There shouldn’t be a surprise when I tell you that reading is one of my favourite hobbies and interests. I mean, take a look at my (impressive, if I say so myself) Goodreads page!

I fancy people who read, even those that I don’t share the same book genre of interest with. Whenever I express my love for reading, the most common response is, “I wish I could get into reading…”

Well, today I’m here to share some tips on getting into reading. Or, back into reading (which was my case a few years back).

Find your genre

It’s a no-brainer that you will not enjoy reading if you’re not enjoying what you read. I love everything from biographies to cultural studies to post-apocalyptic novels. However, you probably won’t catch me reading about the Cold War, or a romantic book set in the 1800s.

Reflect on your previous reading habits and make a list of the types of genres you enjoy reading! Goodreads can make recommendations based on the books you’ve read and want to read in the future – it’s an awesome feature!

Start lightly

To get into reading doesn’t mean you need to borrow 5 books from your local library. Start with a small novel from one of your favourite genres. A “quick read” as some bookworms may call it. A novel with ~300 pages, not 500, 700, or 900 pages.

Create a reading session

Schedule a reading period for however long you like. This can depend on your schedule – perhaps, instead of listening to music during your morning commute, try reading a few pages. Whip out your book during your lunch break. Or instead of a TV binge, replace 30 minutes of your day with a book. I like to read at least a chapter before going to bed.

Find somewhere comfortable

This can also mean brewing a cup of tea and snuggling with your blanket. Find yourself a nice spot in your house like the corner of the couch, in your study room, etc. A bed works fine too but be wary of drifting off to sleep much, much easier than usual.

Consider an e-reader

This option may not be popular with some bookworms, but, I started picking up my reading habit again after purchasing a Kobo e-reader. I used to switch between a physical book and my e-reader but since switching permanently to an e-reader, my reading has increased tremendously. For a guide in e-reading, check this out.

Find a community

If you fancy a book club, go right ahead but that’s not my cup of tea. To be in a reading community is great because you get to see what other people are reading and what they need to say about the latest read. Goodreads is the best online community and I’ve found a bunch of great books that were recommended to me through the site and my friends and communities. A lot of book bloggers are on Goodreads to befriend and follow.