Reading is a hobby many young adults have seemed to abandon in their teenage years. Despite the booming sensation and rising popularity of BookTube and, most recently, BookTok, studies have shown that leisure reading is declining in students.
Growing up, I was one of the biggest bookworms. Each week, I looked forward to visiting the library to pick out a new book to escape into. My love of libraries was further bolstered when I became a library helper in elementary school, finding any excuse to surround myself with walls of books.
But it was Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson series that really sparked my interest in the fourth grade. Book after book, I became attached to the ability to travel to new worlds with fascinating stories. Then came a plethora of other novels that kept me glued to the pages. Some days I would explore a dystopian world with tyrants; other times, I followed along a character’s journey toward love.
Once I started high school, everything changed. Even though I signed out a book during my first week of school, I never got a chance to read it. Life got in the way, and I had too much on my plate for leisure reading.
Despite all these years since then, my love for reading hasn’t been completely reignited yet. I’ve started reading about one book a month, but it’s still nothing compared to how much I used to. As a result of wishful thinking, I purchase many books that intrigue me, thinking I’ll eventually get to them, but I never do. And now that my room is literally filled with hundreds of books (no exaggeration) I’ve bought in the past year, here are five tips to help us overcome the dreaded reading slump!
- Immerse yourself in the reading community
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There is an ever-growing community of readers, both online and offline. If you’re looking to get back into reading, countless resources are available. Whether you decide to do it from the comfort of your own home via Booktok and BookTube or by joining a local book club, these avenues offer a simple transition to get back into the habit of reading.
Meeting people who share similar interests will give you a sense of excitement about stories you can explore. You can delve into conversations about your top books, your preferred tropes and exciting theories, all while fangirling over who your favourite book boyfriend is. Through social media, you can also see people raving about the most popular books, getting you excited about diving back into the community. The Internet has a niche for every possible interest and a place where everyone can feel at home.
- Take advantage of progress-tracking platforms
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Platforms such as Goodreads or Storygraph provide a great way to document your progress and attach a glimmer of productivity to your hobby. These applications allow you to create digital libraries and manage all the books you have read while publishing your ratings and reviews. Along with tracking your previous reads, you can arrange the books you intend to read by compiling a TBR (To Be Read) list, making sure you’re always looking forward to the next read.
For those who enjoy competitions, you can use these apps to set a reading challenge for yourself. Establish your goal for the number of pages or books you’d like to read during the year, and try your best to stick to it. Even better, get your reading buddies involved and make it a fun group activity. Place some spirited bets and plan an end-of-the-year celebration where everyone can share their results and have a good time.
- Set a dedicated time to read
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Although we love to complain about our hectic lifestyles that prevent us from reading, the truth is that we haven’t exactly invested the effort. We spend countless hours during the day absentmindedly scrolling through our phones, so why not replace that with some leisurely reading?
Researchers from SCL Health have found that screen time should be limited before bedtime, so what better way to unwind from the day than reading that book you’ve been meaning to get around to? Once you set aside a specific amount of time to read, you’ll soon find yourself bargaining for even more time to finish the book you’re engrossed in. There are 24 hours in the day, so let’s choose to explore new hobbies instead of letting the hours aimlessly fly by.
- Re-read an old favourite
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The passion for reading is often lost due to forgetting what brought us into it in the first place. Reigniting that passion could mean re-reading a book or series that takes you back to an important moment in your life. I grew up absolutely mesmerized by Kiera Cass’ Selection series and have re-read the entire trilogy multiple times throughout my life. Every time I do so, I am reminded of the euphoric feeling you can only experience when you’re so consumed by a book that you simply can’t put it down. Vivid images play in your mind as you follow the story like a film that takes a new shape with every page.
- Read for quality, not quantity
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Although many members of the reading space read at a rapid pace, try not to let anyone’s progress discourage you from getting back in the swing of things. Several people read upwards of five, 10 or even 20 books a month, but everyone is welcome to go at their own speed. Healthy competition can be an encouraging tool for some, but it is important not to compare your progress with others.
Reading should never feel like a burden or a chore. Read for passion and experience rather than the numbers or competition. Soak in the feelings that these stories evoke and the effect that they have on you. Embrace the thrill of escaping into new realms and meeting new people who encompass the ability to blur the lines between fiction and reality.
- Don’t be afraid to DNF (DO NOT FINISH)
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Perhaps the most important piece of advice for new readers is to not be afraid to DNF (Do/Did Not Finish). A term such as this can be found on platforms such as Goodreads and Storygraph, conveying that incomplete reading is perfectly fine.
It may seem unproductive or difficult to abandon a book when we want to increase how much we read. However, continuing to read something that does not even remotely interest you only encourages the aversion to the hobby. Some books just aren’t going to be to your liking, and that’s completely fine. Don’t let the nagging voice in your head stop you from discovering new interests and having fun while you’re reading.
Getting into the habit of reading might be challenging at first, but it is so worth it once you get into the groove of things. Just like anything else, it’s a muscle you have to train; the more you do it, the easier it becomes. Dust off those old book covers and rekindle your passion for reading, reclaiming that part of you that’s been buried for far too long.