even if you follow the right hashtags on tiktok or Instagram you will open up a whole new world of books that you would want to read.
