I’m not sure this is the right sub and this may be a dumb question but how do I get into wanting to read? Like, I’ve always wanted to really get into reading as sort of a hobby or thing to pass the time because I just find the whole idea of sitting down and imagining a story in your head to be so cool and relaxing but when I actually sit down to do it, I just can’t get myself INTO the book. It’s like sometimes I feel I’m just reading words on a page rather than reading a story. I remember when I was in highschool, books would make me dive right in and get lost, but I just can’t seem to enjoy books that same way anymore and I’m wondering why or if there’s any suggestions anyone has. Thanks!
by HazeyNightcap
8 Comments
Go to the library, or a chill book store that won’t mind you loitering, and pick up a load of books that sound vaguely appealing to you. Then sit down and start reading them. Then buy/borrow the ones that made you want to keep going past a couple of pages. If you have a pile of books at home already do the same thing.
It sounds so obvious, but be honest with yourself. I did a degree in English Lit, and for a while I read (or tried to read) what I judged to be ‘good’ books. Don’t fall into that trap like I did! What characters, stories, books did you like as a teen? Go online and search ‘books like…’ and start from there! I no longer put pressure on myself to read Foucault or Dickens because I should, I read a variety of fiction and non-fiction (comedians biographies are great!) Also, try audiobooks. It’s great to be able to hear someone tell you the story, and sometimes it really helps to immerse yourself in the story. Have fun!
Try reading a book that was the source to one of your favorite movies. Since you know the characters and the world where it takes place, it will be more engaging and you’ll learn a lot about them that wasn’t in the movie. Also try reading slowly. When I’m rushing through the pages I also just read the words but I have no time to process what I’ve read, so I flip back to the point that I still clearly remember and move forward from there again.
You just got out of practice. Maybe start small by reading for 20 minutes every day without fail and see if it catches.
I was a bookworm as a kid and then after college, I got too busy to read for a few years. I went back to school for my masters and started reading the dry academic books and it really felt like my literacy level had dropped down to 8th grade level or something. I persisted and didn’t take too long to get it back up again. Then I finished my degree and didn’t read anything for a while as I was raising babies and toddlers. I began to read fiction again and it felt awkward even though it was enjoyable fiction. Reading is a skill you had to learn and to train on – it requires practice to continue feeling effortless. After a hiatus from reading, you’re literally re-wiring your brain again. If you can, read up on neuroplasticity, it’s fascinating. Maybe it will answer your question on why.
Keep at it, it will feel effortless and you won’t notice the words on the pages or the act of reading. Read something anything that grabs your attention – even if it’s a mass market beach read.
I was in this spot like 5 years ago. I hadn’t read for like 2-3 years after hs and felt like I couldn’t get back into it. My advice is to start with something familiar. Dive back into a childhood favorite and rediscover the worlds and characters you loved. Don’t be mindful of it being “childish” or whatever, just rediscover the joy with a book that feels like an old friend. For me, it was some vampire YA books I loved in hs that I now realize weren’t that good but felt very comforting and fun to read! Maybe pick up more casual reads as you get back into it. Don’t push yourself to read things that don’t genuinely interest you. Give yourself permission to DROP books you don’t like! And maybe set a reading challenge on goodreads (unless you’re the type of person who finds that stressful instead of motivating! For me, it just helps to look back at my list of completed books and reflect on all the joy they brought me.) I read every day now and I let my feelings dictate what I read instead of trying to force myself to read any particular thing. That’s resulted in days where I read something light/“childish” and days where I read complex & challenging books. Go with your heart and take it one day at a time – no need to race to finish or push yourself! Reading should be FUN!
Get yourself the Libby library app if you can, that way, you can start borrowing books and seeing what you like without spending money
Post what books you’ve enjoyed, what movies/stories you love, and then folks on here will generally provide some good recommendations.
Hugh stakes comedy? Dungeon Crawler Carl, John Dies at the End.
Love old Schwarzenegger movies like total recall and predator? Phillip K Dick novels and short stories are short and full of high concept plot stuff.
Westerns? Lonesome Dove
Game of Thrones fan? Read the books, they’re excellent, or try some other GrimDark fantasy like First Law, Raven’s Mark.
Fantasy? Sanderson’s Mistborn is very accessible and he has lots of good stuff.
Horror? Can’t go wrong with King. Also Swan Song by Robert McCammon.
I just finished What Dreams May Come, really enjoyed it.
Hope those help!