How to become a reader if you don’t like reading

(Courtesy of Sarah Fitz)

A step-by-step guide to beginning to read for pleasure.

If you’ve clicked on this article, there’s a good chance you don’t like to read for fun — and that’s OK! Between huge workloads at school, extracurricular activities, part-time jobs and busy social lives, it can be hard to find the time. Plus, a lot of the books we read at school don’t always give a true reflection of the world of reading.

However, there are a lot of benefits to reading for pleasure. Not only is it proven to lead to academic success, but also success across every aspect of life. Reading can also improve empathy, social skills and problem-solving abilities, as well as reduce stress and lower the risk of developing dementia or depression. Amazing, right? 

But more than that, reading is actually fun. It’s a fantastic way to unwind after a busy day at school, and you can travel to so many places with a book while staying right on your couch or bed. As they say: Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are.

If you’re not a reader and want to become one, here are a few ways you can kick-start your reading journey...

(Courtesy of Sarah Fitz)

Start with your interests.

If you find it difficult choosing a book to read, it is always wise to look at your interests. Reading should always be as enjoyable as possible, and so reading books about subjects you are interested in can really help foster a greater love of reading. For example, if you are a huge fan of sport, perhaps you could read sports autobiographies of some of your favourite athletes or coaches. If you are a keen climate activist, try reading climate-based texts. Similarly if you are interested in history, you could certainly give historical fiction a try! There is a stigma around reading for pleasure that one must read content-heavy classics or academic-based books, but this is not the case. Reading for pleasure must be, well, pleasurable. It should be personal to you and your hobbies and interests. 

Take it slowly. 

If you are keen to start your reading journey, don’t feel obliged to rush things and immediately read a lot of books. Take it slowly, reading for a few minutes every day, and build up this habit. Like anything, you develop more interest, more patience and more ability as you continue. If you force yourself to read a lot every night, you will soon give up as the exercise will become more like a chore than a pastime. If you take it slowly, reading for a few minutes every day or even every week to begin with, you will find yourself incorporating it into your routine. It may be a good idea to begin with short, easy reads like magazines or short fiction so that you can slowly build your reading ability and attention skills. 

Don’t do it alone. 

The idea of reading can often be daunting, therefore it is always a great idea to share the “burden.” If there is a book club (or a Zoom book club!) in your area, why not join? You could even set up your own mini book club at school or amongst your friends. But if you don’t want to make that big leap just yet, perhaps you could chat to a friend and decide to both read the same book. It’s always more fun when you can discuss and dissect the book's merits and faults together, just like a Netflix series you are watching! If you have any friends who are already huge readers maybe you could ask them for some book recommendations to get you started on your reading journey.

(Courtesy of Sarah Fitz)

Audiobooks. 

If you find reading difficult or boring and you know you couldn’t sit down and tackle a novel, why not try an audiobook? If you have a phone or a similar device, you can easily listen to books while you are out for a walk, baking, relaxing or doing anything! Some libraries also offer audiobooks in CD form or on free apps, so you can even listen to the tale unfold as you make your way to school. You can listen to audiobooks at any time and almost anywhere, which makes the idea even more appealing. If you find you have a few minutes free or want to combine some exercise with some learning, audiobooks are your best friend! 

Reward yourself. 

If you find yourself struggling to read, set realistic goals and reward yourself when you achieve them. For example, you could decide to read one full chapter of a novel during the weekend, and when you do, allow yourself a treat, like an ice cream or an episode of your favourite series! Rewarding your achievements is an extremely positive way of creating a habit.

The hardest and most important step in any journey is the beginning, but hopefully the ideas above can help you make that step with ease. Because reading for pleasure is one of the most valuable — and enjoyable — pastimes.