Decided to read every day

TonTonMacoute · 15/05/2024 10:25

I was the same. I used to be such a bookworm and I was a bit depressed at how hard it was to get back into proper reading.

Keep at it, it gets easier. You just have to choose really gripping books to read.

JaninaDuszejko · 15/05/2024 09:50

Reading is like gardening, every little bit helps. Just read every day, even if it's just for 5 minutes. Build up to the big difficult books, you need to develop your reading muscles so don't worry about reading difficult classic novels, read whatever you fancy and feel free to give up on a book if it doesn't grab you in 50 pages.

Original poster

OneFrenchEgg · 15/05/2024 09:07

Yes I'm going back to my book pile. I have just forced myself to finish it on the train. Yay!
Next one will be an easy one I want to read not a difficult one with challenging themes (Everything, Nothing, Someone by Alice Carriere)

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NiceUnusualDifferent · 15/05/2024 06:41

Leave it for now and start something a but easier

Original poster

OneFrenchEgg · 14/05/2024 21:25

NiceUnusualDifferent · 14/05/2024 21:08

I set myself the same challenge about 6 months ago for the same reasons.
I started just amkig sure I read a bit every day, I also dnf quite a few books, waited until 1 gripped me.
I found the kind of books I like had changed and now have a healthy wish list and tbr pile.
I read 14 books last year with most being in the latter half. I've really got into it this year though and my attention span is back and the lure of my ohone/online is nowhere near as strong. I'd rather read than watch TV or scroll. I've already read 20 books this year. It doesn't matter how many bit just to illustrate its definitely a habit and skill you cam regain.

Well done! I'm really struggling to adopt the habit, I think I started with an ambitious one which has proved quite difficult to wade through.

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NiceUnusualDifferent · 14/05/2024 21:08

I set myself the same challenge about 6 months ago for the same reasons.
I started just amkig sure I read a bit every day, I also dnf quite a few books, waited until 1 gripped me.
I found the kind of books I like had changed and now have a healthy wish list and tbr pile.
I read 14 books last year with most being in the latter half. I've really got into it this year though and my attention span is back and the lure of my ohone/online is nowhere near as strong. I'd rather read than watch TV or scroll. I've already read 20 books this year. It doesn't matter how many bit just to illustrate its definitely a habit and skill you cam regain.

Original poster

OneFrenchEgg · 24/04/2024 12:22

I've joined a real life book club. I tried Litsy and Good Reads but not really into them.

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Instantcustard · 24/04/2024 10:50

I have found the readalongs on here very helpful for getting into a reading habit. 📚

Riverlee · 24/04/2024 08:25

Theres various online book clubs on Facebook etc where books ate discussed, or suggestions given.

Also I use Bookbub for suggestions of what books to read (and offers on kindle).

Original poster

OneFrenchEgg · 24/04/2024 05:37

At one point I was reading a very melodramatic Dickens, and I couldn't wait to get home from work to see what would happen next.

That's how I used to me; now it feels like online is more of a lure and I get twitchy. So it will be a task which I'm
Hoping evolves back into a passion. I agree about finding books I enjoy, am giving myself permission to ditch any boring numbers

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MsAmerica · 24/04/2024 02:50

OneFrenchEgg · 21/04/2024 14:42

Thinking about all the unread books in the house and how I just end up on the internet.
I'm going to set a phone reminder everyday and do 9-9.30pm like homework.
Am reading (haha) Alice Carrierie Everything Nothing Someone but haven't picked it up for weeks.

Oh, dear.
I hope it becomes something to love and look forward to, rather than a chore.

Maybe the crucial thing is to find a book that you can't wait to get back to. At one point I was reading a very melodramatic Dickens, and I couldn't wait to get home from work to see what would happen next.

Original poster

OneFrenchEgg · 22/04/2024 21:31

Interesting to read about that course.

Well my first go was pretty tortuous tbh. I set a timer and checked it at least four times. Checked my phone once. Read the same page twice.

But I am further forward and shall practice again tomorrow.

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cassiatwenty · 22/04/2024 13:05

That's really wise @Hartley99

cassiatwenty · 22/04/2024 13:04

There's a course at Warwick that points out how literature and poetry aids with MH and helps with grief, heartbreak, trauma and stress -- Literature and Mental Health Reading and Wellbeing.

As someone else said on MN, I do think it's a choice between watching the telly or reading. A lot of us don't have a lot of time so we need to prioritise reading. When I'm too stressed or my concentration isn't the best I play games on my mobile.

Original poster

OneFrenchEgg · 22/04/2024 10:18

Scarletttulips · 22/04/2024 07:53

Pair up with a buddy!

I did this but my friend overtook me - worth a try?

I tried and we kept forgetting etc. I've joined a book group now.
I'm keen just to start it like a regular part of my day.

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IRememberWhenThisWasAllFieldsAndCakePunching · 22/04/2024 08:05

Ooh I did this last year! I was a voracious reader all the way up to my late twenties, and ten years later I couldn’t remember why I stopped something that gave me such joy. I have set myself a goal this year of 100 books. I have one on the go on my phone, a physical book from the library and also an audiobook at all times. It’s brought so much more joy to my life! But I definitely found my concentration span is nothing like it used to be, because of my phone :/

Scarletttulips · 22/04/2024 07:53

Pair up with a buddy!

I did this but my friend overtook me - worth a try?

Original poster

OneFrenchEgg · 22/04/2024 07:50

Scarletttulips · 22/04/2024 07:30

Why not try some audio books as well?

I can't concentrate on them; I end up back on my phone and then missing chunks of them

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Original poster

OneFrenchEgg · 22/04/2024 07:49

Hartley99 · 21/04/2024 22:30

I think of reading in the same way I think of exercise or healthy eating. It can be a chore, but the benefits are worth it. I’m working way through the classics atm, with Harold Bloom as my guide.

This is a good idea.

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Instantcustard · 22/04/2024 07:47

It really is a habit that you need to cultivate. I did really well last year and used to get up early to read in the morning (I can[t really read in bed at night). However, this year I started taking my phone out along with my kindle - and obviously an hour passed and I had wasted it on my phone and read nothing!

Scarletttulips · 22/04/2024 07:30

Why not try some audio books as well?

Bruisername · 22/04/2024 07:28

I did the 50 book challenge last year to try and get back into reading. Ended up reading 100!

one rule I have is that I don’t have to finish a book I’m not enjoying and they go to the bottom of the pile! I can’t say I’ve had any inclination to pick any up again. Reason was that I would go to read - look at the book and get that sense of dread and I wanted my reading time to be pleasurable!

Hartley99 · 21/04/2024 22:30

I think of reading in the same way I think of exercise or healthy eating. It can be a chore, but the benefits are worth it. I’m working way through the classics atm, with Harold Bloom as my guide.

Nonewclothes2024 · 21/04/2024 22:17

Great idea. I used to read a lot. Now on my phone constantly.

Original poster

OneFrenchEgg · 21/04/2024 22:07

countdowntonap · 21/04/2024 21:51

@OneFrenchEgg I started to do similar several months ago. I made myself read 4% of my Kindle book every night. Now I prefer to read my Kindle rather than internet scroll in bed, and often read 10% plus each night. My reading speed and focus has increased significantly.

I'm trying to do paper rather than kindle although I really like the kindle app on my iPad to be fair. The actual paper white not so much

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