If you’ve fallen out of the reading habit since it was required by a syllabus or children came along or life just generally got busy, you’re not alone. Or maybe you never developed a habit of reading for pleasure; again, you’re not alone! But no matter what you have going on, there are ways to work (more) reading into your day — and reap the rewards.
Rewards? Yup. Studies show that reading…
- lowers stress
- strengthens the brain
- builds empathy
- boosts vocabulary
- contributes to better sleep and longevity
And of course it’s just plain enjoyable to get into a good story, fact or fiction. We’ve rounded up several tips to help you establish or strengthen a reading habit.
Find a few books to audition. If you don’t already have a to-be-read (TBR) pile or list, head to this “What do I read next?” blogpost to find out how to zero in on books that might interest you. Or just stop by the library and ask at the Adult & Teen Services desk! Librarians are happy to connect you with reading that suits your preferences. Then…start reading.
It’s okay to stop reading a book you’re not enjoying. A lot of us don’t like to give up, and that’s understandable. But if you’re not into a book, move on! Even if you’ve heard or read nothing but rave reviews about it, it’s okay to stop if you’re just not into it.
Renowned librarian and author Nancy Pearl advises readers to abandon books they aren’t enjoying —without guilt. Time is short and there are *lots* of books! She developed the Rule of 50: “If you’re 50 years old or younger, give every book about 50 pages before you decide to commit yourself to reading it, or give up.” If you’re over 50, subtract your age from 100 and use that as your guide for how many pages to read before you decide to keep going or give up.
Keep books handy. Carry a book with you so that when you’re in a waiting room, stuck in line, or happen upon a few spare moments, you can dive into a story for a bit. Reading for just a few minutes lowers blood pressure and helps calm your breathing. Plus it gives your brain a break from news headlines and the unending scroll of social posts.
If you prefer ebooks and audiobooks, add the hoopla and Libby apps to your home screen to make them instantly accessible. But…
If you’re prone to distractions, opt for print. Reading on your phone makes it easy to become distracted, especially if you’re someone who gets a lot of notifications.
Match length to the time you have available. Short novels of 200 pages or less can be read in an afternoon or on a long flight. Or give short stories a go! American writer Edgar Allan Poe (1809–1849) loved the form for what he called its “unity of effect”—a story that can be read in one sitting, comprehended by the reader without their own life intervening.
If you’re listening to a book, match the audio length to the time you have available — the Libby app allows you to filter by length for audiobooks.
Read before bed. Reading is a terrific winddown, calming body and mind. Plus, getting into someone else’s story (fact or fiction) helps take you out of the drama of your own day.
Happy reading and see you at the library!
