Welcome to my inaugural blog post! I am going to imaging that those of you who have found my post are something like I am myself. Perhaps you were an avid reader when you were younger. My journey began in the 3rd grade with Molly from the American Girl series. I remember the gold foil pages. I felt like the coolest girl in school when all of the other girls asked to borrow the book. It was also my first book that was three hundred pages! Little nine-year-old me so so proud of herself. Sure I had read other books before, but this was my first big book.
Of course as I continued through grade school and into junior high I devoured book upon book. Little House on the Prairie in fourth grade and the Harry Potter series in fifth. My cousin introduced me to Eragon in sixth grade. The ever infamous Twilight series entered my life in seventh grade. In high school, I read many Debbie Macomber books. I now have a full shelf dedicated to her stories.
Eventually, college took up most of my time. Then my career started, and I just didn’t have the same energy to devote to reading anymore. So, at barely 25 I was in survival mode and struggling to balance my daily stressors. It took some time, but in 2020 I had more of it than before. Like many others this allowed me to find joy in my favorite hobby all over again. Using the tips below I hope you can too.
Tip 1: Start small
No one starts reading by picking up Tolstoy’s War and Peace. You shouldn’t expect yourself to have the stamina for something like that at the beginning either. Consider starting with a simpler book. Young adult novels and new adult novels can be a great place to start. They offer more mature themes than children’s books while having simpler vocabulary.
You also shouldn’t expect to sit down for twenty-four hours straight to read, or even necessarily one hour. Take the time and breaks you need to start where you can. If five minutes is all you have before your kids need picked up from daycare then start there. If you have seven minutes while you wait for your pot of water to boil, start there. (BTW, yes that is the average time it takes to boil a pot of water.) If you have unlimited time, but limited focus then my next tip is definitely for you.
Tip 2: Chose what you want
“Those who matter don’t mind, and those who mind don’t matter.” -Bernard Baruch or maybe Dr. Seuss the attribution is unclear. The point remains the same though. No one who matters is going to judge you for what you choose to read. And if someone does judge you for it, well, they aren’t the ones reading the book.
Personally, I love a book with a simple plot, great characters and plenty of romance. But, everyone is different and you should be picking books because you want to read them.
Maybe all you want to read is middle grade mystery novels, do it. Maybe that new manga or graphic novel is what is catching your attention, read it. If you are interested in reading a thousand page behemoth crack it open and read it! You probably already know this. You will only enjoy your time if it is a journey you want to take.
Tip 3: Explore different formats
You can pry my love for the smell of books out of my cold dead hands. That being said, there are so many formats to pick from no one should limit themselves. Physical books (of the hardcover and paperback variety), e-books, and audiobooks are all fantastic options.
Physical books bring a multi-sensory experience. This is great for readers who want to feel the paper and smell the ink on the page. E-books have the benefit of being portable since you can load them on an e-reader, your phone, and your laptop. Audiobooks are similarly portable, but even better you can do small tasks while listening. Personally audibooks are my go to when I am working around the house.
Tip 4: Be willing to DNF
There are few things worse to your ability to enjoy reading than a book you don’t enjoy. We read things every day that we have to read. The signs on the street, labels on food, documents for school or work. When you are reading for enjoyment you should find just that.
DNF or “Did Not Finish” is a term many readers use when they chose not to finish a book. There are so many reasons that a person may choose to DNF. Maybe the book wasn’t the genre they thought it was or maybe the writing style isn’t to your taste. If the book is not one you are going to enjoy, then shut it. Find one that works for you. This is your journey!
Tip 5: Create a cozy environment
The focus that our brain needs to process the written word doesn’t always come easily. Having a comfortable or cozy environment can help. Grab your favorite blanket or light your favorite candle. Turn on some background music if you can’t handle the quiet. All of these things will give your brain the space to enjoy what you are reading.
If you have the space, you can consider making a reading nook. Fill it with things that bring you joy. Maybe a few blankets or pillows. I know my Squishmallow collection with be involved. If you don’t have the space, make sure your space is clean and comfortable and consider setting a reading time. Making space in your life can mean time as well as physical space.
Bonus: Try Re-reading a Past Fav!
Many people have one book they can go back too. Maybe something you read as a child or teen. Maybe you found a favorite book a few years ago, or you will find a new book next week. When you get into a slump with your reading consider going back to that favorite. It can provide the energy you need to read more
Wherever your journey leads you I hope you let me know about all of the wonderful books you have found. Thank you!
Ink on My Cheek 