This article is written by a student writer from the Her Campus at Washington chapter.

I don’t consider myself an avid reader, and there are definitely ebbs and flows in terms of how much I am reading and how much I enjoy the process itself. This year I didn’t touch a single book until March, but recently I made reading a regular part of my life and am having a lot of fun with it. Here are some of the things that I did to (re)incorporate reading into my daily life so hopefully, you find some inspiration here if you are looking to do the same.

1. Pick something short and interesting

In order to get the ball rolling, I would really recommend starting with a book that you are interested in and can finish quickly. This makes the process of reading less daunting and hopefully inspires you to keep reading after you finish that first book.

2. Try a new genre

I tend to gravitate towards a lot of non-fiction books, particularly those in the self-help and psychology genre. While I still like these books, I felt like I was encountering a lot of similar ideas that I had already been exposed to, and I wasn’t looking forward to reading them. This year I have challenged myself to read more fiction, and it has been really fun to get lost in a story. Sometimes a change of genre is exactly what you need to reinvigorate your reading life.

3. Make a to-read list

Luckily in our digital world, there are tons of people talking about what they are reading, so there are plenty of suggestions for what books to read next. Goodreads is a popular website for finding books, and I would also recommend searching “top books in ___ genre” to see what shows up. Also, there is a community of YouTubers known as “booktubers” who primarily talk about books, so if you search for any book-related content on YouTube, you are bound to have plenty of videos to watch filled with recommendations.

4. Create a reading routine

Everyone has a different preference for when they like to read so this tip might take some experimentation, but it is the best way to make reading a consistent part of your life. If creating a routine seems too daunting, start small. For example, try to read for 15 minutes before bed every day.

5. Keep track of what you’re reading

Doing this helps me feel accomplished and motivates me to keep reading. You can track what you are reading through Goodreads, a spreadsheet, a handwritten list or another method.

Happy Reading!

Here are some other resources to help you with your reading journey!

Tips for Getting out of a Reading Rut

1. Pick something short and interesting

2. Try a new genre

3. Make a to-read list

4. Create a reading routine

5. Keep track of what you’re reading

Resources for finding free eBooks and audiobooks:

Creating a Reading Routine

GoodReads(for tracking books and finding new titles)

List of Booktubers

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