Any tips to help ADHD stick to a book and finish it??

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All these years...I wanted to read books. But years after years, I have piles of books being turned for less than 10 pages and never finished...

I tried, but the reading pace is so slow, I got bored a few pages in. Or, the letters started casting spells that made my eyes sore and sent me to a soothing half asleep state.

Any tips? I want to use phone/screen less in the evening. But I can't see how it's possible if the books just put me asleep every single time!

If the pace is too slow, audio books where you can adjust the speed. (I hate audiobooks though, but works for a lot of people apparently).

If it is making you fall asleep, it might be that you're actually just really tired, and all the screen stuff is keeping you artificially awake and you actually should read and if you feel tired then go to bed! After a few nights you might be able to stay up and read more.

Join a book club - has helped me finish stuff as gives me a deadline plus people post in the group and I want to add my thoughts and be mysterious about not saying spoilers!!

Ease yourself back into the habit by rereading old childhood favourites where you already know the story. Or easy reads - some people love trashy romances, or YA fiction, I'm quite partial to those (probably fake) "foster care memoirs" that read exactly like a Take a Break article. Or ask around people you know IRL for books people literally couldn't put down and try those.

@BertieBotts These are all really good ideas!

Book clubs and childhood favourites (even new children's books). I did tend to get hooked on the more exciting ...less serious genres... feeling shallow😳

About audio books, I love them but don't miss them if without. Tried to listen while I was doing chores. But honestly, it's so hard to hear AND process the contents when I was doing other things. I ended up kept rewinding again and again. Multitasking just isn't my thing...

I'd love to be able to read books again. If it's interesting enough I'll stick with it, but I get bored so very easily. I tend to choose exciting real life stories about people being lost at sea or escaping a difficult situation. I could never read a slow period novel, although I do love Jane Eyre and read it every few years.

Perhaps try a book you've read before or something you definitely know you'll like. Once you've read one it gets easier.

I borrowed a book written by Michael Morpurgo, for my 11yo child, because someone recommended it. I flipped through the pages, the beginning and the ending, then decided it's not for him and I wouldn't touch it myself too!

The entire idea is just too sad then compounded with injustice (sounds like), I just can't take it .

When I grew older and older, I found myself can no longer deal with any sad endings - given it in films or books, I just think my heart can't cope. 🤷

Yeah...need something more cheerful, exciting and with happy endings (or at least not depressing!)

I listened to a few Jane Austen 's books on audible before Christmas and got really sucked into a fanfiction of one of them... reading until nearly 3am for two days...😂

Nothing wrong with falling asleep. I try and break it down - if you read 3 pages a day consistently you would still finish the book! What I find is I get to an interesting part of the book and then feel more inclined to make more time etc.

Yes, 😂, agree. It's probably really just have to pick the right type of book.

I fell asleep on parenting books routinely, but I read Harry Potter for hours no problem. 😝

I have the same problem. I love books but often read and leave the last few pages unread. So I feel a failure and incomplete. It’s really weird.

im a big reader normally but for the past few years im scrolling instagram etc instead of reading my lovely books. It keeps me in a state of feeling lost and behind.

I think its procrastination plus self sabotage plus hoarding instinct.

I have a degree in literature so I have managed to read a lot in the past. But not for years now