Tips for getting back into reading.

30 minutes a day is a good challenge but I too struggled after a trauma. Can I gently suggest audiobooks for those struggling?You can replay the tracks if you need to. The brain doesn’t want to immerse itself on reading when you’ve been through a trauma. Childhood books as well can potentially be rewarding and good for resetting. Also a dog ( if you have one snuggled up) and a hot water bottle and a timer for 10 minutes or if that is too much go for 5 minutes.

Outlander. Brilliantly adapted screenplay too but the book hits differently

Love tat people want to do the 30 minute challenge. Should we do it on here or on a new thread?

Audible!!

I'm wanting to get back into reading and would like to do a 30 mins a day challenge too!

Find it quite hard to make the time to read, yet find hours to doomscroll on social media.. maybe I need to put my phone in a drawer and pick up a book instead!

@highlandcoo thanks so much for remembering me. ❤️
I've spoken to my counsellor about trying to start reading again. She doesn't want me to feel under pressure due to my PTSD but scheduling 30 mins a day may work for me (not in bed though)
I will try the 50 books thread again, but will put myself under no pressure to keep up. 20 books next year will be a huge improvement.
I just have to identify some that I really want to read.

@YnysMonCrone I remember you from the 50 books thread and it would be nice to see you back there when you're ready. For different reasons, I also found reading hard last year but am picking up again now.

In general OP, I think building up reading stamina is key. So you can try setting an alarm having decided to read for maybe just ten minutes at a time. No looking at a screen during these ten minutes! Then make it a little longer next time until you get back into the habit.

One of my NY resolutions is to limit my mumsnetting to the What We're Reading thread, with the odd visit to Arts and Crafts and Style and Beauty, and to ignore the clickbait on the top right of the screen. I really don't need to be sucked into posts about people's family feuds and gripes about neighbour's parking habits. I could be improving my ability to read in French instead have been saying this for years

Yes I know how to go back a few pages. Is there any way of going back further, without losing your place?

My local library has a selection of quick read books.....these are probably less "daunting " if anyone is trying to get back into reading as they are so short

I think we need an accountability thread.
A 30 minute a day reading challenge would be good too.

I was a massive reader as a child / young adult but then stopped and this year I got a kindle and started reading ‘cosy mystery’s’ . I tend to only read in bed so the kindle is ideal . I’ve read about 10 books since I started at the end of August . I gave upon the first Richard Coles as it was dire . At the moment I am reading the Iris Woodmore series by Michelle Salter .

I read my kindle on my iPad or an actual book with a clip on light, in the evenings on the sofa with DH if he is watching something I don't want to, or football.. If I need to noise block the TV I listen to music via headphones.

I also read my kindle on my phone on train journeys, when getting nails done etc...

@YnysMonCrone I am sorry to hear that. I didn't read for a long time due to depression. I hope 2024 willbe better for you.

@Manyandyoucanwalkover Do you mean just a few pages? You just lightly toch the left side of the screen to go back. (Not sure if all models are the same).

Great thread! I also used to read all the time but I’ve lost my way. I have a Kindle but I struggle to scroll back to remind myself of what’s happened. Is there an easy way of going back on a Kindle?

Also here for tips. I used to be a bookworm, was a regular on the 50 books thread, read about 50-60 books a year.
In June 2022 I stopped due to a catastrophic life changing event. I am recovering well, working, have counselling for PTSD etc but have lost my love of reading. In the early days I just didn't have the mental capacity to retain anything. Then I just lost the habit. I listen on audible a bit.
But 2024 I'd really like to try.

I love my kindle but I also recommend going to your local library and browsing. See what grabs you! I only got back into reading when I made a decision to read during the day.

I used to read in bed but it just doesn't work for me now. I fall asleep after a page and then cannot remember what I have read! Take a book with you everywhere and read on your lunch break, on the bus, in a queue...wherever you normally get your phone out. 😄

I often read on my iPad but when I have a print book to read, I have a Lencent amber book light. It clips to a book or bedhead and emits a soft amber light that is enough to read by but not enough to keep DH up. I got it off Amazon.

Definitely a kindle for reading in bed.

Now that I don’t have to share my bed with anyone else, I actually like listening to a timed chunk of audiobook before bed.

Definitely yes to just abandoning books you aren’t liking. And getting cheap kindle books - unless you’re pretty certain you’ll actually like a book. I’m amazed at how many times I try a book everyone is raving about online only to be utterly perplexed by the popularity - which is fine if it was a couple of pounds. Less so if it cost £10.

I somehow fell out of reading much - started a bit now as I've had to do some train journeys but that's a rather drastic solution!

Here are some books I have enjoyed recently - maybe there's something to tempt you.

I started re-reading my favourites from the past to get back into the habit ... it lowered the barrier to reading and then I could try new stuff. Maybe a book light could help?

Use your library..its free and will let you use apps like libby and borrowbox for ebooks and audio.

Three hours as mentioned above by rosamund lupton is brilliant! It's a real unputdownable!

I use goodreads as well to set myself a reading challenge for the year. I started with just a small challenge of 12 books in 2018. This year my challenge was 52!

I've just started seven husbands of Evelyn Hugo which I've found very easy to get into. I only read on kindle, I just find it easier.